.:EQUUS:.

The third in the Horses of Half Moon Ranch series by Jenny Oldfield, Crazy Horse focuses on two of the Half Moon Ranch horses Crazy Horse and Cadillac.

Like chalk and cheese, the two equine friends are inseparable despite their differences in looks and personality.

One night, Kirstie is awoken by the family’s restless herd. Curious, she gets out of bed to investigate and soon realises that there are rustlers in amongst the horses.

Kirstie raises the alarm with her family but not before the rustlers get to Crazy Horse and Cadillac, managing to get away with the prized Thoroughbred and his best friend.

The story is built upon her search with friend Lisa to find the two loved animals that have been stolen. It takes the reader along on the journey of putting the pieces together to come up with the answer to the mystery of where the horses have been taken and who has done so.

Crazy Horse by Jenny Oldfield teaches the reader to consider listening to a horse and their body language as Kirstie finally realises that this will help her to secure both of her horses back into the Half Moon Ranch herd.

Set in Colorado, Oldfield describes the land in a way that has you imagining the scenery as the girls are riding through a forest with snowflakes falling, covering the ground in white.

A great read for pre and early teens, Crazy Horse ends with a positive outcome, leaving the reader content but ready to read the next in the series.

Author: Jenny Oldfield
http://www.jennyoldfield.com/
Fiction
In my library? But of course! A great series for the preteen or early teen who loves horses; it’s wonderful to have acquired the third and fourth book in this series.

“Animals give you loyalty, no question.”

Competition:
I have one copy of Crazy Horse to give away! The first person to email me with the titles of the first three books in the Horses of Half Moon Ranch series and the names of the members of the Scott family that feature in the story will receive it. Email to darquette_@hotmail.com, titled Horses of Half Moon Ranch.

Alternatively, you can purchase your own copy at:
http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Horse-Horses-Half-Ranch/dp/1402217021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246369116&sr=1-1

Tag: horse story, equine book review, jenny oldfield, equine author, horse library, horse writing

I spotted a book in this series at church a couple of months back but it wasn’t until I stumbled across another in the Golden Filly Series at an op shop that I bought one (and then promptly got the first book from church!).

The Race by Lauraine Snelling focuses on soon to be sixteen year old Tricia Evanston.  Tricia lives and breathes horses and her dream is to start riding professionally once she turns sixteen.

It looks like this dream is to be realised with a promising young colt that she and her father Hal are training together with the view to Trish being his jockey in the young horse’s maiden race.

Despite things going well, Trish finds her schoolwork falling behind and then her father’s persistent cough is diagnosed as something so much worse, leaving Trish and her brother David to keep the farm running and horses being worked.

Adding to her struggles, a couple of horses come down with a virus and in the midst of her anguish and struggles, the young woman starts to question where God is.

Snelling creates a relatable situation where a young woman is overwhelmed by the usual pressures of a teen - socialising, work, school and fitting it all in - along with tradgedy at home.  The theme of a strong faith and trusting in God are prevalent throughout and something I believe is lacking in a lot of young adult books.

Personally, I’m rapt to have finally stumbled across a series that has mixed my favourite things - my faith and horses.

This book ends on a positive note though not necessarily with everything cleared up with regards to Trish’s father’s condition, leading you to want to get your hands on the next book.

Author: Lauraine Snelling
http://www.laurainesnelling.com/
Fiction - Teens.
In My Library? You betcha!  And I’ll have to keep an eye out for High Hurdles, another horse/Christian/teen series.  A great series for the teen who loves horses, racing and God.

“Thirty-two thousand foals means thirty-two thousand stories, because a Thoroughbred never goes unoticed or undisscused. And most of the stories are the stuff of drama.” - The Race For The Triple Crown by Joe Drape

tag: horse story, equine book review, lauraine snelling, equine author, horse library, horse writing

Check out other book reviews and what is currently in my equine library.

A spiritual ride through love, loss and hope.

I received Straight from the Horse’s Heart in the post a couple of weeks ago and after getting a few others read and out of the way, set down to devour this book - it wasn’t hard.

I love those that you can just keep reading but get frustrated when they’re finished and there is no more!  Reading this book was just like that; being made up of around thirty short stories, all from the author’s experience.

R.T obviously has a calling on his life to do something about neglect, abuse and the inhumane slaughter of horses - a call that isn’t going to let him be until he’s told everyone.

