General Reference

Desmond Morris

The author of the phenomenally successful Catwatching, Dogwatching, and Catlore turns his attention to horses, answering more than 40 intriguing questions about the nature of the horse, and discussing the myths and history of horses through the ages. Desmond Morris delights animal lovers once again in this book of facts and lore. 25 black-and-white drawings.

Burns

Written in layman's language, this encyclopedia's A-Z entries offer insight into all aspects of English and Western horsemanship. The editor has done an excellent job of covering equine health issues, care, riding, tack, and horse breeds. The history and evolution of the horse are discussed, as are such topics as stable design and how to load a horse into a trailer. Fact boxes and numerous line drawings provide useful supplemental information. Short topic-specific glossaries define, for instance, racing terms. There are also useful charts, illustrations of plants poisonous to horses, and step-by-step drawings of how to braid a tail and tie various knots. The horse trivia and horse related quotations add an interesting and entertaining dimension to the book. A resource list includes general and breed-specific organizations as well as academic programs with a specialty in equine science. Cross-references lead the reader to related articles. Terms within an article that have a main entry are in bold type. The general index is thorough and uses italics to indicate illustrations and bold type to indicate charts. There is even a separate index to the quotations that appear throughout the book.

Budiansky

Horses have a shared history with man going back millennia to their domestication around 4000 B.C. Yet only in very recent years have scientists begun to turn the tools of modem science on this remarkable animal that has been so wrapped up in human dreams and legends. Now modern scientific research is beginning to explain long-standing mysteries about the true nature of the horse. How well can horses really see? What causes breakdowns in racehorses? How intelligent are they compared to other animals, and are some breeds smarter than others? Does nature or nurture matter more in creating a great sport horse? What causes cribbing and other vices? In this beautifully illustrated, compelling narrative, Budiansky tells the story of the origins, behavior, intelligence and language of the horse.

For the first time, horse lovers will have access to cutting-edge research on topics of interest including new information on horse vision, horse biology and movement. Introducing the latest archeological findings, Budiansky presents a fascinating discussion of how the horse evolved as well as a dramatic and provocative history of man's use and abuse of the horse from prehistoric times to today. In a revealing chapter on horse intelligence, he debunks the commonly held belief that horses are stupid and also presents compelling new scientific information on horse language which will greatly benefit the horse rider and trainer. Finally, drawing together the latest research on horse physiology, genetics and biomechanics, Budiansky asks the million dollar question -- what makes for a winning racehorse? Anyone who loves horses will find this an invaluable resource as well as a fascinating read.

Lawrence Scanlan

"The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse." Beginning his book with this well-known quote from Lord Palnerstone, Scanlan sets the tone for his examination of why so many people love horses. The fact that there are more horses in the U.S. today than there were during the era before the internal combustion engine is an almost inevitable outcome of this unique connection humans have with horses. The stories of such well-known horses as Secretariat and Traveller, and those less known (except to aficionados) such as Snow Man and Comanche, are placed in the context of their times. Scanlan's discussion of horses through history--horses in war, horses in sports, wild horses, the gentling of horses through "whispering" --at times approaches the lyrical and has the power to move the reader to tears. The author's ability to explain the importance of horses to different people in different times places this work beyond the realm of standard "horse books" and recommends it highly.

Western Horseman

Hundreds of "here's hows" published in Western Horseman over the last 12 years...all in one volume! Fully illustrated and a valuable reference.

Audrey Pavia

If you love to horse around, then hop on the saddle and take a ride with Horses For Dummies. Whether you're contemplating riding a horse for the first time in your life or wondering how to care for your first horse, this book can help get you started in this fun and exciting hobby. This easy-to-read and friendly guide by authors Audrey Pavia and Janice Posnikoff, D.V.M. gives you all the information you need to become a knowledgeable horse owner and an accomplished equestrian -- from buying, boarding, feeding, and grooming to training, riding, competing, and more. Horses For Dummies covers all the essentials, such as deciding whether or not to buy a horse right off the bat or to ease into ownership by leasing or taking lessons. And you even find out about all the equipment it takes to maintain a horse, how to find a place to keep your horse, how to care for your four-legged friend, and most importantly, how to have fun with your horse. Plus, you discover how to recognize common horse ailments and know when it's necessary to call in the vet. So stop horsin' around and check out this one-stop resource for everything you've ever wanted to know (and more) about horses.

M. Oldfield Howey

From Pegasus to the four horses of the Apocalypse, the horse figure derived from classic mythology, the Bible, folklore and literature is covered in The Horse In Magic And Myth with a series of informed chapters that focus on equine legends and myths.