I downloaded this recently on Kindle.  The Painted Pony is a short story for children by Angharad Thompson Rees. It focuses around a pony named Stargazer that is a part of a merry-go-round at a fair.

Stargazer enjoys his life as he brings joy to children as they go round and round on him at the fair. It is only when one young boy comes to visit and ride him, that the pony questions if there may be more to life. Sebastian has a gift – he can talk with Stargazer.  He talks of freedom and the beautiful wild horses of the Camargue.

Sebastian finishes his ride before Stargazer has heard all he wants to about the wild horses of the Camargue. He pleads with Sebastian to tell him more. And so the young boy promises to return when no one else is around.

True to his promise, Sebastian comes back at night when things are quiet. He tells Stargazer more about the wild horses. The pony is fascinated to hear too, that the young boy is able to talk only with those animals who desire to be free; to have a different life.

Stargazer asks the young boy how he can be free. This is when he learns an important lesson: it is through one’s own desires and actions that we are able to bring change to our circumstances.

The Painted Pony is a short story with an important moral for all readers. Although it may be aimed at kids, the theme to the story is applicable for all. It is an enjoyable read that is one of the six enchanting pony stories for children that make up Magical Adventures and Pony Tails.

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I downloaded Head over Hoof by Mara A Miller when it was free on Kindle. The cover got me – the colours are just beautiful! This novel is aimed at adults and focuses on a young woman named Brianna.

After the loss of her parents, Brianna finds herself having custody of her fourteen year old brother. Trying to juggle supporting him, having a life and gaining an education proves to be too much and Brianna has to make some hard choices.

When her Aunt Lora is able to take on her brother Kevin, Brianna is rapt to be able to go back to study. She finds shared accommodation with another woman who is studying at the same university. Cyn seems nice enough and Brianna is glad to have her own space. As she gets to know her roommate, she is surprised by the woman’s open relationship with her long term boyfriend, Adrian.

Brianna finds herself drawn to Adrian and the horses that he owns and works with. Happy to pass off her attraction as nothing to pay attention to, she is mortified when her roommate suggests that Brianna pursue Adrian – in spite of the fact that Cyn is his girlfriend.

Head over Hoof has some interesting characters and a good mix of horse and university events. The story could be a great romance, but I struggled with the whole open relationship concept throughout the novel. Cyn’s character is not one I liked – she seems very manipulative and mixed up. Brianna’s ignorance or naivety toward the end of the novel surprised me, too. It seemed surprising that she wouldn’t come to the conclusion that others around her did.

Head over Hoof ends where you don’t want it to, leaving things hanging in the air. Great for those who want to read the next novel! I guess I was expecting a happy ending and so was miffed how things turned out. An interesting read.

Author – Mara A. Miller
Fiction – adult
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Jenifer Morrissey’s the Partnered Pony: What’s Possible, Practical and Powerful with Small Equines is an incredibly interesting read. As someone who’s been blessed by the ponies in her life, Jenifer shows how it is possible to partner with them in many ways. Perhaps this is by using them in your work or enjoying a ride with them. Jenifer shows that even by doing other day-to-day jobs, ponies can be included and utilised with a bit of creativity.

With a particular focus on working ponies, Jenifer divides this non fiction work into many short chapters that are each a story in themselves. She mainly details her own experiences working with her ponies.  Many of these are Fell ponies. In these experiences she explores the concept of partnering with a pony, and dealing with health issues such as hoof care and laminitis.  She also touches on colic as well as riding and working with the ponies.

Other chapters detail gems of advice she has learned from horse owners, trainers and other well known horse figures. As I read through many of the chapters, I found myself highlighting terms or names.  I would then go and do a search online. The result has been half a dozen or so ideas for posts in Equus Education! I love horse books that open your eyes to more possibilities with horses. The Partnered Pony has definitely done that for me.

For those who enjoy an educational read, I encourage you to get  the Partnered Pony: What’s Possible, Practical and Powerful with Small Equines.  It is a book that explores various possibilities whilst working with ponies (or horses!). The short chapters make it an easy read to do little by little, or in a bulk sitting.

Author – Jenifer Morrissey
Non-Fiction – adult
In my library – as an electronic copy, it is!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

This is the first book in the Riders series that I’ve read. That said, Against the Clock is an easy and enjoyable read. The characters are explained prior to the story, so that you can learn how everyone fits in. In Against the Clock, 15 year old Alexandra Johnson is getting motivated about the idea winning Burghley, a major three-day-event.  This is after having attended as a spectator.

Her eventing boyfriend Ash points out the sheer incredulity of her to aim for something so high. Shortly after their excursion to the great horse event, Alex is rapt to hear from Ash that Sid Shakleton, a well known dressage judge, is swinging by the stables.  These are the same stables where Ash works and rides and where Alex keeps her pony, Barney. Alex is dreaming of riding glory when she hears why Sid is coming – to check out her horse.

What starts as a dream of being discovered turns into a nightmare when Sid identifies her pony as one that belongs to someone else. Alex finds herself in a battle to prove ownership of her promising mount.  If she loses Barney, she is convinced her riding career is over. As Alex delves deeper into the scenario, Ash gets involved alongside her and finds his riding career on the line.

Against the Clock is a horse filled, educational read with a little mystery thrown in. The novel is entertaining and fast paced. Each of the characters add to the story and a glossary of terms is provided at the end to help educate readers. Worth the read.

Author – Samantha Alexander
Fiction – teen
In my library – Currently the only one I have in this series!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

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