Horses are close to nature, and humans will never stop trying, successfully or otherwise, to share that closeness. It never hurts to laugh at oneself, particularly when circumstances seem to have planted you straight on the path to chaos and frustration. Laughing with your horses takes the edge off and leads to a better understanding of the realities of the situation.

This sequel to "It's a Horse's Life " takes the reader a step closer to Equestrian Enlightenment as the horses of Gallant Hope Farm put on their best attitudes and share the humor of the horse/human relationship. There is plenty of insight and lots of helpful tips for making life with horses the exciting exchange of knowledge it was meant to be.

Enjoy a closer peek at what makes horses tick and learn how to stay one step ahead of them on the training continuum. The advice is solid, based on current research and years of experience on both sides. The humor comes straight from the horses' mouths.

1829. Contents: Nomenclature; Exercise of field Artillery; School of the Gunner; School of the Piece; School of the Battery; Evolution of Batteries.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

The most important tool for a cowboy is a rope. What he has done with it in the last 200 years is amazing. The evolution of the cowboy from taking care of cattle on the range to his competitive, top-level professional roping is all covered here. Why did calf roping replace steer roping? What kind of rope is best for each roping event? Since ranch cowboys have been team roping forever, why has it just become so popular? What makes a good roping horse? The answers to these questions and many more are in these pages, as are the stories and lives of ropers, and some of their mounts, from every era. As J. Frank Dobie once said, ?Facts are stubborn things.??but they do make a good read!

A unique insight into the equine mind plus ideas and practial excercises to help you achieve a better understanding with your horse.

This newest book by Lynne M. Caulkett focuses on the expanding field of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding. "Big Smiles, Small Miracles" is the story of some of the children and their families involved in this remarkable form of physical and mental therapy. Heartrending in its graphic presentation of the challenges of children who have rare diseases and the handicaps that they face from the moment of their birth, their stories of courage, determination and success will warm your heart. A must read for anyone who has ever loved a child or a pony.

Combining humorous and serious real-life events and the author's everyday observations and memories,

"How Horses Learn" covers the basic concepts in learning psychology with emphasis on the unique learning characteristics of the horse. The author provides a through scientific review of much of the information known about learning in horses, then applies this information to specific training situations.

Originally published in 1882. An early guide to the history and use of harness for riding, driving and horse drawn carriages. Includes remarks on the traction, and the use of the Cape cart. Also contains important directions to Grooms and Coachmen regarding their duties and their dress. Numerous hints on driving. Well illustrated with explanatory drawings. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

"Filled with delicious rodeo tidbits. Stratton's the perfect tour guide, a natural-born storyteller whose prose is as lean as a cowboy and as poetic as a sunset, rendered with a delight and wonder that are downright infectious."--"The Boston Globe" Rodeo has grown into an international, prime-time television sport. Steeped in tradition and Western spirit, it calls aspiring cowboys and cowgirls to its rough-and-tumble fame as they repeatedly risk their lives for eight seconds of triumph. In "Chasing the Rodeo," Kip Stratton takes us into the addictive core of rodeo, bull riding, and the circuit. Immersed in this world, he collides with the specter of his "rodeo bum" father, finding part of the cowboy dream that was his father's legacy. "Chasing the Rodeo" is a tribute to the famed characters of the old West and a riveting look at the superstars of the new. And best of all, it's one bucking, riveting, glorious ride.
"If you love the sound of the bell, the thud of hooves, and the sight of a twisting ton-and-a-half bovine, round up a copy of this book. "Chasing the Rodeo" is a mighty fine book for any cowpoke."--"St. Louis Post-Dispatch"
W. K. (Kip) Stratton is a native of the Southwest. His journalism has appeared in "GQ, Sports Illustrated, Outside, Southern Magazine," and the "Dallas Morning News." He lives in Austin, Texas.

Originally published in France 1854 then translated into English in 1919 by John Swire. The author's methods are simple and practical. He treats a horse like a human being he maintains that the rider can only influence his mount by placing it in such a position that the movement desired is the only possible one, and then stimulating it the placing being made easy by specially graduated exercises which supple the horse's will as well as his muscles. Contents Include: New method of giving the Rider a good Seat. Control and Distribution of Energy. The Suppling Exercises. Suppling the Hindquarters. The Use of the Horse's Energy by the Rider. Concentration of the Horse's Energy by the Rider. The Canter. Jumping. The Piaffer. Scheme of Work. A Concise Explanation of the Method by means of Question and Answer. . Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

No wild animal captures the spirit of North America quite so powerfully as the wild horse-nor has any faced such diverse and potent enemies. In this provocative account, Hope Ryden-who helped to ensure the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which grants mustangs special protection-combs the history of these proud and noble horses. Descended from the Spanish horses ridden by the conquistadors, they evolved into the tough and intelligent ponies that Native Americans-and later, explorers and cowboys-learned to rely on. From the period when wholesale extermination of the buffalo was underway until recent times, commercial and political interests have sought to eliminate the wild horses as varmints.
Unfortunately, these magnificent creatures are in trouble again. In November 2004, an amendment to the 2005 Appropriations Bill opened the way for America's wild horses to be sent to slaughterhouses-thus rendering the no-kill 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act obsolete. A few senators have been trying to pass bills to stop the killings, but so far no action has taken place. Meanwhile, horses are being slaughtered by the truckload.
In her new introduction, Ryden addresses these latest developments and tells of the successes and failures of regulation over the years. The subject of a front-page article in The New York Times when it was first published, America's Last Wild Horses continues to be a compelling testament to the life of a uniquely American symbol of grace and wildness, and is a must-read for horse lovers and Western history enthusiasts everywhere.

