So right now, I’m into book reviews, it’s my way of giving a shout out to the people who have influenced my own work, and this book is one every compassionate horse person MUST READ!
Despite what people often assume, I didn’t grow up in a horsie family. Sure! My love for horses ran deep from a very young age, but I had hardly any direct experience with them until my teens. My family were city people, and horses were far removed from our everyday lives. Apart from checking with the horse that was paddocked conveniently at my school bus stop, I had zero contact with horses before I was 13.
Everything changed when we moved to a rural area and settled on a few acres of land. The first thing I did was walk the town, find a horse paddock, and, in true determined fashion, track down the owner. I introduced myself, and it turned out that he was on the lookout for a paddock to agist. I eagerly offered ours, much to the surprise of my non-horsie-mother, who looked completely dumb struck when I turned up at home one afternoon, leading an Australian Pony stallion named Billy and some random old man. At just 13 years old, I had just landed myself in the world of horses.
The owner, an older stockman, became my first teacher. He not only taught me to ride but also shared countless nuggets of horsemanship wisdom. One of his favorite sayings, which stuck with me, was, “A good horse is never a bad color.” Those words became a mantra in my early horse journey, shaping my outlook on horses and the partnerships we build with them.
Years later, when I stumbled upon Mark Rashid’s book titled A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color, I purchased it without hesitation. It felt like a sign, a connection to those formative experiences and lessons.
Mark Rashid’s A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color is a warm and insightful read for anyone passionate about horses, horsemanship, and life. An internationally renowned horse trainer, clinician, and author, Rashid is celebrated for his quiet, intuitive approach to horsemanship, inspired by the lessons he learned from an old cowboy mentor during his youth (the paralles to my own youth, just kept coming!)
The book is a collection of anecdotes that showcase Rashid’s learning, his gentle, understanding style, emphasising patience, compassion, and partnership over dominance, and an ethos that aligns with my own style. His writing is totally accessible- this is a book for real horse owners, not a read full of wordy jargon that can only be understood by equine neuroscientists- making complex ideas about horse behaviour and training easy to grasp, even for those just starting their journey with horses.
One of the things I value most about Rashid’s work is his reflections on wildness and curiosity in horses. He writes:
“A horse’s wildness is not something to be tamed out of them; it’s their essence, their curiosity, and their spirit. Work with it, not against it.”
This perspective challenges traditional views of breaking or controlling horses, urging horse people to embrace the horse’s natural instincts as opportunities to build trust and connection (insert 3 thumbs up and several excited emojis here!) Rashid’s stories illustrate how respecting a horse’s wildness leads to a deeper partnership, where the horse feels safe to engage and explore alongside their human.
Another snippet that had me saying ‘Can I get a HELL YEAH’ is:
“Curiosity is a horse’s way of saying they’re willing to learn—if we’re willing to teach with kindness.”
I often tell my students at lessons and clinics, “NEVER kill curiosity!” Many horse owners become anxious when their horse shows interest and a willingness to investigate something new. Often, this stems from the owner’s desire to maintain control or prevent the horse from freaking out. But isn’t this really about the owner’s own lack of confidence? The fear isn’t just about the horse being scared—it’s about the owner doubting their ability to support the horse through that fear. That is ok, we can work through this. In reality, the opposite is true: allowing a horse to explore and investigate their surroundings is key to building their confidence—in themselves, and in you as their partner!
Rashid expands on this idea by recounting experiences with nervous or skeptical horses that are transformed through patient encouragement. Instead of punishing or preventing hesitation or fear, he shows how fostering curiosity can open the door to learning and cooperation. This approach not only benefits the horse but also cultivates compassion and mindfulness in the handler.
Whilst this review focuses on A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color, it’s worth noting that Rashid is also the author of other incredible works on horsemanship, almost all of which, sit on my bookshelf (not even joking), including Whole Heart, Whole Horse and Considering the Horse. Each of these books builds on his philosophy of compassionate, partnership-based training, offering readers ageless lessons that go far beyond technical skills.
What sets Rashid apart is his ability to draw parallels between horsemanship and life lessons. Through tales of challenging horses and quirky human characters, he illustrates that true connection comes from understanding and trust—principles that resonate with me very deeply, and I am pleased to see, now resonate with the wider horse community. With his unique blend of humor, humility, and wisdom, Rashid invites readers to see horses as individuals with their own personalities, their own strengths and their own challenges.
Rashid’s reflections and philosophy align with the lessons I had learned in that paddock all those years ago. His stories reminded me of the kindness and curiosity that drew me to horses in the first place. And now that this has come up, can we all get back to that? Please? What drew you to horses n the first place? I can bet that majority of us weren’t drawn to horses because of the ribbons, trophies and accolades that horses could win us. It was about their smell, the feel of their ears, their natural and calm power, their innate kindness and the wild freedom they represent.
This book is more than a collection of anecdotes; it’s a guide to understanding horses as they are, free from bias or expectation. It reinforces the idea that true horsemanship comes from compassion, curiosity and a willingness to learn—qualities I value over all others.
A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color is both entertaining and enlightening, offering practical advice for horse enthusiasts and timeless wisdom for anyone seeking better relationships. It is an inspiring reminder to honor the wildness and curiosity in all living beings and to meet them with patience and compassion. A must-read for fans of thoughtful and humane horsemanship. BUY THE DAMN BOOK!
Where can you get your copy? You can buy directly through Mark’s website at https://www.markrashid.com/shop-3 or download on Audible
If this style of horse training suits your style, come join the Wild Tribe! https://wildhorsemanship.com.au/clinics-camps/
Happy reading!
Stay Wild!
Kate
