1 comments about Packin' in on Mules and Horses.

1. I bought this book a number of years ago and after just recently reviewing a book on the same topic and recommending this one instead, I decided to take a look at the reviews this book has received. I'm surprised it has not received any reviews, since it is simply the best book on the subject of packing with horses and mules. Joe Back's Horses, Hitches, and Rocky Trails is a good book, but isn't even a close second to Packin' in on Mules and Horses.

   What makes this book so good is its comprehensiveness. EVERYTHING you need to know, and probably most if not all of what you should know, about packing is found within its pages. It doesn't just cover the relevant advantages or disadvantages of horses over mules or vice versa, but also the proper training of the animal, types of shoes, care/feed of the animal, what to look for when purchasing a horse or mule, etc.... It covers deckers and sawbucks, and how they should fit the animal, and the merits of each. It covers panyards and manties and how they are tied, loaded on the animal, secured on the animal.

   I could go on, but the bottom line is that if the topic is related to horse packing, it is not only addressed in this book, but THOROUGHLY covered. As just one example, the authors use pigtails to link their packstock while on the trail, rather than tying up to the tail of the horse in front. They therefore discuss the use and tieing of pigtails. But they nonetheless show how to tie the most common knot used for tailing "because it can be useful for leading a string of lost animals back to camp. You can't pigtail unsaddled stock."

   And one last example which simply reflects the knowledge that the authors, especially Smoke Elser, have gained over a lifetime of backcountry experience and share with the readers of their book. "While you're thinking about range for your stock, give some thought to wildlife. Livestock grazing can be detrimental to deer and elk if it removes feed they would otherwise use in winter. You should avoid open south-facing slopes of grass and shrubs at low elevations. In late summer, the grass on north and east slopes will be better, and yet worthless to wildlife in winter."

   With its comprehensive coverage of all topics related to horse packing, presented in a very succinct and enjoyable style, and its unmistakable respect for, and experience with, nature--"Your first obligation is to your animals. The integrity of the wilderness runs a close second, and your personal comfort a distant third"--this is not only the best book on the subject, but a darn good book!!

5 comments about Of Women and Horses.

1. I bought this book for my wife and daughter's and they enjoyed it very much, the way it was written and layed out.



2. Fabulous book, I've bought it several times, makes a great gift for my horse loving friends and for myself.



3. I bought this book as a gift for my youngest daughter who shares the love of horses with me. The photos are gorgeous. The essays of these horse women are beautifully written, full of imagery and delve into the spirit of women's connection with these magnificent animals. I highly recommend this book to collect and cherish.



4. This book is a great book! The best one I have ever read. It makes you laugh, cry, everything. It was just an all around great book! I am really happy that GaWaNi Pony Boy made this amazing book about the connection of women and horses. Its nice to finally find a book and be able to read it and see that finally their are other women out there that understand the same relationships and love for horses as I do, I couldnt put it down. I HIGHLY reccomend this book to an one who LOVES horses!!



5. It's about time, GaWaNi has done it again. I laughed, I cried and felt deeply for many of the women in this incredible book. I first heard about it when I saw him on Larry King Live with Bo Derek, Terry Ventura and Chaia King (the latter two are actually in the book) and thought it might be an interesting read.....I have this on my coffee table and come back to it time and time again. What's nice about the format of this book is you can read one or two of the essays, and come back to it later - a very convenient read, and nice to go with whatever mood I happen to be in - (and ladies, we know we have many) you will find a story to go with every one!
   I've had several friends try to make off with it - but told them to get their own! Beautiful artwork and a gorgeous layout make this pleasing to the eye, and the thoughts and words will move your heart.
   I heard a rumor that he's put out another one, can't wait!

No comments about The Whole Horse Wellness Guide: Natural and Conventional Care for a Healthy Horse.

5 comments about The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Advanced Horsemanship B/HA/A Levels (The Howell Equestrian Library).

1. This book has helped me so much! I began reading and studying it at age 10 when I was still a C2, and throughout my ratings and progression it has answered my endless questions and supplemented the material from the D and C manuals. While the B, HA, and A manual is very informative, it should only be read by those who can thoroughly comprehend and extract inportant information from the text. I was always a very mature reader, but at times I even had to reread pages to be sure I understood correctly. This book has helped me through my B, HA, and just recently helped me pass my A, so this book is the best way to go to becoming a good rider!
   
