4 comments about Sometimes a Woman Needs a Horse.

1. I found Mrs Kellehers insights to be very heart warming. Her insights into what a wife wants and needs from her husband and friend, are an eye opener and I think any man who truly loves his wife should read her insights on how to properly share hearts in gentleness and sincere respect for each other.
   Mrs Kellehers insights into the tender ways our Lord meets our needs and leads us are insights that can only come from a heart that is open to loving and being loved.
   I found myself caring very much about Fanny's every need and the spirit of her heart.
   I am certain that this book will encourage your heart and I highly recommend it.



2. This book is one of the best books that I have ever had the privilege to be blessed by and Betsy is an absolute truthful lady that will be an inspiration to you as much as she is to me!!
   
   By the way she expresses her journey and struggles, allows it to be very easy to relate to and can give you hope on your own journey!!!
   
   I cannot wait for her next treasure!!! Bless you, Betsy!!!



3. Betsy has written a truly amazing and inspiring book for every horse lover and christian woman desiring to perfect their personal realtionship with Jesus Christ and their horse. Every sentence is uplifting in some way. Her poignant sharing of difficulties she faces in her everyday life as a woman, wife, mother, daughter, horsewoman, and christian are full of lessons for us all. I find I am renewed by her honesty and feel 'relief' to know I am not alone in my struggle to draw nearer to my God and meld as one with my horse. Betsy's book clearly demonstrates that to love a horse is a God given love; and that you can be filled with God's spirit and find His direction for your life as you bond with your horse.



4. This book is is for those people who love horses. However, it much deeper because the author is able to gently demonstrate how her horse led her to understand herself. The beautiful analogies she pieces together through training a problematic horse is sensitive, honest and interesting to read. I could not put this book down. She opens her personal life before the reader as she shares a journey that is her life. I found it appealing because despite many situations that confronted her, it was her horse that brought her back to solid ground. God spoke through this amazing animal as he gave them a special bond. Some of us have had a horse that challenged us and made us feel less capable of our riding and handling abilities. I have an Arabian that is very testy. I read this book seeking to find answers about how to deal with my horse. It showed me a deeper insight into horse handling, as a spiritual bond, that is based on trust. My horse has come a long way in her behavior issues and I have also gained an understanding about how a horse is a marvelous gift to enjoy as an instrument of God's divine instruction. I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed it so much!

5 comments about Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope.

1. Excellent horse stories about the human/horse connection. Good reading on how horses can mirror our emotions.



2. This book comprises a collection of 38 short essays, all submitted by different authors, about the special ways in which horses have impacted their lives. The essays are divided into four categories. "Love and Dreams" focuses on how a the love of horses can affect people; "Healing and Health" contains stories about lessons learned from equine health troubles, as well as ways in which horses have taught people about their own health; "Courage and Endurance" collects stories about equine heroes and horses that have inspired the people around them; and finally "Spiritual Connection and the Afterlife" explores the spiritual and religious experiences humans have had in connection with horses. After each essay the authors pose a question or two for the reader, designed to prompt reflection on how the story may relate to your own life. At the end of each section is a short, fictional "Ask Zeke" page, where the authors have posed a question to their friend's horse, Zeke, and then composed an reply as if Zeke himself were answering. The stories are a mixed bag of themes, and some impacted me more than others. If you aren't a particularly religious person, you may find a couple of the more supernaturally-oriented stories a little harder to relate to, but on the whole the essays presented here are heartfelt and touching. My favorite pieces were "Emily's Song," about a withdrawn, lonely young girl who finally comes out of her shell in order to help and even lonelier, more withdrawn pony, and "Miracles are Something to Believe In," written by a 12-year-old girl who's pony Lilly saved her life by, counter-intuitively enough, falling on her in a freak accident. The book is a quick and easy read, suitable for horse lovers of all ages, and well worth the time. "Angel Horses" would be a great gift for any horse lover, or a nice treat for yourself.



3. This was an inspiring book for a horse lover and Christian. Everything was as advertised.



4. This is a beautiful, inspirational collection of real life stories of the love, lessons learned and spirtiual connections that people have with horses.
   Each story is sensitively told in the own words of the horse's owner/or the person who has the story to tell.
   The book's major focus is on the spirituality and sensitivity of the horse and just how deep that goes in these beautiful creatures.
   A gentle plea for people to open their hearts and minds to the wisdom and love horses have to offer at all stages of their lives.
   I found the book to be touching and refreshing.



