5 comments about Wild About Horses: Our Timeless Passion for the Horse.

1. Just read - agree with Monika - (review written in '04 (I believe) too much tales of abuse, murder, maiming of horses for my taste. What was this author (compiler) thinking about in getting this stuff together? I wonder how many books this has really sold. I also wonder about the other reviewers who gave this five stars? Lots of info left out - something started then left hanging. "Epic Rides" - terrible, deplorable. Overall not a good effort. Scanlan - how much of a horse lover is he, really? Makes you wonder. Wish I could get my $15.00 back.



2. I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. Whether you are an expert horseperson or just a horse lover this book is for you! The chapters cover horses throughout history in war, sports, Hollywood, Greek mythology, and even where we get some of our common sayings (pass the buck, lucky horseshoe, getting on your high horse). I will definitely read this book more than once!



3. The author, Lawrence Scanlan, is something of a 'born-again' horse lover, by his own proclamation. He admits that for much of his life he failed to see the overwhelming appeal that many people find in horses. But as an adult, in preparation for his job as co-author of "Riding High" with show jumping champion Ian Millar, Scanlan started to take riding lessons. Soon he was hooked. Although he still does not have horses of his own, he now loves riding and spending time in the company of our equine companions. As he read more and more about the equine creature, he became fascinated with the intertwined histories of humans and horses. This is what led him to write "Wild About Horses," a collection of [mostly true, some fictional] stories celebrating this inter-species bond.

   Scanlan does not really have a central thesis, but rather explores the numerous ways in which horses have participated in and impacted humans throughout history and into the present day. His writing is fluid and to the point. The book is divided into ten chapters, each with a slightly different theme, covering such stories as the following (these are not the only stories he addresses, but just a sampling to give you an idea):

   Horses in rituals and sacrifices through history; Pegasus; the Trojan Horse; Scanlan's own horseback trip in Wyoming; the history of mustangs; Wild Horse Annie; the evolution of the horse; the domestication of horses; horses as a food source; Xenophon; Native American horsemanship; trainer John Solomon Raney in the 1850s; trainers Monty Roberts and Tom Dorrance; Alexander the Great and Bucephalus; the history of warhorses; the Huns and Mongols; Medieval knights; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Comanche and the Battle of Little Bighorn; Napoleon and Marengo; Wellington and Copenhagen; Roy Rogers and Trigger; Eadweard Muybridge's motion photography; the Lone Ranger and Silver; the books "Black Beauty," "Misty of Chincoteague," "My Friend Flicka," and "Smoky the Cow Horse"; the movie "National Velvet"; author and former jockey Dick Francis; equine athletes Ruffian, Northern Dancer, Secretariat, Phar Lap, Man O'War, Big Ben, Halla, and Arkle; cattle drives; Scanlan's own stay at a working ranch; A.E. Tschiffley's 10,000 mile ride across the Americas; Barbara Whittome's 2,500 mile ride across Russia; Welsh Pony breeders Dick & Adele Rockwell; the Pony Express, and Buffalo Bill Cody; Snow Man, a horse rescued from slaughter that went on to become a champion jumper; Marocco the 'dancing horse'; Clever Hans; horse psychic Fred Kimball; and the bonds horses form with other animals.

   While I did enjoy reading this book, I have a few criticisms. First and foremost, Scanlan seems to have borrowed heavily from the book "The Man Who Listens to Horses" by Monty Roberts (for which Scanlan wrote the introduction and afterword). He has used material both from his own contributions to the book, as well as Roberts's own writing, often using identical phrasing. This parroting was especially evident since I have only just finished reading Roberts's book, and was somewhat disappointing. The sense of repetition is also furthered by the fact that most of these stories are very common ones, and I've heard about 75% of them before. They're not bad stories, but I do wish Scanlan had dug a little deeper for some less commonly heard-of accounts to include.

   Furthermore, Scanlan's coverage is not balanced. He leaves out vast areas of the horse world. The book has plenty of material on riding horses and ponies, but almost nothing on draft horses. The "Sport Horse Legends" chapter focuses almost entirely on Thoroughbred racehorses. There are a few jumpers thrown in, but no Western horses at all. When he talks of horse trainers, he talks a great deal about Monty Roberts, and a little bit about a couple others, but does not even mention many of the most influencial trainers of the last few decades. At times I also questioned the author's analytical skills, particularly when he dismissed a story as false on the basis that the horse involved, reported to be a palomino, had a Spanish name that translated to Cinnamon (which he said was too dark a color for palomino). However, this does not seem so far-fetched to me, as my father once owned a small black dog named Big Red...

   And finally, his writing is not completely focused on the supposed subject of the book - why humans love horses. He has included an overwhelming number of stories about horse abuse, and most don't even lead into more uplifting stories. In the "Epic Rides" chapter, he even commends several long-distance riders known for riding horses to death. Even more strange to me was the fact that, although much of the first chapter talks mildly and even respectfully about the ways horse skins and heads were used to adorn ancient holy spots, Scanlan later launches into a tirade against equine taxidermy and condemns horsemen such as Roy Rogers, who chose to have Trigger preserved and mounted.

