Books

Un libro che ti fa sentire sottosopra....un libro da studiare, da leggere e rileggere, i capitoli sono così brevi ma talmente intrisi di cultura, di filosofia , di scienza, e di profonda conoscenza e consapevolezza che non si può liquidarli semplicemente con un " questo l'ho già letto". Sono parole che ti fanno meditare e scardinare i concetti del controllo totale che l'essere umano da sempre ha voluto esercitare nei confronti del diverso, sia umano che animale....è vero che alla fine lascia sorpresi e sospesi...ma non è un inganno...è una richiesta di consapevolezza che ognuno di noi dovrebbe operare su se stessi....Grazie Francesco De Giorgio

- A.R.

La passione me l'ha fatto divorare, foglietti e matita accantonati per la seconda più calma e ragionata lettura.

- A.G.

Ho avuto la fortuna e l’onore di avere un piccolo ruolo in questo suo “viaggio”, per il quale mi sono occupata del progetto grafico e delle illustrazioni. Questa esperienza ha rappresentato per me una crescita personale, prima ancora che professionale: uno sguardo nuovo sul mondo e sugli animali (tutti, me compresa), persino un diverso modo di “vivere” la creatività (meno regole, più ispirazione; meno matematica, più “occhio”; meno righelli, più gestualità). Grazie a Francesco De Giorgio e a José De Giorgio-Schoorl (anche per aver scatenato le mie matite) e a chiunque desideri addentrarsi nei territori selvaggi di “Nel nome dell’animalità”.

- F.C.

Dovrebbero leggere tutti questo libro... Da leggere e rileggere, perché ad ogni rilettura arrivano nuovi messaggi, ogni volta un’esperienza unica. Per ritrovare e rispettare l’animalità, compresa la nostra. Lo consiglio a quegli animali umani che vogliono scoprire di più, che non vogliono educare o addestrare, ma dialogare con l’animalità (compresa la propria). E sono pronta per la seconda lettura.

- G.V.

Ha strapazzato le mie certezze, rinforzato le mie riflessioni, aggiunto nuovi spunti e angolazioni da cui guardare e agire e non agire. E la cosa più bella, anche se può sembrarti ridicolo, è che ho riso, sorriso, pianto, gioito e ho provato fastidi, dubbi, turbamenti, entusiasmi, esaltazioni e euforie. E ho trovato un filo difficilissimo e tutto da personalizzare per il mio percorso animale! Grazie, grazie, grazie!

- A.d.R.

Finalmente un libro con una chiara posizione in un mondo che cerca solo di confondere le idee in tema di cavalli, relazione, etologia e animalità in genere. Questo libro ha cambiato la mia vita perche mi ha raccontato la verità.

- F.A.

Ottima lettura, fondamentale per gli amanti dei cavalli, per capire al meglio il loro modo di vivere. Un testo veramente completo

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E' un libro che dovrebbero leggerlo tutti, addetti ai lavori e non! Appassionati, cavalieri, agonisti, amatori, istruttori, veterinari, maniscalchi ecc.. ecc... Il cavallo è un animale perfetto gia cosi com'è, se vogliamo relazionarci davvero con lui con un rapporto animale cavallo- animale umano dobbiamo prima di tutto abbattere le aspettative, gli obiettivi, gli schemi di lavoro... è nel momento in cui iniziamo a non aspettarci più nulla che si abbattono i muri e inizia una relazione...vera! E questo libro permette di metterci su questa strada! E' un libro che smonta i falsi miti che sono stati creati sui cavalli...lo consiglio davvero, sono tra i soldi meglio spesi per un libro questi!

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Questo libro non è un punto di vista, ma un testo scientifico ed anche pratico che ogni persona a contatto con cavalli dovrebbe leggere. Assolutamente indispensabile.

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Easy to read and brings more to the thought of relationships with horses. Like everything we humans 'do' we forget to just 'be'. Being with our horses proves that it is an accomplishment in itself.

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"Equus Lost" review: is a wonderful and intense book, but it also...frightens! It's frightening because in a world where we are always looking for the easiest answer, the easiest and fastest solution, we tend to follow socially recognized patterns for fear of being criticized if not doing so. This book makes us examine and think about our ego and about the world surrounding us, the society we are all part of. This inner research and examination of thoughts in our way of being and living is destabilizing. It's not just a book about horses, instead it opens new doors and provides new glimmers of understanding.The change is up to us: it is bigger the fear to leave the old ways or the will and curiosity to follow new ones?

- D.L.

Equus lost is an indispensable book for those willing to leave behind the old outdated methods and are determined to move forward and progress in understanding the genuine relationship with the animal. This is a book dedicated to those for whom, respect and preservation of the cognitive skills of the animal, its otherness and its animality are concepts of primary importance. For those who are determined to question themselves, to change their state of mind, to shake up the old paradigms. For those who put at the center of their concerns, and as main values: ethics, authenticity, knowledge, personal development, relationship. For those who have the courage and the freedom of mind to abandon conditioning, training, search for performance and animal use. For those willing to keep their internal compass fixed without being influenced by social pressure, old patterns and the judgment of others. Thank you to Francesco and José De Giorgio for being precursors and for paving the way towards a better future for animals.

