One does not have to love horses to appreciate Joe Camp’s new book, THE SOUL OF A HORSE: Life Lessons from the Herd, but it doesn’t hurt. And those who don’t already love horses surely will by the time they finish reading.
Joe and his wife, Kathleen, started their small herd that now numbers six, just three years ago, both without a clue how to care for or train a horse. Because of his success with connecting with dogs in making the Benji movies, Joe thought he knew how to work with a horse. Wrong. As he points out in the book, dogs are predator animals and horses are prey animals. That means they operate from polar opposite perspectives.
Like most novice horsemen, Joe learned some of his lessons by mistakes, but he was also lucky to meet Monty Roberts, the original horse whisperer, who introduced a unique way of connecting with a horse. Through his association with Monty and in doing further research about new approaches to caring for horses, Joe discovered that most domestic horses are living in an environment counter to the natural environment that has sustained the horse for 55 million years.
In the book, Joe addresses issues such as a horse going barefoot, not living in a stall, and not needing blankets or leg wraps. In addition to including his research and experiences in these areas, Joe writes chapters from the point of view of horses living in the wild. Those sections illustrate the point that all horses are genetically the same and are hardwired to live and function the same way.
By studying herd behavior, a horse owner can figure out how horses respond to leaders, how they discipline each other, and how they think. Yes. Horses think. Not on the level that people do, but enough to figure out who poses a threat and who doesn’t. Joe acknowledges that the same people who found his belief that dogs can think will dismiss this part of his book. But maybe a few who really need to learn this won’t.
The book is a “must read†for anyone who owns a horse or works around horses, but it has an even broader appeal. It can show a reader a different way to approach any relationship. As Joe says, “It’s (life) all about relationships, and choices, and trust. And these guys (the horses) taught us that the quality of life is often found in the choices we make. That we should approach every relationship – whether it is with a boss, an employee, a family member, or a spouse – from the other end of the lead rope. In other words, we should walk in their boots, not ours. We should gain understanding of what they’re about, what they want out of life and out of a relationship, and only then move forward.â€
As a horse owner, I found the book engaging and relevant. I went out and tried a couple of the training tips and they worked. I also laughed at the foibles and mistakes, many of which I had made as well. My relationship with my horse will forever be changed because of reading this book.
Joe Camp has written, produced, and directed seven theatrical motion pictures (including all of the Benji movies), which cumulatively grossed well over the equivalent of $600 million in today’s dollars, making him one of the most successful independent filmmakers of all time. He has written three novels from his own screenplays, the inspirational nonfiction book Benji & Me , and several children’s books. He has also written, directed, and produced four network television specials and a network series.
The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd
Joe Camp
Hardcover – 256 pages $24.95
Harmony (April 29, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0307406857
ISBN-13: 978-0307406859
Maryann Miller – Maryann’s Web site
11 users commented in " Book Review: THE SOUL OF A HORSE; Life Lessons from the Herd, by Joe Camp with a foreword by Monty Roberts "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI would be reluctant to give Monty Roberts too much credit, based on what I’ve read of his character and history. I’ve also had several conversations with a gentleman whom I consider to be a Zen Master of animal training, Richard ‘Army’ Maguire. Maguire explained to me that what Roberts claims is happening during his horse training sessions and what is really happening, from a scientific point of view, are quite different. Maguire is also a critic of Cesar Milan’s methods.
For more information:
‘Horse Whispers & Lies’ at http://www.horsewhispersandlies.com; the Feb. 1999 issue of Horse & Rider magazine’s article, ‘Horse Whispers or Horse Feathers?’; San Francisco Examiner Article: ‘BIOGRAPHY CALLED UNBRIDLED FICTION’ January 11, 1997; “Horse of a Different Color” by John Skow & James Willwerth, Time Magazine Dec. 14, 1998; “Now! Read the True (More or Less) Story!” Tuesday, February 24, 1998 The New York Times; and “A Peddler of Court Gossip May Pay the Piper” by Jonathon Turley.
So interesting of a comment. In the 80’s, the Enquirer reported that Benji the canine superstar died of AIDS. Gimme a break; Monty’s mission is to stop people from beating the living krap out of horses to “break” them and his gentle methods work. Whether some green eyed horseman can crawl inside of the brain and heart of a horse to say what the horse is thinking is irrelevant; Monty’s methods work, they’re kind, and they foster a true relationship with any breathing thing…just learn to speak their language. Oh yeah, and we too are not so “with him” as far as Cesar’s methods if that is in any way relevant.
I am Kathleen, as in the Kathleen in Joe’s book. I know Monty (after we acquired horses). I was scared to death of horses only moments ago and actually still have my moments of concern. Last December, I loaded an unknown horse that three people were pushing pulling and whipping with about 15 minutes of “make-shift” join up. Who can complain about that?
I acknowledge that people have found Roberts’ advice to be helpful. I acknowledge that Roberts’ skill and knowledge of horse training is tremendous. However, I do not consider him to be a messiah.
Check out the work done by Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt. Read Podhajsky and Xenophon.
