Author(s): Joe Camp

Pets

A surprise birthday gift plunged Joe Camp and his wife, Kathleen, into the world of horses as complete neophytes without a clue as to what horses needed or wanted. The Camps went searching for logic and sense in the rule books of traditional horse care and what they found was not what they had expected. Written for everyone who has ever loved a horse or even loved the idea of having a horse in their lives, this memoir leads us on a riveting voyage of discovery as Joe and Kathleen navigate uncharted, often politically incorrect territory on their way to achieving a true relationship with their horses. As the creator of the beloved Benji series, Joe has spent most of his life luring us into the heart and soul of a famous dog, but now in this engaging, emotional, and often humorous story, he deftly lures us into the heart and soul of a horse. In doing so, he exposes astonishing truths and unlocks the mystery of a majestic creature who has survived on Earth, without assistance, for fifty-five million years. In a single emotionally charged moment, Camp communes with his first horse, Cash, in a way that changes him and his relationship with horses forever. In his own words, as he stood alone with his back to this horse: "The collar of my jacket was tickling the hairs on the back of my neck. And my heart was pounding. Then a puff of warm, moist air brushed my ear. My heart skipped a beat. He was really close. Then I felt his nose on my shoulder . . . I couldn't believe it. Tears came out of nowhere and streamed down my cheeks. I had spoken to him in his own language, and he had listened . . . and he had chosen to be with me. He had said, "I trust you. Ingeniously alternating betweenthe stories of two people thrust into an unfamiliar, enigmatic realm and a fabled herd of wild horses brought to the New World centuries ago, Joe Camp's valuable and inspiring book teaches us that the lessons he was learning apply not only to his horses but to life and to people as well-to all of us. Review Quotes: "Joe Camp is a natural when it comes to understanding how animals tick and a genius at telling us their story. "The Soul of a Horse" will entertain you while it educates you. It will take you on a journey from the prehistoric horse to the modern-day domesticated partner that we all seek to better understand. Joe looks a bit like a Nevada buckaroo, can converse intelligently with the university professor, and is a Hollywood movie producer all rolled into one amazing human being. "The Soul of a Horse" is a must-read for those who love animals of any species." --Monty Roberts, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "The Man Who Listens to Horses" "Joe speaks a clear and simple truth that grabs hold of your heart. "The Soul of a Horse" reminds us of that magical connection possible between man and equine-if we only listen to the horse. For some people, this book will evoke that eternal desire to experience the true spirit of horses. For others, this book might be a challenging revelation-one that might forever change their relationship with horses, for the better." --Yvonne Welz, Editor, "The Horse's Hoof Magazine" "I was drawn to the idea that these animals can change your perspective and perhaps even your life. The mysterious human/animal relationship issues unveiled in the book, especially with regard to such beautiful, soulful animals, intrigues me on a larger scale than just a book about horses." --Mike Thompson, movie writer/producer "I am amazed and in awe...and I'm a tough, cynical woman. The ideas in this book are phenomenal, a step into the future that we need to make a reality. When I agreed to over see the equine program here at the HSUS, I told our CEOI had very strong opinions on what such a program should look like, and I could've just handed him this book. A revolution in our relationship with horses? Sign me up. We need to change the way we relate to horses and this book can do it. Count me in to do anything I can to help." --Holly Hazard, Innovations Director, Humane Society of the United States "It's lovely! I found myself wiping away a tear on more than one occasion. I like the mix of 'fable' and real stories from Joe's own farm and experiences, and think this will widen the book's appeal to younger audiences as well as adult. Catching the horseman - or woman - young and influencing them from the get-go is so important, isn't it? This book confirms what we who believe in putting our horses first, their needs and fears, in asking them to do what we want them to because "they" also want to do it, with love, trust and hopefully fun, without pain or coercion, are on the right track. We are doing the right thing no matter what mainstream 'experts' might say." --Gaynor Renwick, Manager," Horses First Racing Club; Warminster, England" "I wish you could "hear" my excitement for Joe Camp's new book, "The Soul of a Horse. "It is unique, powerful, needed." --Dr. Marty Becker, best-selling author of several "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books and popular veterinary contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America " ""The Soul of a Horse" is beautiful. As I read it, I kept needing to go outside to pet Smokey; not for his sake, but for mine (actually the best place to read it would be sitting in the middle of a pasture full of horses). Everyone who reads this book will laugh a little, cry a little, and think a lot; aboutthe horse, about mankind, and about themselves. Some will be angry, some will be sad. Others will jump for joy that this story was told. But this is the case with any Truth. In the end "The Soul of a Horse" will pave the road to a better world for our beloved horses. At the same time I do believe this "hard look in the mirror" will make the world a little better for people, too." --Pete Ramey, Author, Clinician, Hoof Rehabilitation Specialist" ""I was so excited to read this awesome book (or a draft of it) that I could not stop until I was finished. I cannot wait for it to be published and available! I am already compiling a list of people I want to pre-order it for as a gift. Joe is a great story teller. He has managed to pull together all of the aspects that make up this new paradigm of horse care called "natural horsemanship," and has done so in a manner that is some how both gentle and forgiving to the reader as well as absolutely unquestionable. He makes it simple and so obviously the best way to keep and relate to horses. There will be so many horses (and people) that will benefit tremendously from this book! What a blessing Joe Camp is." --Terry Jenkins, Retired Zoo Sanctuary manager and animal advocate " ""I simply love the way Joe Camp writes. He stirs my soul. He has successfully woven his personal story with horses, with a mountain of valuable information, from many professional Natural Horse people, into a spellbinding book. I have cheered and cried as I have read the pages of his manuscript. I find I keep saying to myself, "THIS IS THE WAY HORSES SHOULD BE TREATED!! This is a must read book for everyone." --"Debbie K ""The book was fantastic!! I am soimpressed. The writing gets straight to the heart of the problem with horse care today: it's not about the horse anymore!!" --Ellen Siedlecki, Equine Verternarian " ""The old adage "If it isn't broke don't fix it" may never be shown more true with horses than in Joe's book. He shows how people have broken most, if not all, of the ways horses were made to live and how to make things right again. It's funny, compelling, to the point, and what any horse would have you read." --Al Fischer, rescue horse lover/volunteer.