"What would rodeo look like if we took it as a record, not of human triumph and resilience, but of human imperfection and stubbornness?" asks animal historian Susan Nance. Against the backdrop of the larger histories of ranching, cattle, horses, and the environment in the West, this book explores how the evolution of rodeo has reflected rural western beliefs and assumptions about the natural world that have led to environmental crises and served the beef empire. By unearthing behind-the-scenes stories of rodeo animals as diverse individuals, this book lays bare contradictions within rodeo and the rural West. For almost 150 years, westerners have used rodeo to symbolically reenact their struggles with animals and the land as uniformly progressive and triumphant. Nance upends that view with accounts of individual animals that reveal how diligently rodeo people have worked to make livestock into surrogates for the trials of rural life in the West and the violence in its history. Western horses and cattle were more than just props. Rodeo reclaims their lived history through compelling stories of anonymous roping steers and calves who inspired reform of the sport, such as the famed but abused bucker Steamboat, and the many broncs and bulls, famous or not, who unknowingly built an industry. Rodeo is a dangerous sport that reveals many westerners as people proudly tolerant of risk and violence, and ready to impose these values on livestock. In Rodeo: An Animal History, Nance pushes past standard histories and the sport's publicity to show how rodeo was shot through with stubbornness and human failing as much as fortitude and community spirit.

This superb book was initially published in 1998 and has been out of print for several years. This new edition has been updated to show the most recent developments in all areas relating to the heavy horse industry. The Working Horse Manual has been designed to act as bible for heavy horse enthusiasts. Diana Zeuner has collected articles from 24 leading heavy horse experts who, between them, have covered a wide array of topics including: o Choosing your breed o Harnesses and harnessing o Horses in forestry o Multiple hitches o Farriery o Ploughing o Plaiting o Horse-drawn machinery and equipment o Veterinary care o Transport law o Caring for horse-drawn vehicles o Road driving For this new edition the chapters about Training for Horsemen, Working Horses in Forestry and Transport and the Law have been completely updated to reflect recent changes. The rest of the book has also been amended accordingly. This new edition also has an increased section on cross-country driving and an improved 'useful addresses' section. The book is highly illustrated with photographs and diagrams. The Working Horse Manual is the only UK book of this type and is on the recommended reading list of the British Driving Society.

Abdul is just 7 years old when his parents are killed before his eyes. As a brutal war sweeps Sudan, Abdul and his 3-year-old brother are forced to flee. Their gruelling journey across the Sahara to a refugee camp in Chad is fraught with danger, and every day is a struggle against hunger and disease. Until one day Abdul is offered a chance to escape. A chance that could save him, but will force him to make the most heartbreaking decision of his life. Abdul's death-defying flight leaves deep scars. But his affinity with animals provides a lifeline, when he is offered the chance to work with elite racehorses. Including one owned by the Queen. ____________________________________________________ 'What Abdul has gone through is simply unimaginable. But his story shows the incredible power of sport to bring people together and help them to heal, even after the most appalling suffering.' CLARE BALDING 'A lesson to us all in courage and hope' LORD DUBS, who escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport in 1939

There is a need as well as a reason for this book, says the author, since "there are no other books covering the history of the Quarter Horse. All that is available is an article here and a chapter there. If you know the past, you can understand today and anticipate tomorrow. For this reason the serious Quarter Horse breeder and enthusiast cannot use his horses wisely today, or mate them intelligently for tomorrow, without knowledge of his breed's origin, development, and principal bloodlines. The background of this great American breed is not only information of vital interest to the consummate horseman, but also a fascinating story in its own right."

The author traces the European origins and, from Colonial times, the development and use of the Quarter Horse in the United States. He covers the outstanding horses, performance records, early breeders, and the establishment of the American Quarter Horse Association.

From an ill-considered attempt to transport Silver the horse in a VW microbus to the horse-training rookies who end up being dragged across the countryside in a rowboat, this endearing collection of 14 short stories reveals the funny side of man's efforts to bridle the horse.

Welcome back to Heritage Cove, the little village by the sea brimming with character, community and friendship. The perfect place to fall in love... Running Heritage View Stables is everything Hazel ever dreamed of. She loves working with the horses and managing the business with her brother. But after a terrible incident, she's not sure whether she'll ever be able to put things back the way they were. Gus is ready to start over. He's moved him and his ten-year-old daughter Abigail to Heritage Cove, where he's opening his own vet practice. Everything is falling into place, especially as he watches Abigail start to come out of her shell for the first time since the accident. Neither Hazel nor Gus is looking for love, but could they each be what the other needs? And is happiness even a possibility when their pasts won't let them go? Join new friends and old, as summer comes to Heritage Cove. Praise for Helen Rolfe's heartwarming stories: 'I really loved this book. I fully intended to save it for the long bank holiday weekend, to be enjoyed leisurely over a few days, but I ended up devouring it all in just two sittings...' Jo Bartlett 'One to curl up with after a long hard day, and know you are just going to be treated to a cosy atmosphere, realistic characters that you will come to care for' Rachel's Random Reads 'Such a perfect gift of a book!' Reader Review 'Helen Rolfe is an absolute specialist at building cosy communities and making me want to live there. I want the characters as my friends!' Sue Moorcroft 'Heritage Cove has this wonderful community spirit that I so want to be part of...the balance between the emotional moments, tough relatable topics against the light-hearted fun was done ever so well' Love Books Actually 'What a beautiful story filled with happiness, comedy and lovely characters' Reader Review 'I was gripped by the story from start to finish and the end of the book left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside' Ginger Book Geek