This is not a book on how to choose a horse. This is not a book on how to train a horse. Neither is it a book on how to ride a horse. It is a book about knowing your horse from the inside out. After reading Creature Comforts for Horses, it is my hope you will begin to understand even more about what makes that big heart tick. This was to be a mini-cook book of nutritious healthy horse treats. I soon realized treats were not the reason I was the proud owner of fatty patties and hunky chunkies. My journey to know my horses began. In spite of a medical/science background, I knew nothing about the physiology and anatomy of the horse nor its nutritional needs. I knew even less about the feed I was feeding and had no comprehension they too are products of what they eat. Sometimes an indifferent, inattentive and unwilling horse is not a diffi cult horse but a horse that doesnt have a wellness sense of balance. A horse that does not feel well will not perform well. In my quest to know my horse from the inside out I scoured libraries, bookstores and the internet and consulted with experienced horse people. Because I could not find one book that spoke to what I needed to know, I decided to create one. Cutting the fat, trimming the excess and addressing only the essential information required to ensure optimal wellness for my horses, all in an easy to understand language, defines Creature Comforts for Horses. I am thrilled to share this information with you.

This is not a book on how to choose a horse. This is not a book on how to train a horse. Neither is it a book on how to ride a horse. It is a book about knowing your horse from the inside out. After reading Creature Comforts for Horses, it is my hope you will begin to understand even more about what makes that big heart tick.This was to be a mini-cookbook of nutritious healthy horse treats. I soon realized treats were not the reason I was the proud owner of fatty patties and hunky chunkies. My journey to know my horses began. In spite of a medical/science background, I knew nothing about the physiology and anatomy of the horse nor it's nutritional needs.I knew even less about the feed I was feeding and had no comprehension they too are products of what they eat. Sometimes an indifferent, inattentive, and unwilling horse is not a difficult horse but a horse that doesn't have a wellness sense of balance. A horse that does not feel well will not perform well.In my quest to know my horse from the inside out I scoured libraries, bookstores, and the internet and consulted with experienced horse people. Because I could not find one book that spoke to what I needed to know, I decided to create one. Cutting the fat, trimming the excess, and addressing only the essential information required to ensure optimal wellness for my horses, all in an easy-to-understand language defines Creature Comforts for Horses. I am thrilled to share this information with you.

. . . a collection of wonderful and encouraging stories about 'Animal Assisted Therapy.' - Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of DogsThis inspiring, humorous, and touching book celebrates the beneficial effects that animals have on humans and describes how their healing potential is being increasingly acknowledged by the medical community. Animal Assisted Therapy, an important new development in health care, has already shown that people are statistically less likely to suffer an early heart attack if they have a pet, and that stroking an animal actually reduces stress levels.This, however, is only the tip of the iceberg, says environmental psychologist Bernie Graham. Animal Assisted Therapy is now achieving amazing results in treating children with physical and mental disabilities by using trained dolphins in acquatic therapy. There are also programs that teach dogs to help the disabled by taking laundry out of the washing machine; selecting, unpacking, and paying for items in the supermarket; and even withdrawing money from the bank. Cats, rabbits, and dogs are now taken into hospitals to comfort the patients, and more exotic animals such as ferrets, donkeys, guinea pigs, monkeys, and even tigers are being used to bring hope to individuals, thereby enhancing human efforts.Written with warmth and compassion, Creature Comfort looks at all aspects of Animal Assisted Therapy, including the theories behind it, to provide both a practical guide and a moving account of the many rewarding human-animal interactions. A must for pet lovers, health care workers, and anyone who wishes to benefit from this most holistic of therapies.Bernie Graham, an environmental psychologist, is a member of the British Psychological Society, the International Society for Anthrozoology, and the Society for Companion Animal Studies.

Experienced backyard horsekeeper Joan Fry leads the prospective horse owner through the process of assessing suitable land; choosing a veterinarian and farrier; constructing and furnishing a small barn, paddock, and arena; purchasing a horse; and feeding and care. Of special value to both novice and experienced owners are the sections on feed, which take into account the most up-to-date nutrition research, and training the horse for safe and enjoyable trail riding. Written with encouraging cheer and plenty of “horse sense,” Backyard Horsekeeping leads the way to maintaining and enjoying your own horse on your own property.

Illness and trauma touch us all. Into the uncertainty and pain trots a herd of tiny horses, bringing a smile, a laugh, a chance to heal. Mini Horse, Mighty Hope introduces you to Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, one of the largest equine therapy programs in the world. You'll experience moments of comfort, hope, healing, and even miracles as you follow these spirited mini horses on visits to children's and veterans' hospitals, victims of natural disasters, survivors of and first responders to mass shootings, and more. Along the way, you'll also get to know the founder of Gentle Carousel as she shares how the love of these marvelous little creatures has helped her navigate her own struggles and challenges. Perfect for animal lovers, people who enjoy true stories of healing, and anyone who has undergone trials and longs for hope.

