Smart Horse: Understanding the Science of Natural Horsemanship
Jennifer M. MacLeay, DVM, Ph.D.

Smart Horse is the thinking horseman’s guide to training.

The first book to explain the science behind “natural” horsemanship, Smart Horse is an introduction to the world of animal learning and cognition. All animals respond to fundamental principles of learning and training. They include conditioning, positive and negative rewards, and behavior shaping. Author Jennifer MacLeay demonstrates these principles through the training of her horses, Reigna and Tieler, providing photographic examples of different training techniques. MacLeay helps the horse owner and rider apply these principles to their daily lessons and interactions with their equine partners.

Chapters include "How Smart are Horses?", "How Horses Communicate", "Learning and Reinforcement", "Behavior Shaping", and "Cues".

About the Author:
Jennifer MacLeay, an equine veterinarian, practices and teaches at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Fort Collins. Her interest in horses began with hunt seat equitation and then expanded to include dressage and eventing. She currently enjoys all forms of equitation and natural horsemanship. Dr. MacLeay, her husband, three horses, three dogs, and two cats live in northern Colorado.

Praise for Smart Horse and Dr. MacLeay:

"Dr. MacLeay sets forth a truly sound and sensible method of basic training with no tricks and no gimmicks...Best of all, the author communicates her ideas in a straightforward style that is a delight to read. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book for $16.95. It's worth every penny."
--Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar

Softcover
6 x 9
112 pages
25 b/w photos
Product #B11-1077
List Price: $16.95
ISBN: 1-58150-099-8