- A.C.

A book out of schemes, it inspires the reader to consider a different point of view about the relationship with horses and other animals going out of the classic training paradigms and not only. Like a professional of this field for many years, I have been able to verify that this model is possible to apply both in the co-existence with the Non Human Animals living with me, but also in my job as facilitator of canine lives. After some academic studies, I have followed the Learning Animals study program, and I can affirm without doubt that are the more complete and deepened studies that I have never known, continually updated and with innovative contains. The service that I'm now providing for my animal clients has been completely revolutionized, improving quality of life for animals, also human animals. I conclude suggesting to read "Equus Lost?" and let inspire to look beyond what you have known until now.

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I read it in the middle of my personal learning path on approaching the relationship with animals of the Animal Sanctuary where I'm working as a volunteer. I was in then in the position of having to deal in some way with the horses (and donkeys, and dogs too) but I was unsatisfied with how I was setting my relationship with some of them. I bought this book expecting some sort of manual, perhaps less formal than usual, but still similar to a "method". But "Equus Lost?" is neither a manual nor a method, for the simple fact that actually, outside of logic of behaviourism, there’s no need for manual, codified rules and "tricks" in the approach to the Other! In this book you'll find not even an approach, but a new, deconstructive (and exciting!) point of view on ​​how to recover our own animality and preserve the animality of the horses and the other non human animals with whom we relate.

- A.G.

For those seeking enlightenment in your relationship with horses. Thought provoking. For me a great gift for it freed me to believe in what is my truth

- P.

Don’t be afraid to change your paradigm in how we relate to non human animals, it’s totally worth to get deep into and explore. I am a horse professional that gived the chance to learn all over again how to relate to our loving horses. Try it!

- B.M.

This is a ground breaking and important book which challenges our current way of viewing horses and offers us an insight into a new way to work with them and be in relationship with them. For me, the only way to be with a horse is as 2 species coming together co-operatively and in my experience with my own horses it works so much better than traditional ways and methods. We don't have 'methods' to be with another human, so why do we make horsemanship so complicated and hierarchical? This book offers is a fresh paradigm and is long overdue in this age. .

- M.F.

Very intense and innovative book. I read it all in one breath for the freshness and ethical depth of the topics dealt in it. I re-read it for the pleasure of understanding the details of the relationship significance with the non-human.Oxygen, a change of air for those who want to get to know and live the horse as sentient being and not as instrument through which affirm ourselves. It doesn't deal classical training themes, nor equestrian techniques, but it suggests to draw from ourselves while considering the other in the dynamics of relationship.

- M.M.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has anything to do with horses. It will certainly provides much food for thought and helps you critically think and question training methods, husbandry, horse social interactions and human-horse interactions.

- S.B.

Read your book, The Cognitive Horse. It is awesome! My husband is reading it now and I will read it again a couple of more times to fully grasp everything. Thank you for writing the book! It is a great resource for helping me help my mustang mare.

- L.C. - United States

It is an intriguing little book, and it is good to see photos as well as text.  I have only read a small portion at this point in time.  It is refreshing to see 'awareness' taught.  May all who read it become so enlightened.//  Love your recent post re 'Right References', if only more parenting in the human world could do so perhaps the world would be better still, but I do see changes, as I am sure you do.//  Thank you to the universe and yourself and Jose for your paths in awakening awareness for us all.  Apologies for such a long message, but did not wish all this to be broadcast far and wide! Best wishes

- B. S.

Well, this is a journey of discovery from the human perspective. The why, where, when, how aspects of behavior is covered in a sensible and coherent manner and is totally understandable. The pictorial aspects of this magic little book just amplifies the integrative parts of human and equine behavior. Which of course can equally be applied to human life also. These (mostly) principles are applied in my personal everyday equine involvement and has given a heightened awareness of just how things can be. Observation and awareness. A most highly recommended book, to be treasured by many (especially horses!).

- B. S.

I'm reading The Cognitive Horse - The Book by Francesco De Giorgio and Jose Schoorl, and today I'm reading and coming back and re-reading a chapter which particularly drew me today. It is about not going over our boundaries or pushing our horses over their boundaries, even though many have the "skill" to do this and ignore the resultant "awkwardness" (as the authors put it)....the theory that we have to go out of our comfort zone in order to learn, is replaced by working on the boundaries themselves, while Staying In Touch with ourselves, our horses, and the world around us. And allowing our horses to stay in touch with their world as well. I am loving this book, it brings together so much wisdom, at a time when many are ready to receive it.

- L.G.

