No comments about The New Rider's Horse Encyclopedia.

1 comments about Wild Ponies: A One Whole Day Book (One Whole Day).

1. I will admit to being a bit biased, as I live near Assateage Island National Seashore - the setting of this book - and spend a great deal of time there. But this really is a great story. So much attention has been paid to the wild ponies of Chincoteague (Misty, etc.) that I am glad the Assateague ponies get the attention here. I have never read a disappointing Jim Arnosky book, and this is no exception. His illustrations are incredible, and his simple poetry moves the reader through a day with the wild horses that is very moving. Not only does Arnosky teach about pony ecology, and how they fit into the barrier island ecosystem, but he features many of the other creatures that share this special place. This is a terrific story for horse lovers and those who love beaches and wetlands. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and encourage readers to check out all of Arnosky's wonderful nature books.

2 comments about A History of the Horse Volume 1: The Iberian Horse from Ice Age to Antiquity.

1. The research that went into this book is amazing! This is an extremely thorough history of the Iberian horse. I am impressed. But, it is not an easy read. This book reads like a graduate level textbook, and parts of it are very dry. The book is most appropriate for serious history buffs, or rabid fans of the Iberian breeds. I would not recommend it for light, casual reading.



2. I enjoyed this book immensely. It seems extremely well researched, and provides a lot of detail on the history of the horse. There is a lot of information for anyone interested in the history of the Iberian horse in particular, and clearly refutes the older ideas that they originated from the Arab and Barb. Iberian horses are obviously one of the most ancient breeds, and the research in this book clearly backs that up with facts. I look forward to reading Volume II, when it becomes available!

No comments about Riding in Harmony: Essential Dressage Techniques.

1 comments about Mark Todd's Cross Country Handbook.

1. This is a great book for both the resonably experienced rider and the rider just starting out in eventing. It is clear and concise and has great photographs. His section on choosing a horse is excellent.

2 comments about Fitness for Horse & Rider: Gain More from Your Riding by Improving Your Horse's Fitness and Condition-And Your Own.

1. abaut jumping horse



2. This book is well thought out and includes exercises for both horse & rider! Starts with novice rider and goes to advanced rider...Includes description/training program for interval training.

   Covers dressage, eventing and show jumping exercises!

   Excellent

2 comments about Advanced Techniques of Riding: The Official Instruction Handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation.

1. If you do ride or want to ride in the advanced level this is the book for you. This book explains everything you need to know once you are ready to start with the double bridle.
   Do not start until you and your horse know every aspect from the book "The principles of riding" though.
   Perfect book for instructors.
   I bought the german edition 12 years ago. I bought the english edition last year. It is based on the comletely revised german edition from 1997. I use this book over and over...



2. This book was excellent for understanding the riding, training, and high level rules of Grand Prix dressage, but if you're just getting into riding, or are in lower training level dressage, this is not the book for you. For anyone who is interested in making to Grand Prix of St. George or higher, buy this book! The knowledge in both rules and regulations, and in strataegies are wonderful.

3 comments about Cutting: A Guide for the Non-Pro Competitor (The Howell Equestrian Library).

1. While researching the sport of cutting for my book 'Loving Larry' I read everything I could to capture the essence of the sport. Sally Harrison's guide for the non-pro competitor was my favorite reference. I love the personal stories and photos of the old-time Quarter Horses that were the foundation producers of modern day cutting horses. I appreciate Sally's understanding and careful explanation of the history, terminology and basic rules of cutting. After reading cover-to-cover with awe and fascination and referring back repeatedly for basics, I found this book to be a perfect guide for the novice that I was.



2. I really enjoyed her chapters on how the cutting horse came about. They were informative and fun to read. She also does a good job going over the basic rules for non-pro cutting events. I was hoping for more training tips and was disapointed. She hardly even touches on the subject of training your horse to cut.
   
   This book is primarily for someone who is willing to spend lots of $$$$ on a horse and trainer to compete. If this is not you, I suggest trying to get it from a library.



3. Sally Harrison's book is an excellent overview of the horses, people, and events that make cutting such an intriguing sport. She includes fascinating insights into the lives and histories of some of the immortal horses of the sport, from Poco Bueno to "Little Peppy" (Peppy San Badger), with commentary on what made them so great. The section on Doc Bar and the "two fools," as well as the description of the day Poco Bueno inspired Pine Johnson to adopt the not-quite-classic habit all cutting riders now favour, are in themselves worth the price of the book.

   Harrison includes plenty of people in her story as well, from classic trainers like Buster Welch, Pine Johnson and Leon Harrel, to avid non-pros. All of these people give anecdotal explanations of why the sport and the horses have such a hold on them. Letting people like this tell their stories makes for entertaining and often rather moving reading.

   There's one odd, and rather amusing, aspect of this book -- when I tried to look up Leon Harrel in the index I couldn't find him. Then I realized that none of the humans quoted or described in the book are listed in the index. You can look up every passing reference to Smart Date or Doc O Lena, but Harrison appears to have left the people out of the index entirely. That alone tells you all you need to know about Harrison's love for horses and cutting.

   My only complaint is that I wanted more and yet more details. This book could have been twice as long and I would still have read it in a sitting.

1 comments about Dressage Explained (Ward Lock's Riding School).

1. I would most definetely recommend 'Dressage Explained' to any horse-loving learner. This practical horse guide explains clearly and thoroughly the meaning and use of dressage. Not only in an illustrated form does this book demonstrate different bits used in preliminary and novice tests, but 'Dressage Explained' also informs the reader about the incorrect form and how to correct it by posture, presence, your confidence, and how the slightest changes will make a noticeable difference. So to anyone who will ever encounter a preliminary exam for dressage I would highly recommend reading this explanatory, with extreme detail, book that was especially for learners like you.
   
   
   ~Ashley P.~

1 comments about All the Queen's Horses: A Celebration of Her Majesty's Love of the Horse.

1. Horses and the Royal Family are as inseparable as Laurel and Hardy and this book sets out to bring that relationship right up to date by concentrating on the present Monarch's relationship with the noblest of animals.
   
   After a short introduction, the book is divided into a series of chapters which cover every aspect of Her Majesty's horses - both personal, sporting and ceremonial. Beginning with her very first pony which was a gift from her Grandfather - King George V, we are treated to a family scrapbook of photographs of the young Princess Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family which take the reader to 1949. On becoming Queen on the death of her father in 1952, the next chapter explains the Royal Mews, state occasions, various carriages and the functions on which they are used whilst expertly covering the early years of Her Majesty's reign.
   
   Chapter 3 is devoted to "The Turf" and describes the Queen's love of horse racing and show jumping. This provides an excellent lead-in to the next Chapter which is entitled "The Royal Windsor Horse Show" where we are treated to examples of some of the horses which serve Her Majesty as part of the British Army. It is here that we find those glorious Drum Horses of the Household Cavalry - which, for all their size are steered by the knees of the Drummer as he uses both hand to set the tempo for whatever musical display is at hand.
   
   The penultimate chapter is devoted to the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, where we learn of the origins of this, the most senior "Troop" in the British Army. This history is then complimented with personal tales which describe the dangers involved in moving a horse-drawn gun carriage at speed.
   
   Finally, we come to the ceremonial aspect of Her Majesty's position as Head of State - covering everything from Trooping the Colour to riding in Windsor Great Park with a visiting US President - Ronald Reagan in 1982.
   
   Lavishly illustrated with plenty of photographs relevant to the text, this is a book from which everyone with an interest in Her Majesty and all her Horses will learn something of great interest.
   
   NM.
   British Army Major (Retired).