Societal views on animals are rapidly changing and have become more diversified: can we use them for our own pleasure, and how should we understand animal agency? These questions, asked both in theoretical discourses and different practices, are also relevant for our understanding of horses and the human-horse relation. Equine Cultures in Transition stands as the first volume to bring together ethical questions of the new field of human-horse studies. For instance: what sort of ethics should be developed in relation to the horse today: an egalitarian ethics or an ethics that builds upon asymmetrical relations? How can we understand the horse as a social actor and as someone who, just like the human being, becomes through interspecies relations? Through which methods can we give the horse a stronger voice and better understand its becoming? These questions are not addressed from a medical or ethological perspective focused on natural behaviour, but rather from human acknowledgement of the horse as a sensing, feeling, acting, and relational being; and as a part of interspecies societies and relations. Providing an introductory yet theoretically advanced and broad view of the field of post humanism and human animal studies, Equine Cultures in Transition will appeal to students and researchers interested in fields such as human-animal studies, political sociology, animals and ethics, animal behaviour, anthropology, and sociology of culture. It may also appeal to riders and other practitioners within different horse traditions.

Pet, show-ring competitor, pasture companion, driving partner, patient therapy horse - the Miniature Horse does it all. But whether you dream of winning ribbons or just hanging out, it is vital to have a solid understanding of safe handling and proper stabling; grooming needs and feeding requirements; general care and management essentials; special health and wellness concerns; and basic training how-tos. In these pages experienced Miniature Horse breeder Kendra Gale of Circle J Miniature Horses provides the most complete Miniature Horse resource available. You not only learn the ins and outs of making a Miniature Horse a part of your life, you gain invaluable professional insight when it comes to buying and breeding, registering and showing, training and handling, and so much more.

This book demonstrates how horse breeding is entwined with human societies and identities. It explores issues of lineage, purity, and status by exploring interconnections between animals and humans. The quest for purity in equine breed reflects and evolves alongside human subjectivity shaped by categories of race, gender, class, region, and nation. Focusing on various horse breeds, from the Chincoteague Pony to Brazilian Crioulo and the Arabian horse, each chapter in this collection considers how human and animal identities are shaped by practices of breeding and categorizing domesticated animals. Bringing together different historical, geographical, and disciplinary perspectives, this book will appeal to academics, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students, in the fields of human-animal studies, sociology, environmental studies, cultural studies, history, and literature.

This practical book helps you interpret and connect the physical signals that horses display in response to their environment. These signals are evident in the everyday actions, gestures and attitudes that horses communicate to each other, but are often so subtle that they can go unnoticed by humans. This book aims to rectify that, offering horse lovers and equine professionals an opportunity to gain a unique insight into their 'horse's world'. Key features: includes detailed description of language signs of domestic horses, with a special emphasis on calming signals includes 275 pictures to visualize various language signs, calming signals, behaviour sequences and facial features presents communication ladders to show how a horse responds to incentives in his environment, and what signals he uses at certain moments contains tips on the use of the communication ladders and calming signals to improve the socialisation, training and wellbeing of your horse considers equine psychological stress from an environmental perspective, providing a valuable alternative to the current common clinical perspective. After reading this book you will be more astute in spotting calming signals, displacement activities, stress signals and distance-increasing signals, and better able to see which stimuli your horse can handle and which he cannot. This means you will know what to do to calm your horse before his stress rises to an unmanageable level. Language Signs and Calming Signals of Horses is both fascinating and important reading for any equine veterinary practitioner, student or nurse, as well as horse owners and trainers.

Updated for today's beginning horse enthusiasts! If you're just getting into the world of horses, there's a lot to learn! Horses For Dummies gets beginning-level riders and aspiring first-time horse owners up to speed on all things equine! From selecting the right horse for you to feeding, grooming, and handling a horse, this book covers it all! Featuring updates on breeds, boarding, nutrition, equipment, training, and riding--as well as new information on various equine conditions--this resource shows you how to keep your horse happy and take your riding skills to the next level. Features updated safety information Includes more riding disciplines Offers tips for better nutrition for your horse Provides grooming and training recommendations If you're crazy about horses, this hands-on guide is all you need to giddy up and go!

Wound Care Management assists with general wound care in horses. It includes basic wound cleaning and preparation, important anatomical considerations, moist healing concepts, dressing choices, and specific wounds by body region. Along with detailed sections about wound closure techniques using bandaging and skin grafting there is in-depth discussion of appropriate wound dressing used for cleaning, debridement, packing, absorption, compression, support, and protection. The book emphases important anatomical considerations by body regions in a highly visual format (70 color photos, 100 figures).