This marvelous book, borne of a unique collaboration between Dr. Allen Schoen—a world-renowned veterinarian and author—and trainer and competitor of many years Susan Gordon, introduces the 25 Principles of Compassionate Equitation. These Principles, conceived by Dr. Schoen and Gordon, are a set of developmental guidelines, encouraging a level of personal awareness that may be enacted not only through the reader's engagement with horses, but can be extended to all humans and sentient beings he or she encounters. The 25 Principles share stories and outline current, peer-reviewed studies that identify and support methods of training, handling, and caring for horses that constitute a safe, healthy, non-stressful, and pain-free environment. Through their Compassionate Equestrian program, the authors encourage all involved in the horse industry to approach training and handling with compassion and a willingness to alleviate suffering. By developing deeper compassion for their own horses, and subsequently, all equines, equestrians transcend their differences in breed preferences, riding disciplines, and training methodologies. This leads to the ability to empathize and connect more closely with the “global collective” of horses and horse people. In doing so, a worldwide community of compassionate equine practitioners and horse owners will emerge, which will not only benefit the horses: People involved with horses are found in many influential segments of society and have the potential to affect wide circles of friends, acquaintances, and co-workers from every walk of life. These are simple changes any horse person can make that can have a vast impact on the horse industry and society as a whole.

Riding Home:The Power of Horses to Heal, Horse Nation's must read book of 2016, is the first and only book to scientifically and experientially explain why horses have the extraordinary ability to emotionally transform the lives of thousands of men, women and children, whether they are horse lovers, or suffering from deep psychological wounds. It is a book for anyone who wants to experience the joy, wonder, self-awareness and peace of mind that comes from creating a horse/human relationship, and it puts forth and clarifies the principles of today's Natural Horsemanship (or what was once referred to as "Horse Whispering") Everyone knows someone who needs help: a husband, a wife, a partner, a child, a friend, a troubled teenager, a war veteran with PTSD, someone with autism, an addiction, anyone in emotional pain or who has lost their way. Riding Home provides riveting examples of how Equine Therapy has become one of today's most effective cutting-edge methods of healing. Horses help us discover hidden parts of ourselves, whether we're seven or seventy. They model relationships that demonstrate acceptance, kindness, honesty, tolerance, patience, justice, compassion, and forgiveness. Horses cause all of us to become better people, better parents, better partners, and better friends. A horse can be our greatest teacher, for horses have no egos, they never lie, they're never wrong and they manifest unparalleled compassion. It is this amazing power of horses to heal and teach us about ourselves that is accessible to anyone and found in the pages of Tim Hayes's Riding Home. The information and lists of therapeutic and non-therapeutic equine programs, which are contained in the book, are also available at the book's website.

As pets or show horses, for driving, therapy, or guide animals, Minis are ideal whether you have limited space or a larger property. The Book of Miniature Horses is full of information on finding and selecting Minis; their care, exercise, training, showing, and breeding; their use as therapy animals; and more.

To understand the shifting emotions human beings go through daily, regarding any and all relationships to family, friends, lovers, acquaintances and strangers (ourselves included), each of us needs to continue to evolve and to become educated while living creatively in a stressful society and world. My original purpose was to match a different animal and subject for every day of the year. As it turned out, some months have more entries than others; but, none is less than a month without Sundays and/or weekends. Often, true benefit only takes place when the self who feels victimized expresses emotions on paper (i.e. in form of a missive to someone else) to comprehend whatever may be bothering the letter-writer. But, these letters aren't intended to be sent; they are private. Instead, consider this volume a way and means to comfort and/or offer a solution or resolution to a troubling issue. For, only by appreciating ourselves can we totally fathom others before ultimately caring about humanity at-large, enough to accept and tolerate, eventually love each other's distinct uniqueness in this vast universe still striving for peace and harmony. Writing letters has become a dying art. So too comprehending the significance of all creatures to balance our environment that is dependent on survival of on animals and insects. Perhaps you won't be able to resist sending one or two missives to the right or wrong person. That's up to you. I offer Creature Comforts . with the genuine hope that you may realize every creature on earth has a purpose. (From the Author's Introduction dated Jan. 21, 2008)

How one woman’s love for horses led her to a deeper love of God With edgy honesty and humor, Laurie Brock invites all who have longed for a deeper encounter with God to join her in the saddle (and occasionally on the ground) to discover how horses’ ways of knowing can help humans discover God speaking to us. This book—from a powerful, vulnerable, clergy author—is for anyone who struggles with the experience of faith in the institutional church, or who feels they have connected with God on a deep level outside of church, in everyday pastimes, or in emotional moments. “A beautifully written meditation on belief, the holy, and the healing power of horses. Mertonian in its wisdom, this profound book not only helped me see the magic of animals in everyday life, but allowed me a better understanding of my own faith journey in the Episcopal Church.” —SILAS HOUSE, novelist, author of Southernmost “Brock writes beautifully, with depth and passion. She gives us a sense of how horses—powerful, beautiful animals—might teach us about ourselves and God.” —REV. CANON SCOTT GUNN, Executive Director, Forward Movement