Lucy Rees – The Logic of the Horse
The Nature of the Horse
The Logic of the Horse (2010) by Lucy Rees offers a clear and sensitive insight into the inner world of the horse. Rees delves into the very essence of these animals, inviting us to know them beyond our preconceived notions and, above all, to understand them as they are: living beings that feel, interpret, and express their truth in a simple and honest way.
Lucy Rees teaches us to see the horse from the animal’s own perspective, to understand their motivations, fears, and language, and to learn from their way of living and reacting to the world. At Cavalls de Calma, we believe this work is essential reading for anyone who wants to improve their relationship with horses and live in harmony with them, based on respect and empathy.
A Journey into the Natural Psychology of the Horse
What makes The Logic of the Horse special is the approach Rees takes to equine behavior through ethology, the branch of biology that studies animal behavior in its natural environment. Within its pages, the author does not focus on horses as trainable or domesticable beings, but as animals with a unique psychology. Reading the book, one understands that these beings have evolved to survive, comprehend their environment, and live in harmony with it. Their behaviors, which we often misinterpret as “stubbornness” or “rebellion,” are actually expressions of a perfectly natural logic.
A Logic Connecting with the Cavalls de Calma Philosophy
At Cavalls de Calma, we have built our approach around respect for and understanding of the horse’s true nature, a perspective that Rees advocates and explains clearly in this book. Her work serves as an essential resource for anyone practicing natural horsemanship or any method that values the emotional and physical well-being of the animal.
One of the most valuable aspects of the book is how it invites us to recognize patterns of stress and anxiety in horses. By learning about their natural reactions and fears, we can understand how our behavior and emotional state influence them, and how our expectations and demands affect their well-being. Rees reminds us that, in many cases, the issue does not lie with the horse, but with our lack of knowledge and our disconnection from their way of thinking and feeling. The key lies in learning to observe, interpreting their body language, and respecting their boundaries.
Lucy Rees’s Legacy for Horse Lovers
Rees’s work not only transforms our relationship with horses but also invites us to reflect on our connection with nature. In a world where speed and control seem to govern every aspect of life, The Logic of the Horse encourages us to pause, observe, and connect. This is a reminder needed not just by horse lovers, but by anyone seeking a more balanced and mindful relationship with their environment.
Reading about the behavior of horses in the wild reveals their life in freedom: their social bonds, their way of facing danger, and how they resolve conflicts. These animals live without haste, in a balance we have lost as a society. Rees shows us that working in harmony with them requires approaching that serenity, an understanding of the world that horses possess instinctively. At Cavalls de Calma, we draw inspiration from this essence to offer an experience of full connection with nature and the horse, stepping away from the noise of daily life.
A Reading That Invites Transformation
With this book, Lucy Rees has created more than a study of equine behavior; she has left us an invitation to introspection and transformation. The Logic of the Horse reminds us that horses are not a means to satisfy our desires or demonstrate our skills; they are companions on a journey of self-discovery and growth. Their sensitivity and presence teach us to observe ourselves and find the calm that they, in their purity, experience innately.
In The Logic of the Horse, we find not only a guide to understanding these noble animals but also a mirror reflecting our own fears, desires, and sometimes contradictions. This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to work mindfully and respectfully with horses, making it a definitive read for all horse lovers.
A Path of Calm and Connection
Upon closing the pages of The Logic of the Horse, we take with us a part of the wisdom of Lucy Rees and the horses she describes. Her work inspires us to follow the path of calm, connection, and mutual respect—principles that form the essence of our project at Cavalls de Calma.
If you seek a profound and authentic understanding of the horse, and wish to connect through respect and calm, this book will undoubtedly serve as a valuable guide. At Cavalls de Calma, we believe The Logic of the Horse is a transformative work, a reading that permanently changes how we view and relate to horses. Rees shows us the way toward a genuine relationship, a bond where both horse and human can find peace and understanding.
About the author
Gerard Magín
Founder and director of Cavalls de Calma, a leadership and personal development consultancy located in Sant Cugat del Vallès. He holds a degree in Communication Sciences, a Master’s degree in Education, and is certified in Systemic Coaching. He has over 15 years of corporate experience in marketing, events, and team management. As an Equestrian Sports Technician and specialist in equine ethology, he integrates business methodology with animal behavior to structure high-performance training processes based on experiential learning and objective biofeedback.