   Thank you so much for making this Manual!
   Love,
   Anna



2. This book is great for learning about the body systems of a horse.It also briefly explains how to manage a stable with things such as how to make a stall have good drinage. It is the best book to get if you want to meet the requirements of Pony Club levels A, HA, or B. But I recommend getting this book only if you are at the advanced levels in riding and horsemanship because otherwise you will find that the book overwhelms you with information.I may suggest that people buying this book should consider buying Pony Club Manuals on levels C and D before or perhaps in addition to this manual.Overall, a good book for learning about the horse.



3. This is a great follow-on to the first two volumes of the USPC manuals. Together, they are the best "curriculum" on horsemanship available, bar none. (I say that, owning 900 horse books! The three USPC Manuals are the most useful of all.) As another reviewer said, it's not "complete"--one should read the first two volumes, first, as, like the USPC Standards of Proficiency, the Manuals build upon each other. I am a long-time riding instructor (over 22 years), especially with the US Pony Clubs. The three-volumes of the USPC Manuals would be a solid foundation of a good equestrian library.



4. This book is very informitave and helped me alot. I am only a D-2 but it still answered alot of the questions I had. It covers everything from teaching horsemanship to jumping and yes even vet care. The jumping part helped me to understand alot of things that helped me train my horse. I recomend that you buy it.



5. This is the third of a series of three volumes of the United States Pony Clubs' Manual of Horsemanship. While similar in scope to the British Horse Society's one-volume book of the same title, the USPC has taken the approach that the horseperson can read one volume when starting out, a second when they have assimilated a bit more, and finally this third volume when they feel like they know just about everything there is to know. I can promise you that no matter how much practical, useful information you had before you pick up this volume, you will put it down having acquired much more. While it is very readable, it is not a "page-turner". I found that I would read two to five pages, go off and think about it for a day or two, and come back again for more. If you liked the first two volumes in the series, you will like this one. If you approach this book without reading the first two volumes, you will probably find the book incomplete and coverage spotty. The book is written to match the Pony Club standards, and provides the necessary information to advance to the highest ratings -- remembering that the higher ratings in Pony Club build on the lower ones. It is hard to believe that anyone in America today could consider themselves a serious horseman without digesting this volume. Bravo to the USPC for the whole series!!

5 comments about Farming with Horses (Country Workshop).

1. This book provided an excellent read and a good overall picture of the topic. Even though it is written for the American market it has a lot of information that is transferrable to Australia and other countires. A good buy for people interested in the topic, especially for beginners such as myself.



2. The information in Farming with Horses is presented in a clear,and readily understandable manner. This book answers the how and why of harness fit, hooking to a vehicle or implement and how to do it all safely. The photos illustrating the text are of the highest quality. This book is a must read for anyone interested in driving whether for pleasure, show or work.
   
   SMCannon D.V.M.



3. The text and photographs in this book are equally instructional. Especially enlightening is the book's emphasis on the humane approach to farming with drafts -- an approach that benefits the horse, the driver, and the land as well.



4. Steve Bowers is a master at driving. His straightforward, logical approach keeps the principles in this book clear and easy to implement. Bowers keeps both horse and driver safe and working together. Whether you're heading for competition or just work around the ranch, this is a must read. You can apply "Farming with Horses" to any driving discipline.



5. This is the best book on driving horses that I have ever read, and I've read everything on the subject that I can find. The information is not confined to farming with horses. There is valuable information on training, hitching, aligning teams and many other things that is applicable to any type of horse driving. This is a must book for beginners and experience professionals as well.
   
   Dwight G. Bennett, DVM

5 comments about All Horse Systems Go: The Horse Owner's Full-Color Veterinary Care and Conditioning Resource for Modern Performance, Sport and Pleasure Horses.

1. This book I have found to be very valuable as a reference book particularly for people who take their horse sport seriously. I myself am into endurance, and have found absolutely everything I needed to know about what can possibly go wrong with an endurance horse, whether it be training techniques, nutrition, lameness, etc etc. The detail is immnense, and I have not found any veterinary condition not written about, and yet it is easy to understand, and very readable. There are photos and diagrams on almost every page, and the book is 565 pages long, plus has a huge appendix, and bibliography section at the end. I would strongly recommend this book to any competitive horse owner.



