In the Middle Are the Horsemen

By: Tik Maynard

Narrated by: Tik Maynard

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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!

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!

A must read for any sport horse enthusiast!

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I first heard of Tik when I saw his videos on social media where he trained Remarkable for the Retired Racehorse competition. The videos were wonderful - compassionate, thoughtful, and playful training. Everything I’d like to have in my training and relationship with my horse.


The book has those same characteristics. Tik writes this book in beautiful prose and it’s a treat that he reads the book himself. He is humble to a fault, and tells of the ups and downs of his fascinating journey to become a better rider, better person, and better horseman. Having worked in top barns, he shares many training truths and bits of humanity learned along the way. I enjoyed it immensely and it has inspired me to seek to be a better horse(wo)man and to train and ride with more empathy.

Powerful

In the Middle are the Horsemen touched MY heart and MY soul as the HORSEMEN touches the heart and soul of his horse. The author confirmed my own thoughts, mistakes and efforts to learn the mysteries of this brave and regal creature. How many times did I smile and nod at the painful and splendid experiences he shared. My journey was made on a much smaller scale but it had the same joy and hardship. This book is one of a kind and its impact will depend on where you are in your own journey and how your own values evolve. And it has the power to influence those who will listen. Whatever level we achieve, we have succeeded when we understand that “…..a Horseman, capitalized, is working on himself for the horse, not on the horse for himself.” Only when we can see the value in this, can we find compatibility with the horse. Thank you Tik Maynard. Your book is a gift to the lovers and dreamers.

excellent book

Tig is an amazing writer.. the book leads you from being a working student to finding his training voice.

Honestly

The road to discovery was of great interest to me, especially the insights of his journey.

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.

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

Well done!!

Genuine philosophy at its finest. The self-reflection, clarity, and approach to horses, life, and relationships in this book resonated with me. The exploration of diverse perspectives and the insightful conversations were captivating. Listening to it on Audible was a great experience, and I learned a tremendous amount that enriched my understanding of horsemanship. The author's perspective and humility were particularly admirable.