In the Middle Are the Horsemen

De: Tik Maynard

Narrado por: Tik Maynard

In 2008, 26-year-old Tik Maynard faced a crossroads not unlike that of other young adults. A university graduate and modern pentathlete, he suffered both a career-ending injury and a painful breakup, leaving him suddenly adrift. The son of prominent Canadian equestrians, Maynard decided to spend the next year as a "working student." In the horse industry, working students aspire to become professional riders or trainers, and willingly trade labor for hands-on education. Here Maynard chronicles his experiences-good and bad-and we follow along as one year becomes three, what began as a casual adventure gradually transforms, and a life's purpose comes sharply into focus.

Over time, Maynard evolved under the critical eyes of Olympians, medal winners, and world–renowned figures in the horse world, including Anne Kursinski, Johann Hinnemann, Ingrid Klimke, David and Karen O'Connor, Bruce Logan, and Ian Millar. He was ignored, degraded, encouraged, and praised. He was hired and fired, told he had the "wrong body type to ride" and that he had found his "destiny." He got married and lost loved ones. Through it all he studied the horse, and human nature, and how the two can find balance. And in that journey, he may have found himself.

©2018 Tik Maynard (P)2022 Tik Maynard

A rare glimpse into the reality of upper level horses

Tik has a great story. I a completely relate to the position he found himself in as I had a similar experience.
Like myself, he learned the hard way what upper level and and cowboy culture expects. His journey being true to hinder and his vision is inspiring.
Not the best book in a literal sense but a great book in the genuine experience he had.

Loved it!

As a horse person - I loved this book from start to finish.
It gave me a true behind the scenes look at the life of a horse professional. From the dream to the reality with all the ups and downs…super! Highly recommend for horse folks!

Such an inspiring story!

I love how vulnerable Tik is in his book! Yes! We can learn not only from our own mistakes, but from others' as well.
Highly recommend it to everyone with horses in their life.

Great story!

I’ve been wanting to read Tik’s book for a while and when I saw it on audible I knew this was my chance to actually do it! I loved it! He was honest and respectful, I loved how he went to train with so many different people of varying disciplines. I think we all can learn so much by keeping our mind open to other things that perhaps our chosen discipline does not normally do. Great job on the book and I loved that Tik read it himself!

For the love of horses and self improvement

Wow, what an amazing book. His love of horses and self improvement shined. thank you for sharing and letting us follow your journey.
This story was captivating and educational. The last book I read that was this good was “no horse is a bad color.” I know what all my friends will get for Christmas and I was bummed there was an upcoming clinic I could sign up for.

Great read!

Since I had a daughter who was a working student for 3 years, I really enjoyed the honesty of Tik’s writing. Memoirs are always the best when written by someone who journals and someone who decides honesty is better than glossing over.

The journey of an inspiring Horseman

Coming from someone who’s on their own “EatPrayLove” journey with horses- Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I think horses are one of the few things where we age backwards. First we start as an expert and then we graduate to an intermediate. If we’re lucky, we become a beginner student. I appreciate the way you demonstrated that in your journey.

A Sensitive and Very Helpful Book

I am grateful for this look at the learning experience of a dedicated Horseman. I wish I had the knowledge gleaned from this account during my many years with horses. I highly recommend it to anyone considering a career with horses or even the pursuit of a relationship with a single horse. I admire the author, his writing and narrative skill, and his humble and hard working journey toward understanding the most helpful techniques for riding, respecting, and communicating with horses.

What is horsemanship?

I love this question and all of the conversation in the book about different points of view. I really learned an awful lot that added to my knowledge of horsemanship. A great listen as I use Audible.

exceptional for horsemen

loved the perspective and humility of the author. walked in the same shoes and made similar decisions over the 40 years I have had with horses