A Horse by Nature - by Mary Ann Simonds (Paperback)

About the Book

"A color-coded guide to creating better horse-human interactions and reducing mental, emotional, and physical stress in the horse. Renowned wild horse ecologist Mary Ann Simonds provides a soup-to-nuts manual for stress-reduction in performance horses. Based on her 30-plus years of personal research and experience of wild horse ecology and domestic horse behavior, as well as data provided by other equine scientists, readers will find a foundation of understanding related to the natural life cycle and history of the horse, from birth to forming friendships and families. The importance of gender, age, breed, culture, and habitat in the horse's natural development are clarified. Simonds then explores horse-human relationships, communication, care, and training, as well as "the things we do with horses," clarifying how to reduce the stress typically experienced by horses when pursuing specific equestrian disciplines and activities"--

Book Synopsis

The first complete
reference to help equestrians make the changes needed to ensure social license
and the ability to ride and compete horses for years to come.

Renowned
wild horse ecologist and equine behaviorist Mary Ann Simonds provides a
practical soup-to-nuts manual for understanding how horses think, feel, learn,
communicate, and interact with each other and with humans. Integrating over 30
years of field research, identifying functional social behaviors in wild horses
with her lifelong professional practice working with equestrians solving equine
behavioral issues, Simonds helps readers gain a strong foundation into the
emotional and cognitive lives of horses and explore various horse-human
relationships. She provides numerous tools for assessing personalities,
communicating with horses, and understanding how horses learn, with an emphasis
on improving care and reducing stress in competitions and sports.

In three
parts, each introduced by top researchers and scientists in the equestrian
field, readers will:

• LEARN the
  natural history and social ecology of free-roaming wild horses.

• UNDERSTAND the
  instincts, learned behaviors, gender differences, social roles, and social
  bonds that are the driving factors in horse culture.
• DISCOVER how
  adaptable horses really are, and how that makes them an ideal species to share
  their social lives with humans.
• FOCUS on horse-human
  relationships applying the knowledge from Part One to reduce equine stress and
  improve communication in the management and training of all horses.
• EXPLORE how to better
  assess the horse's personality and emotions, understand his learning style, and
  use various communication channels to establish trust, improve friendship, and
  enhance performance.
• ADDRESS the ethics of
  horse sports and ask the questions needed to ensure horse welfare in all the
  disciplines.
• CONSIDER dozens of
  changes related to horse management and competition recommended by respected
  industry professionals.
• BE EMPOWERED to be an
  influencer to improve the lives of horses, whatever the profession, breed, or
  sport.

Filled with
hundreds of color-coded tips and beautiful photos, and backed by science,
personal stories, and unique insights, readers have multiple ways to quickly
find useful information and apply it to their own horse-human situations.
Whether preparing for a horse show, working with young stock, riding on the
trails, adopting a wild horse, running a rescue, or just hoping to improve your
communication and relationships with all horses, this book is a catalyst for
much-needed change in the equine industry.

Review Quotes

"A Horse By Nature is filled with amazing color photographs of horses in the wild and with various trainers. Color-coded, personal anecdotes and insightful tips are woven throughout the text. [It] belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves horses. It's an insightful and rewarding read." --Cowgirl Magazine

"A Horse by Nature allows readers to get deep inside the psyche of horses, to formulate a plan to better meet their needs, and to train them with logic and empathy, using methods that make sense and that get results." --Julie Goodnight, Trainer and Horsemanship Clinician

"Horses have survived in the wild for hundreds of thousands of years. But life has changed--all horses used to be free, now most are not. Since we humans are guardians to the beautiful horses in our lives, it's important we are aware of their genetic makeup and understand how to work with their nature. For this reason, anyone and everyone who cares about animals should read this book--especially young riders, so they start off right." -Joe Fargis, Horseman, Educator, Olympian

"This book provides suggestions and some directional ideas of how we can all move together for the good of the horse, which I think is so important." --Duncan Peters, DVM, DACVSMR

"This is a great book. If you suspect you're not going to be able find the time to spend years or even months sitting out on a range observing how horses really relate to each other, to their environment, and to us, then (grab a cup of coffee, and) get this book." --Jim Masterson, Founder of the Masterson Method(R) and author of Beyond Horse Massage

"One of the most educational books that I have read in a long time. Mary Ann has provided us with the Toastmasters International version of how to learn to fully listen to what horses are trying to tell us in an effort to for us to be better communicators with horses. She has done an outstanding job in outlining how to be respectful and effective in participating in a horse-human conversation." --Kevin Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD, Dipl. ACVSMR

"Horse enthusiasts will absorb decades of insight, wisdom, and compassion from an extraordinary, gifted horse woman. Illustrative photos expand the insights, as one photo is worth a thousand words. The superb editing by Rebecca Didier, creates an informative, yet delightfully easy read. Integrating communication through subtle senses and learning about more profound degrees of horse/human communication will deepen your connection with your horse. Read, absorb, and smile as you expand your awareness." --Allen Schoen, DVM, MS., PhD. (hon.), co-author, The Compassionate Equestrian

"This book is a treasure for every horse lover, whether for the professional with decades of experience or for someone just starting with horses. The genetic match between wild and domestic horses proves the similarity in behavior as well. Mary Ann Simonds, an experienced wildlife biologist takes us inside the world of wild horses and shows us how uniquely social and exceptionally cooperative horses, wild and domestic alike, are. She opens our eyes to their learning behavior and well-being. Understanding horses, recognizing their body language, being able to communicate with them, and avoiding stress, are all key to working together successfully. It awakens joy and curiosity to recognize one's own horse's personality and individuality and develop empathy. This book is nothing less than the key to a truly better world for horse and man, opening eyes and the heart." --Dr. Dorothe Meyer, Veterinarian Specializing in Equine Performance Physiology and Nutrition

"I applaud Mary Ann's work, research and efforts in writing this book... she has helped bring a lot of necessary conversations to the fore and given us all the proper context to engage is such dialogue."

--Tom O'Mara, horse show parent

"Read this book. For your horse's sake, for your own desire to be the best rider and trainer you can be, and for the sake of the entire horse industry." --US Dressage Federation Connections Magazine

About the Author

Mary Ann Simonds grew up loving horses and showing in California, then
pursued her passion, studying wild horses and equestrian psychology. She
developed a professional practice of more than 45 years as a researcher,
educator, coach, and consultant. A pioneer in the field of human-animal interactions,
Simonds established models for minimizing stress in both humans and horses with
a focus to improve sport horse welfare. She lectures internationally, working
with veterinarians, professionals, and equine enthusiasts. Simonds has
published numerous articles, books, and videos. Selling her farm after 25 years
and running the Whole Horse & Equestrian Science Institute for 35 years,
she now happily lives in Wellington, Florida, and continues to teach, write,
and speak on the subject of equine welfare.