   However, despite its faults, I did like the book. It was not perfect, but it was enjoyable. I did find some of the stories to be new and quite interesting, and Scanlan's extensive list of recommended further reading has lengthened the list of books I plan to read. If you're a connoisseur of horse lore, "Wild About Horses" may not hold any surprises for you, but it is nevertheless a nice collection. It's easy reading, and the text is interspersed with many black-and-white photographs. This would be nice for a personal treat or a gift for a friend.




4. My mother bought this book for me when she worried that her online purchase "The Tao of Horses" might not arrive on time (It did! Amazon.com always comes through!) This was the only book on horses in the entire used book store where she loves to shop... so she was apologetic about having to get me 'any old horse book' as a substitute for the one I'd wanted.

   I'm so happy she found this book.. I might never have found it on my own. I find it extremely easy to read, and quite informative in its' historical pieces. I love 'horse lore', but if it is written tediously, I don't often have the energy left to read it after a long day of teaching.

   This book is a delight!




5. I gave "Wild About Horses" four stars instead of five because I'd already heard or read most of the stories in my fifty years of being 'wild about horses'. They're good stories though, and well worth repeating. Scanlan reports a variation on 'The Pacing Mustang' (one of my all time favorites): the wild stallion who threw himself off of a cliff rather than endure capture by men. He includes a chapter on 'Epic Rides' which made me want to just saddle up and go (one of his riders, A.F. Tschiffely rode 10,000 miles from the tip of South of America to Washington D.C. in two and a half years. Anyone game for a trip from Texas to Alaska?).

   'Wild About Horses' would be an excellent book to give to your horse-crazy teen-ager. It's all about relationships (between horses and humans, in this case) and is written in a laid-back, New Age style that is easy to read. Scanlan talks about his own experiences with horses, and if you're a beginning rider you'll empathize with him!

No comments about Ultimate Horse Care: The Complete Veterinary Guide.

No comments about The Complete Equine Training Manual.

5 comments about Making, Not Breaking: The First Year Under Saddle.

1. I would really like to meet the author and shake her by the hand and congratulate her on this excellent work. For many years there has been a great gap in equestrian literature for this type of work. Most books deal with the early backing of a young horse and once the rider is in the saddle and moving - that's where they finish. During my lengthy horse career I have started many youngsters, both for myself and other people - also I have found this the easy part. The next part - early education is another story. When I purchased this book I was curious to see how others schooled their youngsters once they were happy with the rider. I have always felt that the most difficult part of educating a youngster comes after they have accepted the rider, e.g. the first canter lessons (can be quite hair raising in some instances)and some horses are best not cantered for some time. Riding out - in traffic - in our point in time is another experience where one knows one is alive (and wishes to remain so; taking your young horse to shows, etc. Ms Hill certainly states that all youngsters are different (which they are) and that her programme is designed to "add or subtract" to or from according to the youngster's spirit. All in all this is an excellent training book and a valuable addition to any horseman's library and is suitable for either English or Western riders as this early training can be built on, towards whichever discipline you follow. EXCELLENT! Purchase and keep.



2. This book is a classic. I found that it explained principles of training and horse behavior that modern “whisperers” and “round penners” have just begun to make popular.
   The two previous reviews of this book contradicted each other – one says it is for Western rider, the other says it is geared toward English riders. I found it refreshing to see photos of English AND Western tack being used in the same book. Really, horses don’t know the difference anyway.
   And that’s one thing I like about Hill’s training - she treats horses as horses, not favoring Western horses or English horses. Her training procedure is based on sensitivity and respect and is “a combination of the best aspects of Western and Dressage techniques”. I have found that if followed intelligently, her method will yield outstanding results whether starting a young horse or retraining an older horse, and no matter which style of riding the horse will be used for. I ride with Western tack myself but like to use a lot of dressage principles.
   Hill is well known for writing that is easy to understand and accessible to beginners yet not condescending to experienced horsemen, and this book follows that tradition. Everyone will form their own training style by trial and error, by watching and reading other trainers and assimilating or modifying portions of those trainers’ methods. I have found that Making, Not Breaking can make the trials of training more productive and the errors less traumatic and easier to understand. I recommend this book to every person who rides or wants to ride a horse.



3. I was very disappointed with this book, particularly since I have found "101 Longeing and Long Lining Exercises" and "101 Arena Exercises" (both by Cherry Hill) valuable additions to my equestrian library. I don't have issue with Cherry Hill's methods, but rather I question who this book is aimed at. Although described as "a practical approach for English and Western trainers", I think Western riders would appreciate this book more than I. If you are an English rider, I think you'll find other books more helpful. This book has a lengthy review of basic principles; in my opinion if you don't know the aids or how to fit a bridle you have no business starting a young horse - seek professional help. Novice riders may find the review helpful and yet other aspects of the book too technical. Experienced riders may find the review of the basics unnecessary and yet enjoy the technical aspects. Either way I think both will leave with unanswered questions and a sense that the book wasn't completely satisfying. In some respects the book is simplistic and can give the impression that starting a young horse is easy and straight forward. Young horses are unpredictable and even well prepared youngsters have their moments; this book gives no insight on how to deal with problems which may arise during your young horse's training.



