No comments about Florida Horse Owner's Field Guide.

No comments about Horse Training In-Hand: A Modern Guide to Working from the Ground: Long Lines, Long and Short Reins, Work on the Longe.

No comments about Everyday Trail Riding (In An Afternoon).

No comments about Masters of Equitation on the Trot: New Edition (Masters of Equitation Series).

3 comments about The Irish Draught Horse: A History.

1. Dairy farms operated by my near and distant relatives dated from the late-1800s to the mid-1900s, with their farms resting in a small geographical location on U.S. soil. Because many relatives were first and second-generation Irish Americans, I assume their farming methods imitated those in Ireland. Horses on the farms were big, especially by my small-tyke standards. Work horses they were called, not Irish Draught horses, but they did the same thing and looked just like the horses in our book. Maybe their sires and dams emigrated from Ireland. I'll never know. The horses and relatives are gone. When my father was young, work horses pulled the plow and pulled the wagon to church on Sunday, which is what the Irish Draught did. These recollections provided enough impetus to pique my interest in McGrath's and Griffith's book.
   
   So we're off on a journey to acquaint ourselves with the noble Irish Draught horse, whose lofty perch in Ireland's cultural history rests up there with the leprechauns and fairies, the thatched roof and the clover. For the Irish Draught was and is a focus of myth and folklore, with names of Celtic pagan gods frequently deriving from equine creatures. The husband of goddess Aine boasted the name Echdae, meaning `horse-god.' Enya herself pays instrumental tribute to the Celtic horse-goddess Epona, and those old enough to remember Stevie Nicks singing Rhiannon probably don't recall that she honored a Welsh name identifying the same mythical Epona.
   
   The Irish Draught horse---breed or a type? To answer, McGrath and Griffith begin with a roll call of other Irish horse breeds, among them the renowned Irish hobby. The hobby `possesses a fine head and strong neck, a well cast body, strong limbs, is sure of foot and nimble in dangerous places, and tough in travel.' Standing about twelve hands high, the hobby was sought by royalty and wealthy classes all over Europe. The hobby probably began its existence in Spain and was subsequently imported to Ireland.
   
   Another horse, the Byerley Turk, was a warm-blooded Eastern stallion that, commencing in the 1600s, found popularity among Irish breeders. Referred to in lore as a `heroic, high stepping animal with a gleaming coat,' the Turk was among the first Irish of the Thoroughbreds finding a place on the race track and show circuit of the Emerald Isle. At the time, fearing ridicule, a jockey did not dare ride a mare in an Irish horse race.
   
   
   Although horses existed in Ireland as early as 4000 B.C., give or take, forbears of the Draught Horse arrive on Irish shore during the Norman period of conquest, which began, roughly, in 1016 A.D. At the time agrarian Ireland used oxen to till the rocky land, but oxen were slow. With the advent of the harness and plow a natural progression to the use of the horse evolved over the next few hundred years. However, Irishmen required specific attributes from their horses. The farm horse must pull the plow and pull the family wagon to church on Sunday. It must accept the saddle or be ridden without one, whatever economics or preferences demand. The horse, like the dog, must not kick when children walk behind it. Soon the clever Irish began to breed horses for size--which was a desirable fifteen hands high---and to breed for strength, and for gentle disposition. What evolved was the breed of Irish Draught horse.
   
   The Irish Draught Horse book boasts a rich catalogue of lithographs, photographs and paintings honoring the book's subject matter. Much of the depiction of the horse's place in early Ireland's culture is, understandably, captured only on canvas or lithograph. The authors describe the rich colors and human emotions locked in paintings dotting almost every page of their book. Unfortunately, all of the book's paintings and pictures exist only in black and white, so it's a stretch to visualize colors of the horses. In one drawing a merciless landlord sits passively astride a black horse as hired goons evict a hapless family from their farm. A painting shows members of 1850's Dublin Anglo-Irish society riding in horse-drawn carriages. Dressed in their English finery, the ladies avoided the horse-filth lining Sackville Street by stepping directly from the pavement to the vehicle, while a short distance from Dublin native Irish are starving to death in the grips of the Famine.
   
   As with any breed of domestic farm animal, situations arose threatening the Irish Draught. Over the centuries disease took a toll on the Irish horse population, at times almost eliminating the breed. During the Famine horses became expendable when their owners faced starvation. With the rise of mechanized farming and the automobile, less of a need for farm horses became the norm. Further, purebred Draught mares were often mated to Thoroughbred stallions to produce Irish Sport horses---jumpers, steeplechasers, and the like--thereby diluting the bloodline. Ultimately, so few pure Irish Draught Horses existed in Ireland that the breed's number was reduced to 2000. Fortunately breeders stepped in to register the line of remaining purebreds and to arrange for future selective breeding. Today horse enthusiasts worldwide are assured of getting nothing but the real item when they purchase a registered Irish Draught Horse for show.
   