2. This is an exceptionally good reference book, a must-have for horse owners. The photographs are extremely well done. Many are by Dr. Loving herself, and illustrate exactly the points made in the text. I gave this book only 4 of 5 stars because the information on infectious diseases and vaccines is not up to par.



3. Every horse owner should have a copy of this book. And with the price being less than a vet's farm call, it will pay for itself many times over. What I really appreciated about the book was that it isn't so technical that you need a medical degree to understand it, yet at the same time it is very thorough and the pictures, wow the pictures! For example not only are you told how to care for a deep wound, but how it should look at various staging of healing. How many times have you treated a wound and called the vet daily wondering if it's healing o.k. or getting worse?
   
   The only thing that I was a tad disappointed in was most of the hoof shots showed shod horses and I am practicing natural hoof care and barefoot trimmning. But if you want a book on Barefoot Hoof Care, you should order a book specific to that topic. This book, it covers everything else you will ever wonder about with your horse and health related problems.
   
   I don't call many of my 1000 books a "bible" of whatever subject, but this is my "bible" of horse health.



4. If only one comprehensive horse care 'bible' were to be chosen for a library, it should be the extensive and well-illustrated reference ALL HORSE SYSTEMS GO: THE HORSE OWNER'S FULL-COLOR VETERINARY CARE AND CONDITIONING RESOURCE FOR MODERN PERFORMANCE, SPORT AND PLEASURE HORSES. Written by a horse vet specialist, it packs in not only the anticipated horse care and health solutions chapters, but includes tips on fitness, conditioning, and much more. Small color photos throughout add interest but the meat is in the chapters of medical insights backed by a practicing vet's long-time experience: chapters which can save a horse's life whether consulted quickly in an emergency or used as preventative points. Over 600 pages of facts and a clear organizational structure makes it quick and easy for horse owners to gain immediate access and insights - or for library patrons to use it as an instant reference.
   
   Diane C. Donovan, Editor
   California Bookwatch



5. How could it be this comprehensive? How can it be this beautiful?
   This book should become a milestone in the equine veterinary literature for the horse owner. It is visually gorgeous. The photographs clearly depict the subject matter, and the detail of discussion is stunning. Dr. Loving manages that rare art of describing highly technical subjects in an understandable way. Yet, she also seems to address the horse owner as a colleague, capable of understanding and impacting his or her horses' well-being. So often, when I have read these sorts of books, they either stop short of telling me the details that really interest me, or they tell everything, but in Latin.
   I have never seen laminitis illustrated and explained so clearly as it is in this book. Dr. Loving addresses its varied causes, as well as prevention, therapy and how to recognize it. She shows photographs of laminitic hooves, horses rocked back off their forelegs, detailed diagrams and x-rays of coffin bone rotation.
   Every section I have read in this book shows the same level of clarity, detail and respect for the reader that is found in the section on laminitis. At every step, Dr. Loving shows us photos of horses, diagrams, X-rays and ultrasound images to reinforce and illustrate the written discussion.
   I have ridden, cared for and lived with horses at home for nearly fifty years. I rode dressage and evented when I was younger, happily relax and ride trails now. No matter your level of equine insanity, this wonderful book will support and guide you well. In my view, it is an absolutely indespensible addition to every horse owner's library. I bought one for myself, and now I am going to buy one for each of my two sisters.

5 comments about Happy Horsemanship.

1. I received this book when I was 7 (I'm now 23) years old before starting lessons for the first time. It has remained one of my most beloved childhood memories and favorite book. A MUST have for all young riders and those who are young at heart!



2. I am a beginning adult rider and I absolutely loved this book, it is funny and helpful on all levels for beginners. I think all new riders should read it!



3. My husband and I were referred to this book by our riding instructor. We are both grown adults, but have no real horse experience. Even though this book seems to be geared toward children, it is very helpful for the adults who may not want to admit how little they know!!! This book answere all those questions you think may be too silly to ask your teacher! It's great for all ages!



