Fixed

Fixed, by Paddy Head, was an interesting read. Set in 1970's at New England racetracks, the author gives a realistic portrayal of life as an apprentice jockey.

Andrea "Andy" Crowley transfer from Belmont to a track in Boston and learns about New England hospitality - the mob way. She thinks she is just being tested by the regulars, but really she is being watched by some shady characters.

She makes friends with other females in the business, including a jockey named Denise - who was actually a real jockey during that time and later became a friend of mine in Florida before her sudden death to an illness. The book was dedicated in part to her, which was so kind of the author. Denise was one classy lady.

Anyway, between the detailed racing scenes, the backstretch banter and the horses (of course) readers who enjoy horse novels will love this one. Even those who don't know much about racehorses will learn a thing or two about what makes a jockey love what they do!

To learn more about the author and her racing background, see http://www.paddyhead.com/

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

From Amazon:
Black Beauty, published in 1877 and set in Victorian London, was Anna Sewell's only novel. Yet it has remained a classic for 140 years.

Anna Sewell (English Quaker 1820-1878) was one of the first equine advocates, if not the first to write a children's novel about a wonderful horse and the cruelty of man. Black Beauty is the autobiography of a horse.

Told from the horse's point-of-view, Black Beauty describes his birth, early training and his fondness for his first master, Squire Gordon, stablemates Ginger and Merrylegs and grooms John and James.

For fashion's sake, some owners insisted the grooms harness the carriage horses with their head's held high with the check rein. This made it difficult for the team to pull as well as caused other long term problems. Squire Gordon was against such devices.

When James plans on moving on, little Joe Green is trained for his position. The young boy makes a grave error in Beauty's care after the horse is ridden hard to fetch the doctor for the mistress, and the doc rides him hard back. Beauty survives the incident, but when the mistress needs to move due to her illness, all the horses must be sold.

After that, Beauty describes his life with various owners. Some are ignorant, some cruel but a handful give him the best care they can including a cab driver. Life is hard, and the author gives details of the cruelty of some grooms, drivers and owners.

At least Sewell gives the story a happy ending.

I first read this as a teen, before I took riding lessons. Looking back, I think Sewell's insight helped me decide my path on my journey to becoming a professional horsewoman.

I would recommend this book for all horse lovers except the very young.

A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain

While browsing on Amazon for free books, I found this one. I enjoyed it until the ending. THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN! Nor horse lovers that like happy endings. It's a good thing it was free, and also that I can't write a note of disapproval to the author.

Soldier Boy is Buffalo Bill's horse, and the book is told partly through his viewpoint, partly in letters from humans and partly with Soldier Boy talking to other animals.

An interesting tale of the old west, with a young girl named Cathy who arrives from Spain and bonds with her beloved Soldier Boy.

I wonder if Twain planned the ending from the get go, or if he just wanted to finish it quickly...and finish off the main characters, too. I'd love to know why he ended the story in such a gruesome way (a bullfight in Spain).

Despite my love of reading about anything equine, I don't recommend this book.

Prepare for Your Summer Riding Program

Now is the time to start planning your summer riding program. If you have been hired as the riding director for a summer camp, teach youngsters at your stable during summer months, or volunteer for a handicapped riding program, learning new skills (or sharpening known ones) will benefit both your students and yourself. Having a fun program, but also a safe one, is the key.

Besides books, there are numerous resources online that assist riding instructors in organizing a program. One site, Ehow.com, has professional submitters send in articles on a variety of subjects. Below, is an article I wrote.

See http://www.ehow.com/how_7881633_organize-summer-riding-program.html

Happy Trails!