5 comments about Honest Horses: Wild Horses In The Great Basin.

1. Honest Horses by Paula Morin(oral historian & photographer) is compelling, highly-engaging and a dramatic read.Her creative photos enrich the comprehensive text. What makes this different is Paula's interviews with 62 westerners across a BROAD range-from BLMers, ranchers,environmentalists, Native Americans, historians, wildlife experts, etc The heart-pulling subject of wild horses has never been given such a thorough examination. We have to commend Paula for bringing the subject and all its complexity to us. Highly recommended.



2. More than a century has passed since the official closing of the American frontier, and yet our culture continues to harbor romanticized notions of the West. Included in that image is the idea that wild horses, like the deer and the antelope, still have free run of the range. But do they? And should they?
   
   Oral historian and photographer Paula Morin has assembled 62 narratives from the individuals who are most familiar with the Great Basin area, home to the greatest number of our country's wild horses. This geographical region covers parts of Utah, Idaho, Oregon and California, with its largest portion sitting within Nevada's borders. In each of those states, the wild horse issue is a complex one, complete with firm stands being taken by environmentalists, animal lovers, scientists, ranchers, wranglers, politicians and government workers. We hear many of their voices and their viewpoints in this compendium.
   
   Because the bond between humans and horses is a close and historic one, and because equines are such sizable animals, it's difficult to think of the wild horse as a non-native species to the western region. But as alien invaders often do, wild horses reproduce in such numbers that they wreak havoc on any ecosystem. Aside from the occasional mountain lion or coyote band attack, the horse has no natural predator. The Great Basin simultaneously offers an especially harsh and fragile habitat, with periodic dry seasons and soil that needs time to recover from any kind of disturbance. Anyone can predict the kinds of problems that will arise when too many large mammals are confined to such a delicate area.
   
   Horse history, captivating stories and personal experiences abound as the interviewees speak. A variety of opinions are aired here. But the majority of the individuals agree on at least three points: (a) letting nature take its course isn't a practical or humane solution when hundreds of animals die slow and gruesome deaths; (b) folks outside the Great Basin region don't understand all the complexities of the issue and shouldn't be the primary decision-makers involved; and (c) yes, it's still nice to have the wild horses out on the land, running free.
   
   One Amazon reviewer stated: "To me, wild country, while possibly requiring management and certainly requiring protection, need serve no human purpose. It is sufficient to itself." While I agree that we should preserve as many large portions of land as we can, that's not exactly the point of this book. The region in question has already been impacted by man, both directly and indirectly, by the accidental or deliberate introduction of wild horses. Once the habitat has been tampered with to such a drastic state, all options should be considered to restore its health. Limiting the number of wild horses on the land -- however that can be accomplished -- appears to be a logical remedy.
   
   "Honest Horses" is valuable reading for all of us here in the United States, especially since other books about wild horses, especially those for children, never mention the questions and problems they present. For those of us who live "away," it's easy for us to pass judgment or to think of a possible solution. After reading this book it should be obvious that all the stakeholders must sit down and work out the problem to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, every environmental challenge turns into a political one.



3. This odd book isn't about the biology or behavior of mustangs or where to see them. Instead, it is a litany of more or less identical accounts, all of which stress the need to limit mustangs' numbers -- essentially by killing them -- before they overgraze the range and all starve to death.
   
   If the commentators are correct that there are no natural limits on mustangs' population growth (why not reintroduce wolves? Too unpopular with ranchers?), then their arguments seem convincing. I am willing to believe that too many scrub horses are running wild in Nevada and their numbers need to be drastically reduced. However, the total lack in this book of any dissenting argument means my conviction will remain on hold. Every statement here tells the exact same story, and that in itself is something I find questionable.
   
   I've also had enough of people referring to open range and wilderness as "the resource", as if it couldn't possibly manage itself without human interference and in fact had no purpose other than to serve human beings in whatever way; a viewpoint that seems unspeakably arrogant. To me, wild country, while possibly requiring management and certainly requiring protection, need serve no human purpose. It is sufficient to itself.



4. With a title like this you would expect a fair, even-handed assessment of wild horses in their natural habitat. Instead, what we are served reads more like a government-sponsored justification for the already planned eradication of our wild horses. Not surprising, since a little research shows that government funding went to the author to "research" this work. One-sided and misleading, a disappointment.



5. Honest Horses is a definitive book about wild horses in the high desert of the American West. It will open people's eyes. It will open their hearts, too!

1 comments about Equine Herbs & Healing: An Earth Lodge Guide to Horse Wellness.

