Body Language of Horses

by Tom Ainslie and Bonnie Ledbetter

Book Overview

Horses communicate with remarkable accuracy in a language of posture, gesture and sound. They express their needs, wishes and emotions to each other and to the rare human being who understands them. After reading this unprecedented, exciting and up-lifting book, you will understand the equine language. You therefore will know how to recognize:

A happy horse. A frightened horse. An angry horse. A bored horse. A grieving horse. A frustrated...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688036201
• ISBN13: 9780688036201
• Release Date: May 1980
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Condition wasn’t as described

I ordered a “Good” hardcopy of this book and I received an “Acceptable” at best. The book sleeve was torn in half across the front and a whole corner was missing. The book itself had several damages to the hard cover as well along with several pages bent and “dog eared”. Overall just disappointed in the care of the book.

Great book on Horse Language

My grandniece is a crazy horse girl and I am sure she will love this book. I read it and really enjoyed it.

This book was a fantastic find!

Wow! There are 45 horses who are personal friends of mine, and after reading this book, I feel that I know them so much better now! I had already figured out many of their quirks and cute personality traits, and now I have a whole new insight. For example, now I understand that the reason Image is "attitudinal" is because his mama was lead mare when he was born, and he's not about to let anyone forget it. And Casanova is the "class clown" who, if he likes you, will entertain you for hours with his (sometimes annoying) antics like knocking the hat off my head, over and over again -- and if he doesn't like you, don't turn your back on him, or he'll nip you in the butt (but never hard), and by the time you turn around, he's looking the other way, as if to say, "Who did that? Not me!" There are stories in the book to match and top any I have to tell, including a senior horse who liked to play jokes on cows. It's a terrific read and very educational as well. If you are looking to buy a horse, there are tips for selecting one. And for those who enjoy horse racing, there are tips for betting on horses, based on observing their behavior before the race. There's something for everyone in this book.

Worth the short amount of time it takes to read--

I personally felt that this book is an awesome introduction to horses and their behavior. No, it does not go into great detail of body language, and it is not for the experienced horseman (I only bought this book because it was required for a class), BUT the book is worth your time. I think that this book offered an excellent perspective on undertanding the horse and why they do what they do. For example, just because the horse isn't doing what you want, doesn't necessarily mean that it's being a "bad" horse- there is an incredible array of things that could be the 'problem'; even though as I said this book will offer no new insights to experienced horsemen and women, it can be a very good reminder of why our horses do what they do. All in all, if you are a beginner to the horse world, pick this book up, and take a few hours to read it, it'll be worth the time and money.

I love this book!

For someone who is just learning about horses, as I am, this book is a gratifying shortcut. It tells what to expect, what to do and not do, and basically---how horses think, act, and react, and what their real needs are. I couldn't put it down...and thank the authors for being so thorough! I've observed some "veteran" horse persons whose horse-wisdom would be enhanced mightily if they read this book from cover to cover. Five stars!

You won't look at the paddock/post parade the same way!

A must read for the handicapper who wants an edge. By understanding the horse itself you'll better understand why "crazy" things happen at the races. Spot longshots that are on their toes and ready to put in a good performance. Look at horses coming off the layoff and have a better understanding of if they are fit and ready. An insight into the mind of the horse - and if you can interpret what the horse may be thinking you can figure out if s/he wants to run! Don't go to the paddock or watch another post parade without reading this book first. It's given me an edge and can help you too!

fascinating and intriguing

I very much enjoyed this book, and it has changed the way I interpret horse behavior. Also, if you enjoyed this book, try Monty Robert's book. He has a similar theory, and he goes a bit more in depth. I would love for the authors to write a sequel. I loved the book, and reccomend it highly.