Wendy Murdoch
Founder of The Murdoch Method and Sure Foot Equine Stability Program
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Wendy Murdoch
“Lynn Acton has combined her personal experiences, work with various clinicians, reading of equine literature, and most importantly, referenced research in the areas of horse behavior, management, and welfare in her book What Horses Really Want, and it is her inclusion of current research that makes this book truly stand out. Over the past three decades equine/human interaction and training has been oversimplified into a predator/prey model, which has been challenged in the academic world and debunked in many ways. Here, Acton provides a more compassionate alternative for the average horse owner based on respect for another living being, cooperation, understanding, positive reinforcement, and recognition that a sense of safety is key to the horse's overall well-being. Acton helps bring science to the stable by integrating the latest academic findings into daily interactions that are humane and nonaggressive. At the heart of her leadership model is the ability for each of us to remain in command of our own emotions and provide the horse with a sense of security. Only then will he trust us so that we can, with time and patience, help horses love to learn.” (from Amazon)
by Lynn Acton M.S.·You?
A book chock-full of answers to horse-behavior questions that will change your horse's life for the better. Horses want partners they trust. Meeting their need for security makes them more tuned-in, calmer, and more reliable. In her engaging book, highly illustrated with professional color photographs, certified riding instructor Lynn Acton, MS, shows you how, with practical step-by-step instructions. You’ll see that progress can be surprisingly fast with methods that are gentle, time-tested, backed by science, and that make intuitive sense to your horse. Discover how to earn trust and make training more efficient by engaging horses’ innate intelligence, maintaining clear two-way communication, and considering their point of view. This leadership approach has been used successfully for centuries by people of all backgrounds and skill levels on horses at all levels of training. Acton refers to this relationship as Protector Leadership because you are the horse’s protector. In these pages, she combines extensive horse experience and an academic background in social dynamics with in-depth research. She interprets and cites the scientific findings that explain why Protector Leadership works, and offers valuable insights into equine psychology while exposing myths that are sources of problems. Plus, Acton includes “Things to Try” at the end of each chapter—fun and easy-to-implement exercises that help you engage your horse as a thinking partner Throughout, the narrative includes stories of Acton's progress with her own horses, including mistakes and hindsight, and especially the transformation of the book’s "cover girl" Brandy from a dangerous throwaway to a happy, reliable partner. Clear, detailed photographs show the subtle body language of horses and people, and illustrate critical interactions that make a real difference in our relationships, communication, and training. These are a few of the concrete skills you will learn: Earn trust starting the moment you meet a horse.Recognize “misbehavior” that actually means your horse is thinking like a partner.Turn pressure into clear communication instead of stress.Use Positive Reinforcement for better learning, behavior, and reliability.Turn anxiety and spooks into confidence building situations.Discourage unwanted behavior without punishment.Allow your horse appropriate choices and freedom.As your bond strengthens, you can enjoy watching your horse’s true personality blossom. A thoughtful, progressive book for riders of all disciplines and students of the horse of all experience levels.