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

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

Readers' experiences follow book description...
Horses want the security of partners they trust to protect them. Feeling safe makes them calmer, more reliable, and more connected. I show you how to be that partner using gentle, time-tested methods that engage your horse's innate intelligence and maintain clear two-way communication. This centuries-old leadership approach works for people of all backgrounds and skill levels. I call it Protector Leadership because you are the horse’s protector. I share my adventures learning to be a Protector Leader, including mistakes and hindsight, and Brandy’s transformation from a dangerous throwaway to a happy, reliable partner. I explain and reference studies that show why Protector Leadership works, and that expose myths that are sources of problems. My horses and I provide demonstrations that are fun, easy for you to implement, and make intuitive sense to your horse. Progress can be surprisingly fast because you are enlisting your horse as a thinking partner. Earning trust and building your horse’s confidence is easier than you think. As your bond strengthens, you can enjoy watching your horse’s true personality blossom! Just a few of the concrete skills you will learn are:
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

You can view the Book Trailer.here.

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

Endorsements
Lynn Acton's What Horses Really Want brings together themes of observation, playfulness, trust, and communication into an enjoyable book about horse behavior and training. Her concept of Protector Leadership resonates with me as an equine-assisted services (EAS) professional, and provides a valuable foundation for work that engages horses in EAS programs. Within days of reading this book, I found I could easily and effectively implement some of these concepts into my work with EAS program horses, improving our interactions and hopefully their sense of engagement and well-being on the job. Thank you to Lynn for such valuable insights and practical suggestions!
- Karen Brittle, MA, Assistant Professor of Equine Studies at Centenary University, Director of Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC), Certified PATH Intl. Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning

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

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
- Claire Artis

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....
- Shanelle Robertson

I just had to let you know that I had the most amazing session with my horse today by following your advice- while hand walking my huge, scared of his shadow, most lovable horse I ever met- I let Mr. P make the decisions about which direction to turn during a 40 minute walk about. I had conversations with him and had soft music playing from iPhone. My eyes were opened today in that your techniques are amazing. Thank you.
- Dee Kraley

I bought Lynn Acton’s book and it is one of the best, most useful informative works I have found!~
- Mary Ellen Spaite