4. The name of the book is Happy Horsemanship by Dorothy Henderson Pinch. The book is about how horses behave, how to control a horse, how to trot, stop, canter, gallop, jump, the tools used for taking care of a horse, the materials, you need to ride a horse, the different kinds of reins, what not to do, and how to take care of a horse.
   
   I think this book is great. I think this book would be great for a child that is learning how to ride.-Kristine



5. Having instructed students and trained horses for over 35 years, it's still tough to find books good enough to recommend to people trying to learn about them. THIS book does it with flying colors.

   Everything is in here: safety, compassion, how-to handle a horse and ride, along with why things are done the way they are. Presented in a fun & light-hearted way from the horse's point of view. Very understandable.

   Even though the book was written in '66 it is superior to and far more practical than the tomes being written today that confuse an experienced horseperson, let alone a novice. Whether riding English (as illustrated) or Western this book tells what needs to be known.

   I bought it for my 13 yo niece just starting with horses & have recommended it to adults who have spent years with horses.

5 comments about If I Had a Horse: How Different Life Would Be.

1. I purchased this book for my daughter - and avid horsewoman. We loved the video and the beautiful photography. The text and the quotes inside are an added bonus to this wonderful book.



2. Most likely the best book on horses I own. It is not a horsemanship guide on the "how to's" of owning a horse, but an insirational, moving, motivating book with exceptional photo's and beautiful written words describing why women have the dream of owning a horse and that it is ok do dream this dream especially as an adult.



3. Quote from the book:
   "One of the earliest religious disappointments in a young girl's life devolves upon her unanswered prayer for a horse" (Phyllis Theroux)
   
   Indeed.
   
   The author doesn't quite capture the essence of life long yearning to be with horses; to always dream of owning your own horse and to have that dream just out of your grasp. The above quote from the book comes close to those feelings - and overall the book comes close, but doesn't quite hit the mark.
   
   The title is a bit misleading, or perhaps my expectations got the better of me; the author already lives with horses, has horses of her own, and is in daily contact with horses. Thus, I couldn't quite make the bridge between "If I had a horse" and "how different life would be" within the pages of this book. The text and quotes are more zen like in approach and philosophy, rather than describing life-altering changes.
   
   Nevertheless, this is a BEAUTIFUL book. The text is honest, thoughtful, spiritual and philosophical. The photographs in this book are equally beautiful, and truly compliment the text superbly. The photographer has done a wonderful job capturing the essence, heart and soul of equus.
   
   This is a slim book, less than 1/2" thick, and only 128 pages, but printed in hardcover, and bound on heavy semi-gloss paper. Every single page features full-colour photographs of horses, with the author's insightful text and selection of quotes from various sources.
   
   My only complaint (and it perhaps is a minor one) is that the stars and inspirati of this book - the horses themselves - go unmentioned. The author goes to the trouble to name her sources for the various quotations used, in a bibliography at the back of the book, but there is no mention of who the horses are, their names, what breed, where they're from, etc.
   
   This book also came with a DVD titled "The Beauty of Horses", featuring a generous 21- minutes of live film footage of various horse breeds, from Arabians to Gypsy Vanners, Friesians, Appaloosa's and other horses. The music is a little annoying - but not overly so. How much better it would have been to let the horses speak for themselves in this DVD: the galloping of hooves, nostrils flaring and blowing, the clip-clop of hooves along a beach, horses neighing and snorting, tails swishing, etc. Instead the filmmaker opted to overdub with music and voiceover. This is perhaps a minor complaint, as the DVD production values are really well done, and the horses captured are beautiful to look at and inspiring.
   
   All in all, this is a wonderful addition to add to anyone's equine library, and I am sure horselover's young and old will enjoy looking at this book.
   
   ~appaloosa
   11/03/2006



4. If you know a horse crazy kid, buy them this book and they'll cherish it forever. The cover image is absolutely stunning, and just a taste of what is inside. Beautiful photography, moving writing and inspiring quotes. It's not for little kids, but a horse crazy girl about 9 or 10 will devour it just as much as that horse crazy 40 something. Even if you horses aren't a big part of your life, animal lovers will enjoy it just the same. The included DVD is just icing on the cake. When I was a horse obsessed 10 year old, I would cut pictures of horses out of magazines, newspapers, or anything I could get my hands on. This is the book I wish I had back then.



