Before Jackie Robinson ever donned a Dodger uniform - there was Tom Bass. Before Rosa Parks ever demanded a seat in the front of the bus - there was Tom Bass. Before Martin Luther King ever had a dream - there was Tom Bass. Before Barack Obama ever ran for President - there was the legend of Tom Bass - the black horse whisperer. Born a slave, Tom Bass rose to the summit of what had always been a white man's profession, the training of the America's greatest Saddlebred horses. At nine years old this Mozart of the equestrian world used his extraordinary natural talent to teach an outlaw mule who couldn't even be handled to canter backwards. An advocate of gentleness and patience, Bass turned dangerous horses into reliable mounts - without ever raising his voice or using a whip. His immense knowledge of equine psychology allowed the man who had been born in a slave cabin to invent a revolutionary and humane bit, still in use today. Yet Bass's greatest achievements were in the saddle, not in the training ring. What he was able to entice horses to do defies belief. His consummate skill and immense empathy with horses allowed him to produce horses of such exquisite proficiency that their accomplishments are still remembered today. Buffalo Bill's famous white horse, Columbus, was one such legendary talent. Bass was able largely to transcend the race barrier because he was accounted the greatest horseman of the late nineteenth century. The first black American ever to ride in Madison Square Garden, in an age when racial segregation ruled the nation, Tom Bass was the mounted friend of five presidents of the United States, including Teddy Roosevelt. Upon Tom's death in 1934, his name was a household word, synonymous with equestrian feats of unparalleled beauty and achievement. Then his story faded into oblivion, until this fascinating biography of America's most remarkable black horseman was rescued from the shadows.

Delivered Over The Network Of The National Broadcasting Company, Station WEAF, February-May, 1930.

"Mustang "is the sweeping story of the wild horse in the culture, history, and popular imagination of the American West. It follows the wild horse across time, from its evolutionary origins on this continent to its return with the conquistadors, its bloody battles on the old frontier, its iconic status in Buffalo Bill shows and early westerns, and its plight today as it makes its last stand on the vanishing range. With the Bureau of Land Management proposing to euthanize thousands of horses and ever-encroaching development threatening the land, the mustang's position has never been more perilous. But as Stillman reveals, the horses are still running wild despite all the obstacles, with spirit unbroken.

"Like the best nonfiction writers of our time (Jon Krakauer and Bruce Chatwin come to mind), Stillman's prose is inviting, her voice authoritative, and her vision imaginative and impressively broad." (Pam Houston, "Los Angeles Times)"

With flaring nostrils, pounding hoofs and gentle, soul-searching eyes, horses have been part of man's existence from the beginning. To this day they continue to awe and thrill us. In this collection of paintings, stories, poems and quotes by award-winning artist Nancy J. Bailey, we share some results of their power to inspire.

Many women become Horse Crazy as girls and never lose their admiration for the beauty and dignity and the wisdom and whimsicality of these remarkable creatures. Here, fifty women offer their stories of the path of equine wisdom and the benefits of a good relationship with a loving horse, from improved confidence (and yes, even firmer thighs) to reconnecting with the world after a period of grief. Includes such stories as: A wheelchair-bound woman overcomes her physical limitations, not only learning to ride but to compete - and win! - in dressage Pregnant for the first time, a mother to be watches a brood mare deliver a colt and gains the confidence to face the arrival of her own child A stresses out executive learns that a bored cow pony can teach her a thing or two One lovelorn woman finds she can learn a lot about men from watching horses

Including Instructions On Feeding, Watering, Stabling, Shoeing, Etc. With Practical Treatment For Diseases. Illustrated. Including A Large Number Of Valuable Recipes Not Before Published.

