25 Ways to Make Your Horse Happy

True bonding is the foundation of happiness for both humans and horses. As social creatures, we are instinctively drawn to connection, and building a relationship based on trust, clarity, and mutual understanding creates a partnership that benefits both horse and rider.

In this book, Anne Krüger-Degener, founder of the communication system HarmoniLogie, offers a practical guide to building or repairing the bond between you and your horse. Her approach rests on two essential pillars. The first is a strong foundation of empathy, benevolence, and compassion. The second is a clear, consistent exchange of information, which requires more than affection alone. It requires a thoughtful training system that supports true communication.

Krüger-Degener recognizes that horses and humans often “talk past” one another. She teaches readers how to observe horses with the attentiveness of a biologist, using all their senses to understand not only what a horse is expressing, but also what is absent. When communication feels uncertain, she encourages slower, quieter, and more respectful questions, prioritizing cooperation over dominance.

Through inspirational case studies, readers learn how to:
• Analyze spatial changes when working with horses
• Work with activation and defense zones
• Recognize geometric patterns in communication
• Avoid sending confusing or inconsistent signals
• Transfer groundwork relationships to work under saddle
• Build training intervals that respect natural performance cycles
• And much more

With practical, horse-centered guidance, Krüger-Degener presents fundamental principles for making horses happier and more willing partners. These insights are essential to modern training and competition, supporting progress not only as performers, whatever the discipline, but as lifelong partners.