I love this book, you have in the book put words on something I tried to convey to my students, but I lacked words to be able to talk about it. What you described in the book is so valuable to me, it ‘s like I’ve gotten a little treasure in my hand. What you put words on in the book will help me to explain to my students the things I thought I explained but I now understand that they have not at all understood. I have felt like a drowned without oxygen in my attempts to explain. Most of us who have horses and work with horses, have our beginning is in an old tradition with horses. I have tried putting the old completely aside, but I also realize that there must be a bridge that helps people from the old to the new. Finally, one word; I love your book, it leads us into the future relationship with horses. I have so many years talking about that the horse today means more than the horse has ever done before in history , but in a completely different way. Many thanks and many hugs to you.

- E. S.

Francesco De Giorgio and José Schoorl will not only open your eyes to see, ears to listen, nose to smell but your perception of your self and other beings, animal and human.... a must read for the person willing to change their self awareness and really comunicate with animals... 

- P. I.

My copy of this book arrived today and I am hooked!! it is an amazing book, already pulling at my mind, my heart and my soul, literally waking me up!! A beautifully written book, with a very strong, coherent message. I am excited... and pretty sure by the time I finish it, I will want to learn more and more. Thank you for this book Francesco. It is a great book and well worth not just the read, but to ingest and think deeply about.

- K. M.

The Cognitive Horse by Francesco De Giorgio and José Schoorl arrived. An interesting book for us and a gift to our horses.

- K. R.

This book can forever transform your world and most importantly the world of your horses. I personally feel that Francesco and José are simply remarkable in their ability to consider and live for the true perception of the other. The best part is, their philosophy which I already feel is totally sound, is manifest in the lives of their equines who live this truth. Right now feeling such deep gratitude for their work an work to come.

- S. R.

"A new book was released January of 2014 titled The Cognitive Horse: An Inspiring Journey Towards A New Co-existence by Francesco De Giorgio and Jose Schoorl. It is absolutely incredible. I have half the book highlighted and underlined and the other pages are all earmarked. This is the direction the horse has been taking us particularly in the last decade. It’s a no brainer if you think about it. It’s so simple we don’t know why we didn’t think of it before. But this book lays it all out in an easy to read format that is easy to conceptualize. It talks about growing together where the cognition of both horse and human is taken into account plus about a life without tension when the horse is able to grow up in a socio-cognitive environment and how that helps with their own interactions amongst the herd and with human."

- K. C.

"I love this book, "The Cognitive Horse", you have in the book put words on something I tried to convey to my students, but I lacked words to be able to talk about it. What you described in the book is so valuable to me, it 's like I've gotten a little treasure in my hand. What you put words on in the book will help me to explain to my students the things I thought I explained but I now understand that they have not at all understood. I have felt like a drowned without oxygen in my attempts to explain. Most of us who have horses and work with horses, have our beginning is in an old tradition with horses. I have tried putting the old completely aside, but I also realize that there must be a bridge that helps people from the old to the new. Finally, one word; I love your book, it leads us into the future relationship with horses. I have so many years talking about that the horse today means more than the horse has ever done before in history , but in a completely different way. Many thanks and many hugs to you."

- E.S. - Sweden

"This is an amazing book if you're serious about equine behavior and can move away from the anthropomorphic thinking that we all guilty of at one time or another. The author delves into cognitive behavior in a way that no one has ever done before. It's not an "easy" read and it's definitely not a horse training book! Be prepared for a paradigm shift in thinking if you read it. It's GREAT!"

- K.R.

"The Cognitive Horse, a beautiful and essential book written by José Schoorl and Francesco De Giorgio (Learning Animals/institute of Zooanthropology) has arrived in Kenya too! We highly recommend this book to all the people who consider horses as sentient beings and want to go deeper in the understanding of their socio-cognitive abilities."

- A.C.

"Francesco - read your book, The Cognitive Horse. It is awesome! My husband is reading it now and I will read it again a couple of more times to fully grasp everything. Thank you for writing the book! It is a great resource for helping me help my mustang mare."

- L.C. - United States

"I would recommend this book to anyone who has anything to do with horses. It will certainly provide much food for thought and helps you critically think and question training methods, husbandry, horse social interactions and human-horse interactions."

- S.B.

"This book can forever transform your world and most importantly the world of your horses. I personally feel that Francesco and José are simply remarkable in their ability to consider and live for the true perception of the other. The best part is, their philosophy which I already feel is totally sound, is manifest in the lives of their equines who live this truth. Right now feeling such deep gratitude for their work an work to come."

- N.K.

"This book resonated with me. I am not a horse owner, although I know many people who are. However, I am an animal lover and a dog owner. Over the years, I have rescued dogs that have been abused and socially isolated, and I completely understand allowing the animal to tap into his or her own instinctive cognitive potential. This is a beautiful book, both in content and style."

- An overseas editor