A century ago, when Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona outlawed steer roping contests, there was one place a southwestern roper could go to hone his skills: Cowboy Park, the arena established in 1907 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas. During the formative years of rodeo that preceded the first Calgary Stampede in 1912, Cowboy Park promoted the sport of steer roping and provided a ready training ground for up-and-coming champions. From its inception until growing political turmoil in Mexico brought the enterprise to a halt, Cowboy Park kept the sport alive and fostered celebrity--its "alumni" swept the first prizes in Calgary and continued to dominate for some years. This unique institution, despite its significant influence on the future of rodeo, has until now received scant attention. Through the history he has recovered and photographs--many published here for the first time--John Baxter documents and illuminates the era of Cowboy Park and the early champions who won their spurs there. "Rodeo fans will find some familiar names . . . and places here--Guy Weadick, Zack and Lucille Mulhall, Bill Pickett, Will Rogers, Fog Horn Clancy, Guy Allen, Dan Patch, and Calgary, Pendleton, and Cheyenne. But most of the names will be unfamiliar, all but forgotten in the annals of early rodeo. Baxter's] penetrating and original research is underpinned by the use of nearly fifty different newspapers from around the country." --Richard W. Slatta, from the foreword

He was just an aged Belgian draft horse, left alone in a pasture to live out the remaining days of his twilight years. He spent his time drooling and swishing flies. But one day the old horse stepped out of a wobbly wire fence, and into a new life. He became useful again, as a horse, when he teamed up with the author, who had always wanted a Belgian draft horse.

He immediately began to subtly influence her and other people who crossed his path. The horse weighed one ton and was physically strong. He was also kind and gentle, with an uncanny manner of getting involved in the lives of the people he met. Through trials and good times, through laughter and tears, this grand old horse conveyed many messages about life.

Horsepower - A Memoir; is a true story. It's a passionate, warm and humorous portrayal of an old horse's life as told by his last owner and friend. Richly enveloped in a series of nostalgic flashbacks, you will find yourself laughing and crying, sometimes both on the same page, as you read about his escapades, and ponder your own experiences.

In depth diagnosis and treatment of the most common problem affecting horses' health. Written by a veterinary expert with current hands-on experience and the latest research in care and rehabilitation This book is a thorough examination of all causes of lameness, the most common and frustrating problem faced by horse owners. Lameness is the primary cause for a horse to be out of action and unrideable. Its cause can be difficult to diagnose and the problem can drag on for weeks, months or even years if the treatment is wrong. All horses are occasionally lame from the regularly ridden and competed horse to the pony left in the field and only ridden at weekends. Its causes are diverse and many ranging from a simple briused sole to difficult to treat tendon injuries and potentially fatal laminitis. All horse owners need to be able to assess lameness, even a small wound can result in the death of a horse if it leads to an infected joint. On the other hand, horse owners can hardly afford to call out the vet everytime their horse stumbles and tweaks a muscle when out in the field.This book gives readers the skills they need to understand the causes of lamness and make well informed decisions on how to address the problem

Since time eternal horses have walked beside us, helping to shape our destinies, taking us on journeys of the soul, and offering as a gift their power, mystique, and beauty. While it has taken some time, mental health professionals and educators alike have begun to formally acknowledge the emotional, mental and physical benefits that humans can receive by spending time with horses. In the U.S. alone, there are already more than 900 programs that offer therapeutic or educational programming provided in partnership with horses. Leif Hallberg has extensively researched the field of Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Educational Services, and this book reveals the many ways horses can help humans. Become familiar with: Key definitions Historical information about working with horses in therapeutic and educational settings Ethical considerations Practical applications Learn more about the healing power of horses and their rich history of working together with humans in Walking the Way of the Horse.

Descended from the greatest horses of the American West, the wild horses living on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico were national treasures and living legends. But in 1994, after years of suffering through periodic droughts, food shortages, and all the dangers accompanying life on a military weapons-testing site, scores of horses suddenly died. And almost two thousand more were in such dire straits that they were unlikely to survive. Large-animal veterinarian Don Hoglund was called in to organize and lead a team of dedicated cowboys, soldiers, and other professionals in removing the surviving horses and their offspring to safety. "Nobody's Horses" tells the dramatic story of these noble animals' celebrated history, their defiant survival, and their incredible rescue. Amid the constant danger from unspent munitions on the ground and missile testing in the air, cowboys, Native Americans, and ranchers--all of whom cared deeply about the fate of the horses--clashed in a battle of wills. And, of course, there were the horses themselves--wild, extraordinarily powerful animals, not easily managed or moved, who would become known to their rescuers as fascinating, individual characters. Filled with history and heroism, adventure and rivalry, and, ultimately, the alliances between horses and people, "Nobody's Horses" will stir the emotions and imagination of horse lovers, humanitarians, and anyone who loves an uplifting tale of second chances.