The Equine-Assisted Therapy Workbook gives readers the tools they need to increase professional competency and personalize the practical applications of equine-assisted therapy. Each chapter includes thought-provoking ethical questions, hands-on learning activities, self-assessments, practical scenarios, and journal assignments applicable to a diverse group of healthcare professionals. The perfect companion to The Clinical Practice of Equine-Assisted Therapy, this workbook is appropriate for both students and professionals.

Every equestrian wants to know: what is the difference between the horse that 'dances' when you are on him, and the one that doesn't? According to Visconte Simon Cocozza, trainer and examiner for the La Federation Francaise d'Equitation (FFE), it all comes down to the horse's posture. The horse's ability to use the powerful mechanisms already built into his body relies not upon the strength we can see on the outside but the strength on the inside. This invisible and complex arrangement of internal 'core' muscles control the horse's posture, suppleness, and agility. Their good condition is the key to the dance. Equine core muscles are very difficult to isolate with the traditional training techniques common to horse sports. However, by examining what we do with the human body when faced with a weak core, we can find new methods for conditioning these areas of the equine body. Visconte Cocozza has taken principles of the human practice of yoga and used them to develop novel ways of reaching deep within the horse's body and gently 'unlocking' areas that may be a little "rusty" while at the same time improving core fitness. In Core Conditioning for Horses, he provides step-by-step instruction explaining easy mounted exercises that enhance the horse's posture, and boost his confidence in his body and movement, making him easier to ride, and ultimately, the dance partner you've always imagined.

From Jec Aristotle Ballou, author of Storey's best-selling "101 Dressage Exercises", comes "Equine Fitness", a guide to getting a horse in shape and maintaining his overall fitness, regardless of age or discipline. A horse's health is a critical concern for every equestrian - from the backyard owner who wants to enjoy her mount for many years to the show rider who needs her horse to perform at consistently high levels. Conditioning will improve soundness, stamina, quality of motion, and longevity. "Equine Fitness" provides owners and riders with expert instruction for assessing, monitoring, and maintaining the health of their horses. In addition, "Equine Fitness" features individual and group exercise routines specifically designed to enhance strength and agility, geared to horses of differing ages and abilities. Clear step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations make the information easy to follow and implement. There is even a set of handy, pocket sized cards for owners and riders to consult directly while working with their horses.

'Striking' THE TIMES 'Uplifting and moving' BBC RADIO 2 'A meditation on connection between humans and animals, and the homes we make in wild places. I was completely immersed' KATHERINE MAY Catherine Munro transforms her life when she moves to Shetland to study the hardy ponies who call this archipelago home. Over the course of her first year, she is welcomed into the rhythms and routines that characterise life at the edge of the world. When faced with personal loss, Catherine finds comfort and connection in the shared lives of the people, animals and wild landscapes of Shetland. Ponies at the Edge of the World is a heartfelt love letter to the beauty and resilience of these magical ponies and their native land. This is a stunning book on community, hope and finding home.

"Previously published as The ultimate encyclopedia of horse breeds & horse care"--T.p. verso.

A new edition of a highly respected textbook and reference in the rapidly emerging field of equitation science. Equitation Science, 2nd Edition incorporates learning theory into ethical equine training frameworks suitable for riders of any level and for all types of equestrian activity. Written by international experts at the forefront of the development of the field, the welfare of the horse and rider safety are primary considerations throughout. This edition features a new chapter on research methods, and a companion website provides the images from the book in PowerPoint.

Horses have been our companions in work and leisure for thousands of years. As a species we have profited immeasurably from their resilience, strength and intelligence. In The Horse, Wendy Williams travels the globe to discover the history of our noble companion, one which stretches back fifty-six million years. From the streets of Vienna to the rugged terrain of Galicia, Williams demonstrates the horse's intelligence and strength. Blending profound scientific insights with remarkable stories, The Horse is a unique biography of the animal which has carried us across plains and into battle, and whose fascinating past and finely-nuanced mind are brought to life here in this masterful work of narrative non-fiction.