Although a burden to take on such a responsibility, there needs to be more people which such a desire to see justice for these gorgeous animals and you can be part of that - the proceeds of this book go toward www.habitatforhorses.org.  Read more on the site or perhaps you’d like to read the R.T Fitch ‘Profile On.’

The book in itself is an eye opener and challenges you, the reader to not be moved by what goes on in slaughterhouses around the world.

As the author himself states: “…read with an open mind and accept only what your heart tells you to accept.”

Some of the things in this book don’t resonate with me but it doesn’t change the fact that the stories are powerful and they make the reader aware of this crime against horses.

With knowledge comes responsibility and I can only hope that all readers of this book take in the depictions of the gorgeous characters and what their kind are subjected to and then choose to act upon this knowledge.  It starts with one but can move so much faster with many more - you can start with one action; read this book and be moved.

Author: R.T Fitch
http://www.rtfitch.com/
Non Fiction
In my library? You betcha - even managed to get ahold of a signed copy - thanks R.T!

“Now that I have seen, I am responsible.” - Brooke Fraser

Tag: horse story, equine book review, R.T Fitch, equine author, horse library, horse writing

I can’t remember when I first got access to this series but as a young teen, I devoured any book I could get my hands on, impatiently reading copies in the school and local library when I didn’t have the funds to buy another in the series.

Book number 19 in the Thoroughbred series originally written and created by Joanna Campbell, this book is authored by Karen Bentley. Despite the change of writers, Cindy’s Heartbreak reads like those earlier in the series written by Joanna Campbell, not suffering a continuity issue.

A great series for pre-teens and teens alike, Cindy’s Heartbreak follows Cindy McLean’s love of a particular racehorse, Storm whom she has helped to train as a young racehorse.

Following the usual ups and downs in racing, Cindy works through the issues that arise in Storm’s racing career, convinced that the pair can work through anything and that Storm is the fastest sprinter that raced.

Tragedy strikes 100 miles from home when there is an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia and suddenly the horses at Whitebrook have to be tested when Storm appears sick.

Cindy’s Heartbreak enlightens readers to the disasters of infectious diseases and what an epidemic can do to the livelihood of a farm. It also brings into focus the importance of quarantine issues and protocols while around horses that may be contagious.

Although a book for the younger reader, it’s an informative read and does a great job of portraying the excitement of working with horses, and I’ve no doubt this series is the cause of many a young person wanting to pursue work with horses whether it be in racing or otherwise.

Author: Karen Bentley; created by Joanna Campbell.
http://www.joannsimon.com/joanna/books.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoroughbred_(series)
Fiction – 19th book in the Thoroughbred series.
In my library? Indeed. Sometimes a bit off the mark with regards to factual information regarding horses but a great read for the young horse enthusiast.

Tag: horse story, equine book review, joanna campbell, karen bentley, equine author, horse library, horse writing

While at the Premier Yearling Sales at Oaklands Junction in February of this year, I came across a heap of books for sale for $5 and managed to snap up one of the Dick Francis novels I didn’t yet own.

Reflex mixes two of my favourite things - horses and photography and because of the storyline, is so far my favourite of his mystery novels.

Reflex revolves around jumps jockey Philip Nore who is just drifting along in life, taking whatever is thrown his way without high expectations for life or high opinions of himself.

A talented photographer but not seeing himself as skilled, just one who enjoys his hobby, Nore finds himself with a collection of odds and ends from a recently deceased photographer who lived in the racing world, capturing people’s best - and often worst - moments on film.

Quietly relieved that the sadistic photographer has passed on, Nore is amazed to find out much more about this character after his untimely death.  Such information leads him to a number of different investigations with regards to people in the racing world; investigations that start to threaten his own livelihood.

Throw in the grandmother who hates him, questions of who his father is and an annoying solicitor and it seems Nore almost doesn’t have time for the horses he rides for a living.  Reflex again shows the brilliant mind of Dick Francis and is a most enjoyable read.

Author: Dick Francis
http://www.dickfrancis.com/
Fiction - Crime.
In My Library? Absolutely.  Interesting and detailed enough to cause you to learn along the way, Francis keeps you interested to the end.  A small amount of swearing but otherwise a clean read.

Check out other book reviews and what is currently in my equine library.

“Lessons from your horse: when you’re worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness.”

tag: horse story, equine book review, dick francis, equine author, horse library, horse writing