Best of
Horses

2008

A Horse of Her Own


Annie Wedekind - 2008
    And this is the summer she means to try out for the advanced riding class.       But just as camp begins, Jane receives heartbreaking news about Beau. She loses, not just her favorite horse, but also her chance to ride in the end-of-summer competition. When her trainer asks for her help with an out-of-control chestnut warmblood, Lancelot, a newcomer to the barn, she has no choice but to say yes.     There’s another new addition to the farm: Ben Reyes, the grandson of the barn's manager. As Jane struggles to go on without Beau, and to make Lancelot the great horse she believes him to be, her feelings for Ben, her relationships with the privileged group of girls she rides with, and her painful, joyous road to self-discovery all lead to a heart-pounding conclusion that is truly a new beginning. Only Jane’s faith in Lancelot, and her own rediscovered skill and strength, can see her through the hard journey toward a horse of her own.

The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd


Joe Camp - 2008
    The Camps went searching for logic and sense in the rule books of traditional horse care and what they found was not what they had expected. Written for everyone who has ever loved a horse or even loved the idea of having a horse in their lives, this memoir leads us on a riveting voyage of discovery as Joe and Kathleen navigate uncharted, often politically incorrect territory on their way to achieving a true relationship with their horses.As the creator of the beloved Benji series, Joe has spent most of his life luring us into the heart and soul of a famous dog, but now in this engaging, emotional, and often humorous story, he deftly lures us into the heart and soul of a horse. In doing so, he exposes astonishing truths and unlocks the mystery of a majestic creature who has survived on Earth, without assistance, for fifty-five million years. In a single emotionally charged moment, Camp communes with his first horse, Cash, in a way that changes him and his relationship with horses forever. In his own words, as he stood alone with his back to this horse: The collar of my jacket was tickling the hairs on the back of my neck. And my heart was pounding. Then a puff of warm, moist air brushed my ear. My heart skipped a beat. He was really close. Then I felt his nose on my shoulder . . . I couldn’t believe it. Tears came out of nowhere and streamed down my cheeks. I had spoken to him in his own language, and he had listened . . . and he had chosen to be with me. He had said, I trust you.Ingeniously alternating between the stories of two people thrust into an unfamiliar, enigmatic realm and a fabled herd of wild horses brought to the New World centuries ago, Joe Camp’s valuable and inspiring book teaches us that the lessons he was learning apply not only to his horses but to life and to people as well–to all of us.

Runaway


Dandi Daley Mackall - 2008
    Maybe that's why they call me a "runaway," and not a "run-to." Meet 16-year-old Dakota Brown. She used to love all things "horse" until she lost everything, including hope. The minute she sets foot on her foster parents' farm--Starlight Animal Rescue--she plans her escape. But can an "impossible" horse named Blackfire and this quirky collection of animal lovers be the home she's always dreamed of? Starlight Animal Rescue: Where problem horses are trained and loved, where abandoned dogs become heroes, where stray cats become loyal companions. And where people with nowhere to fit in find a place to belong.

Chancey of the Maury River


Gigi Amateau - 2008
    But it will take many years of slights and hardships before the orphaned albino will believe that the prophecy is truly meant for him. First he must find a home at the Maury River Stables and a girl named Claire who needs him as much as he needs her. Then, when his aching joints and impending blindness bring an end to their training together, he must start a new chapter as a therapeutic horse, healing people with wounds both visible and unseen. In the manner of a latter-day Black Beauty, Chancey’s observant voice narrates this absorbing story, filled with fascinating details of life at the stable and keen insight into equine instinct, human emotion, and the ineffable bond that connects them both.

A Summer to Remember


Lauren Brooke - 2008
    She is whisked off to the Hamptons to meet Alfredo Escobar, whose Argentinean family is renowned for their involvement in exclusive polo circuits. The Escobars expect nothing but the best - from both their ponies and their riders. But Alfredo's pony, Impala, has been giving him problems. If Alfredo can't learn to work with her they may both be in for trouble. It's up to Amy to find the key to mending this relationship and to help Alfredo meet his family's tremendous expectations.

