Think Like a Horse by Grant Golliher is an inspirational book for anyone, regardless of whether they are trying to run a large company or a happy home.

Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.

People are like horses in that you can’t corner them and expect them to trust you — you need to create an environment where they feel safe. You need to be patient and consistent and give them the freedom to choose.

How to create a safe space:

• Set clear boundaries
• Show patience
• Show humility
• Show transparency
• Show a slowness to judge
• Have compassion for wounds we can’t see

Horses and people that don’t have a safe space will not feel safe, they will feel defensive, which they may show in many ways that wont be very productive. So whether you are in the board room or you need to move some cattle, you want your people or horses to feel safe.

Having Feel  – knowing when someone or a horse is ready to share something and also knowing when to be quiet. Having feel helps you know how to push or wait, depending on the moment.

Honor the slightest try and the smallest change.

Forgiveness is a choice that not everyone can choose…but making the choice is important to your health.

Like children, when horses are not taught boundaries they will become spoiled, pushy and difficult to handle.

People who have clear boundaries are more comfortable in social settings.

“The power of a boundary is that it is voluntarily honored — and doing so establishes a relationship of mutual respect.” Chapter 14

Boundaries + Consequences + Freedom to choose = Respect

Be slow to take and quick to give.

Horses, like people, know when you really trust them or respect their power to choose or not. If you treat your horse like a slave he will do what he has to do, but he will resent it. If you haven’t established a bond with your horses, they might let you catch them in the corral because they feel like they don’t have a choice but they will leave you the first chance they get. If your relationship relies on force rather than free choice, it is not really a partnership.

If you get thrown because your horse stepped in a hole, your horse will go to what he is loyal to. If he is your partner, he will stay with you as long as you need him. If you have not earned his respect, he will go where he feels safe, to the barn where his food is. Chapter 15

Always quit on a good note.

“Humility isn’t denying your strengths; it’s being honest about your weaknesses,” Rick Warren, Chapter 12

When you are working on growth it is always good to stop when you are able to say, “Good job.” Everyone likes to be appreciated.

I would like to thank my sister, Jamie Holloway for loaning me this copy of Think Like a Horse by Grant Golliher. If you would like to read her review make sure to check out JamieChasesButterflies.com.

Buy your own copy of Think Like a Horse by Grant Golliher on Amazon.

Read My Review on GoodReads:

Think Like a Horse: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Empathy from an Unconventional Cowboy by Grant Golliher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book took me on a ride I wasn’t anticipating, mainly because of where I am in my life. This book is deeply compelling to those who are healing from emotional neglect. Golliher is a compassionate and good man towards his horses and the people he serves. I enjoyed his authenticity.

View all my reviews

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.

For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information.

If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:

Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.

I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.

I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.