Inside Your Horse's Mind by Lesley Skipper (1999)

Inside Your Horse's Mind is a great reference for those who are studying the horse as a whole or for those who simply want to learn more into the realities and depths of the horse's mind and way of thinking.

Overall I really liked the book but found that, in order to get the most out of it, one needs to have at least some experience and/or knowledge of equines, or, if no prior knowledge of horses, at least having a philosophical or scientific mind with an interest in this field.

There were many areas that seemed to repeat themselves throughout the book, which almost made me want to skim over, yet each repetition was a variation which might help readers better understand the point being made.

At times, I felt as though she wanted to tell the story of 'her' horses, especially in the middle of the book. The author using her own horses' as examples was great but would've liked to hear of other horses as examples, not owned by her, as well as photos of other horses. I think a more broad spectrum of equine examples, and photos, would've better help to show the point or view she was pointing out can relate to horses anywhere (not just the ones in her backyard).

The more into the book I read, the better it seemed to get. Once I got passed what seemed like philosophical, encyclopedia-type reading, and the real person in the author came out, I began enjoying what I was reading and could picture myself sitting with the author having this 'conversation'. I found myself agreeing with, and relating to, so much the author was saying as well as finding myself asking the same questions, those that probably won't ever get answered.

Although the beginning of the book had more historic references and quotes than I personally could keep interest in, the rest of the book just kept getting better and better. Inside Your Horse's Mind not only digs deeper into the horse's mind it also makes readers dig deeper into their own mind.