Horses of all breeds, colours, shapes, and sizes are perennially fascinating to equine enthusiasts of all ages. Collected in a perfect little pocket guide no horse lover will be able to resist, here are images of 96 breeds that call North America home - galloping, playing, grazing, working, or simply striking a pose. For each breed readers will find a full-page photograph accompanied by at-a-glance conformation and historical facts. A small map shows where the breed originated, and additional information includes the horse's special qualities and its most common uses. Home grown favourites such as the Morgan, Appaloosa, and the less- well-known Nakota and Florida Cracker horses are featured along with imported breeds that have influenced native equine bloodlines, such as the Thoroughbred, Arabian, and Percheron. From the very large (the mighty Shire) to the very small (the tiny Miniature), and everything in between, never has such a range of horse fact and photography been packed into such an appealingly small gift book. This 96-breed survey covers North America's remarkable diversity of horse breeds, from the popular and well- known to the rare and obscure.

"I'm thrilled to recommend this book as one of the finest narratives on what horses have to teach people about life, love, power, and connection." -Linda Kohanov, author, The Tao of Equus, from her Foreword Hope . . . From the Heart of Horses explores and celebrates the relationship and bond possible between horses and humans. Each chapter offers a life lesson about trusting one's instincts, honestly addressing emotions, achieving clarity in communications, and releasing negative thoughts. Because survival depends on being highly tuned to the thoughts and feelings of others, horses sense human intentions rather than what a person offers in facial expressions, which creates a remarkable effect on the relationship between these two distinctly different species. Among the moving stories the author relates are a horse named Hope who teaches the difference between hope and faith; an abused horse's background bringing up old memories and helping the author to move on; a young Olympic equestrienne hopeful who discovers and reaffirms her self-esteem; and a corporate training session in which one participant achieves great success merely by being honest about her fears. As you see how these people grow deeper into themselves as they learn the horse's way, you, too, will be inspired to explore and apply the deep and everlasting connection and communication between horses and humans.

"Feel-good, laugh out loud funny, yet also deeply moving..." "The way Grace has written about her mental health issues and woven it around the story is inspirational and will strike a chord with many readers" The comical tales of a new mum on her journey from post-natal depression to the dawning of her self-worth as she discovers adventure, friendship and the healing power of horses. Join Grace as she battles her negative thought patterns and fears amongst a backdrop of eccentric characters, pampered farm animals and the glorious Yorkshire countryside. Wisdom comes from unexpected sources leading Grace to a psychological and spiritual awakening of the true meaning of motherhood. While an elderly, opinionated pony teaches her how to love her daughter, a scary young sports horse teaches her how to relax and enjoy life again. Just watch out for the goats... For fans of James Herriot and Ruby Ferguson's Jill books, The Yard is a hilarious and heart-warming, joy to read.

In warm, conversational anecdotes taken from his own practice, Kelley - an award-winning columnist for The Thoroughbred Times as well as a practicing vet - writes about horse health care, from fertility to fractures to foot care. Appealing to the ongoing reader fascination with vets' lives and experiences, as well as to horse owners' needs for sound veterinary advice, THE HORSE DOCTOR IS IN is a medical reference without the endless pages of unreadable medical-speak. Sound, browsable, practical, and usable, this book will both be read in armchairs and used in 3 a.m. barn emergencies.

A broad range of equine health issues is covered in four major sections: Disease; Lameness; Breeding and Foaling; and Care and Management (which covers barn safety, stable vices, goats as companion animals, and more). Each chapter uses a true story to set up a health scenario, then flows into a practical discussion of problems, conditions, or diseases. There are chapters on everything from foaling through equine old age, allowing readers to enjoy the pleasure of fine narrative storytelling while learning how to better handle and understand horses. A particularly satisfying benefit of the book is becoming acquainted with a variety of interesting horses and their owners.

Discover the profound lessons we can learn from horses. Veteran 'horse whisperer' and communication expert, Grant Golliher, has trained thousands of horses, many of which have been traumatised or abused, and can tame a wild horse to calmly accept a saddle and a rider in just hours - without the use of any force. Through his work, Golliher has learnt essential lessons about communication, boundaries, fairness, trust and respect - lessons that apply not just to horses but to humans as well. It's why celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, professional coaches, supreme court justices, and even ordinary families from around the world flock to his Wyoming ranch every year to take part in what one CEO called 'the most transformational experience I have ever encountered'. In the decades that Golliher has been doing this work, he has seen tough and insensitive people become gentle and more empathetic, and timid and fearful people grow in firmness and confidence. Now for the first time, in Think Like a Horse, he shares fundamental and ageless lessons about life, underpinned by all he has learnt from horses. It's an approach that anyone should learn to better understand our common humanity, overcome trauma and unlock our untapped potential in all aspects of our lives. All you need to do is think like a horse.