Furthermore, when one examines the science of animal training, one realizes that horse training can be understood better and improved and refined.
Take a look at ‘clicker training’ (more accurately called ‘marker training’), for example.
Holy Schmoly, we indeed honor Monty with his ingenuity, study, and deep love for horses but I can’t find one reference where Joe called Monty a messiah…for good reason. We, like Monty are merely trying to honor what the good Lord has given us.
And so great that we agree that horse training can be “understood and improved and refined! ” That is the best review of Joe’s book that I’ve read. You must have already received a copy because truly that IS the message.
Well I love this dialogue, and will be completely honest because the “clicker training” comment threw me for a loop. JM2C,but those who advocate Clicker training obviate any belief that we, as homosapieans, can have a relationship with any other living thing…it assumes a superiority that we should never be so arrogant to claim.
I’ve read an advanced copy of The Soul of a Horse and I must say it’s much more than a “horse” book. It’s really about a man’s journey in learning to communicate, and how to stretch beyond the “traditional” thinking of ANY subject. Although I enjoyed Marley & Me, I LOVED The Soul of a Horse because it was so much deeper, thoughtful and though provoking.
While I rode horses a couple of times as a child, since I usually ended up on the ground, I don’t anticipate getting a horse or riding at this age. However, I will never look at horses the same way. I will notice if they have shoes on and will mention the book to the owner. When we gather to watch the Derby, I will mention the book to our group. I truly hope that this book is read by many so that we can feel proud of how we care for all creatures.
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JM2C,but those who advocate Clicker training obviate any belief that we, as homosapieans, can have a relationship with any other living thing…it assumes a superiority that we should never be so arrogant to claim.
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If you don’t want it, I’ll claim that ‘superiority’, LOL. Anytime a human interjects themselves into the life of an animal in any role other than that of mere observer, there are issues of ‘superiority’ to some degree. Is ‘superiority’ necessarily a bad thing? Our ‘superiority’ has given us the means with which to develop ways of feeding (agriculture) and caring (veterinary medicine) for the horse. Isn’t it fine that we are inclined to devote energy towards the care and appreciation of our fellow animals?
Marker (aka ‘clicker’) training is simply a way to enhance the horse’s ability to communicate with us. It is based on winning the horse’s willing participation.
By contrast, some would argue that the ‘join up’ procedure is coercive. The horse doesn’t ‘join up’ because he loves us or because he receives a positive reward for accepting our presence. He becomes winded and tired, but is allowed to rest when he becomes too tired to attempt to avoid our presence.
Marker training as we know it today was first developed as a means of training dolphins. It is unfeasible to train dolphins with coercive methods; the trainer must win their willing participation.
Disclaimer: Just my opinion.
It seems to me that both SkeetersMa and ihavequestions are about the same thing: building a relationship with animals. It also seems that how ever that is done without violence is a good thing. But, as a student of Join-Up, I must correct Ihave’s interpretation of how Join Up works. After being presented with the human predator, and after doing what a horse does by instinct (run for about .25 mile), the horse then moves from the flight reaction to begin to assess whether the human is really the predator the horse originally perceived. Once the horse realizes that the human who could have surely caught the horse by then didn’t the horse moves to the person. Not vice versa. The horse chooses to come in.
This is described beautifully in Joe’s book. I had the good fortune to hear Joe speak on Saturday via the LA Times Book Fest and it was so moving when he got all choked up reading about his Join Up with Cash, the horse on the cover of the book. Not a dry eye in the place!
I’m not a horse person, and although the book is technically about horses, the quest that the Camps embarked on in the book seemed to be much more of a metaphor for how we should all live our lives. If something doesn’t make sense, keep digging until you find the answer. While the book didn’t morph me into a horse person, I will never look at horses the same way, and I will certainly question the people who have them and claim to love them while keeping them in a stall with shoes on.
I was struck by the swing of emotions that the book pulled out of me. One minute I was laughing at Kathleen’s taking on something she was so fearful of, but being so quiet about it thereby getting in some sticky situations, then boo hoo-ing, then getting chills right along with Joe, then getting a bit angry. LIfe Lessons From the Herd is a perfect subtitle!
Oh, had a chance to click on ihavequestions profile and it’s Monty’s aunt. While we’ve never met her, I have had the opportunity to view a book authored by Monty’s abusive father. The manner in which he suggests that a horse be tied with one leg up for hours/days to “break it” answers all the questions I might have regarding who is telling the truth. As in “The Soul of a Horse” keep digging until you find the answers that have support in logic and reason and always question everyone’s motives.
No, ihavequestions is not one of the authors of ‘Horse Whispers & Lies.’
I can understand how someone might mistake some of the methods demonstrated in the senior Roberts’ book as ‘inhumane.’
It is my belief that the only way to build a ‘relationship’ with an animal (or human) is to spend lots of quality time with the animal (or human).
I loved this book! It was a delight and I think that Joe Camp is a wonderful man and excellent horseman. This book offers more than insights on horesmanship, it offers insight on life.
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