Equus


Tim Flach - 2008
    Award-winning photographer Tim Flach’s quest to document the horse has resulted in Equus, an intensely moving look at an animal—as solitary subject and en masse, from the air and from underwater—whose history is so powerfully linked to our own. From exquisite Arabians in the Royal Yards of the United Arab Emirates to purebred Icelandic horses in their glacial habitat; from the soulful gaze of a single horse’s lash-lined eye to the thundering majesty of thousands of Mustangs racing across the plains of Utah, Equus provides an amazing and unique insight into the physical dynamics and spirit of the horse.

Hoof Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit


Melanie Sue Bowles - 2008
    The heartwarming story of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary continues with nineteen new stories of rescued horses who have gotten a second chance at life.

The Donkey Companion: Selecting, Training, Breeding, Enjoying Caring for Donkeys


Sue Weaver - 2008
    Whether you use your animal to pull carts, till fields, or protect livestock, you’ll benefit from this practical and inspirational guide to working with and caring for your donkey. Providing expert advice on selecting the right breed for your needs, daily maintenance, training, and first aid, Sue Weaver also includes plenty of fun facts and charming donkey anecdotes. Raise a happy and healthy donkey!

My Chincoteague Pony


Susan Jeffers - 2008
    With her whole heart, Julie longs for a pony of her own. And she has a plan. Every summer on Chincoteague Island, there is an auction of ponies who have swum across the channel from Assateague, where ponies run free. If Julie works hard and saves her money all year, perhaps she can win the pony of her dreams--her very own Chincoteague pony.

My Guy Barbaro: A Jockey's Journey Through Love, Triumph, and Heartbreak with America's Favorite Horse


Edgar Prado - 2008
    Barbaro's impressive performance immediately stirred talk of a possible Triple Crown. But in the opening yards of the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, the horse suffered a catastrophic leg injury that ended his undefeated career and left him fighting for his life.Edgar Prado, a native of Peru and one of the world's top jockeys, rode Barbaro to glory and then stood beside him for months as the horse valiantly struggled to survive and millions of fans held their breath. Having ridden in more than twenty-five thousand races over the previous two decades, Prado thought he had been around too long to fall for any one horse, but Barbaro—intelligent, charismatic, and resourceful in sickness as well as in health—stole his heart.In My Guy Barbaro, Prado recounts his own story, a tale of grit and dreams that moves from his impoverished childhood in Lima, Peru, to the winner's circles of the greatest racetracks in the world, and memorably chronicles his emotional time with Barbaro before, during, and after the horse's breakdown. Their bond was special and immeasurable. With Prado still reeling from a wrenching personal loss, Barbaro lifted his spirits by giving him “the ride of a lifetime” in the Derby. When the tables turned and the horse needed support two weeks later, Prado was there, going out of his way to make a succession of visits to the New Bolton Center, the animal hospital in Pennsylvania where Barbaro underwent more than two dozen surgeries and was ultimately put down.Barbaro made worldwide headlines for eight months, and now Prado's poignant, clear-eyed narrative takes us where no reader has gone before—onto Barbaro's back in the heat of a race and into the intensive care suite where Barbaro's life-and-death drama played itself out. My Guy Barbaro is a heartwarming, unforgettable story of a man and his love for a beautiful animal and an irreplaceable teammate.

Bella's Gift


Felicity Brown - 2008
    Bella Sara is an imaginative world full of magical horses. Each book includes a unique code for girls to enter and play with on the Web site.

The New Ride with Your Mind Clinic: Rider Biomechanics-Basics to Brillance


Mary Wanless - 2008
    Now she's back with exciting new ideas and exercises that she has discovered since writing her previous books. She delivers these tantalizing tidbits of riding know-how in the form of a riding "clinic": join her in the arena as her students of varying levels of experience and ability demonstrate common problems with riding position and aiding. Series photos and Wanless's corresponding commentary expose issues most riders struggle with throughout their riding careers, and how those issues affect the horse's way of going. Wanless then explains how to practically deal with such rider roadblocks by clarifying error through language and practicing exercises both on and off the horse. Find out how to use Wanless's methods to improve faults such as: • Tipping forward • Leaning back • Hollowing the back • Rounding the back • Asymmetries in the saddle • And more.