Increasing numbers of visitors to wilderness have caused resource managers to seek information on good horse-handling techniques and innovative equipment to insure that "the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" are preserved. This booklet is for those who travel into wilderness by horseback and who are concerned with minimizing man's impact there. Proper stock-handling, lightweight equipment, and good camp etiquette can do much to protect and preserve wilderness. This booklet illustrates how light, compact gear can be used in the horse camp and emphasizes innovative horse equipment for more comfortable, convenient travel with pack stock. It contains equipment ideas and techniques for "minimum impact" wilderness travel developed over many years by outfitters, packers, horse groups, Forest Service personnel, and other horsemen. The appendixes give detailed information on equipment mentioned in the text.

A Study Guide for new horseback riders and instructors, presented in a fundamental but entertaining format. Your horses will thank you!

Comprehensive and entertaining guidebook describes how a well-turned out carriage should look and be handled. Wealth of information about horses, harnesses, coaches, stables and liveries, plus "suggestions to the inexperienced." Over 100 captioned period photographs of coachmen, carts, gigs, phaetons, landaus, runabouts, much more.

"Thought-provoking.... A lovely testament to horses and women from all walks of life."—Karen Stone, Chicago Tribune

In a phenomenon too prevalent to be mere chance, little girls all over the Western world wake one day to find themselves completely taken over by the love of all things equine. Melissa Holbrook Pierson was one of those horse-crazy girls who later returned to riding with a new appreciation for the nature of horses. Melding memoir, sociology, history, anecdote, and a bit of prose poetry, Dark Horses and Black Beauties delves beneath the shallow hypotheses explaining women's connection to horses to look at how this communication with another animal opens us up to a new apprehension of the larger "natural" world.

"A fearless book: unflinching, honest, and kind."—Village Voice

"The play of her mind...is subtle and quick; coltish, one wants to say, and one would be right."—The New York Times, Richard Bernstein

"So beautifully written that it instantly captivates."—Newark Star-Ledger

"She muses to deep and lyrical effect in her new collection of slender and delicate essays on horses and women."—Richard Bernstein, The New York Times

"A meditation intended to dispel those tiresome Freudian theories aimed at the universal fascination women seem to have with horses."—The New York Times Book Review, Jillian Dunham

"A fearless book: unflinching, earnest, and kind."—Village Voice, Emily Jenkins

"This is a poignant, charming, and realistic book."—Maxine Kumin

"Whoever likes animals will love this book, and better yet, whoever seeks to fathom the mysterious relationships between ourselves and other species will be transported."—Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs

"As passionate as it is informative....Rich in history, romance, and charm, Pierson's devotion to horses is always engaging, and most of all, moving."—Brenda Peterson, co-editor of Intimate Nature: The Bond Between Women and Animals

"Pierson's...writing...is well suited to her subject, containing bits of breathless enthusiasm one moment and peaceful contemplation the next."—Publishers Weekly

What started as an exhibition to entertain audiences has turned into the most popular-and dangerous-event in rodeo: bull riding. When a 150-pound man attempts to ride a two-ton bull with a killer instinct, it's not a matter of whether the rider will get injured, but when, and how badly. As cowboy Jim Shoulders says, "You can't stop something like an injury from hurtin', but you can damn well not let it bother you." What motivates riders to devote themselves to this challenging sport? Find out in Austinite Gail Woerner's newest book, which covers bull riding from its beginning into the new millennium.

Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure -- there is only the trail" Don Bowers learned the truth of these words as he lived his dream of running Alaska's grueling 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. With no mushing experience and little money, but with a spirit of adventure and support from friends, he started from scratch to put together a team. Over the next two years, he discovered that becoming a serious musher is not to be undertaken by the faint of heart, or by those who cannot learn to laugh at themselves and keep going in the face of daunting difficulties and dangers. By the time he eventually pulled under the famous burled arch at the end of Front Street in Nome, his perspective on life had been changed forever by his dogs and by the staggering scope and intensity of the Iditarod. This is Everyman's Iditarod, a tribute to the dedicated dreamers and their dogs who run to Nome in back of the pack with no hope of prize money or glory. This is truly "the rest of the story" of the Last Great Race on Earth.

In praise of Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian
""This book is an important guide for women who want to feel well, ride well and extend their active years."" Chrystine Jones Tauber former member United States Equestrian Team Grand Prix Jumping Squad
""Mary Midkiff is a new voice in our evolving cultural freedom, where insights unique to women in this case, in relation to horses and riding are welcome and needed."" Richard M. Timms, M.D. chairman and CEO, Troxel Companies
""This is an exciting approach to an ancient relationship. Mary Midkiff has done horsewomen an important and useful service in bringing it all together."" Mary Vernon practicing physician and professor of medicine Lawrence, Kansas
The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges, and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping, or western riding, or whether it is breeding, groomi ng, or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know the books in the Howell Equestrian Library; many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train, and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library

Author Gail Woerner used her life-long association with the rodeo world to research and write a history of this paradoxical profession that requires a laugh-getter dressed in baggy britches and wearing a clown face to put his life in jeopardy to protect cowboys from the dangerous Brahma bulls, and sometimes death. All aspects of the world of the rodeo clown are included -- how the profession began, comedy acts created by the rodeo clowns, the animals they trained so masterfully, the evolution of the profession. Other aspects include bullfighting, development of the barrel, injuries which are a part of the job, frustrations in organizing, a cowboy clown's role in the world of rodeo, how sponsors changed the profession, how specialized the bullfighter has become and today's fearless funnymen. Information has been gathered from hundreds of rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen, plus interviews with wives, sons and daughters, friends and co-workers. Included are more than 700 rodeo clowns, their hometowns along with the years of performance. Other information includes honors and awards given these hilarious risk-taking heroes.