Horse Books Gazette - Fall 2007
Reviews and previews of the best new books for equestrians

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In This Issue:

1. From the Editor
2. Featured Title
3. New Releases

From the Editor

Hello to everyone after a long, long hiatus. I've spent the past couple of years having and raising babies (two in two years), so that hasn't left me a lot of time for writing or riding! But Horse Books Gazette is finally back and now that my kids are a little more user-friendly I can sneak a spare moment or two to let you know what's new and cool in the world of horse books.

Summer is winding down and with it—I hope—the hot weather. Take advantage of the cooler autumn days and get out on the trail, or visit one of the last horse shows of the season. If you're a parent and your daughter (or son!) plans on entering the horse show world next year, be sure to pick up a copy of this issue's featured title, The In-Gate: A Parent's Guide to Horse Shows. Enjoy the last part of your summer and remember that now is a great time to stock up on some new books for those cool autumn evenings.
 

This Issue Sponsored by:

The Little Book of Horse Poop (Hardcover)
Did you know that horse manure helped launch the world's first practical balloon? That it is a key ingredient in some types of American Indian pottery? That you can use it to make paper? Surprise, horse poop is not just for compost anymore. This funny and fascinating book will teach you everything you had no idea you ever wanted to know about horse poop. Includes humorous tips for mucking out, horse poop history and trivia, and practical advice on how you can make manure management more manageable. Makes a great gift for that hard-to-please horse enthusiast. Available only from Cafe Bookshop.
 

Featured Title

The In-Gate: A Parent's Guide to Horse Shows (Paperback)
by Ange Dickson Finn

Even if you've owned horses your entire life, the words "Mom, I want to show" may leave you trembling with fear. Relax. Your child has developed a healthy desire to compete, and that's a good thing-but where does it leave you? Do you have any idea how to find a trainer? Do you even need a trainer? Do you know anything about horse show fashion or show ring etiquette? Are you prepared for the expense?

If those questions are still banging around in your head, the first resource you should pick up is Ange Finn's The In-Gate: A Parent's Guide to Horse Shows. Written by a horse show mom for other horse show moms, The In-Gate will answer all of your most important questions about the sometimes-intimidating world of horse showing. The author writes with humor and in a communicative style that will have you feeling like a real-horse show mom before you've even attended your first show. An invaluable guide for those new to the world of horse show parenting.

The In-Gate: A Parent's Guide to Horse Shows is available now.
 

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New Releases

A Pony in the Picture: Vintage Portraits of Children and Ponies
by Victoria Randall

Book Description:
Children everywhere have always loved ponies. Those lucky enough to grow up with horses invariably recall them as the keepers of their happiest childhood memories. But for most, a brief ride on a rented pony was the closest they would ever get to a horse of their own. A PONY IN THE PICTURE is an endearing collection of antique and vintage photographs of children posing proudly with ponies and horses, often taken by itinerant photographers who traveled the countryside, suburbs, and cities. Each image captures a moment in time when it seems that all it took for a child to attain sheer joy was the patient presence of a shaggy Shetland pony and a borrowed cowboy hat.

Thinking with Horses (Paperback)
by Henry Blake

Book Description:
Stimulating and practical, this book by the original horse whisperer can help anyone achieve real communication with their horse, improving their horsemanship by using the horse's natural instincts to do what the rider asks. Studies of both horse and rider inform this essential guide that shows how to best motivate a horse and offers a wealth of practical advice on training and overcoming common problems. It teaches how to understand a horse's physical and emotional needs to promote harmonious communication between rider and equine.

Caballos (Hardcover)
by Gabrielle Boiselle

Book Description:
Throughout history, horses and humans have shared a special bond: Humans have relied upon, admired, and cared for horses; in turn, horses have shared their amazing capacity for work, loyalty, and friendship. With crisp, intriguing prose and remarkable photos, Caballos celebrates these beloved creatures. More than 280 stunning photographs capture the beauty and grace of horses, while elegant, insightful text pays homage to their character, intelligence, and complex personalities. A beautiful book from front to back, it makes a thoughtful gift for horse lovers of any age.