Beyond the Track: Retraining the Thoroughbred from Racecourse to Riding Horse


Anna Morgan Ford - 2008
    * A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book goes to support the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

Fosta: Marathon Master


Judy Andrekson - 2008
    But thanks to quick and loving intervention, the plucky little foal did survive. In the first few moments of his life, he was stolen from his dame by an expectant mare. When she had no milk to give him, he had to be fostered by a third “mother” since his own refused to take him back. From the very beginning, his chances of amounting to anything were horribly slim. Added to that, it didn’t look as if he would ever be big enough for racing. Yet Fosta has become one of the best-known horses ever to run Australia’s grueling “ultimate endurance test,” the Shahzada. For five days, the toughest and fastest horses compete internationally to cover four hundred kilometers of rugged terrain. The motto of the event is “To Finish is to Win,” and Fosta has finished an incredible ten out of eleven starts, making him one of the most consistent and enduring horses of all time. Here is his story, told so that readers will feel they are atop Fosta as he attempts to earn his last completion buckle.

Ride the Journey


Chris Cox - 2008
    Book annotation not available for this title.

The Western Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book: Soundness and Comfort with Back Analysis and Correct Use of Saddles and Pads


Joyce Harman - 2008
    Joyce Harman's best-selling book and DVDs on saddle-fit have received rave reviews and helped improve the lives of performance and pleasure horses all over the world. Now, due to popular demand, she's written the complete reference on saddle-fit and back health for Western disciplines. In this most thorough, comprehensive book, Dr. Harman, veterinarian and respected saddle-fitting expert, educates the reader about the horse's conformation—particularly the shape of the back, withers, ribs, and shoulders; saddle construction—the tree, bars, seat, skirts, fleece, gullet, and stirrups; and the rider's conformation. She explains how all these variables must be considered in order to keep the horse comfortable. In addition, read about correct use of saddle pads; fitting saddles for different sports such as reining, cutting, pleasure, and trail; and how to care for your horse's back, both over the short and long term.

The Forgotten Horses


Tony Stromberg - 2008
    But thanks to the work of rescue organizations and horse sanctuaries, many of these formerly unwanted horses are enjoying genuine appreciation and newfound freedom. The horses in this book were abused, neglected, abandoned, rejected. They are lame, old, blind, or just unattractive according to modern ideas of beauty. Some are crossbreeds with no clearly defined bloodline. Others are wild horses that have been forced off public lands. They are enjoying a second chance to live a meaningful and dignified life. They are here to teach us different measures of value, measures we have almost forgotten.To document these remarkable creatures, acclaimed equine photographer Tony Stromberg traveled to sanctuaries across North America. While many horse books focus on exotic, flashy breeds or famous thoroughbreds, Tony chose to capture the soul of “working-class” equines — many enjoying love and freedom for the first time. Through gorgeous photography, The Forgotten Horses reveals the profound spirit of these amazing animals and honors the people and sanctuaries that have offered them a well-deserved home.

The Complete Guide to Hunter Seat Training, Showing, and Judging: On the Flat and Over Fences


Anna Jane White-Mullin - 2008
    Never before has such a complete text on the American hunt seat and equitation disciplines been compiled! Based on Anna Jane White-Mullin's now out-of-print bestseller Winning and chock full of gorgeous, full-color photographs taken at Beacon Hill Show Stables owned by Stacia Madden, The Complete Guide to Hunter Seat Training, Showing, and Judging provides every aspiring equestrian the means for achieving greatness in the show ring. Beginning with a comprehensive overview of the basic principles of horsemanship—recently re-emphasized as compulsory by such luminaries of the sport as George Morris—and progressing through essential schooling exercises in the development of the hunter or equitation mount, as well as advanced concepts applicable to upper-level competition, Part One lays the amateur's riding and training foundation. You'll find: • Discussion of collection and lengthening—long, medium, and short frames • Flatwork for improving the basic gaits—cadence, pace, and transitions • Training and showing tips for USEF Tests 1-19—patterns and how to prepare for them • Introduction to hunter and equitation jump courses—basic, intermediate, and advanced As an added bonus, the education of the rider is made complete with the inclusion of White-Mullin's famous text on judging hunters and equitation. Offering a complete discussion of the USEF rules, requirements, and tests, the second part of the book explains what judges look for and the training methods necessary to achieve the desired results.

