In the eleventh adventure in the Saddle Club series, Horse Wise, the members of Pine Hollow are getting a Pony Club. Now it seems that the girls will learn even more on a regular basis. Made up of riding lessons, practical health care sessions and theory, Carole, Lisa and Steve are rapt about Max’s decision to start a Pony Club.

It is soon discovered that for the club to run effectively, many parents need to volunteer to help out. Carole is dismayed to find that after her father volunteers; his lack of horse knowledge is embarrassingly evident.

On top of this, she’s battling envy because spoilt rich kid Veronica diAngelo is getting a new horse. This is after her recklessness killed her beloved thoroughbred stallion Cobalt. Carole can’t bear the thought that another horse may be harmed under Veronica’s care.

Lisa is battling something, too. It seems that her parents have decided to get her a horse, but how can she tell her two best friends? Their dismay at Veronica’s recent purchase makes her question if they will respond in the same way to her news.

As the Pony Club progresses, the girls find that Veronica’s thoughtlessness continues. In fact, her lack of care for safety and riding rules results in a young colt being free from Pine Hollow and in danger. As Carole, Lisa and Stevie pull together to rescue Samson, they find that they need to get a few things off their chest. Things that relate to Carole’s father helping in the Pony Club and Lisa getting a horse. Horse Wise is a great look into the value of Pony Clubs and covers a lot of basic horse knowledge for horse riders and owners. It is another enjoyable read by Bonnie Bryant.

Author: Bonnie Bryant
Fiction – pre and early teenage years.
In My Library? Definitely is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

This book looked like a nice quick read, so I grabbed it off the bookshelf recently. As one who is planning to purchase land and set it up for horse riding, Making Your Own Jumps definitely has appeal.

It is a short read, 24 pages in length with accompanying illustrations by Carole Vincer, but a very helpful book. The reader is first introduced to the importance of a well-designed jumping course for horse riders and then the idea of a practice field is considered.
From here, readers are introduced to varying show jump stands, wings and cups as well as show jump parts. Measurements and safety considerations are offered for those wanting to build lasting and safe jumps.

As you progress through the book, you are then introduced to different types of show jumps – upright, triple bar, oxer, etc. Mary then goes on to explain show jump combinations and what makes a jump dangerous. A two page illustration is provided of an example show jumping course with 10 jumps and multiple changes of direction.

Following this, cross country jumps are considered. The materials you may use are explained as well as measurements to make a jump save, sturdy and inviting. Different ways to secure jumps – through rope, wire, nails and use of chocks are also explored. Then over 20 different types of cross country jumps are illustrated and explained before the book looks at ditches and banks. The reader is provided with measurements and details on how to build and reinforce these types of jumps and finally cross country combinations and water jumps are looked into. A final word is provided on maintenance of jumps and useful tools for creating and maintaining horse jumps.

Making Your Own Jumps by Mary Gordon Watson is an easy read with lots of visuals to help explain concepts. I believe it will be a valuable tool when I am building jumps in the future.

Author – Mary Gordon Watson
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/382735.Mary_Gordon_Watson
Non-Fiction – horse jump creation
In my library – definitely is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

In the nineteenth book in the Saddle Club series, Star Rider focuses on an exciting event at Pine Hollow. Teen heartthrob Skye Ransom is shooting a new movie and they need a horsey set. What better place than the Pine Hollow stables and surrounds?

Lisa, Carole and Stevie previously helped Skye when they ran into him in New York. He was having issues learning to ride – a topic the three girls know a lot about! When Lisa unexpectedly becomes his teacher, she is rapt. This follows through in Star Rider. Skye is still having trouble. In fact, he’s down right scared of horses.

When Lisa gives him some simple pointers, she is amazed to find the director watching. Further to this, he casts her in a small role!

This is wonderful news. However, it takes away from Lisa’s time helping her two friends. Colonel Hanson, Carole’s father, has a big birthday coming up. The three girls had planned to work together to achieve a great surprise party. With Lisa – the methodical list person – not available to Carole and Stevie, they question if they can organise the party effectively.

Star Rider by Bonnie Bryant

Star Rider is an entertaining read, watching the girls at their best as they work to help each other. Skye’s fear of riding is solved in a unique way. On top of this, he is able to help out the girls with their party planning.

Horses feature well in the story, though not as heavily as in some of the other books in the series. Even so, this is another fun read in the Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant.

Author: Bonnie Bryant
Fiction – pre and early teenage years.
In My Library? It is, along with many others in the series.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

I recently downloaded The Equine Spirit for free on Amazon as the subject matter appealed to me. I love fiction horse books, but I also really enjoy those that can teach me something! So as an Australian, I found that I learned a lot about America’s history through the horse in The Equine Spirit.

This book is a great collection of articles, short stories, poems and songs. All are in tribute in one way or another to the equine species. It could be for the working horse, a mule or donkey (burro), depending on the historical event being discussed and the location of said event.

I was amazed to learn about the Erie Canal where boats were towed down a canal by mules! What a unique way to make things work.

Of course the rebuilding of cities, breaking through new frontiers or fighting in wars were all made that much more possible with the aid of equine partners. Alongside each short chapter, there are many photos and paintings to further illustrate the works that equines have played in America’s history.

The Equine Spirit

This book is a great introduction to the research work that author C S Purdy has done. At the end, readers are encouraged to find out more through another book by the same author – The Equine Legacy. I would be interested to read this, having learned a little about events I am mainly ignorant to. Do you know about:

• the Erie Canal
• the Pony Express
• Horse Latitudes?

The equine species has indeed played an incredible part in history. This book touches on some of the many things that were possible with the help of our equine friends. A great tribute to horses, mules and donkeys. The Equine Spirit is an interesting read.

Author – C S Purdy
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14320702.C_S_Purdy
Non-Fiction – historical
In my library – on Kindle it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

I recently gained a free electronic copy of this book via Instafreebie. This is a cool tool where authors upload their books – or a preview of their book – for people to download for free. First you need to enter an email address and subscribe to said author’s mailing list. Then your book is delivered via email. Unicorn Magic appealed to me from the cover and then reading the blurb so I signed up to receive a free copy!

Unicorn Magic is book 1 in the Celtic Fey series. It is a short story focused on Corinne MacArthur. Corinne is a Scottish teenager who is struggling to get over the loss of a loved one. To distract herself from everyday life, she gets caught up in a new computer game known as Feyland.

The game quickly becomes addictive to Corinne and she is more interested in the ‘reality’ of this mythical world than her own. As her everyday life brings the game into her dreams and even seems to interrupt her walks outside, she questions if the game is only available to her through a computer.

The dangers of the world definitely appear real when she is being chased by hounds whilst astride a unicorn. As Corinne battles the loss of her beloved equine, she finds herself drawn to the mythical horse in the game. But is this desire to consistently live in a simulated world a healthy one?

Unicorn Magic by Roz Marshall

Unicorn Magic is a great introduction to this series. The story is well and truly a short story – a quick and enjoyable read. Being so short, I felt it was lacking a little in explanations. The descriptions of the environment Corinne was in were great – lots of detail. But some things weren’t explained. I am curious to know what happened to her horse and why she feels that the people she rode with wouldn’t want to have anything to do with her. Did she cause an accident that resulted in the death of her horse? Perhaps this is explained in the follow on book, I hope so!

Author – Roz Marshall
https://rozmarshall.co.uk/
Fiction – fantasy
In my library – as an eBook, yes!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.