5. Moving, heart-tugging, heart-warming, encouraging. This book hits all of those emotions! A great gift for the animal Lover--especially of horses (of course!!) Short stories make it easy to pick up and put down for a busy schedule too.

5 comments about Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage: Designing and Managing Your Equine Facilities.

1. This is probably one of the first books you should buy when considering keeping your horse at home. It gives enough information to be helpful and to start making intelligent decisions about what you will need to keep your horse and improvements needed to your property.
   
   It's a great jumping off point that will let you know where to go from here and what aspects you will need to further explore. Worth the money as a basic manual.



2. This book is the best I've seen on building or buying a small equestrian property or horse farm. Warning - this is not the book for starting a horse business or operation, but it certainly covers all the bases from zoning issues, to how to lay out your property to handle weather situations and parts of the country. A really great guide book.



3. The book covers everything from horse behaviors, to feeding, and to horsekeeping. A very thorough book that covers many areas of owning a horse. Goes into enough detail for any horse owner keeping horses, even if they don't have acreage. I was impressed by how informative this book is, every horse owner should read it.



4. This book is a great resource for those wishing to build an equine facility - on any scale. However, this is not a guide book for horse ownership. If you board your horse somewhere, you do not need this book. If you are shopping for land and want to build your own horse place, then this book is perfect. If you are trying to figure out if your set up is safe and good for your horses, then get this book. If you are dedicated to making the best out of your land and your horse, then this book is the perfect resource, and it will help you decide if your land is right for horses or if horses are right for your land. Appropriate land use is important, and Cherry Hill shows how to incorporate horses into your land management practices - or is it incorporating good land management practices into your horsey haven? Her ideas and standards for barn design are also good industry standards. I highly recomend this book for architects and land planners who design equestrian homes/communities/barns.



5. This is a nice over view for a first time horese ownwer and acrage ownwer very informative.

5 comments about The Tao of Equus: A Woman's Journey of Healing and Transformation through the Way of the Horse.

1. I wasn't sure what this book was truly about when I purchased it, but it sounded interesting. Interesting doesn't even begin to describe it! I have learned soooooooooooo much already, and I'm only 1/2 way through the book! I would love to meet this woman. I highly recommend this book to anyone who knows there is more to a horse than meets the eye...



2. One of the best books I have ever read. And I've read a lot. Exquisitely written. Profound in it's simplicity, and simply profound. Get it. Read it. Experience it. Love it.



3. I have been interested in this topic for a while now but as I start working toward my dissertation, I know that I need more factual and scientific information for anyone to take me seriously. This book is packed with anecdotal portions to keep you interested and tons of "scientific" information to back it up. I'm not finished with it yet but there is a ton of information for me to use. I'll be reading it again for sure!



4. I picked this one up, based upon the mostly favorable reviews. I enjoy reading accounts of people who have been able to connect with their spiritual natures, whatever the medium.
   
   And there is some interesting material -- maybe 50 pages of interesting information. The other 300 pages are extremely repetitive, and sadly, just like many other new-age books, preachy. This could have been a wonderful book, had the author simple recounted her experiences with horses. But, unfortunately, she launches into tirades. It's just not worth sorting out the gems from the weeds.



5. I have been riding and training horses for 60 years, and while reading this book, I had my memories come back, and she spoke for me. Any women who loves horses, and has felt their power, would feel inspired while reading this book. Beth Morris

5 comments about Hunter Seat Equitation.

1. If one were to have only a single book on Hunter Seat Equitation, this should be it. Written by the leading trainer of top riders and instructors of the past few decades. Buy this book. The basics are covered in such a way that it will become a part of "how it should be done". This book will be on your bookshelf as reference as long as you ride.



2. Have now read 4 times and keep finding fundamental gems of interesting tips. Good pictures that clearly ilustrate the text descriptions. Highly recommended by riding instructures and they were right.



3. This book is an excellent resouce for both students and trainers. Mr. Morris has outlined a distinct training method, which is easy to follow. He explains concepts very well. I highly recommend this book.



4. I've never really benefited from reading books about riding in the past, but Hunter Seat Equitation changed that! I constantly refer to the book when I'm riding and it has made me much more aware of my body and aids. The pictures are wonderful and really give a good example of what you are trying to achieve. It even includes things you might not expect, like how to choose the right horse to compliment your style of riding. Wonderful book.



