Kathy Mann has a well illustrated, effective book for young horse fans.  It is titled Learn about Horses, a Child’s First Guide to Horsemanship.  I downloaded a free copy of this book on Kindle and have finally gotten around to being able to read it!

I have really enjoyed reading this book for many reasons.  Firstly, it’s practical and factual.  Secondly, it is simply explained so that young readers will understand as well as learn about horses.

It discusses horse housing – whether in stalls or paddocks.  It looks at the importance of closing gates as well as using a head collar and holding it appropriately.  It also explores safety of horsemanship and the different parts of the head collar, bridle and saddle.

In amongst each point made about horses and their care, illustrations add to the points made.  Kathy also explores the horse’s gaits, their need for fresh water all the time and the fact that they eat grass regularly.

The roles of horse trainer and horse riding teacher are explored.  In amongst this, the author provides images and descriptions of a rearing and bucking horse and why these need further training or help from an experienced person.

Kathy sums up the book in one simple statement: ride safe and have fun.  This final sentence outlines the whole focus of this book – to help horse fans to be safe around them and whilst riding them.  The safer they are and the more informed they are about what horses need, the more likely they are to have fun.  Learn About Horses, a Child’s First Guide to Horsemanship has a lot of valuable information, all of which will benefit the child learning about horses.

Author – Kathy Mann
Non Fiction – children’s
In my library – as an eBook it is.

I was recently contacted by Hollie Anne Marsh to see if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the next book in the Sweetbriars series.  You can read the review of the first book on Equus Education.  Tabby’s Big Year focuses on the life of twelve year old Tabitha alongside her close friends Cate and Violet.

Tabby’s life appears to be an incredible roller coaster for such a young person.  She is keen to see her beloved horse Bliss come back to full health – and able to be ridden – after an injury.  She feels guilt for Bliss having hurt himself and is anxious to know what the vet will say in regards to his future as a riding horse able to compete.

On top of this, Tabby is battling a sense of isolation with her father not around, her sister distant and living elsewhere and her mother more often than not missing in her life.  As she tries to juggle work, studies, horse riding and also keeping her dysfunctional family a secret, she is dismayed to find something else thrown into the mix.

A mare that she used to ride is to be sent off for slaughter.  And to make things even worse, it is at no fault of the horse in question.  Tabby passionately seeks out a solution and finds that in doing so, extra pressure is piled on top of her young shoulders.

Sweetbriars: Tabby’s Big Year

Tabby’s Big Year looks at family dynamics, the incredible joy – and pressure – of trying out for the British Young Rider’s Squad as well as nursing horses back to health from different ailments.  It is an enjoyable read and full of horses.  I have no doubt it will be enjoyable for pre teens as well as other age readers.

Author – Hollie Anne Marsh
Fiction – middle grade / teen
In my library – as an eBook it is.

Compromise is the second book by this author that I have read, the first being Challenger.  The two novels are loosely related with some characters that are in both stories. But readers are able to read them as standalone novels.  In Compromise, Molly finds herself struggling with the day to day tasks involved in her job in a local riding stable.

As more pressure gets put on Molly to step up into an overseeing role whilst their manager is in hospital, she finds that the joy of working with horses diminishes.  The gossip and nastiness of the women she works with overrides any joy that she used to get from horses and working with them.

As things come to a head, Molly is amazed to find herself suddenly without the security of a job or a home.  An unexpected compromise is provided to her in the form of Chris, a man who has been helping with her previous employer’s stallion.  Molly is surprised by Chris’ solution to her problem but feels that the situation offered may work for her.  She just questions if living with a man she barely knows is a good idea.

Compromise by Anna Rashbrook

As time passes, Molly comes to learn the role of milking cows on Chris’ farm. She also learns that the recluse farmer has a lot more going on than you may first suspect.  Compromise is an insightful look into the world of someone struggling with gender identity.

It features horses throughout and they have a healing affect on the main characters.  There is a faith aspect that is touched on lightly but seems to sit under the surface.  There are a couple of characters within the story that readers may love to hate, as they provide a good amount of friction in the story.  Compromise is an interesting read that finishes off nicely for each of the main characters involved.

Author – Anna Rashbrook
Fiction – adult
In my library – a digital copy.

I downloaded Zoe’s Zebra for free recently on Kindle.  This children’s book is a very short story with many fitting pictures included.  The author has written the book as well as provided the ‘illustrations’.  Though rather than drawings, these appear to be photos taken of toys – a zebra as well as a young girl that represents Zoë.

The story explores the use of horses as therapy animals.  In this situation, they are utilised to help a young girl enjoy life.  For whatever reason, Zoë has lost her passion for life.  And it is only when she comes into contact with horses and learns to ride that she finds herself enjoying life again.

Zoë must learn about being safe around horses before learning to ride them.  Although I love this aspect of the story, the illustrations of her riding are missing appropriate riding gear, especially a helmet.

As she becomes a capable rider, Zoë is drawn to a zebra that is kept at the same establishment.  Zoë is convinced she is going to learn to ride the zebra.  And in time this actually occurs, with the two building a special bond.  Zoe’s Zebra is a quick, easy read for young horse fans with plenty of illustrations.  I love the focus of horse therapy and how this was utilised to help a young person in read.  Some more horse facts for fans would have been a great addition.

Author – Catherine Florang
Fiction – children’s
In my library – as an eBook

“And certainly both Horses were doing, if not all they could, all they thought they could; which is not quite the same thing.” – C.S. Lewis

In the latest release of the Riverdale series, Poppy McKeever has another mystery to solve.  There is a dog that has been worrying sheep in the local area.  This started with the sheep of Poppy’s best friend, Scarlett.

Poppy is devastated to find that she may have been able to stop the event – or at least learn who the dog was that could have taken away her friend’s family’s chance at a livelihood.  The distressed sheep may no longer be pregnant. On top of this, Poppy is concerned that her best friend won’t forgive her for having realised there was an issue when she first spied the sheep in a state of distress.

Throughout the Mystery of Riverdale Tor, Poppy works to solve the mystery that has so greatly affected her friend and their family’s sheep.  Alongside this she learns about TREC riding on horses. And so Poppy enjoys trying out this discipline on her beautiful grey gelding, Cloud.

A new celebrity moving into the area draws Poppy’s attention and she is excited to find she may have a lead on the sheep worrying dog.  The instagram fanatic has built a band of followers and although he may not be the sharpest tool in the box, he does have a dog that fits the profile of recent attacks.  But not everything is as it seems and the teen struggles to piece together the facts that could help her to solve the mystery.

The Mystery of Riverdale Tor is tied up nicely.  It does a great job of introducing readers to TREC on horse back and of exploring the importance of humane animal care.  This is another book of Amanda Wills’ that looks at horse ownership, riding and of course mystery.  Recommended.

Author: Amanda Wills
http://www.amandawills.co.uk/
Fiction – preteen/early teens
In My Library? As an eBook!