Lexington is authored by Kim Wickens who researched all things thoroughbred for 10 years to write about America's greatest foundation racehorse. As shLexington is authored by Kim Wickens who researched all things thoroughbred for 10 years to write about America's greatest foundation racehorse. As she is an equestrian with keen interest in her subject, the horse springs to life from the pages. Lexington's lifetime bookends the tragic Civil War. Horror and desperation gripped the breeders of fine racers in the long years during the war. Once the war was ended,It was speculated that horse racing was a factor in healing the country's divide .so greatly was Lexington loved that his skeleton was preserved by the Smithsonian only to be 'lost' in storage.a great campaign ensued to bring the legacy back to public display ....more
This is a sweet children's book told by the Grammy to her young grandchildren. She relates the story HER Grammy told her about riding west with her faThis is a sweet children's book told by the Grammy to her young grandchildren. She relates the story HER Grammy told her about riding west with her family in a Conestoga covered wagon. The grammy(as a child) is tied onto the back of their old saddle horse which is also burdened with 2 large bags of cornmeal. One of the wagon party breaks an axle causing the wagon train to stop to make repairs. While repairs were being made the mare and Child Grammy were lost only to encounter a band of mustangs led by a white stallion. It's her fantastic experience with the wild horses and the great white Stallion that gave her something to always remember. The wild horses helped her and her saddle horse get back to the wagon train. The Stallion saved her life....more
Sweet William is a memoir given by the thoroughbred point of view. Starting with the early days next to his dam onward thru various handlers,owners,riSweet William is a memoir given by the thoroughbred point of view. Starting with the early days next to his dam onward thru various handlers,owners,riders right up to his last living moment. The sense of never being truly known nor ever really safe carries through his memories. Early trauma causes mistrust and sourness(hatred of people) to lodge in his heart. His attitude is not an error. It made me reflect on the hot racetrack horse or the beat down' trail 'horse .so many creatures misunderstood and made dangerous thru poor handling .what I love about this tale is the hopeless wreck of his being is seen as glorious through the eyes of a new eccentric owner. This is a great story showing off the difference that love can make in the recounting a horses life ....more
Think Like A Horse is packed with stories of horses and training techniques. Mostly the love of horses and compassion for people richly informs the reThink Like A Horse is packed with stories of horses and training techniques. Mostly the love of horses and compassion for people richly informs the reader. It would be so cool if everyone could have the opportunity to experience the inner work of connecting to a wild creature. To learn how to build trust, care, openness in relationships would be a strong foundation to build better self and relationships. Grant Golliher of the Diamond Cross Ranch leads the way with humility and wisdom. Just a great read!...more
The Last Diving Horse in America is filled with the history of the people and origins of this incredible stunt performed by horses and girls. As an elThe Last Diving Horse in America is filled with the history of the people and origins of this incredible stunt performed by horses and girls. As an eleven year old girl ,Ms Brannigan, remembers a wondrous vacation at Atlantic city where she experienced the thrill of the diving horse show. As happenstance, Ms Brannigan later came to be employed by Cleveland Amory,founder of the animal rescue ranch,the Black Beauty Ranch. The dismantling of the company and sale of the horses resulted when the high diving act was closed in the seventies. The horses needed saving . Of the three performing horses, one was lost to a meat buyer, another sold as a saddle horse and one older gelding was offered at a horse auction. Ms Brannigan succeeded in buying Gamal. The relationship that formed between them was heart warming as is her other rescue work involving burros, mustangs, research apes,and racing greyhounds.The writing is amusing, picturesque, and uplifting....more
What a pleasure to spend some time enraptured by Jane Smiley. Perestroika, a lovely 3 year old race horse finds her way out of her stall and follows hWhat a pleasure to spend some time enraptured by Jane Smiley. Perestroika, a lovely 3 year old race horse finds her way out of her stall and follows her curiosity right off the track and into the city ,Paris. Along the way, she finds a bereft German short hair pointer to befriend. They make a home in the green patches around the Eiffel Tower and forage among the interesting local Parisians, some human and some avian. This sweet little story has all the charm and warmth to fix a happy smile onto the reader long after closing this book. Here is a newly penned classic!...more
This is a sweet children's story about Misty's Twilight , a descendent of Misty of Chincoteague. Pretty detailed drawings of ponies are scattered throThis is a sweet children's story about Misty's Twilight , a descendent of Misty of Chincoteague. Pretty detailed drawings of ponies are scattered throughout this children's chapter book.Mistys Twilight is started in various riding disciplines only to somehow not appeal to the judges even though her skill excels. The story follows Twilight finding her place as a competitor in the horseworld arena .All along she captures the hearts of her riders and family. Misty's Twilight is indeed a very special pony....more
This is the second review for this book. The story of Lexington ,the Smithsonian research, and 1950's timelines all were excellent and enjoyable. The This is the second review for this book. The story of Lexington ,the Smithsonian research, and 1950's timelines all were excellent and enjoyable. The attempt to expose racism I found to be contrived.. Awkward social blunders were made out to be racism instead of dealing with real racism. Racism is ugly and shows the racist to be small thinking and undesirable. Had this book stuck to the story of the horse and his legacy,the stupid limiting ways of racism would have been very clear and more impactfull. 5 stars for the horse story,0 stars for racism detours....more
