Lead with Your Heart . . . Lessons from a Life with Horses

I purchased this book because I was doing research for my own book. Wanted to see his approach as a way to improve or organize my own book. I was also drawn to it, because it was written by a neurosurgeon. To me, that seem a bit unexpected and out of the ordinary. Out of the ordinary I am drawn to. I also understand that he works with horses using equine-assisted therapy. Being a person who once was a Social Worker and also dabbled in Equine Assisted therapy & learning programs, I was also drawn to this book for that reason.That being said.....The book, is exactly as it says. It is lessons from his experience's with horses. Very practical lessons. I enjoyed how he listed examples of working with the horses and how they think. Then he took those examples and how it directly relates to our life, AND how we can use those lessons in our everyday life.The only piece that I thought was missing, and this is just me, is that I didn't really find the "HEART" part in this book. There seemed to be unattached emotion regarding the lessons. More theoritcal type approach and language. Something you might read from a text you bought for a college course. Intellectually written, no doubt. You can definitely be tantilized by his conceptual writing.I guess I was expecting more 'heart' felt stories. Stories that would leave me feeling in awe, or those warm, fuzzy feelings you get when you read inspiring stories. That was my expectation and what I had hoped for, and why I purchased the book. A neurosurgeon who could write with 'heart', how intriguing, I thought. But that is me! A doctor of any kind is more of a left brain intellectual, that is less conected to the emotional world. They are logically minded. Nothing wrong with that. We are who we are. But, what I thought was, oh wow, here is someone who is incredibly intelligent, who was/is a neurosurgeon that will write stories that will be from his heart to ours.Again, my expectation, not necessarily, his failing.In conclusion. I am a person opposite of the Left Brain thinker, I am a Right Brain thinker. Intuitive Empath, HSP person, highly connected to the emotional and unseen world around us. Emotions and intutiion are how I live and write! I can bring a reader to tears. That is what I do best. This author uses the pracitcal, intellectual, theoritcal approach to life lessons with horses.I wouldn't say I'm dissatisfied with the book, but just not quite as happy as I had hoped. :-)

Not more than 20 pages into "Lead with Your Heart . . . Lessons from a Life with Horses" I knew I had found a kindred spirit in Dr. Hamilton. Before finishing it I had ordered multiple copies to share with others around the world who share the magic that comes from the magnificent character found in our horses. I loved the format and the illustrations, but most of all the poignancy of each brief essay. Each topic conveys so clearly the result of taking these amazing animals for what they are; learning, through their unfailing honesty, how we can become better human beings.It was no surprise to learn that the author was greatly influenced by the Dorance brothers and Ray Hunt. I will be forever grateful to the late Ray Hunt for being my mentor, and my friend, when I was a young and striving horse trainer. He started me on a path that I will the walk the rest of my days toward a full understanding of the horse and of life itself. Today, rarely a day goes by without some reminder of Ray and a feeling of gratitude for opening a door for me toward horsemanship and living a rewarding life. Only in Allan Hamilton's writing have I found the essence of this philosophy in the written form.I'd urge anyone that has experienced the special life knowledge that can come from dealing with horses on their level - indeed anyone with an openness to what our species can gain from truly connecting with another - to add this book to their library. It is a classic!

I am now reading this for the second time. I LOVE the messages within this authors style of writing and beliefs. He is fabulous and believes in being kind to horses and that is how I think. I do not use a bit or shoes or whips. I use my love, kindness, patience, pressure and release, and more love !My Dreamer is my best friend.If you love your horse please read this book of heartfelt knowledge. : )

I've just reconnected with horses and realize how much you can learn from these beautiful creatures! Loved the stories and lessons!

I have fallen head over heels with Lead With Your Heart. It started with the cover (hardbound, almost square, matte, well laid out and illustrated). Some of the ideas and artwork inside take my breath away. Here's the caption to a watercolor of a horse's eye in chapter 1: "The horse willingly offers himself as a companion on the path to awareness. His mirror lights the way."

A wonderful treatise on not just horses but respect for life. In these pages are a lot of wisdom as to how humans, perhaps, can become the kind of creatures who wish no one harm and only seek to live in harmony. I'm reading it as a daily few pages of inspiration first thing in the morning. It's a lovely way to lift one's game.

So many thoughts to live by when you are developing a relationship with your horse. I need to reread this book twice a year. Or I need to read a different chapter every other month. This is a great book for humans to understand horses!

EXCELLENT book!!!! Loved it so much I bought one for my best friend who also absolutely loves her copy..I highly recommend this book whether you own a horse or are thinking of owning one in the future. I wish more people would approach their horses armed with the wisdom I found in these pages.

This is a wonderful book, full of life lessons.It is primarily for horse people. The hard cover book is smaller than I expected.About 7"x 6".

I very much enjoyed this unique book full of inspirational short stories! It was a gift for a friend who needed a little positive inspiration but I did take the time to read it first!

A great book for all horse lovers...a must read no matter your equine discipline. Contains many gems of wisdom that can be applied everyday