.:EQUUS:.

Now this book has taken me awhile to get through.  That is solely due to a list a mile long of things I need to do (as opposed to want to!) and a lack of hours!  I received Belladonna by Mary Finn in the post at the same time as Ghetto Cowboy.

I absolutely love the unique subject matter that this story is worked around.  A fan of the anatomical equine paintings of George Stubbs, Finn has created a wonderful story that weaves English and French history of the 1700s in amongst the lives of a 15 year old English boy and the young French girl that he stumbles across.

Going by the name of Ling, the young French girl is in dangerous territory in the town of Horkstow, England at a time when the French and English are at war.  She is desperately searching for her beloved Belladonna, a white mare with a mane and tail the colour of barley.

Finn writes in such a way that the reader is able to imagine what the characters look like, can picture the countryside and the incredible events that befall the pair.  A more in depth review can be found as usual with my other reviews at Suite101.

Author: Mary Finn
Fiction: Historical, 11 years and up
In my library? A resounding yes.  I really enjoyed this novel, finding it a delight to read and an incredible telling of how the works of George Stubbs could have come about.

Tags: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Mary Finn, Belladonna

So I must say, these are the first young children’s books that I’ve received in the mail to review - and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them and looking at the pictures! 

I was kindly sent along the first in the series, Quincy Finds a New Home, which was released in 2009 as well as Quincy Moves to the Desert, a 2011 release.

Aimed at 4 - 9 year olds, these stories are interesting, educational and with some gorgeous illustrations by Michelle Black.

Having a nephew that is almost two, I can definitely imagine reading these books to him when he’s a little older and later down the track, can see him delighting in being able to read them by himself!

Quincy Finds a New Home provides children with the important message that to be loved and be a friend is all that is ever needed.  Quincy Moves to the Desert educates kids about some of the states in the USA, as well as variations within horse breeds, how they look different and are made for different jobs or disciplines.

Both books are around 40 pages in length and tell a simple story from the point of view of Quincy, the ‘little read horse with a coat the colour of a new penny’.  A more in depth review can be found along with my other articles at Suite101.

Author: Camille Matthews
Fiction: 4 - 9 year olds
In my library? Definitely!  I’m delighted to be able to have some stories for younger children that will encourage a love for reading and horses.

Tags: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Camille Matthews, Michelle Black, Quincy Finds a New Home, Quincy Moves to the Desert

October 16th, 2011 marks yet another Blog Action Day.  This year’s topic is food.  What a fitting topic for horses!

It seems to me that when horse owners fall on hard times financially, the cost of keeping horses becomes increasingly difficult.  This seems to be especially so with regards to the need to purchase feed.  Another time when this becomes difficult and expensive is in a drought.

When considering horse feeds, a few things could be considered by property owners to make things less difficult:

• invest in pastures that have a variety of species that have growth periods at different times of the year - this allows horses to consistently be on pasture whilst at the same time protecting paddocks from bare patches, erosion and other issues that can occur when pasture is lacking
• invest in trees in laneways that alongside providing shade, will be a great fodder source - the lucerne tree is a great example of this
• purchase in bulk - when feed is cheap, if storage is available, purchasing in bulk can be cost effective as well as guarantee the horse owner of having something stored away when drought or other issues restrict the possibility of acquiring feed

Horses are always going to consume food and as an animal that grazes 12 - 20 hours a day, the horse owner should be aware of ways to best ensure that their horses have access to food.

tag: blog action day, food and horses, greater cause

I participate in Blog Action Day each year as I think it’s a great event. At times it’s been difficult to find a way to link the topic with an equine related blog. This year’s topic is food.  Now this one can surely be related to horses!

This year’s date is October 16, so look out for an equine related food post on this date and if you write a blog, consider signing up for Blog Action Day 2011.

“The horse! The horse! The symbol of surging potency and power of movement, of action, in man.” - D. H. Lawrence

tag: blog action day, horses and food, greater cause

A colleague placed a flyer on my desk yesterday outlining a workshop that I felt was of interest and worth sharing.

Head, Heart, Horse
Aimed at horse owners who would like to improve their understanding horse/human dynamics.  A 2.5 hour workshop for $30, it is being held on October the 22nd.  Check out the Grey Horse Learning website.

Can’t make this date?  Don’t worry - there will be more scheduled in the future!

“Horse person’s glossary - Pinto: Green coat pattern found on a freshly washed grey horse left unattended in the stall for 10 minutes.”

Tag: equine therapy, riding for the disabled