5. This is the best book on how to ride. Written logically, and so the reader can understand how to ride. Watch the video after reading the book. Every time you read it, you get more out of it.

5 comments about The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners/D Level (Howell Reference Books).

1. I am a beginning & intermediate horseback riding instructor in Moscow, ID. I have found the Pony Club Manual for beginners to be a very helpful teaching tool - the illustrations are helpful and well-labeled, and the layout is easy to follow. The information is widely accepted as correct, and the text is well-written for the 10-15 year old ages. I include a manual in the price of all my beginning horse camps for 10-14 year olds.



2. This is the an excellent introduction for anyone interested in horsemanship. It can be studied prior to joining the United States Pony Club or serve as a usful tool in teaching or improving horsemanship for the young or beginning equestrian.



3. I couldn't have gotten through Pony Club Quiz Bowl if I didn't have this book. I like the exercises in the book and now I do them on my horse. I learned alot while reading this book, like parts of the tack and how to be safe around horses. I like all the pictures in the book because it helped me to understand what it meant. I would reccommend this book to other pony clubbers and kids who like to ride.



4. There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Susan Harris is not only a gifted artist ; drawing her explanations of concepts she is relating ; she draws pictures with her words, and for anyone lucky enough to attend one of her clinics , she draws explanations with body language. I am fortunate to have Sue as my friend and mentor for 30+ years & have told her often that "She could read the phone book to you & You'd never lose interest". She is also a gifted horsewoman & teacher. She posseses an ability to locate the crux of a lack of understanding & with empathy for both horse & rider guides them to a solution. If I had to limit my horse library to just a few books, her USPC manuels would be the first chosen. They are a wealth of information on all aspects of horsemanship , for every level of horseman , of any age. Her choice of words combined with her own illustrations gives very clear & interesting information.Sue stresses empathy for your horse & safety issues in every topic -2 basics to have ingrained in anyone who wishes to be around horses. I have recommended these books to all who share the "addiction" to horses with me.



5. I advise anyone young who is seriously interested in horses to start with this book. I've been riding all my life and think this is a great book to start with and it is very informative.

1 comments about Braiding Manes & Tails: A Visual Guide to 30 Basic Braids.

1. For the aesthetically inclined book lover, this is a must. It is spiral bound and beautifully composed with rich color, clear photographs and diagrams, and an easy to read format.
   My only criticism of the book was that there were no really intricate uncommon braids included. Growing up in the horse world, I have learned many braids, all of which are in this book. Unfortunately, there were no new braids for me to learn which seriously bummed me out. I'm not unhappy with my purchase though, as this is a clear and concise guide to braiding that I can use to teach students and friends.

5 comments about The Elements of Dressage: A Guide to Training the Young Horse.

1. If you are interested in Classical dressage.... buy this book! It is an excellent reference for working with a young horse. It is definitely all about the horse- as it should be.



2. Enjoyed the book. Not really for a beginner. I liked the way he covered the process with out going into overload on techniques you should already know about, like lunging your horse.
   Worth reading.



3. I thought this was an excellent book. I bought it to help provide some guidance while training my young horse, and it not only gave me a nice guideline of what-to-train-when, but also made dressage much more understandable.
   
   This book focuses on the German dressage training scale. The author explains the steps in training the horse, dividing it into stages (i.e. stage one you focus on A, B, and C elements, stage two you begin developing D and E). He gives some guidelines as to what your horse should be able to do before you push him for more. He then devotes a chapter to each element needed in dressage, in the order it should be developed in the horse (relaxation, regularity, freedom, contact, on the aids...). He finishes with a few miscellaneous chapters on the flying change, transitions, the inclined arena (great for eventers), Prix St. James test, and lateral movements.
   
   This book mainly aims to discuss the development of the young horse, providing a correct foundation for all further work, including eventing and show jumping. It provides more detail about the early years of training, rather than say, development of the piaffe, passage, extensions, etc.
   
   I would recommend this to all dressage riders (especially those just starting out or at the lower levels), to those people interested in putting a good foundation on a young horse (this applies to ALL disciplines!), or to those that just want a better understanding of how to ride a horse correctly. This book has great clarity, is an easy read, I even recommended it to my youngest sister (she's 12).
   