   As previously noted, the Irish Draught Horse is an Emerald Isle icon and an important cog in its cultural wheel. The authors do a credible job of detailing the evolutionary history of the breed and providing a wealth of Internet resources for those interested in learning more about the Irish Draught horse. Also, delightfully, on the Internet you can view these fine animals in color.
   
   
   
   Mary McGrath currently breeds and shows Irish Draught horses. Joan Griffith is an Honorary Life Member of the Irish Draught Horse Association



2. Mary McGrath and Joan C. Griffith's THE IRISH DRAUGHT HORSE: A HISTORY provides an important survey of a horse which is an Irish icon: the Irish draught horse pulled the farmer's plow, helped him hunt, and even pulled field artillery; yet in 1950 over 24,000 were exported for slaughter. THE IRISH DRAUGHT HORSE: A HISTORY celebrates their uses and important in the Irish landscape. While today it's a vanishing working horse, this history assures it won't completely be forgotten.



3. This book is a wide-ranging and excellent history of the Irish Draught Horse in Ireland. Includes interviews with horse dealers, breeders, and includes many old paintings and photos. Quality hardback format. I found it an excellent complement to my Alex Fells book, with surprisingly little overlap between the two.

No comments about Masters of Equitation on Canter: New Edition (Masters of Equitation Series).

No comments about Strike of the Hammer - A Guide to Understanding Your Farrier.

4 comments about Spoken in Whispers: The Autobiography of a Horse Whisperer.

1. I received this book as a gift years ago, and until now it's just been sitting by the wayside. I'm always skeptical of people who call themselves "horse whisperers" - while I'm willing to believe there are levels of communication that most of us do not yet understand, it takes quite a bit to convince me that someone who claims to have any sort of telepathic abilities is actually the real deal. Not only that, but the term "horse whisperer" is incredibly hackneyed by now. Ever since the movie of the same title came out, the name has been slapped on just about every moderately successful trainer out there, even though their methods vary widely and don't actually involve any "whispering." However, when I finally gave the book a chance, I was very surprised. The first two chapters alone had me convinced that Nicci Mackay is something genuinely different.

   The book is more like a memoir of her experiences communicating with horses (and other animals), and not actually a full biography. She takes up the story in her adult life, revealing the circumstances under which she first "came out of the closet" about her abilities. Believing most people would think her a quack if she ever claimed she could speak with horses, Mackay kept quiet about it for years. She only spoke out publicly when a close friend adamantly insisted that she do so, for the benefit of a particular horse. When she received a surprisingly favorable reaction, the author began offering her services professionally, helping people better communicate with and understand their beloved animals. And though horses are her most common subject, being her favorite animal and the one with which she first recognized her abilities, she has also successfully worked with dogs, sheep, cows, and even birds. The bulk of the book shares with us a series of the author's most interesting and touching cases.

   Part of what makes Mackay's book so convincing is her down-to-earth nature. She does not come across as pretentious is any way. In fact, she freely admits to not fully understanding her abilities herself, and occasionally suffers doubts about the extent to which any as-yet-untried application will be successful. She never lords her abilities over anyone else, doesn't believe herself to be superior to other horse owners because of her communication skills, and nowhere does she attempt to argue the reader into believing everything she has to say. Rather, she lets the case examples speak for themselves. There is also an abundance of self-deprecating humor, as she shares some of her more comical and occasionally downright hilarious experiences. To me, Mackay's book reads a bit like something a telepathic James Herriot would have written.

   Amazing as it may be, Nicci Mackay actually seems to be the real thing. Her book is utterly convincing and a joy to read. Mackay is also an excellent writer, and the text is vivid and captivating. Her style is very friendly and open. I wouldn't blame anyone for being initially skeptical - after all, I set the book aside for quite some time for this very reason - but for anyone with an interest in horses to entirely bypass this book would be a great loss. I'd urge any horse lover to give this one a chance, as it will broaden your horizons and is definitely well worth the read.




2. Okay, I'm a skeptic--or at least was. I bought this book to prove to myself that communicating with animals is not real. But before I reached halfway, I was already a believer. It's real, and it's strange. Nicci Mackay actually speaks her thoughts to animals, asking them questions about their behavior, feelings, etc, and receives answers from them. She's not a horse whisperer like Monty Roberts. This woman can carry on a conversation with any horse (although she can't always persuade them to do things for her!)

