This novel by Ned Ackerman is one that I’ve had sitting on my shelves for a long time!  Determined to read through the books that I’ve acquired so far (close to 700), I thought what if I start at the start of the alphabet (based on author) and work my way through?

So, this is how I came to start on this novel for young people – perhaps pre and early teenage years.

Spirit Horse follows the tale of young Running Crane.  After the loss of his father, Running Crane’s mother marries into a new band – the Kainaa.  His lack of staying power on a horse causes him to be the brunt of many jokes, particularly from a spiteful youth Weasel Rider.

Running Crane desperately wants a horse of his own and when chosen to take part in a raid for horses from another band, the Snake People, his hopes are lifted.  Although apprehensive about taking part in the raid, he is also wondering if this may be his chance to secure a horse of his own and gain a place of respect in his new band.

During the raid Running Crane gets separated and has to work hard to survive and make his way back to familiar territory.  It is on his way home that he discovers the Spirit Horse – a mighty stallion that the Kainaa were hoping to steal from the Snake People.  The Spirit Horse may prove to be Running Crane’s chance to gain a horse of his own and gain the respect he desires – if he can tame the wild stallion.

Spirit Horse is a great coming of age story about a youth who uses determination to prove himself, rather than petty fighting with those who oppose him.  The novel is an interesting read with some good themes about integrity and doing the right thing.

Author – Ned Ackerman
Fiction – preteens / early teenage years
In my library – it is!  A delightful read for the younger person.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“Horses are the dolphins of the plains, the spirits of the wind; yet we sit astride them for the sake of being well-groomed, whereas they could have all the desire in the world to bolt, but instead, they adjust their speed and grace, only to please us, never to displease.” – Lauren Salerno

Tag: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Ned Ackerman

Another brumby story by Elyne Mitchell, this novel is a little dissimilar to the others. The Colt from Snowy River tells the tale of a well bred thoroughbred colt, Buzz who is stolen away by a brumby filly in the wild of the Snowy River area.

Mitchell doesn’t disappoint in her description and depictions of the area, the flora and fauna and the unforgiving changes in weather. Buzz’s owners undertake many hunts to find the pedigreed colt that was bred for racing, finding themselves exploring unfamiliar and untouched territory across the Snowy Mountains.

Buzz soon learns that his shod hooves and his speed are his greatest protection against other stallions that would like to steal his filly Yarrawa for their own herd. The joy of having a filly as a young stallion causes him to revel in being wild and free; helps him to ignore the fact that he misses being groomed, having shelter and hard feed at night.

It’s the harsh and unforgiving winter that reminds Buzz of all that he’s left at the Snowy River homestead. Yarrawa now heavy with foal is still apprehensive about being anywhere near the humans that she stole this young stallion from.

A hoped for meeting between Buzz and his owners leaves the young stallion having to make a choice between the comfort and love of his owners, or the wild and joyous freedom of having a mare of his own, but a young foal that he is now responsible for. The Colt from Snowy River proved that Mitchell could write from a domestic horse’s point of view, whilst still enlightening readers to the mysterious land where brumbies roam, that is the Snowy Mountains.

Author: Elyne Mitchell
http://www.elynemitchell.com/
Fiction
In my library? It is indeed!  I love this series.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“A well trained horse isn’t less exciting than a wild one.” – Author unknown

Tags: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Elyne Mitchell

So I’m rapt to have been accepted into an equine authors group on Facebook and one of the authors currently has the first book in her series available for free in iBooks, Kobo and on Kindle!

I’ve already downloaded myself a copy and you should too!  Head along to:

• Born that Way by Susan Ketchen at Amazon

As an added bonus, the next two books in the series are greatly discounted – why not get all three!

I love this digital age in which you can try out an author’s works for free – a great thing in my books! 😉

 

“No hour of life is lost that is spent in the saddle.” – from a pony book written by Anne Bullen (1960’s)

So whilst uni is on a semester break and I have more time on my hands than I’m used to, I’m managing to get a lot of reading time! The latest novel is loaned by a workmate.

Heart of the Valley is a great Australian novel that follows a very realistic tale of a young woman who is born into horses. Whilst her family focuses on racing thoroughbreds, Brooke Kingston finds her joy in bringing on young horses and developing them as competent show jumpers.

A freak accident leaves Brooke questioning how she can pick up the pieces, especially when her family seems to want to take away the one thing that is holding her together. Losing her job as the manager of one of the family’s farms, Brooke stubbornly refuses to leave the one place that feels like home.

Heart of the Valley is a great story of determination, understanding and love. Best of all, it delves deep into the life of competing and looking after horses, as well as the responsibility of running an agricultural property. The characters are likeable and the twists and turns that the story takes are explained well by the conclusion. A great read.

The novel is written for an adult audience and does contain mild language. There is also an adult scene that parents may not like their children reading.

Author – Cathryn Hein
http://www.cathrynhein.com/
Fiction – adult
In my library? Sadly no! Loaned from a friend but I’ll be on the lookout for other books by this author.
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? The glory of his nostrils is terrible.
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the sword.” – JOB 39: 19-22