The Ultimate Horse Lover: The Best Experts’ Advice for a Happy, Healthy Horse with Stories and Photos of Awe-Inspiring Equine
A Review by Suzy McMinn
The introduction of ‘The Ultimate Horse Lover’ goes right to the hearts of horse loving readers. I usually skip all the intros and head right for the stories but this introduction is so inspiring, it is a worthy preview into the excellence of this book: "The debt we owe to horses can never be repaid except in our admiration of their beauty, their spirit and their athleticism." "For many, (the) fascination, the appreciation, the love of horses extends far beyond the occasional glimpse of one … for us, a life without horses – our own horses – is unthinkable."
‘The Ultimate Horse Lover’ is similar to ‘Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’ with a major difference. ‘The Ultimate Horse Lover’ stories teach us about how horses heal us, make us laugh, and break our hearts with their passing. It highlights how our lives with horses are about helping others build better, fuller lives with their horse. One of the main themes throughout this book is how horse lovers are born with a stubborn gene. I mean this in a flattering way. I have had horses for 53 years and suffered kicks, bites, getting bucked off and being knocked around by various horses, and yet, I still loved them and wanted to be with them. Horse lovers can’t understand it when friends, family, strangers say, "I am scared of horses… they are so big … I was bitten once… stepped on, etc."
We always think non-animal lovers are really strange because horses are one of the best things on earth! The authors and storytellers in ‘The Ultimate Horse Lover’ share their many experiences with smart horses, dumb horses, kind horses and weird horses. The underlying theme is love, laughter and a desire for more entertainment and understanding from their horses. "The horses I came in contact with in my younger years were all made of gristle and bone, seemingly with a single-minded determination to assist me in finding another hobby," writes Maureen Joseph in her story ‘Mercy for My Soul.’
"But I was undaunted by their bucking, biting, and attempts to run away with me. Horses have always been a consistent golden thread woven through the fabric of my life." Yes, Maureen Joseph was born with that stubborn horse gene. Other stories in this book show how very stubborn little children horse lovers can be – "Please, buy me a horse. I will do anything for a horse. I have to have horse!" In the book section of ‘One of the family,’ the love horses have for us is expressed. Also, the goofiness of horses and how ‘human’ they are in their play and behavior. In ‘Red-Carpet Treatment,’ writer Cary Davis tells how her horse stole her neighbor’s rugs, played with and semi-destroyed the rugs. Fun and playfulness is normal behavior for horses.
People new to the world of horse would be wise to read this book before buying a horse. It explains horses’ personality, mischievousness, and their ability to love their person. New horse owners are forever wondering how a horse can stand quietly while a train goes by, a semi-truck passes within inches yet totally freak out and want to run away when a piece of paper blows by. Yup, read this book. Experienced horse people will get a laugh when they read of the antics these horses perform, tears will flow while reading of the viciousness of uncaring owners and what the horse’s saviors performed. In the chapter ‘Teachers and Healers,’ I kept my roll of paper towels close (Horse owners get used to using whatever is handy).
This compilation of anecdotes extends far past just stories about horses. ‘The Ultimate Horse Lover’ has must-know info: Preventive Care, Feeding, Shoeing, Trailering, Photography, Saddle Fit Secrets, as well as many pages of resources for finding out more about horses. The Common Horse Terms helps newcomers unravel the mystery and fun of horse lovers' language. The photographs are true works of art; high quality, glossy with images telling the story of the horse, each worth far more than a thousand words. This book's only errors or misinformation were in just a few of the photograph's captions.
In this well-written book, the reader will not only learn more about horses but also about ‘horse people.’ Here is an outstanding, readable resource that will attract not only knowledgeable horse people but also casual readers who are animal enthusiasts. Once you start reading, you will be captivated by the stories of equine love, loyalty, laughter, rescue and courage. As the editors say, "Celebrate the horse with us. Turn the page and enjoy," and you will.
The Ultimate Horse Lover, edited by Marty Becker, D.V.M., Audrey Pavia, Gina Spadafori and Mikkel Becker; published by Health Communications, Inc. Copyright 2008 Marty Becker, D.V.M., Gina Spadafori, Audrey Pavia, Mikkel Becker. Cost of The Ultimate Horse Lover, $14.95 U.S.; number of pages - 250.
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