   Don't get me wrong, this is not a book for novices just learning to post. You do need a basic understanding of riding. He's not going to explain how to ask your horse to shoulder-in or get on the bit. I read this with a good working knowledge of dressage. This just put everything into a clear format and made dressage, for once, seem simple to understand (even if its very difficult to perform!)



4. Very helpful, great ideas on horsemanship and training. A must read for anyone serious about correct, empathetic horsemanship.



5. This is a book that should be mandatory reading for all aspiring Dressage riders, as well as those who train and start youngsters! This book provides detailed descriptions as well as a thoughtfully laid out format. Kurd follows the German training tree - with one exception that makes sense and gets results quicker! Read the book to find out what it is!

5 comments about Ultimate Horse Barns.

1. This pictorial gem makes a great gift for the horse-lover in your life. The photographs are absolutely breathtaking.



2. This book has some pretty great pictures! Definitely a great gift for any horse lover that dreams of having their own barn.



3. I live, breathe horses. Ever since the age of 2, when I rode my first horse I have been as they say "horse crazy". I ride horses alot for 4-H and for my school's Equestrian Team and when I saw this book in my Horse Illistrated Magazine and instintly wanted to get it. I looked online for it and found it on its original website, but I didn't want to pay the full price. I searched around an found the best deal here on Amazon.com I read the book cover to cover and still constintally (sp?) look at it. Its a dream of mine to open my own horse barn someday and this book has been a real instiration and a enjoyable book for me!



4. As a lover of horses and pictoral books on design, I have been looking for this type of book on horse barns for quite some time. This book contains a well thought out range of historic and new equine related buildings that have been beautifully photographed. The descriptive passages relating to each property give a very personal and charming look at the development, building process and use of the buildings. My interest in the book was primarily in the photographs which are not over powered by the text. I have purchased a number of other books on the subject but they do not compare to the quality of this publication. For horse lovers, would be barn builders and lovers of unique architecture, I highly recommend "Ultimate Horse Barns".



5. And I thought that people spent a lot of money on houses. Then again, with horses of the caliber being housed here, I suppose the cost of the Ultimate Horse Barns being shown here isn't significant after all. You could build nearly any of them for say $4 to $5 million. Needless to say these are not little sheds just to keep the horse out of the rain.
   
   The buildings included here range from new construction to buildings that are well over a hundred years old. Many of these buildings are part of institutions such as the University of Vermont, the Kiwanis Club of West Toronto. Some belonged to the rich and famous, such as Vanderbilt. Some are working horse farms, but with a specialty in breeding or training high end horses.
   
   Note though that these are working barns. There are horses here, horses being groomes, trained, or like 'Bailey' on page 125 looking out of his stall as if to say, 'OK, it's morning, where's my breakfast.'

5 comments about Paddock Paradise: A Guide to Natural Horse Boarding.

1. Quality in depth instruction that helps owner to create a better living condition for their equine friend. Would recommend and have to anyone.



2. I read this book when a friend recommended it, but she said "You'll want to buy one for yourself, I bet!" She was correct. It is a book to follow in setting up your horse pastures in such a way as to stimulate "natural" horse keeping! It will be a book that I will want to refer to more than once, as my project develops. I think it is a "must have" book for people who keep their horses at home!



3. If not paradise, at least it gives more attention to the actual needs of the horse and explains why the track system might work better than stalls and pens. I am going to try it. There should be a way for people using this method to communicate with each other. You can ask the author questions but that is exorbitantly expensive!



4. Paddock Paradise is a book all horse owners should read. It's hard to change one's entire outlook on how horses should be kept, but it's worth it -- the way we have kept horses (stalled or confined to tiny paddocks) for so many years is light years from how they have evolved to live. Their feet suffer; their GI tracts suffer; their minds suffer.
   
   Read the book and learn from it. Think about it. Maybe you will not make changes immediately or completely, but over time you may find yourself returning to it again and again and finally being won over. Your horse will thank you.



5. Jaime Jackson provides a lot of insight into Wild Horse "Ideal" conditions. Pictures are great, and there are a few items which most people could incorporate into their facilities. A lot of what he recommends is not practical for most people. (Multiple electric fences, ponds, sand pits, burying calcium etc) Some recommendations can be modified. Use common sense to make a true "Paddock Paradise". His other books and DVD's were wonderful, and gave a lot more practical ides,so I was a little disappointed in this book. If one has the time, resources or natural lay of the land to make this work, it is worth exploring.