Resources

further your personal growth and horsemanship learning

Suggested reading and other resources to continue your learning journey

BOOKS

The Zen of Horseback Riding and Simple Pushes by Tom Nagel (www.zenandthehorse.com)

Tom is an insightful and powerful teacher and healer. His unique insights and helpful exercises are part of our workshop offerings and have improved and simplified the way I interact with horses as a reflection of myself.

Horse Speak by Sharon Wilsie and Gretchen Vogel (sharonwilsie.com)

This book and Sharon’s teachings are incredibly approachable and foundational for interacting with horses in a way that shows respect and understanding of the body language they use with one another. I highly recommend every horse person no matter their level of experience read this to more deeply understand and interact with every horse they come into contact with.

The Listening Heart by Leigh Shambo MSW LMHC, David Young, and Catherine Madera (humanequinealliance.com)

Leigh was one of my first mentors and in this book she and her co authors go deeper into the science behind the power of horses in therapeutic interactions. All this applies to horsemanship as well!

The Tao of Equus and Riding Between the Worlds by Linda Kohanov (www.eponaquest.com)

These two books were my first taste and exposure to Equine Facilitated Learning (E.F.L.). They sparked my journey to re-discover how to do and teach active horsemanship that aligned with my core values and beliefs. This included integrating this perspective into my way of starting horses under saddle and teaching any horse or human how to relate and communicate from a heart centered authentic place.

Naked Liberty by Carolyn Resnik (www.carolynresnickblog.com)

My first introduction to Carolyn Resnik and her liberty based horse training methods. This book tells the tale of her childhood of learning how to integrate socially with a wild herd. A highlight of the book is when one of these wild horses offers its back to her for a ride! Guaranteed to give you goose bumps!

Centered Riding 1 & 2 by Sally Swift (www.centeredriding.org)

The therapeutically active riding method described in these books coupled with lessons from a level 4 Centered Riding instructor named Karen Irland changed my riding relationship with all horses. To me it’s the ideal riding technique to bringing E.F.L. concepts with you into the saddle.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (www.eckharttolle.com)

An easy to digest and relate to book about the power of presence and peace of mind in your everyday life. Draws parallels of universal wisdom between all religions and schools of thought which can also be found in basic principles of many natural horsemanship teachers.

A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon

This book was part of my reading list for my H.E.A.L. (www.humanequinealliance.com) Facilitator Training Program. Written by 3 prominent psychiatrists, it describes just how vital to our health on all levels relationship and love are, presenting multiple scientific studies blended with stories of real life experiences.

RECOMMENDED PROFESSIONALS

Instructors/Trainers

Devanee Cardinal www.cardinalranch.com

Karen Irland www.karenirland.com

Leigh Shambo, MSW/LMHC of Human Equine Alliances for Learning www.humanequinealliance.com

Ken McNabb of Ken McNabb Horsemanship www.kenmcnabb.com

Veterinarians

Dr. Hannah Mueller, DVM of Cedarbrook Veterinary Care, Snohomish, WA (www.cedarbrookvet.com)

Dr. Julie Eihl, DVM, Stanwood, WA (360) 629-3168

Farriers

Daphne Jones, Bare Horse Trimming and Training (201) 816-4816

Katie Garrett, Icicle Equine Services (icicleequine.com)