The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd | Joe Camp

The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd | Joe Camp | The Soul of a Horse

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The Soul of a Hors...

	The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd Joe Camp Harmony, 2008 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 58 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A surprise birthday gift plunged Joe Camp and his wife, Kathleen, into the world of horses as complete neophytes without a clue as to what horses needed or wanted. The Camps went searching for logic and sense in the rule books of traditional horse care and what they found was not what they had expected. Written for everyone who has ever loved a horse or even loved the idea of having a horse in their lives, this memoir leads us on a riveting voyage of discovery as Joe and Kathleen navigate uncharted, often politically incorrect territory on their way to achieving a true relationship with their horses.

As the creator of the beloved Benji series, Joe has spent most of his life luring us into the heart and soul of a famous dog, but now in this engaging, emotional, and often humorous story, he deftly lures us into the heart and soul of a horse. In doing so, he exposes astonishing truths and unlocks the mystery of a majestic creature who has survived on Earth, without assistance, for fifty-five million years. In a single emotionally charged moment, Camp communes with his first horse, Cash, in a way that changes him and his relationship with horses forever. In his own words, as he stood alone with his back to this horse: The collar of my jacket was tickling the hairs on the back of my neck. And my heart was pounding. Then a puff of warm, moist air brushed my ear. My heart skipped a beat. He was really close. Then I felt his nose on my shoulder . . . I couldn?t believe it. Tears came out of nowhere and streamed down my cheeks. I had spoken to him in his own language, and he had listened . . . and he had chosen to be with me. He had said, I trust you.

Ingeniously alternating between the stories of two people thrust into an unfamiliar, enigmatic realm and a fabled herd of wild horses brought to the New World centuries ago, Joe Camp?s valuable and inspiring book teaches us that the lessons he was learning apply not only to his horses but to life and to people as well?to all of us.

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The Soul of A Horse

Ah, this is a truly great book. The author is open and ready to explore the unfamiliar to do the right thing for his horses. A true love story. I am positive every reader will be touched by the author's gentleness, and will also learn from his open attitude that takes him and his horses beyond the conventional approach. And it is all done for the happiness of his horses. Both the people and the horses benefit at the end. I highly recommend to all animal people.

The Soul of a Horse

Every horse purchased should come with a copy of this book. It really is the only book a horse owner would ever need.

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The Soul of a Horse...touched my heart

Reading Joe Camp's well written story of his journey into the world of horses was both eye opening and familiar. In reconnecting with horses myself, unlearning old habits and discovering new ways has required trusting myself, my instincts and my horses. Choosing to do things in ways you find are better for the horse instead of what everyone's always done or the experts say to do can be challenging. The rewards reaped when your horses thrive and respond are amazing. The interweaving of Joe's own story with the story of wild horses is a wonderful device for providing both human and equine views. I enjoyed this book immensely, can very much relate to his experiences, and appreciate his providing reference material. (The Blocker Tie Ring aka Australian Tie is amazing!)

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This book rocked my world!

In response to those reviewers who wrote that this book is only helpful for newcomers to horse ownership: GUESS WHAT!?! I have been around horses for my entire life (31 years). I rode before I could walk (well,my dad helped me!). And, GUESS WHAT!?! I love this book and it has given me so much to ponder, and has altered the way that I look at my relationship with my horses and the way that I want to care for them. I already had a good bond with my horses, I've never treated them inhumanely, but this book still provided new information that has been and will continue to be useful to me. Not only that, but it is a well-written, entertaining narrative. Joe Camp writes about the increased understanding of our own humanity that comes through relationships with other creatures. Joe tells his story and offers his advice in a humble, warm and exuberant way. It was fun to have some Benji stories in there too!

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don't throw out the baby with the bath water

I've owned horses for 7 years and loved them for 55. (well, I don't recall those first 2 years too vividly but I never remeber a time when I didn't love horses). Anyway, I thought this book was well written in some areas although I don't agree with all. Before I had a place big enough to pasture my horses, I did the best I could for them within our constraints (money, time, money). I think it would be a shame for someone to read this book and give up wanting/keeping a horse because they couldn't recreate nature's intended habitat however, as with all things there is some sound advice as to doing things a certain way because "that's the way it's done." It is an enjoyable read, a bit preachy at times, take what you can from it, research options and enjoy your horse. I completely agree with the gentle approach. As for the running "inner story" about the boy and the colt, somethings are just "Hollywood" and we need to recognize it as such and enjoy it for what it was meant-entertainment. I like the book and am glad I purchased it.

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