1 comments about Ranch Style: The Artistic Culture and Design of the Real West.

1. I thought the book was beautiful. But I was looking for a book on decorating my home the ranch style look. So although the pictures were great if I was looking for that kind of thing. It was not exactly the book I needed. Wonderful pictures!!

2 comments about Lame-Horse Causes, Symptoms and Treatments.

1. This book is so good that it will survive the test of time no matter what. Reading and understanding it gives the reader the ability to judge correctly how to superbly care for horses. I'm very glad that Dr. Rooney has updated it, but I sure wouldn't be throwing out the old versions yet! I've worked with horses for 46 years, and I always have a copy of Rooney handy, plus a loaner copy for others.
   
   A priceless book for anyone involved in the care of horses.



2. This first edition is long, long out-of-date, and it is high time Amazon woke up and stopped misleading the public by offering remaindered books without so identifying them.

3 comments about My Turf: Horses, Boxers, Blood Money, And The Sporting Life.

1. I've always enjoyed William Nack on ESPN's Sports Century programs, and I'd read some of these selections in Sports Illustrated. It's great to have a collection of such eloquent sportswriting. The characters he writes about come to life. Even non sports fans would enjoy the features on Secretariat, Bobby Fishcher, and Bob Kalzu. In a nutshell, this is a treasure. Next how about a book of Gary Smith's SI stories?



2. I thought this book would be for sports enthusiasts only. Instead, it is actually a compilation of beautiful human interest stories that capture and inspire the hearts and minds of its readers. I highly recommend this book for boys and girls, young and old.



3. Bill Nack reports the "back stories" of human and equine athletes better than anyone around and this collection of some of his best work kept me turning the pages for more. From Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston to Secretariat, interesting and important figures from the world of sports are shown as human (or animal) beings, not simply athletic commodities. Nack's writing is elegant without being flowery, and often ironic. This book is a terrific read. The best quote in the collection is attributed to Liston and the meanest person was Rocky Marciano.

No comments about Starting Out in Eventing: An Introduction to Having Fun Cross-Country.

No comments about The Art of Horseshoeing: A Manual for Farriers (Farrier classics).

4 comments about Cleve Wells Going For Broke: 15 Lessons To Teach Your Young Horse To Be A Willing, Respectful Partner In Hand & Under Saddle.

1. Cleve Wells has an excellent step-by-step book here. I have about 35 rides on my girl and very much recomend it. Wells methods are very pretty easy to follow too. I think Wells has helped me be more patient and less demanding of instent success. Just buy the book, do what he says and be patient. It's worth your time and money.



2. The advice about horse training in this book is just fine. Problem is, there are allegations that the author uses very abusive methods for his own horse training. Google for Horse Abused at Big Name Trainer's Barn for pictures and witness statement. Ask questions of people who know the Pleasure Horse industry. He's not the only big name trainer who has a reputation for "doing what it takes."



3. Even though I am a Hunter O/F rider, I was able to take some pointers from this book and apply it to my flat work and basic listening skills of my horse.



4. I think it's a wonderful book, and for starting a young horse it's a wonderful guide. Simple, easy step-by-step guides on how to ground drive and then transferring it to saddle, then all the in-saddle work you'll need to have a good, firm riding foundation on your horse. I thought it would have more on groundwork, like some on-the-ground leadership establishing exercises, but I think I just misread it. There IS some wonderful stuff about teaching a young horse to tie, as well as using it and tying them longer and longer to teach patience.
   
   Overall it's a wonderful book for the horse who has the VERY basics down (leading, picking up feet, etc.) and will lead you through the rest, sacking out, tying up, saddling, ground driving, NECK REINING (VERY good section here!), and more foundation building riding lessons.

2 comments about Horse Nation: True Stories About Horses and People.

1. I never had the pleasure of owning my own horse or run with a wolf but T's superb writing takes you right there every step of the way. You emotionally can't help getting involved. Teresa has a magical way of sharing her lifes experiences and somehow you can relate in some area or another. Her devotion to her decisions and committment to all animals under her care should be an inspiration to all to look beyond the material and look with your heart. All creatures are a blessing and should not be ignored or abused. T's courage and deep rooted spiritualness throughout her life, making decisions that most of us would not have been able to is a tribute to her and her outstanding work.
   She took her fathers teachings and her mothers heritage and combined, has passed them on to her students.
   There is a Dakota proverb " We will be remembered by the tracks we leave behind". There is no doubt that next to T's tracks will be the tracks of all the animals lives she has touched and been touched by. Thanks T.....Linda (anuyi)



2. Having been blessed enough to have had a horse in my life in my 30s, I found this book a sweet reminder and educational as well about who horses are at their very core. Teresa Martino writes with an honesty and insight that gives you the feeling you're standing in her shoes and living vicariously through her experiences. I highly recommend this book for any horse lover who honors who their horse is, not just at the physical level but the emotional, mental and spiritual levels as well.