5. this is a wonderful book whether you own a horse or not. there are so many lessons to be learned, it was hard to do more than just read a page or a quote and then put it down and contemplate the lesson. horses have so much to teach us if we just allow it. this book opens up our minds to the possibilities of these lessons. beautifully written. carefully chosen quotes and wonderful photography. i find i refer to it often and it slows me down to remember what is really important to me.

5 comments about Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails.

1. This charming book is sure to please anyone interested in good old-fashioned prose created around the subject of packing into the wilderness. Not only is the writing and story-telling fascinating, the artwork that accompanies each of the pieces is wonderful. Joe Back is not only a writer, but an artist, wildlife sculptor, a rustic poet, back woodsman, and most of all, a humorist.
   
   The book covers the method of packing into the wilderness for both the amateur and the professional. Most of the information in the book has never been written down before. Western Horseman magazine reviewed it as the "greatest little book ever written on packing into the back country." For my money, just looking at the detail drawings is worth the price of admission.



2. Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails has been called the Packer's Bible. Joe's humor and insight make this an entertaining read. His cowboy vernacular fits the subject and keeps the prose lively. This is especially true in the early chapters when he covers the development of packing through the ages; from Genghis Khan to the Spanish invaders of the New World. This is mostly a how too book though, covering everything from selection of gear and livestock, to packing it all up on the back of a critter and heading off into the hills. There is a wealth of information here, along with Joe's art work depicting what he is talking about, whether tying a hitch or training your pony. You might want two copies, one clean copy for your library and another-that you don't mind getting dirty-for your saddle bag.
   
   You might want to be careful with some of his advice though, especially if you care about your old mountain pony. For instance, in the book he demonstrates how to picket a horse to an old log. I have no doubt that this method will work as far as keeping your charge from leaving the country, but you will also lose a certain percentage of animals to injury this way (some would claim those are the animals you don't want anyway!). In Joe's defense, he lived in the first half of the 20th century when horses were cheap. Just remember there are many ways to skin a cat, and the country you are traveling through will dictate the best methods.
   
   One aside, Joe did not like mules which he readily admits in the book; in my opinion though the average horse does not measure up to even a fair mule when it comes to traveling through the mountains. If you want to read an account of packing in the second half of the 20th Century do check out my book "Across the High Lonesome!"Across the High Lonesome



3. This is a repurchase of an old friend. Years ago my career and life took me to Wyoming. Like many, I fell in love with the high country and soon realized that the only way to get to the best of it was with horses. As a relative greenhorn, however, I had a lot to learn about getting to and living in the high country, with or without horses. A friend gave me Joe Back's book Horses, Hitches and Rocky Trails. Somewhere along the way, I misplaced it. I'm glad to have it back.

   This book is more than informative. It delivers all its name suggests, telling all I needed to know about the tack, rigging and techniques of handling horses in a pack string. By simply following his advice, I found myself not only able to do it, but do it without embarassing myself in the company of real mountain men.

   Beyond that, Joe's earthy narrative and humorous, but informative, illustrations make the book a joy to read. Even after you read it cover to cover, you'll want to spend some time looking at the illustrations and re-reading the tidbits of wisdom. If you have an interest or plan to go into the primitive areas of the mountain West, I encourage you to read this even if you never intend to pack a horse yourself.




4. This is probably the single best work I've ever seen on the "science" of packing. Joe Back lived and worked in N.W. Wyoming, and was a legend in the area. His humorous annecdotes, and extremely accurate hand drawn diagrams, combined with his obvious knowledge of the subject, make this a "must have" for anyone seriously interested in learning how to pack horses or mules, and survive. This little work deserves a place in any packer's library.



5. I have had a copy of Horses, Hitches, & Rocky Trails for eighteen years. It has been taken to the field many times and read in total and in part many times. For the past eighteen years I have been alert for books that would provide new information or expend on Joe's presentation. If there are better ideas out there they need a literate, artistic, and humorous champion like Joe Back.

No comments about The Complete Equine Emergency Bible: The Comprehensive Guide to Coping With Every Horse-Related Emergency From First Aid to Road Safety.