Riding for Life: A Horsewoman's Guide to Lifetime Health and Fitness (Paperback)
by Rallie McAllister

Book Description:
Syndicated columnist and physician Rallie McAllister offers women riders the tools they need to get enjoyment through healthy lifestyle choices. An equestrian herself, McAllister includes real-life examples of women who have overcome challenges, including physical and financial, to pursue their riding dreams. McAllister also includes the "Riding for Life Diet" and "Riding for Life Fitness Program" to help start women riders on their way to a happier and healthier way of life - both in and out of the saddle.

Riding Between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential Through the Way of the Horse (Paperback)
by Linda Kohanov

Book Description:
Many people who love horses describe them as having a subtle, intuitive knowing -- what writer and equine pioneer Linda Kohanov calls black horse wisdom, "wisdom shrouded in mystery, wisdom that's felt more deeply than can ever be explained."

In this powerful follow-up to her groundbreaking work The Tao of Equus, Kohanov introduces new, provocative theories about the human-horse connection, theories supported by in-depth evidence from the round pen. "Horses," she maintains, "model an embodied spirituality, one that is both fully present in this world and deeply connected to the soul's divine origins." Kohanov explores how these animals support us on both levels, leading us to unexpected realizations about fear, intuition, awareness, empowerment, and above all, authenticity.

Riding between the Worlds not only continues Kohanov's amazing personal journey of transformation with her herd, it also relates numerous anecdotes of equine-facilitated healing, coupled with lucid explanations of the processes behind them. These stories demonstrate the undeniable connections that people and horses around the world are increasingly recognizing. They document the profound changes that emerge as taboos against treating animals as equals break down.

From intimate stories of cathartic breakthroughs in the saddle, to the moving tale of the birth of the newest member of Kohanov's herd, Riding between the Worlds presents a daring multidisciplinary exploration of the powerful spiritual, emotional, and psychological lessons horses embody. It delivers another tour de force from one of the equine world's most insightful writers, teachers, and trainers.

Horses In the Yard (and Other Equestrian Dilemmas) (Paperback)
by Joanne M Friedman

Book Description:
Horses are close to nature, and humans will never stop trying, successfully or otherwise, to share that closeness. It never hurts to laugh at oneself, particularly when circumstances seem to have planted you straight on the path to chaos and frustration. Laughing with your horses takes the edge off and leads to a better understanding of the realities of the situation.

This sequel to It's a Horse's Life! takes the reader a step closer to Equestrian Enlightenment as the horses of Gallant Hope Farm put on their best attitudes and share the humor of the horse/human relationship. There is plenty of insight and lots of helpful tips for making life with horses the exciting exchange of knowledge it was meant to be.

Enjoy a closer peek at what makes horses tick and learn how to stay one step ahead of them on the training continuum. The advice is solid, based on current research and years of experience on both sides. The humor comes straight from the horses' mouths.

In Celebration of the Horse (Hardcover)
by Bob Langrish

Book Description:
A gorgeous photographic tribute to one of nature's most noble creatures, A CELEBRATION OF THE HORSE features stunning photographs of horses by world-renowned photographer Bob Langrish. All ages and breeds are seen here running free, cantering in the snow, quenching their thirst in mountain streams, frolicking in the surf, and trotting through fields of flowers. Mares nuzzle their foals; herds fly across the plains; and stallions fight for dominance in these breathtaking images.

Accompanying these magnificent pictures are wonderful quotes and sayings about horses from men and women throughout the centuries, including William Shakespeare, Anna Sewell, Albert Einstein, Arthur Conan Doyle, and more. Also celebrating this most regal of creatures and the special bond between a horse and rider are meaningful Hindi, Arabic, Irish, and Polish proverbs.

Revel in the horse's most intangible quality-his spirit-with these thrilling images and heartwarming sayings. Together, they honor this most majestic of animals.

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