Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Recommended Reading for My Work With Equestrians

Photo by Rick Hustead









I have been invited to do a presentation about my hypnotherapy work with equestrians at Symphony Dressage Stables in Moorpark, California. Of course, I continue to learn and practice new relaxation, hypnosis and guided-imagery techniques that I can apply in different hypnotherapy sessions. It is also important that I learn about and understand various training/riding philosophies and specific techniques or skills of various equestrian sports my clients my practice. Consequently, while I prepared the outline and handouts for my presentation I discovered and updated the list of books about horses and riding which I use as reference material for this work. Although many of these publications are not “recent,” they remain valuable resources when I work with riders to help them increase their confidence riding, training and competing with their equine partner.
Happy reading!


  1. Albinson, Clare. In Harmony With Your Horse. 2003. Guilford, CT: The Lyons Press.
  2. Benedik, Linda and Wirth, Veronica. Yoga for Equestrians: A New Path for Achieving Union With the Horse. 2000. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. 
  3. Edgett Ph.D., Janet Sasson. 1996. Heads Up! Practical Sports Psychology for Riders, Their Families & Their Trainers. New York: Doubleday.
  4. Grandin, Temple and Johnson, Catherine. Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior. New York: Scribner 
  5. Hill, Cherry. How to Think Like a Horse: The Essential Handbook for Understanding Why Horses Do What They Do. 2006. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
  6. Hogg, Abigail. The Horse Behavior Handbook. 2003. Cincinnati, OH: F & W Publications. 
  7. Marks, Kelly. Teach your Horse Perfect Manners: How You Should Behave So Your Horse Does Too. 2003. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing.
  8. Kohanov, Linda. The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing & Transformation Through the Way of the Horse. 2001. Novato, CA: New World Library. 
  9. Kohanov, Linda. Riding Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential Through the Way of the Horse. 2003. Novato, CA: New World Library
  10. Kohanov, Linda. The Power of the Herd: A Nonpredatory Approach to Social Intelligence, Leadership, and Innovation. 2013. Novato, CA: New World Library 
  11. Kohanov, Linda. The Five Roles of a Master Herder: A Revolutionary Model for Socially Intelligent Leadership. 2016. Novato, CA: New World Library.
  12. Korda, Michael. Horse People: Scenes From the Riding Life. 2003. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. 
  13. Marks, Kelly (Ed.). Ride With Confidence! Practical and Inspirational Advice to Help You Deal With Your Fear and Enjoy Your Riding. 2004. Cincinnati, OH: David & Charles.
  14. Marks, Kelly. Become Perfect Partners: How to Be the Owner Your Horse Would Choose for Himself. 2005. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. 
  15. Marks, Kelly. Build Complete Confidence with Horses: Beat Fear and Excuses & Attain Your Riding Goals. 2007. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books
  16. Montague, Sarah and Dempsey, P.J. The Complete Idiot’s Guide. 2003. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books. 
  17. Pavia, Audrey and Posnikoff DVM, Janice. Horses for Dummies. 2005. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
  18. Podhajsky, Alois. The Complete Training of Horse and Rider: In the Principles of Classical Horsemanship. 1965. New York: Doubleday 
  19. Roberts, Monty. The Man Who Listens to Horses: The Story of a Real Life Horse Whisperer. New York: Ballantine Books.
  20. Roberts, Monty. Shy Boy, The Horse that Came in From the Wild. 1999. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 
  21. Roberts, Monty. Horse Sense for People: Using the Gentle Wisdom of the Join-Up Technique to Enrich Our Relationships at Home and at Work. 2001. Toronto, Canada: Alfred A. Knopf, Canada.
  22. Roberts, Monty. From My Hands to Yours: Lessons From a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses, Second Edition. 2007. Solvang, CA: Monty and Pat Roberts, Inc. 
  23. Roy, Randy G. and Vaillancourt, Carolyn E. The Judge Is Back. 2001. Richmond Hill, Ontario: Porter Fine Printing Ltd.
  24. Savoie, Jane. That Winning Feeling! Program Your Mind for Peak Performance. 1992. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. 
  25. Smith, Mike. Getting the Most From Riding Lessons. 1998. Canada: Storey Books
  26.  Swift, Sally. Centered Riding. 1985. New York, NY. A Trafalgar Square Farm Book
  27. Wanless, Mary. The Natural Rider. 1996. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. 
  28. Wanless, Mary. Ride With Your Mind Essentials. 2002. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Books.
  29. Wilde, Clare. Hands-On Energy Therapy for Horses and Riders. 1999. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing.






Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2016