3 comments about Dynasties.

1. Written for horse people, this book serves as an excellent reference but not an outstanding read. I never became comfortable with the author's style, and his annoying habit of reintroducing his favorite source ("Sire Lines" by Abram S. Hewitt) a different way in every chapter really started to bother me. Also galling were the inexhaustible personal anecdotes, which did bring a hint of personality to the book, but often sounded like mere name-dropping. Furthermore, the author frequently omitted explanations of the racing jargon he used, although a few terms were finally defined in the last section of the book. On the other hand, the stories of the various stallions' breeding, racing, and stud careers were very interesting and seemingly well-researched. I appreciated the in-chapter pedigrees as well as the more complete sire line charts at the end. Many black and white photos are included of the famous sires and some of their progeny.



2. Edward Bowen has selected what he thinks are the most important sires of the twentieth century and devoted a chapter to each, giving their own achievements and those of their descendants, as well as information about some of the more interesting people involved. To this end, he has included one or two sire lines that might not actually be the most important, but where their story is particularly interesting. In his introduction, the author acknowledges that the Challenger sire line was selected instead of the Count Fleet or Pharamond lines precisely because it presented a more interesting story. None of them were essential based purely on their importance.

   Of course, all the essential lines that are still thriving are there, including Nearco and Native Dancer, who between them have each established several important sire lines. Indeed, a significant proportion of the book is devoted to those stallions and their descendants, which include Storm cat, America's leading sire at the turn of the millennium, and Sadlers Wells, Europe's equivalent.

   This book is not a comprehensive guide to sire lines. Although there are charts near the back of the book giving diagrams of the sire lines covered by the book, they do not list once-important but now extinct lines like the Diomed/Lexington line - a line that was already struggling at the beginning of the twentieth century, but somehow survived into the 1980's. Indeed, there is no diagram of the Herod dynasty at all, although a different branch of it survives in Europe, most notably via the Irish stallion Indian Ridge.

   Also, the diagrams that are present focus, with few exceptions, on those branches where a stallion was standing in America at the time the book was written. Of course, this is understandable, as it is a book about American bloodlines, but since thoroughbred breeding is international, it is a bit misleading. The Hyperion line is not as close to extinction as the diagram makes it appear, although its long term future is uncertain.

   Still, I have learned that the best place to look for comprehensive sire line charts is on the internet, which has the advantage of being more up-to-date than any book is ever likely to be. Despite my reservations about the charts, the author is a great storyteller and the charts will be sufficient for most purposes.




3. Edward Bowen has done it once again with having written a marvelous book about the great sires of the twentieth century and their influence upon the thoroughbred breed. All of the important sire lines are included, such as Nearco, Northern Dancer, Princequillo, Mr. Prospector, Hail to Reason, Nasrullah, Bull Lea, and, in this reviewer's opinion, the greatest sire of them all, Bold Ruler. Bowen gives a detailed biography of each sire and that horse's important descendants.

   An added bonus is a section of charts in the back of the book of each sire's male line and the important winners from each of those lines. For example, the chart for Bold Ruler shows all of his male line ascendants, and his important descendants. One descendant, Bold Bidder, has under his name the important race horses Spectacular Bid and Cannonade, and Cannonade in turn sired Caveat who in turn sired Awad and Ops Smile. What is nice about the charts is that they instantly show how so few sires have had so much influence on thoroughbred racing.

   I highly recommend this book and the companion book MATRIARCHS.

5 comments about Healed by Horses: A Memoir.

1. Healed by Horses is a wonderful book that gives hope and encouragement to anyone who reads it! It reaffirms the fact that life is a gift, and, if you allow it, struggle can make you better. As Carole states on page 230: "It's working with horses that heals, by developing discipline, courage, patience, and perseverance. You may come to horses -- as I did -- unable to walk, unable to cope, disfigured and in despair, but what I learned is that horses do not judge by looks or class or reputation. Still, you must earn their trust and cooperation, and out of that comes self-esteem."



2. Healed by Horses is a must-read; a fantastic book that leaves readers entertained, educated and... changed.
   
   Page by page, this memoir delicately, and sometimes dramatically, shows the true story of Carole Fletcher. Its inspiring message touches readers of all interests, ages and spectrums.
   
