A Journey to Softness: In Search of Feel and Connection with the Horse

This is a nice book to read. I enjoy his writing style. The reason for only 3 stars is that I wish he explained more "how" to develop softness, instead of just why it is important. After reading 20 pages about the importance of softness, I'm there. I understand. I get it. Now I want to know how to become softer. I do not care so much about all the talk about martial arts. Again, at first it is interesting and I do understand why he talks about it, but after a while I found myself skimming over the pages to found the next paragraph talking about horseback riding instead of martial arts. Overall, reading this book was a positive experience. It has helped me to try to be more self-aware about the type of energy I have around my horses, I just wished it had more practical ideas about what to do to develop softness.

This is a GREAT book! Softness with your training comes first from the inside of the rider. Easy to say, hard to do.... He address how our unresolved tensions in our daily lives and bodies is directly transmitted to our horses in training them. If you are wound up - get it under control or stay away from training. Oh, how I hang my head in shame for my past transgressions of dumping my lifes' B.S. into my horses and not understanding that their problems were the result of my issues. Over time I have learned to calm and re-gather with a peppermint, slowly sucked, while sitting quietly on my poor victim in training. Thank you, Bobby Avella. (Sp.?) A comment he made at one of his clinics years ago. Have gone through bags of mints over the years. This is not quite what Mark is saying, but a start. He talks of softness in your whole day to day life, being present with true internal calm. Horses do know the difference and react accordingly. Building trust while your mind and body are in a grind just won't happen. This is well written, easy to read and more than worth reading from continually with the hopes that you will GET IT and, eventually, you will communicate more softly with life and your horses. Keep it close...it is a life lesson.

I've enjoyed, and continue to refer back to, all of Mark Rashid's excellent books on building a solid partnership with horses, but Journey to Softness has been especially enlightening for me. Rashid outlines the type and levels of communication we should seek to develop that are necessary to get to that seemingly invisible conversation between horse and rider that makes the two work as one. Softness comes from trust, confidence, consistency, reliability, clear communication. He takes each aspect and makes the concepts clear, and how to apply them, through his experiences with horses. And along the way, the reader is fortunate to also receive great general advice and wisdom about developing and keeping a good relationship with your horse that makes you want to head for the barn and practice what you've learned. Highly, highly recommended.

I am such a fan of Mark Rashid and his approach to working with horses! LOVE his books; they are what started me on a path to a kinder, softer way with horses. I had the privelege of participating in one of his clinics a few years ago, as well. This book was an excellent read, and put many things into perspective for me. I "discovered" it at just the right time, too, when I was struggling with many of the concepts he discusses. If you are serious about finding a better way to "be" with horses, both on the ground and in the saddle, then you will definitely enjoy and benefit from this book. Highly recommend all of his other books, as well!

I was looking for information and I got so much more. He's a wonderful story teller and he uses his stories to explain a point. Actually, he explains many things in his stories. This is the way horses "work" - in situations. Horse thinking isn't linear it is a combination of life experiences. To understand their life experiences and to convey them to others takes a story. Just as a stressed person didn't just flip a switch to become a stressed person, so it is with horses. You can learn a lot from this book about horses and about yourself. Electronic devices are "if, then" thinkers and we have become more like them. Before we had electronics, we were more like horses. We reacted to new information based on experiences. Our horses never changed.

Intentional softness even before touching my horse to halter him. Not rushing through even the simplest tasks. Being mindful of kindness with all of my intentions. Just a few of so many wonderful takeaways from this book for me. Thank you for once again providing me with real insight in to how me and my horse can have a better partnership.

This is a beautifully written and moving view into the world of communication. Not just for those who ride, or work with horses, but for anyone interested in how powerful and effective our thoughts and actions can be. I'm only half way through, and find that I want to savour every word and anecdote within the pages.Mark Rashid has a wonderful gift with words. I can almost hear his voice while he's recounting his experiences of life and lessons. Highly recommended!

I have been working with horses for years but felt I had missed something and was feeling uneasy about every other trainer that I have read or seen because of the GAP in methodology. This bothered me more than a little because I feel horsemanship in my bones; in my soul and I couldn’t identify the issue of what was missing.Mark Rashid has verbalized much of what I’ve been feeling. Thank you for taking the time to lay what I believe to be the cornerstone upon which all training should built.Thank you, from the horses as well.

I love Mark Rashid books and have all of them. I love his style of writing and the way he teaches without actually teaching.This book just didn't do anything for me, it's very different from the others I have read and while it is still full of valuable thought provoking scenarios it relied too much on martial arts for me.I understand Mark is trying to show how martial arts and horsemanship can help each other - or at least helped him with his own experiences - but it just felt too unrealistic and sadly I didn't make it to the end of the book.

Mark has a fantastic way of explaining things to make them easier to understand. I found this book very captivating, informative and interesting, lots to take on board and implement to improve my relationship with my horse. I wish I could meet this amazing man, unfortunately I've not been able to get to any of the clinics he's held in the UK. Would recommend this to anyone who wants to build a great relationship with their horse through understanding and a gentle approach.

If you work with horses, this book is essential reading - actually, it’s essential living.If you don’t work with horses, this book is essential reading - actually,it’s essential living.I’ve just sent the link to all my senior shamanic students as a way (I hope) to help them understand the core of what we do.It’s magical. But it’s what humanity is for - finding connection with the world around us. What horses give us is such an inspiring reflection of our own inner world, so we can make our inner changes and see-feel the evidence. Buy it. Read it. Make it happen. It’s who we can be. - and need to be if we’re to change the story of our reality.

Mark's work continues to get better and better. This book touched me deeply. It has given me permission to be, without compromise, the horsewoman I have always wanted to be, and which I have instinctively felt was right. That is one who builds a partnership through understanding, communication and kindness and an absolute commitment to a personal journey of change. As always it is an easy whilst profound read, full of entertaining as well as educational stories. Thank you again Mark.

I love all Mark's books but I must confess I wondered how he could write yet one more and say something new. I am amazed. There is so much of interest in this book and it is also quite moving in parts. Inspiring and inspirational. Thank goodness for Mark Rashid.