Whole Heart, Whole Horse: Building Trust Between Horse and Rider Paperback – July 1, 2014

Awesome, Awesome book. I am so pleased Mr. Rashid has willingly shared such intimately awesome equine information. This is the best book I have ever read on understanding and communication with horses. Thank you Mr. Rashid! I have learned so very much!!

A book that helps with getting the owner’s mindset in order and reminds the reader that a horse is a mirror of the anxiety and doubts of the rider. The book asserts repeatedly the need for patience, leadership, and encourages us to recognize when our egos get in the way of listening to the horse. I’ll be re-reading this over and over as the years go by. Thank you, Mr. Rashid

I have many of Mark's earlier books and enjoyed them all thoroughly. Mark is wise and communicates so well through stories. The title of this one caught me because I have a new horse, and we've gotten off to a bit of a rocky start. This book contains so many important insights to be found nowhere else in print! Mark is such an expert at distilling the wisdom of an experienced horseperson who seeks to understand, not dominate. I find his points to be so easily absorbed from his stories. And unlike in his first 4 books, Mark seems to have found his voice as a writer and teacher, adding more of his own interpretations of the stories, which I find very helpful. This book is really helping me get to the heart of what is important in building my new relationship. It's a hard book to put down, but I make myself do it so I can more fully absorb and appreciate each chapter.Mark has a way of boiling down what's important and touching the hearts of all true horse lovers.

One of the reasons I love reading Mark Rashid's books is that you learn without being lectured. There are no little "games" just thoughtful readjustment. I have two horses and I'm not always quiet in my reactions. In this book he talks about the one horse that will always stay in your memory. For me, that was a horse that I leased, Bai. I remember the very early mornings we went out for a ride on the ranch when no one else was around. We cantered around the fields and I felt so free and safe. He was my professor and I will always be grateful for the confidence he gave me. It also makes me more aware of the trust that is necessary from your horse as you ask him to work with you in new areas: areas of teaching but also physical areas as you move away from the barn, into a trailer, away at the park, or going down the road alone with you. You can read this book in short spurts as I did over my lunch hours. But each lunchtime I was wishing that I was able to keep reading into the afternoon. Thank you Mark for another easy but thoughtful read.

Highly recommend any of Rashid's books. He has such a talent for writing and putting words to paper which just absolutely captivate you from start to finish.If you are struggling with your mindset when approaching horses, Rashid does a stellar job of breaking through some mental cages which we all fall into when working with/training horses. Very convicting and challenging to read! I have to pace myself when I sit down to read his books otherwise I would read them all in one setting.Cannot recommend this enough!

I think I read this book pretty much from cover to cover before I had even cleared away the packaging.As always Mark writes in an easily accessible style, anecdotes from his clinics and his work with 'the old man' provide insights into his style of teaching, and the way of the horse. I find myself thinking deeply about the way that I train, and interact with horses when reading his books. They aren't instructional in a traditional sense, and yet there is something that makes a connection. You learn by listening to the writer; in a way that is perhaps closest to the way that we naturally learn through experience and although you may not leave with a specific set of exercises to perform, or a new gadget to try I definitely believe that you will learn.If you're a fan of Mark already, then this will be familiar and yet because they are new stories and experiences they will bring you some new insights. If you are new to Mark, then be prepared to read and let your own mind process the stories. As I say this is not an instructional book in the normal sense of the word; you won't get training techniques 101, or 101 exercises to stop your horse bucking, but you can learn a great deal from allowing this book to percolate through your own thoughts, feelings and attitudes.

Mr. Rashid has written a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Once again Mark relates stories of his time with "the old man". He also intersperses clinic experiences. Mark relates "horse stories" in an enjoyable, easy to read manner, yet touches on the core of understanding and interacting with these marvelous creatures. I especially found the chapter on Trauma interesting, having spent the last 3 years rehabbing a traumatized horse. The chapter on Information is great. Mark believes horses are not disrespectful or bad; they are just giving us information. It is what WE do with that information that makes the difference. The story about The Black is heart felt. The gelding that could not wait to get back to the barn and why (you have to read the book to find out) is funny and surprising. This book touches all the emotions; it will make you laugh, cry, and ponder your relationship with your horses. The photographs at the beginning of each chapter are also a special treat. The only problem with the book is it ended too soon. I HIGHLY recommend this book (as I do all of Mark's books).

What an amazing read about humans and horses. Such gems of wisdom. Grew up with a horse and the love never left me. I have never given a 6 before, but I felt compelled to after this read.

Never ever thought I would be emotional with a book like this, it just has a bit of everything. It’s a damn good book, with lots of new insights. It’s my second book, but I’m gonna read them all.

Mark Rashid really teaches truth, honesty and trust - with short accounts, anecdotes and stories that illustrate problems we all may encounter and mistakes we all may make in our lives with our equine friends. And he's a great storyteller, too!

There is such warmth in this book. I felt truly inspired as a horse owner to continue building a truly "soft" relationship with my horses 😊

Another wonderful book. I love all the books I have read by Mark Rashid and reading this one has helped me understand my two young horses better and more deeply. His writing about 'softness' is outstanding and so helpful to me. The book is full of his real-life experiences with horses and their owners, together with memories of when he was learning about horses as a boy. Clearly and sensitively written with stories relevant to explaining his approach to being with horses. Thank you Mark from me and my small herd.