Learn the underlying principles of speaking both "horse" and "human" from an internationally acclaimed horseman. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse describes celebrated horse trainer Mark Rashid's experiences with one special--and especially challenging--horse named Buck. Mark finds that Buck's unique personality teaches him a wealth of information about how to build a strong relationship with what may initially seem like a difficult horse. During his time with Buck, Mark not only trains Buck but also observes how Buck "trains" other horses in order to maintain a stable and respectful group. Mark comes to understand that there are six underlying principles to both Buck and Mark's most successful horse training techniques: non-confrontation, planning ahead, patience, persistence, consistency, and "fix it and move on." The second half of the book is devoted to demonstrating how horse owners can apply the six principles to their own experiences in horse training. Mark Rashid is unique among writers of horse training books for his skill at teaching trainers to lead by example rather than by force, using clear and consistent methods. In the afterword, Mark Rashid reflects on what he has learned since first writing about Buck, and how Buck's life allowed Mark to dramatically improve his own emotional and physical well-being. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse is essential reading for all compassionate horse owners who care about cultivating a mutually respectful and satisfying relationship with their horses.

This book is an invaluable guide to every aspect of horsemanship, with a fully illustrated directory of breeds of the world, step-by-step instructions on how to ride, and information about specialist equipment for both horse and rider. Over 60 breeds of horse and pony are covered, from the more familiar Thoroughbred and Shetland pony to the less well known Nonius and Caspian. Riding instructions cover tacking up for the first time to mastering the intricacies of dressage. The book also includes a directory of equipment, including the saddle, bridle and bit, training aids, horse clothing and protective equipment, and the rider's clothing.

The equine hoof is a complex marvel of natural engineering, built to withstand tremendous forces and able to adapt to an astonishing range of environmental conditions. It also changes daily-for better or for worse-in response to external and internal factors. Few horse owners have the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of the hoof, which limits their ability to advocate on their horses' behalf and make informed decisions about hoof care and management. This book is the first resource of its kind to combine the most current and useful information available, gleaned from the research and wisdom of top hoof experts around the world, with a unique 'hands-on' approach. The authors provide basic terms and anatomy, clearly illustrate the differences between healthy and unhealthy feet, discuss biomechanics and management concerns, and cover the causes, treatments, and prevention of commonly encountered problems, including laminitis, white line disease, and thrush. Along the way, readers are given activities to help them better analyse and understand the most important aspects of equine hoof health, such as hoof balance, depth of sole, and point of breakover. Easy-to-follow language, over 400 full-colour photographs, and do-it-yourself exercises promise to empower horse owners and caretakers of all experience levels with the tools they need to accurately assess hoof health and keep their horses as sound and happy as possible.

From a ranch in the U.S. and a Finnish farmstead to a Spanish hacienda and Australian outback home, Stables is a celebration of horses and their extraordinary lodgings. International in scope, ranging from traditional to contemporary in flavour, these stables built of wood, metal, and stone are exemplars of the finest taste in design. The allure of housing horses is a story of architecture, design, landscape, and a unique way of living in magnificent places and spaces that are made exclusively for horses and for those who love them. The book also explores indoor and outdoor arenas, paddocks, and gardens, providing a humane face to the otherwise functional buildings. Social spaces for the horses, riders, and visitors also play an important role in filling out the projects, making stables not just places for sport but also for entertainment and leisure. There is a beauty here that reflects the majesty of these animals, the distinctive landscapes in which they are set, and the creative visions of the owners, architects, and designers who have all brought them into being. Beautifully photographed, the book is sure to interest horse aficionados as well as all those interested in engaging, clean, human-scaled design.

A Tale of Two Horses tells the story of two ex-racehorses with behavioural problems, who embark on a rehabilitation programme using only positive, reward based methods, developing into self-confident, well balanced horses. Woven throughout is the story of their owner's life on a rural farm, and insights into her work as an animal behaviourist with dogs, cats and other species. Bringing horsemanship up to date with positive, reward-based methods, the truly kind and humane approach to working with horses that Kathie Gregory teaches will provide huge benefits for you and your horse.Following the two horses over the course of a year, as they go from being reactive and unable to be handled, to calm, well-balanced, contented horses, you'll get to know the personalities of Charlie and Star, as they make the transition from racing to home environment.This book provides an understanding of behaviour and learning theory, along with free-will, hands-off, and non-coercive techniques, and shows how to apply these principles for stress-free training. You'll learn how to prevent small issues becoming big problems, and make battling with your horse a thing of the past.Easy to read, this book can be used as a complete start-from-scratch guide, or to browse through, selecting those parts that you wish to work on to achieve fantastic results: reliable behaviour, stress-free, happy and contented horse and owner.