In his previous book, REVOLUTION IN HORSEMANSHIP, which he co-authored with Rick Lamb, Dr. Miller targeted the horse person who was unfamiliar with Natural Horsemanship, those who were familiar with it but disinterested, and those who were opposed to it. In this latest book he is targeting the convert - the believer in Natural Horsemanship, the student, and the clinician who teaches it. He wants them to know exactly why and how it works. Understanding its efficacy, according to Miller will reinforce and refine the users' methodology. The horse is a highly intelligent species capable of exceptional communication with the human being, but only if the human has learned HOW to communicate. This book begins explaining why Natural Horsemanship works, including some concepts never before published. Next he examines attitudes within the horse world and finally the significance of horses in the 21st century.

Review
I first observed Dr. Miller in Texas in the early 80's while I was a veterinary student. He would travel the country, giving demonstrations of "tube worming" (passing a long plastic tube through a horse's nose into the stomach) in less than cooperative horses. He would take any horse presented to him, rearing, striking, and/or biting, and patiently and methodically demonstrate the procedure using desensitization and counter-conditioning. That was in the days before Karen Parelli Hagen coined the term "natural horsemanship" and during a time when instruction of equine behavior was lacking, or only minimally covered in veterinary curricula. Dr. Miller has been a life-long student of animal (and human) behavior, and his passion for horses is palpable. "Natural Horsemanship Explained" is an easy and entertaining read that elucidates the behavioral science behind the effective training methods popular today. With his keen sense of observation, decades of experience riding and working with horses in his veterinary practice, his wonderful sense of humor, and his obsession with understanding how horses behave, Dr. Miller's book will be a useful addition to the library of anyone who is a horse lover, professional or student, working to improve their skills at reading behavior, communicating, riding or simply enjoying horses.

Sharon J. Spier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM
Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine
University of California, Davis