Braiding Manes and Tails: A Visual Guide to 30 Basic Braids


Charni Lewis - 2008
    Full-color photographs and detailed illustrations bring every twist and turn to life, while also clearly demonstrating proper hand positioning. Get inspired and experiment with a Scalloped mane braid or a Four-Strand Weave for the tail. Not only will your horse look great, the time you spend braiding will help develop that special bond between you and your horse.

Horseback Hopes


Diana G. Gallagher - 2008
    Until now! A new stable has opened up in town, and Molly convinces her parents to let her sign up for classes. Everything is great, except that two girls at school keep making fun of Molly. She'll need to figure out a way to keep her confidence both in and out of the saddle.

Connecting with Horses: The Life Lessons We Can Learn From Horses


Margrit Coates - 2008
    Exploring life lessons that extend far beyond the barnyard, the author explains how horses can offer healing and guidance for people in their everyday lives.By understanding the role these magnificent animals can play in one’s life and following the author’s method for interacting with them, readers are empowered with the courage and ability to change their own lives and administer to the well-being of others.Connecting with Horses draws upon powerful true stories and practical experience to explore themes that range from potential to creativity to success. With her years of working with horses, as well as her research and reflection, the author is able to translate her everyday experience into an innovative program of personal transformation.

JB Andrew: Mustang Magic


Judy Andrekson - 2008
    Until he was a year old, no human hand touched him, though he knew something of the danger people represented to the herd. But one fateful day, the herd was chased by a huge black creature in the sky, and the yearling was separated from his mother. In blind panic he ran, but he could not outdistance the terrifying, whirling thing above him, or the humans on horseback that surrounded him. Before long, JB Andrew would come to the attention of many. He was big, leggy, and awkward, but he had a long, graceful stride and was chosen for an inmate prison program where he would be trained and made ready for adoption. JB, short for Jail Bird, had a special quality that forced people to take notice. Before his retirement years later, he would win hearts and trophies in the elite competitive dressage ring by becoming the first and only wild mustang to attain success in the sport. He paved the way for people to dream, believe, and succeed and in doing so, JB became one of the greatest ambassadors for wild mustangs the breed has ever known.Third in the True Horse Stories series, JB Andrew: Mustang Magic is as warm as it is inspiring.

Dressage in the Fourth Dimension


Sherry L. Ackerman - 2008
    For philosopher and dressage instructor Dr. Sherry Ackerman, dressage is much more. It — along with riding in general — can be a transformational art and an avenue for reflection, exploration, and self-knowledge through which a rider can experience liberation from the individual, egoistic self.This second, revised edition of Dressage in the Fourth Dimension is a pioneer work in awakening “dressage consciousness.” Drawing on such diverse sources as sacred geometry, ancient Western and Eastern philosophies, and esoteric spirituality, Ackerman seeks to heal humanity’s alienation from nature through riding. She points us toward the liberation from societal conditioning and normative thinking, and, ultimately, from our own egos. Her concept of the fourth dimension requires us to leave the analytic, objective mind behind and enter into the mystery of inspiration.A short, unique, thought-provoking work that has enjoyed a word-of-mouth reputation among horse people for years, Dressage in the Fourth Dimension will challenge riders’ assumptions about their horses and themselves.

Horse Racing's Greatest Rivalries


Blood-Horse Publications - 2008
    Fager & Damascus; and Street Sense, Hard Spun, & Curlin. Lavishly illustrated with history and contemporary color and B/W photography.

Tales from the Triple Crown


Steve Haskin - 2008
    Haskins personal involvement, keen eye for a good story, and conversational writing style make readers feel like they are living the moment with him.