The Horsewoman is a story of a mother and daughter who compete against one another to make the Olympic Equestrian Team. The timeline for qualifying hoThe Horsewoman is a story of a mother and daughter who compete against one another to make the Olympic Equestrian Team. The timeline for qualifying horseshows to accumulate points was well mapped. The blood, sweat and tears was somewhat protrayed, yet, there was so little interaction between the rider and horse , in or out of the saddle, that I really could not "see" the action. I had no sense of the horses' personalities. Undocumented Dreamers were touched upon as ICE gets involved pursuing immigrants. I found the supersport chapters moved the story along like whiplash. There is a lot of nasty swearing, a lot of flat, dimensional characters, so much conjured up stress that none of the characters felt real. Even the working through pain and injuries rang false. I missed the heart of why a person competes in the saddle, the root of being a horse person. So, this was just ok. This book aquaints the reader with how some horseshows operate. It misses the deeper horse connection ....more
What a fine piece of writing ! Set in England in 1916 in the midst of the Great War, a newly widowed girl returns to her husband's farm to try to makeWhat a fine piece of writing ! Set in England in 1916 in the midst of the Great War, a newly widowed girl returns to her husband's farm to try to make decisions about her future. She finds the property run down and empty. Through intense work , some crops are scratched up , horse teams are bought and lives are restarted. Then , people from before the war show up as well....more
Shoon is a lovely story about a young boy's hearts desire for a wild Exmoor pony. It is brimming with good family values, personal responsibility, resShoon is a lovely story about a young boy's hearts desire for a wild Exmoor pony. It is brimming with good family values, personal responsibility, restraint, hard work, disappointment and honor. The writing captures the moorish way of speaking and values and the sweeping scenery of the moors. Even as I read I really was not sure what would happen next making for a very satisfying treat. Really, who didnt want a pony of their own?...more
**spoiler alert** This book is equal parts a view of the changing of 1950's America from sleepy small towns moving at leisurely pace to the constructi**spoiler alert** This book is equal parts a view of the changing of 1950's America from sleepy small towns moving at leisurely pace to the construction of the first speedy super highway system, and the emergence of a simple, downtrodden woman's spirit. Anne was known in her itty bitty town in Maine as Jackass Annie as she for a time rode a mule to get to work. She was a mousey, hard working woman who was afflicted with TB . When her last family member passed away in the winter that she was seriously ill, Anne was left alone on a poor farm. Her doctor wanted to commit Anne to the charity home to await death which he predicted would be in two to four years. Instead, Anne sold her farm and bought a horse who was bound for slaughter and decided to ride to California to see the Pacific Ocean . Thus began the cross country journey that brought her into the news and the hearts of ordinary people all along her travels. What pluck and nerve ! The beauty of the country and ordinary kindness of strangers lifts the heart. I felt like I was on this aurdorous journey by horseback. I loved the bond Anne's animal family made , her dazzling horse Tarzan accompanied by her little dashhound / fluffball dog , and later horses Rex and King. This is a true story of the last of the horse tramps in America. A strong 4 1/2 stars!...more
Black Beauty was one of those very meaningful books from my early independent reading years. It deeply affected me and my besotted love of all animalsBlack Beauty was one of those very meaningful books from my early independent reading years. It deeply affected me and my besotted love of all animals, especially horses. Certain scenes never have left me like Ginger's lolling tongue dripping blood .(shudder). Because of this story, I forever think of the animals perception and vowed to be more kind and generous toward those without any voice. As a kid cooped up inside for three stormy days , I found a copy of BB that had been my great grandmother's book. I read my own modern copy of BB and immediately upon completing it read the old book of my great grandmother. I loved imagining how my g grandma enjoyed the very book I was reading! I discovered a change of two words which pleased me that my new copy was still authentic. That's one book I will never part with....more
Well. The best I can say is that there were horses in this story; Not much was realistic about the horse aspect. The book started off heavy in the draWell. The best I can say is that there were horses in this story; Not much was realistic about the horse aspect. The book started off heavy in the drama department and carried along until the ridiculous horse chatter bogged down in the addition of the Texas family. It left off in a pleasent scene set at Christmas, the time of peace and new beginnings. There are 2 more books to follow. I dont know whether or not I will live long enough to follow this series to the end....more
This was a favorite , so well thumbed that the pages became soft as an old nightgown. I drank up the colors and details of horses ,their hooves and feThis was a favorite , so well thumbed that the pages became soft as an old nightgown. I drank up the colors and details of horses ,their hooves and fetlocks to the tumble of their mane and forelock. Slim yet packed with all kinds of horsey information it was also wonderfully visually delightful ....more
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