   The book, on the surface, is about a burn victim whose life is turned upside down after a near-death experience in a gasoline explosion.
   
   Underneath, the storyline is even stronger and deeper, as Carole Fletcher delves into the meanings of inner and outer beauty, self-worth, "a never give up mentality," inspiration and other life lessons.
   
   Carole shows us how horses, who never judge our outer appearances, dragged her out of a near suicidal state and, ultimately, launched her career as an internationally respected trick horse trainer and author.
   
   I've had the pleasure of meeting Carole Fletcher at her Reddick, Florida, home. She is a true gem; a delightful, strong woman who sees each day as a gift. Her book -- and her story -- are a gift to us.
   
   Healed by Horses gets TWO THUMBS UP!
   
   Summer Best
   Ocala, Florida



3. As a fan and student of Carole Fletcher's Trick Training techniques, I was familiar with the bio behind this book before reading it. So it was with a literary mindset that I opened the cover, expecting to view the entire book with a critical eye; curious, mostly, to learn just what did Larry Scanlan do to bring the ashes of Carole's past back to life.
   
   My resolve to be largely unmoved lasted maybe two pages. I was totally captivated. Through Larry Scanlan's ability to weave pertinent and insightful personal details through the charred remains of Carole's past, Carole emerges as she truly is: human, rather than a string of incredible facts. People everywhere can relate some situation in their life to what Carole has endured and draw courage from her story. Her hospital ordeal was gut-wrenching; the stories about her horses have the same effect on your heart. There were plenty of details to whet the appetites of horse people, but there is message and metaphor for every one, everywhere; lessons for all of us on overcoming obstacles, achieving goals, healing relationships, feeling real compassion, looking for the true beauty in every one and everything around you, finding meaning in life.
   
   Through 'Healed by Horses', Fletcher and Scanlan have made a tremendous contribution to society.



4. I have had the privilege of meeting Carole through a neighbor. Just in meeting her I feel blessed. Her book speaks honestly of her accident. Naturally, I wish that it never happened, but she is so positive and continually reaching for new goals. Her attitude throughout the book illustrates how she appreciated the people and animals around her. The relationships in her own family were exposed and then nurtured. Her blessings are many and suddenly, I could see how she not only turned her life into a survival story but a platform to help others. Anyone that reads this book will understand how Carole found the strength to go on and love deeper. This book truly is the way Carole is everyday. Read and enjoy how horses can be so much more than an animal to ride. I know that I will see horses differently now and think of how they kept Carole being a person who lives from "within" her heart and soul, instead of one who lives "without".
   Lou Petty
   Quarter Horse competitor and breeder



5. Carole's book Healed By Horses is absolutely awesome!! It touches many areas of all our lives!!! You don't have to love horses to enjoy and to be inspired by Carole's book!!! And if you do love horses you will be totally in awe of this woman's courage and will relate with the deep heartfelt draw to the beautiful four legged friends that she talks about!!! Carole Fletcher is a true inspiration and I am very thankful she shared her story with all of us!!!

5 comments about Talking with Horses.

1. Talking with Horses As a first-time horse owner, I found this book to be quite useful if your goal is to create a partnership with your horse. Being an alpha rider means firmness, consistency, but most important generating enough trust so that when your horse is fearful, misbehaves, or acts in any non-calm manner, he/she is responsive to your commands thereby providing a safe environment for all. This book teaches, through many anecdotes, the nuances that are typically omitted from other horse books ... and are not evident even in the people who have ridden/owned horses for years. Some of Henry Blake's suggestions might be for the very advanced rider or very excitable horse. For an enjoyable and informative read, I heartily recommend Blake's book.



2. This is the book you need if you have to deal with horses from the ground. There are many riding books, but few on how to get along with them. That's what this is about. Horses are quite willing to communicate with gestures, and this will teach you how to "talk horse".



3. Not a bad book. He gets the point across about communicating with horses. Mr Blake a great trick of telling funny anecdotes to get his point across. I haven't had enough to do with horses to confirm the ESP thing yet.



4. It was entertaining as well as informative. As a new horse owner I am glad it was the first book I read on the subject. Effective communication skills is a must wheather you are a first time or long time horse owner. It was very helpful to be educated on the psyche, and language of horses and to be given examples that just like people, horses each have their own individual personalities. Mr. Blake has had experience with a large number of horses over the years and has developed a reputation for his patience and handling of difficult horses....and reading about how much enjoyment he received from it was a real inspiration!

   Sherry and James Fannon




5. Henry Blake's first book is wonderful. It is not only a retelling of personal experiences but full of practical advice as well. Blake has several useful suggestions for improving the relationship you have with your horse.