SHY BOY: The Horse That Came In From The Wild (©2000 by Monty Roberts, presented by HarperTrade, $16): Renowned horse gentler Monty Roberts wrote, “To appreciate Shy Boy, you must see him or his kind running free and easy, in a wide open space.” Mr Roberts writes a compelling story (accompanied by beautiful photographs) and offers readers a chance to see Shy Boy running free. During a three-day ride across miles of high desert, Monty Roberts used all his skill to connect with the little mustang he finally befriended and in the year that followed, Shy Boy – who suffered through a year of challenges and a tough illness – grew to love life on the farm, playfully demanding attention, and becoming fascinated by children. Shy Boy then gained fame when PBS aire a program based on his initial encounter with Mr Roberts.

The ultimate question, though, “Would Shy Boy rather be free?” was decided when Mr Roberts, with  some trepidation, took Shy Boy back to the wild to let him choose.

Find out what happened.

 

BASIC GUIDE TO EQUESTRIAN (©2001 by Suzanne Ledeboer and Geoffrey M. Hahn, presented by Griffin Publishing Group, $9.95): Whether you’re an experienced rider or an enthusiastic beginner, A Basic Guide To Equestrian offers practical pointers for riding, training, and caring for your horse in a safe, responsible, and enjoyable way. If you love horses and enjoy watching equestrian events at shows and on television, this book will tell you what to look for and help you appreciate the finer points of dressage, show jumping, and three-day eventing. You’ll learn the basics about buying a horse, finding a stable, taking riding lessons, or purchasing a new saddle or bridle.

BASIC TRAINING OF THE YOUNG HORSE (©2000 by Reiner Klimke and Jane Kidd, presented by the Lyons Press, $18.95): This is the first paperback edition of an essential book by an Olympic champion. In this fundamental yet precise and detailed guide to the correct schooling of the horse, the legendary dressage rider and trainer Dr. Reiner Klimke addresses an array of horsemanship issues, from handling the foal and backing the young horse to flatwork, jumping, and cross-country riding, as well as saddlery and general equine health and fitness. Dr Klimke bases his advice on the proven methods which he himself learned and then applied over the course of his 25-year career schooling young horses and competing to victories at the highest levels of equestrian competition. Among the topics discussed are free schooling; principles of flatwork; development of impulsion and the correctness of the gaits; problem solving; forward and lateral aids; work over ground poles; and training horses with temperament and conformation problem.

The essential guide for all riders, trainers, and breeders who want to school their young horses correctly from the very beginning, Basic Training of The Young Horse is an education in the sound, practical, and theoretical knowledge of an unquestionable authority in the field.