PONIES PAST AND PRESENT - THE BREEDS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. By Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart. Originally published in 1900, this rare early work on Native British Ponies is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS has republished it using the original text and illustrations. The author was a respected authority on all equestrian matters and published several important books on the subject as well as contributing numerous articles to the sporting and farming press of that era. This title was the first comprehensive work on British Ponies ever written, and the first to draw attention to their important contribution to polo pony breeding. The book consists of one hundred and thirty six pages, including eight full page plates. A lengthy introduction takes the reader through some of the early history, origins, and laws relating to the pony breeds. This is followed by eight Detailed chapters: The New Forest Pony. The Welsh Pony. The Exmoor and Dartmoor Ponies. The Cumberland and Westmoreland Ponies. Ireland The Connemara Pony. The Ponies of Scotland and the Shetland Islands. Uses and Characteristics of the Pony. Breeding Polo Ponies. This is a fascinating read for any pony enthusiast or historian of the breeds, and also contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest equestrian books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Horsin' Around The USA Guide To Marketing & Promoting Your Horse Business will teach you how to be unforgettable in the horse industry You will learn how to effectively market and promote your equine business, service, or event. In addition, you will: Learn how to practice The Ten Commandments of Marketing An Equine Business. Discover the importance of developing a good name, logo, slogan, etc. for your business. Learn how to create effective business cards, brochures, flyers, web site, and more. Learn how to write effective press releases and how to work with the media. Laurie A. Cerny, a professional journalist and equine marketing specialist, has won numerous state and national awards for her writing, photography, graphic design and advertising both in mainstream media and within the horse industry. Her work has appeared in John Lyon's Perfect Horse, The Horse, Horse Illustrated, Western Horseman, Equine Times, Kalamazoo Gazette, Detroit News, Chicago Tribune, and she also served as the communication director for a major saddle and horse product manufacturer. She has owned horses for more than 30 years, and is also a member of American Horse Publications, Michigan Horse Council, and the American Quarter Horse Association.

There is no worse feeling in the world than standing over your dead horse and being told that you could have saved their life, if you had only known what to do. In case after case, panicked horse owners fail to give their beloved friends the lifesaving treatment that they need to survive until the vet arrives. Written by a practicing Emergency Veterinarian with extensive experience, Dr. Chris O'Malley shares his secrets for emergency at-home treatment. Written in plain English and packed with real-world examples, Dr. O'Malley shows you how to confidently provide life-saving first aid to your horse. You will also learn about those indispensable items that you need to keep inside your equine first-aid kit. Join the ranks of competent horse owners and learn how to recognize illness and perform life-saving first aid procedures. When every minute counts, count-on this indispensable veterinary guide to help save your horses life.

This is a detailed, step-by-step instructional text for performing basic equine dental procedures. An easy-to-follow progression from basic concepts to more advanced dental procedures and techniques are described. 378 photographs and line drawings illustrate important concepts for visual clarity. Routine dental health maintenance and preventive care are emphasized for managing your practice or business. Safety, assessment, extractions and special procedures are outlined and illustrated. Sources for instruments, purchasing and maintaining dental equipment make this a very good instructional guide.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

Ed Blanchard was known to family and friends as a wild, reckless cowboy long before horsemen of the West recognized him as a noted maker of cowboy spurs. But it was his years spent herding snorty cattle and cinching his saddle on broncs that taught him his trade as both a cowboy and a spur maker.

Jane Pattie has researched the times and added historical background, and she has drawn on interviews she did with Blanchard for her earlier book, Cowboy Spurs and Their Makers. But it is from New Mexico rancher Tom Kelly, Blanchard's cousin, that she uncovered Blanchard's work in the cattle business and how he learned the art of hammering hot steel into the shape of spurs to fit a cowboy's boots.

Together, Pattie and Kelly tell a dual tale of old times and of change: the story of spur making as experienced by one of its more prolific practitioners and the story of cowboys in the early part of the twentieth century. Through Blanchard's experiences, the authors trace the changes of Western life, from horse to pickup truck, from hand-forged spurs to commercial manufacture. Ranch life, the cowboy life, and metalworking in the American West are interwoven through the book, as they were in the real life of Blanchard, who emerges from these pages as a humorous, down-home regional character readers will be glad to get to know.