   Nicci's writing is beautiful and captivating. Her book is nicely put together chronologically (unlike some autobiographies which keep jumping back and forth). Her stories can be dreadfully depressing or hilariously funny. Some of her experiences are downright eccentric, though not lacking charm. She has a brilliant sense of humor that caught me off guard in situations where I should have contained my laughter.

   To sum things up, this book is a gem and I will read it many more times. I wholeheartedly urge you to pick a copy for yourself--regardless of whether you are a believer or not. Niccy Mackay, if you read this, please drop me a line as I would like you to talk to my horse.

   Reader, what are you still doing reading this review? Buy the book!




3. I do believe that people form strong spiritual bonds with each other and animals too. I also believe we can sense things intuitvely when we're close to someone. HOWEVER, this book is a little wacho and new agey. You know the drill. . . 'We are one with nature" type book. No thanks!!!



4. In this book Nicci Mackay shares her experience of being able to communicate telepathically with primarily horses, but also a few dogs, goats and birds. It starts when she first shares her ability with some fellow horsemen, and then progresses as she gets more and more well known and works with many different animals. Very enjoyable, she doesn't try to "push" her views on the reader to hard. She just shares her experiences. This book is slightly different then The Man Who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts. Mackay was very much into "psychic" communication with the horses, while Roberts was more into the body language of the horses. I don't doubt that they both incorporated both of these methods, to some degree or other. Personally, I'm still unsure about "psychic communication with animals" but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also recomend Conversations with Animals by Lydia Hiby.

5 comments about A Year at the Races: Reflections on Horses, Humans, Love, Money, and Luck.

1. My understanding is that the horse Waterwheel was sold at auction by Jane Smiley for $1000 and was lame and in foal, not a happy caring ending provided by Ms. Smiley This makes Jane Smiley appear to not be all she claims to be in terms of providing quality care for this horse and makes me strongly question her use of this horse to sell books and then rid herself of her in a very uncaring way. Many healthy horses sold at auction, especially for this little money, can begin a downward spiral and are at high risk of eventually going to slaughter in Canada or Mexico. I suggest Ms. Smiley address this issue. I would love to know where Waterwheel is and hope she is well and beloved somewhere in a forever home.



2. Jane Smiley sold a racehorse broodmare at California's premier auction house for thoroughbred racehorses. She did not "dump" the mare at an auction where she could have gone to slaughter.
   
   Selling horses is a normal part of owning horses, especially racehorses. Auctions are the primary method of selling racing bloodstock. Writing a book about one's experiences owning racehorses does not obligate Smiley to keep every horse she has ever owned forever. People are actually suggesting that it would have been better to kill the mare than send through the ring at Barretts???!!!!
   
   These reviews are absurd, and these reviewers need to get a life.



3. The first book I have read of Smiley's, I was not impressed. It felt disjointed, awkward, and rather silly at times. She humanizes her horses to the point where it feels absurd. I fell in love with her horses, but I was less impressed with the author.
   After reading the book, I learned that Waterwheel, one of the horses featured in the book, was dumped at auction (Barrett's January mixed sale) lame and pregnant, and sold for the near rock bottom price of $1000. After bringing her owner in so much money through this book, she couldn't afford to keep her retired? Sorry, but I refuse to buy books written by a hypocrite, and I will never read a Smiley book ever again.



4. For dumping your racehorse at an auction because she wasn't good enough for you.
   
   I read the book a few years ago. I wasn't terrible, but a little too touchy-feely for me (and I'm the type of person who spoils her horses), but rest assured I will never buy another book from an author that "disposes" of any unwanted horse at an auction. What does she think will happen to a broken down mare (she'll never be sound enough for work) that has a record of 2 unplaced starts and less than 5k in earnings? To Ms. Smiley: Show a bit of responsibility and either keep the mare or euthanize her. Use some of that book money. Don't risk her ending up at the killers.



5. Why did Smiley not end the book with a chapter describing how she dumped her beloved Waterwheel, pregnant and broken-down, at an auction where she could have easily been purchased for slaughter? Unfortunately, this is where many ex-racehorses end up, brutally slaughtered. Smiley is no different than the unfeeling horse owners she vilifys in her books as she apparently could not be bothered to provide for a mare she gushed about in her book. She made money off her mare and then cruelly disposed of her horse.

No comments about Training and Showing the Western Trail Horse.