Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal

Remarkable book giving us insight into our remarkable brother, the horse. Having loved horses all my life, with no idea why, I know have a better grasp on the hold that these magnificent animals are all about that made me fall in love so completely. Dogs are wonderful, but they aren't afraid of us because we share the fact that we are both predators in the animal kingdom(yes, humans are at least half animal, and half spirit, with varying percentages in each of us). Dogs feel a kinship with us and even help us hunt. A horse is a prey animals, meaning that they are always on the lookout for something to eat them, us included, sad to say. Yet, through their generosity of spirit, horses choose to work through their fear and work with us, aiding us as no other animal in the entire animal kingdom.What I learned from this book is how horses work with us not only physically, but with our emotional damage as well. Throughout the book, Tim Hayes shows us how horses heal children with Autism, soldiers with PTSD, and all kinds of physically compromised people. Horses understand fear and vulnerability. They understand the importance of family, since the herd is literally what stands between them and being eaten by something. Hayes remarks on how so many of the 'natural horsemen' have had issues with abusive family upbringings, which leads them to a way of dealing with horses through the compassion the men themselves grew up without. After reading this book, I think the reason women relate so strongly to horses, in that women are the vulnerable sex and can readily understand the horses need for the security of the herd.There is so much wisdom in this book, and maybe learning how to treat these wonderful animals with the love and respect they deserve, will make us treat each other better, especially the most vulnerable of us, our children.

I am a disabled Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. I spent more than two years in a hospital, and I lost count of all of the different therapists, doctors, psycologists, and other heath care professionals I saw through my tenure. When I was finally released from the hospital, I became a shut in, and would only leave my house for basic necessities of life, like many with PTSD do. It was just, "easier" to remain a shut in.As a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, I was invited to a cook-out at an equine therapy facility near my home. The bait of barbecue was the motivation for me to get out of the house.I'm forever greatfful I took that step.From the first moment I arrived at the farm, I felt such an incredible feeling on being whole again. As I continued to recieve therapy there, the broken pieces of my severely injured brain, came together again, and the shadows of PTSD started to clear.Two years after starting that therapy, I learned how to love again, and more deeply than I could have ever imagined because of a horse. To the point now where I can live without the fog of medications and anti-depressants, and to the point where I could love another person enough to get married and trust her more than I ever thought I could.After I started riding, I was hired by the farm to work as a photographer. I have the privladge to doccument the same healing of other vets, children with disabilities such as Autism, caner, or many of the other illnesses the autor talks about, and can tell you that every word, and every feeling he describes in this book are spot on.I can't say thank you enough to the author for putting into a book what I've tried to explain to people outside the horse world, but never could.I strongly recomed this to everyone, especially anyone who's had any trauma in their lives, and hope they find a horse as great as the one I found to help them fully recover.

I have had a passion for horses since I was 7 years old. I was finally able to be blessed with my first horse at 47. I cried the whole way home after I bought him, he changed my life in so many ways. It broke my heart when I had to put him down and I had a void so deep in my heart for a long time.I have had. Ruby for over 6 years and I can totally relate to what Tim Hayes says about a horse bring a mirror of who you are. She has taught me so much about who I am deep down inside. I will be forever grateful to God and my trainer for pairing me with this amazing partner.My goal in retirement is to work in Equine Therapy even if my part is mucking stalls. I volunteered with a kids with disabilities program years ago and to watch the change in these kids was a gift.Thank you for this book, it has given me the extra drive to follow my heart.

This is a truly amazing book in every definition of the word! Just that the foreword is written by Robert Redford says a lot! It gives you so much knowledge and understanding and you have to really pay attention not to miss anything. It is full packed with knowledge that will make you a better rider and understand these unique creatures in a way that is hard to get through conventional training. And it is a story that captures you, makes you want to hide away from the world and sit undisturbed with this incredible book. Horses can heal us, I have experienced it first hand and doing it parallel with reading this book. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have picked up on the subtle message this particular horse sent me... I am grateful to Tim Hayes for writing it. Are you interested in horses, read this! It will enrich your life.

livre reçu en parfait état. très beau livre que je conseille à tous ceux qui s'intéresse à l'équicoaching ou l'équithérapie. allez voir dans le même ordre Equirock'n Human chez www.carolinediguet.com.

Me ha gustado todo el desarrollo en positivo que ha tenido la equinoterapia en los Estados Unidos.Me ha hecho pensar mucho en cómo se podría desarrollar en Europa si tuviera apoyo de las estructuras de educación pública.Finalmente sorprende positivamente saber que su descubrimiento y sus inicios fueron totalmente casuales, pero sus resultados son evaluables y muy positivos Una experiencia en los USA que nos promete interesantes resultados si la sabemos aplica en Europa.

The stories told in book are gracefully told so it can be understood the amazing power horses have to help us heal. I enjoyed the book a lot and it has a great mixture of technical information as well as great stories.

This book describes the horse human bond perfectly. The stories of how horses have helped heal children and adults brought tears to my eyes. I have witnessed these miracles first hand and it is my hope that more people like Tim Hayes will continue to speak out. Helping to increase awareness of the gifts horses have to offer is crucial to healing the planet.

Riding Home is the book I had been waiting for years. It is so clear helpful and scientifically based.Amazing to read and esy to understand thanks to its clear style.A book important to read and study for those who teach young students and are horse lovers and experienced horseriding like an experience of love , devotion and friendship unique and unforgettable.Lucia LippiSiena ( Italy)