Animal Theory

If you’re interested in animal behavior and lives, there are some excellent books that are informative and actually good reading.

One of my recent favorites is Temple Grandin’s Animals in Translation. It’s an insightful book about animal behavior. As someone with autism, she has unique perceptions that seem to mimic those of animals. As a result, she is able to offer clear ideas about how to improve the lives of animals. Further she is a PhD who is quite knowledgeable and clearly explains the workings of the brain and behavior. She works especially with slaughter houses in order to relieve the stress of animals being sent to die. Her observations and conversational style make this extremely informative and fun to read.

Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand
Seabiscuit
The Barnes & Noble Review from Discover Great New Writers
“Laura Hillenbrand has woven together the many strands of lives that improbably create a phenomenon — in this case, no raging storm, but legendary racing history. The little horse, Seabiscuit, with his crooked legs and sad tail, was at first thought lazy, but with the help of a trinity of men — his trainer, his owner, and a jockey — would make racing history and find a place in the hearts of thousands of fans in Depression-era America. Laura Hillenbrand has done what only great writers can do: She has taken a story that in other, less capable hands would be fodder strictly for the racing crowd, and written as dramatic and informative a biography of a horse and of 1938 America as you’ll find. When you read this book, an America mired in the Depression and searching for something to believe in comes alive. The faith of those Americans in the little horse with heart will awaken your own, and when you read Seabiscuit’s racing scenes, even the most skeptical reader will find themselves jumping up and down, shouting at Seabiscuit to ‘Run!’”

In his book, Man Who Listens to Horses, Monty Roberts discusses how he learned and applies the ways of horses to improve horse training and human relationships. After observing wild mustangs in the deserts of Nevada, he absorbed valuable lessons about the behavior of horses. He used his knowledge to develop new and non-violent horse training methods that he has shared with many including the Queen of England. His methods also allowed him to show others, including his father, that people don’t need violence and spirit breaking as part of horse training. Roberts’ ideas also can apply to human relationships. The book is accessible and compelling.

The Heart of the Horse by Juliet van Otteren The Heart of the Horse
Photos and essays show the magnificance and majesty of the horse.