"Do you still watch those old horse movies that you've seen a dozen times, just for the scenes of the horse galloping in slow motion? Do you hold your breath just a bit? Do you get something in your eye? It's because horses embody so much more than muscle and bone. They evoke a full range of emotions like hope and courage and valor. They can gallop straight to you with neck arched and tail flagged, and then instantly melt to a stop--just to share your breath." We've been besotted with horses since they had three toes. From the popular Relaxed and Forward blog comes training advice combining the everyday fundamentals of dressage with mutual listening skills. Blake writes with a profound respect for horses and an articulate voice for humans, blending equal parts inspiration and un-common sense. It's serious training communicated with humor and lightness, because horses like cheerful riders. Most riders want to build a better relationship with their horse. These short essays are geared as much toward attitude as technique, and include topics ranging from reading calming signals from your horse to using breath as your best communication tool. Blake's writing uses clear descriptions, storytelling, and humor to inspire meaningful, positive communication. Less correction and more direction. Horses are honest; they answer us in kind. If we want a better response, a more fluid conversation and relationship with a horse, we have to be the ones to change first. The other word for that is leadership. By the author of Stable Relation, A Memoir of One Woman's Spirited Journey Home, by Way of the Barn. "Excitement and delight surge through me every time I see Anna Blake's name as an author. Her writing is filled with deep understanding and heart connection, seasoned with a lively dash of humor. Reading her work is like giving myself a gift...one I can open again and again." --Kim Walnes, winning USET Three Day Eventer, Riding Instructor/Trainer, and Life Coach.
Industry Reviews
Anna Blake's writing brings the plains of Colorado alive like a rainstorm after a long drought. She possesses a freshness and wit that makes any subject--whether it be donkeys or death, llamas or love--interesting, funny, and a little bit scary. --Peter Schuyler, Playwright, Screenwriter, Novelist The Portal, Common Sense, You'll Just Love My Dad Anna Blake uses words the way a watercolor painter uses her brush: strong strokes and delicate touches entwine in the same image. The reader is soon enveloped by the seemingly effortless originality of her writing. --Diane Alexander, Freelance Copy Editor. Anna Blake writes with a vivid ad compelling voice. She shares her life with a powerful grace; her experience becomes ours, her journey becomes ours...and we are lucky enough to go along for the ride. --Melanie Sue Bowles Founder, Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary, and author of Hoof Prints: Stories from Proud Spirit. Anna Blake is the Anne Lamott of ranching, caring for animals and life on the prairie: a passionate storyteller combining the wit and wisdom that comes from hard work and harder knocks, but with a common sense and compassion that not only makes a great writer, but also a great neighbor. You'll want to move next door. --Emily Polis Gibson, Barnstorming blog, American Haflinger Registry Board Excitement and delight surge through me every time I see Anna Blake's name as an author. Her writing is filled with deep understanding and heart connection, seasoned with a lively dash of humor. Reading her work is like giving myself a gift...one I can open again and again. --Kim Walnes, winning USET Three Day Eventer, Riding Instructor/Trainer, and Life Coach.
