Product Description

Kelly Marks, who gets spectacular results in her exhibitions with the most fiery and recalcitrant of horses, says the secret is to talk to horses in their own language, establishing a relationship of trust and respect, using considerate and consistent techniques. You will find it helpful to formulate your own 'code of conduct' for your horse and while you're at it, for yourself as well, making consideration a way of life. Perfect Manners starts with the philosophy and concepts behind Kelly Marks' techniques and moves on to foundation exercises and groundwork training. There are also sections on Join Up and Body Language, Training Halters, Biting, Spooking and Shying and the 'Lovely Head Rub'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22114 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Monty Roberts
‘I could not recommend a better teacher of my methods anywhere in the world than Kelly Marks’.

Countryside La Vie
"Kelly [has] experience, enthusiasm and humour, alongside her respect and affection for the animals...the essential guide for any horse owner"

About the Author
Kelly Marks is a former European champion jockey and showjumper. Horse training is now her full-time career and she does European tours giving exhibitions of her methods. She is the originator of Monty Roberts Educational Courses World-Wide and Intelligent Horsemanship, dedicated to promoting understanding and fair treatment of horses at every opportunity. She is the equine behaviourist featured on the prime-time BBC TV programme Barking Mad.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely fabulous
If I were allowed to recommend only one book to prospective horse-owners, this would be it. By means of practical exercises, anecdotes and case studies, Kelly Marks takes the reader through every aspect of handling horses with empathy and understanding. She stresses the importance of creating good habits, and sets out her philosophy of training, in which, to use her own words, ‘attitude is everything’. One particularly valuable aspect of this book is the way in which the author explores ways in which problems arise. She does not get stuck, as so many people do, in a kind of ‘single-explanation-single-cure’ rut; instead she explores a variety of possible causes and possible cures. She remains open-minded, and never says ‘this is the only way to do this’. I particularly like the way she stresses that ‘It is so easy to fall into that trap of dealing with the symptoms rather than the real causes’. How I wish more horse trainers would understand this! Kelly insists, and rightly so, on respect for the horse; her response to those who believe horses are stupid because they allow us to ride them is unequivocal: ‘To suggest that if someone is willing to generously work for you they must be stupid speaks more of you as an employer than it does of the employee.’ Quite so.

This is a brilliant book, which should be compulsory reading for every person who trains, rides or handles horses in any way.

Fascinating, informative, thought provoking & pleasurable
This book is a must! Refreshing and informative throughout - I didn't want to put it down! It's filled with beautiful photos and fascinating insights into the horse's perspective and how we can communicate more successfully together. The way that we humans behave around horses is so important and can affect the horse's views and behaviour - and Kelly has some wonderful advice and observations that are really helpful. She has included case studies and stories from students as well as her own experiences and knowledge. There is so much to learn about these wonderful creatures and Kelly Marks skillfully covers many important aspects of handling and training in a way that really "sinks in". No horse lover's bookshelf should be without it.

Every horse owner should buy (and read) this book!
If you have 'issues' in your relationship with your horse (or even if you dont) this is an essential reference work. Giving clear instruction, case histories and drawing on her experience as well as that of her students, Kelly gives basic framework exercises for you to undertake with your horse to improve your mutual understanding and respect. No horse should be sold without a copy of this book in his suitcase!!