4. This book is by no means simple. (I am aware that much knowledge is needed to start a horse.) If you never started a horse before, my opinion is to have a knowledgable horseperson there with you to help you, not this book. This book was hard to read, there was no real "program" to follow, and it seemed to be geared towards just english riding. If you're a fan of the author you may like this book. I didn't find much use for it.



5. The title says it all, Making Not Breaking. I had been looking through countless books and magazine articals, and watching a fare share of movies untill I read this book. It's informative, and it's methods really work with sound results. For the horse people out there it's a must have! Cherry Hill's methods are kind yet full of leadership and best of all logical. Not only are you informed on how to start a horse under saddle but what to do after your horse has gotton used to the saddle. Hill explains that you need to develop a plan and stick to it. I recomend this book to every horse person weather you own a horse or not!

No comments about Trailer Training Your Horse (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-279).

No comments about Cherry Hill Horsekeeping & Training CD-ROM, Rider Library.

No comments about All About Lungeing (Allen Photographic Guides).

No comments about The Longeing Book (Arco Equestrian Book).

5 comments about Old Friends: Visits With My Favorite Thoroughbreds.

1. Old Friends sits right next to Hillebrand's Seabiscuit in my equine library. It is a modern day classic.
   
   These noble horses get loving and magnificent treatment from Livingston's prose and photographic talent.
   
   Old Friends is a joy; a treasure. No racing enthusiast should be without this incredible book.



2. Barbara D. Livingston, Old Friends: Visits with My Favorite Thorougbreds (Eclipse Press, 2002)
   
   Reviewing books of photography often makes me feel guilty. As brilliant as someone like Romain Slocombe or Joel-Peter Witkin (for example) is, and as good as his books are, it seems kind of cheating to put a big photography book on one's list of books read for a given year. After all, how long does it really take to get through a book of photography?
   
   Not so with Old Friends. While it is, in fact, packed with the gorgeous photographs of horses for which Barbara Livingston is so deservedly well-known, every horse in here also has a small essay from Ms. Livingston, making this more a trip down memory lane than a photography book. Some of the horses in here are some of the best-known horses on the continent (Spectacular Bid, for example), some are well-known in their region of the States (Zuppardo's Prince, the leading stallion in Louisiana most years), and some even the most hardcore horseplayer has long forgotten, or never heard of in the first place. Livingston treats them all with equal dignity, and by the end of the book, we feel like we know these horses, too.
   
   A number of the horses here, since (and in a few cases before) the book was published, have died, and any of the rest of them are going to succumb to the ravages of old age within the next few years. But while some of their names will live in the lore of horse racing forever, Livingston has here ensured that many of the others will also not be forgotten.
   
   A fantastic book, and well worth having. **** ½



3. This is a wonderful book! The photographs are beautiful and the text is honest and touching. Each vignette makes you feel as if you are at the farm with the author that day. This is a must have for every horse lover. I recommend a full box of tissues every time you read this book. It is not a sad book but very moving and full of love an drespect for the wonderful horses represented here. As many of us horse savvy folks know...these are the lucky ones. I Just love it!



4. I bought this book after hearing about the death of the great Ferdinand.
   This book shows many of the great ones that have come along, many that are still breeding and many that are living out the rest of their days in quiet comfort. Livingston is a fan of all of these horses, writing as if each one is her own. I read this book in one sitting, crying and laughing all at the same time.

   I can't help but think of all the horses that didn't make it, the horse that met the same end as Ferdinand. The one's that were bred for speed but couldn't quite turn it on at the right time. The horses in this book were and are all very, very lucky indeed.




5. I had the pleasure of meeting the author at Gulfstream Park . She was doing a book-signing at the Florida Derby and I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. She is a kind and gracious lady. She took her time with everyone who approached her. I was already planning to purchase book and was so happy to get an autographed copy! The pictures are incredible and the grace and dignity she conveys with them is perfect for such beautiful animals as thoroughbred horses. I recommend this book to anyone who loves horses or horse racing. As Ms Livingston signed in my book : Track fever is a good thing!"

1 comments about Concise Guide to Navicular Syndrome in the Horse (Concise Guide series).

1. This book offers a very solid and clear explination of the diagnosis of navicular syndrome. It explains why this syndrome is often overdiagnosed and how the diagnosis is made. This book is easy to read and engaging. I highly recommend it for all horse owners as it teaches the reader crucial information about equine hoof anatomy, sources of lameness, diagnosis and treatment options. As a horse owner with a "navicular" horse, I read all I can about the syndrome and I've learned more from this book than any other source of information I've read.