What Horses Really Want: Unlocking the Secrets to Trust, Cooperation, and Reliability

Left: Best Friends Brandy and Sapphire / Right: Brandy at Liberty

Many problems are caused by too much focus on what we want from horses and not enough on what they need from us. When success is measured by obedience, what the horse thinks and feels can be overlooked. Is he calm, confident, and trusting? Or anxiously wishing he could escape? His behavior, performance, and reliability depend on the answers to those questions. The solution is a relationship (not a training program) that I call Protector Leadership because it meets horses’ need for security, clarity, and someone they trust to protect them. What Horses Really Want explains how and why this relationship works. Brandy and Bronzz help me demonstrate how it can work for you, too. Suggested exercises are included to help you apply what we demonstrate.
This is the text from the back cover, with chapter numbers added:
Earn a horse’s trust starting from the moment you meet him. Chapter 2
Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment. Chapter 9
Catch an “uncatchable” horse by showing him he will be safe when he is with you. Chapter 2
Interpret unwanted behavior so you can identify and address underlying causes.
Chapters 7 – 8
Recognize “misbehavior” that is actually a positive sign that your horse is thinking like a partner. Chapter 6
Turn pressure into a clear means of communication instead of a source of stress.
Chapter 9
Encourage your horse to stay with you when he is nervous and watch for your guidance and direction. Chapter 10
Use rewards to encourage learning and improve your relationship with your horse. Chapter 11
Reawaken your horse’s curiosity and ability to learn in new and potentially scary situations. Chapter 12 -14
Improve your horse’s reliability with a positive confidence-building system. Chapter 15
Strengthen your connection with your horse by allowing him appropriate choices and freedom. Chapter 16 What Horses Really Want is available in both hardcopy and ebook format.
In the US: Trafalgar Square Books or Amazon
Both Trafalgar and Amazon show the Table of Contents and a sample chapter.
In UK and Europe: Quiller Publishing
In Australia and NZ: Horse Books

Feedback from readers
From Maggie Cason van Loan, Horse Agility Accredited Trainer whose rescued mustangs hold world titles in Agility...
You have no idea how much your book, “What Horses Really Want” has inspired me! What an amazing book that you wrote!

From Claire Artis...
I have read your book and it’s fantastic. I particularly like your terminology of Protector leadership, that’s exactly the kind of human I want to be for my ponies xx

From Shanelle Robertson...
So I've just begun chapter 15 and am super enjoying your book! What you've been saying about patience and doing nothing but waiting for the horse to think- omg i got results the first day i tried!! And it was sooooo hard, felt like forever (def under 30 secs tho) of me standing and waiting and i was filled with shock and so much joy when he started to come towards me, doing what I had asked!!! It's interesting too bc it sparks more confidence in me, that i did communicate, and i just need to be patient, instead of giving up or quickly running through different ways asking and getting frustrated. Also just noticed how this book just came out last year- CONGRATS!!!! I've already bought a copy for a friend!!! Thank you thank you for putting all of your knowledge, advice and experience into these pages. You're making a big difference....