1. I have this author's other books which are more metaphysical, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this one, but it really was wonderful to read, and has proved very helpful for my aging horse who has some arthritis. Everything in the book is very well-researched, and she covers many important aspects of natural horse therapy and herbal uses. As usual, the book is really entertaining and written in the author's typical light and fun to read manner. I just love it, and hope the author writes something covering other animals soon!

1 comments about Horse Quotations (Quotations Books).

1. This "little" book is well put together and full of wisdom and lovely artwork. I would love to see a 2nd, 3rd and 4th edition. A wonderful gift for any horse enthusiast

No comments about Training the Performance Horse: From Western Pleasure to Reining.

No comments about Grooming (Threshold Picture Guides Series).

5 comments about Horses Are Made to Be Horses.

1. This book was a joy to read, and explains carefully why horses behave the way they do. Should be required reading for anyone before they buy a horse. Gives one a deeper appreciation and understanding into the mind of the horse. All horses are neighing their thanks to Mr. Mairinger.



2. Although the writing style and the frequent repetition in the text sometimes distracted from getting the point that was being made, the advice and lessons within the book are well worth digging for. I found the last few chapters had the most to offer with the last couple lines of the book really summing it up.



3. This book wonderfully led you into the mind of a horse. It was very well written. The only reason that I rated it 4 stars intsead of five was because I did not fully agree with everything said. That is ok, it was only my opinion. This book shows you how to reconsider everything you do on a horses back, near a horse or around a horse. It does no tell you how to do something or what it might feel like, but it tells you how to get there. I loved it. Any person that is even a little interested in Horses and would like to know more, I urge you to read this book.



4. Unfortunately this book seems to be more of a gratitude to Mr Mairinger by the author than a dressage tutorial as one might have expected. There are too many analogies used (50 pages out of 170) to emphasize the basic and most important fact of horsemanship; "feeling of your horse" Focus on different effects and transitions is not covered thoroughly and well enough.



5. This book should be read by anyone who wants to ride a horse, whether they are interested in dressage or not. Mairinger does an excellent job of making the rider understand and respect these beautiful animals.

3 comments about Beyond the Mirrors: The Study of the Mental and Spiritual Aspects of Horsemanship.

1. This book was really well put together. The information was great. It gets a little dry at times and sometimes it skims over information that you wish it would go deeper into. It is a quick read and touches on some great ideas though. I would recommend it to anyone that is into the more spiritual aspects of being a horse owner. It's not for everyone though(in my humble opinion, of course).



2. Jill has many accomplishments to her name, but her skill as a true communicator is equalled by few.All her books work from the basic of learning to know yourself non-judgementally so you may have much deeper understandings of your horse, & anyone you have to deal with in the "real world" also. learning the lessons in all her books gives you the opportunity to have much more successful outcomes in any encounter-man or animal & leads you to a higher level of understanding yourself & what motivates. I've used her books as a reference for a communication skills seminar for fellow nurses I developed & Jill was of personal assistance on several occasions. We need more like her , Susan Harris ,Sally Swift, & jane Savoie



3. This is one of the most helpful books I own. It helped me to really bond with my horse on more than a physical level. It teaches you how to spend time learning your horse and discovering their hidden talents and personality traits. I highly recommend it

2 comments about Dancing with Your Horse.

1. I am an Intro level dressage rider, with high aspirations! I got this book for some insight into how to start planning my future "musical freestyle." It is very precise and helpful for a novice like me, and I highly recommend it for anyone trying to plan their musical debut. It tells how to start, what kinds of music to consider, how to align the music with your horse's gaits and rhythm, and even offers a few asides, like the fact that your entry music should be dramatic, like the Star Wars theme, because it doesn't count anyway and it will get the judge's/audience's attention! Excellent resource!



2. I would recommend this book to people who like dancing with their horses. I happen to have an artistic streak in my blood and have won four state ribbons for freestyle horse dancing. This is a great book for beginners and experts alike. It starts from the basic steps all the way to double ronde-jambe axel loup.

1 comments about Horsewords: The Equine Dictionary: The Ultimate Reference Book (Revised 2nd Edition).

1. Being an English girl living in the US, this book has terms from both sides of the Atlantic so the fact I can work out what the heck the cowboys here are on about is wonderful as so much terminology is different. A really well constructed book which my husband also finds useful as he is relatively new to horses.

1 comments about Successful Jumping: Training Your Horse with Gridwork.

1. I am new to jumping horses, but a very experienced rider. My trainer introduced me to and loaned me her copy. I found it to be very helpful in teaching me excellent techniques to train the green horse (my interest is in field hunters and polo horses) and also to make me a better, more confident jumper. However, this is a reference work, even though small, and I need to return my trainer's copy to her. That I want to go purchase the book after I have read it tells you all you might need to know. Perhaps an experienced hunter/jumper might not need this book, but for the novice, I think it is excellent.