Sunday, February 28, 2010

Two Horsemanship Books




Both these books are great resources for the first-time horse owner as well as equine trainers and instructors. The authors explain their theories in easy-to-understand language and include many illustrations. Both books were published by Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. in 2009.

Lyons on Horses by renowned trainer, John Lyons, shares his philosophy on horses as well as his successful training methods. As he says in the first line of Chapter One, "I want my horse to be my partner."

Lyons Conditioned-Response Training Program has been utilized (and sometimes modified) by horse trainers for the past decade. He stresses the importance of safety and creating goals, and doesn't believe in restraining devices.

Lyons explains his training methods, from the use of the round pen as a teaching tool, through halter breaking and sacking out, and correcting problems such as unwilling trailer loading. He describes the process to introduce a horse to its first saddling and first ride, and gives exercises for in the arena and on the trail for all levels.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Introduction by Rick Lamb.

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Learning to Ride, Hunt, and Show by Gordon Wright was reprinted at the suggestion of George H. Morris, who was one of Wright's riding students. Love Morris' Intro, too!

I remember reading the first printing of this book back when I was beginning my Unicorn Stables in Salisbury, MD and later I reread it while the Riding Director at Bryn Mawr Summer Camp in northeast, PA. Wright's explanations of equine terminology and proper horsemanship for beginners through advanced were invaluable in my riding programs.

I taught my students the use of the four natural aids, the many types of rein contact, the differences and uses of the two point and three point positions, and the phases of jumping an obstacle - all learned from this book.

The final chapter explains Advanced Horsemanship - such as F.E.I. rules, Fox Hunting and Pony Club tips.






Saturday, February 27, 2010

Online Fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital



For the month of March, I'll be donating 20% of my book sales to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in conjunction with the fundraiser and Ponies & Puppies Young Artist Contest at HITS Horse Show in Ocala, FL on March 14th. See http://authorevents.blogspot.com/

Having lost a son last October to cancer, and a nephew the year before, I firmly believe in cancer research and St. Jude's has a great site and mission statement, as well as a track record of helping numerous patients. See http://www.stjude.org/about to learn more.

About my books - the Beloved Horses series. They are illustrated collections of true short stories.

Beloved School Horses features amazing, inspirational and humorous stories about the horses and riders from my Unicorn Stables (20 years in Salisbury, MD and 5 years in Honesdale, PA) Some stories include: Windfield Farewell, a Morgan Horse who helped a scared Girl Scout earn her equestrian badge; a double amputee Viet Nam vet who rode Knipper just to prove to himself that he was still a cowboy; and Dennis, a gentle horse who made an autistic 6 year-old boy smile for the first time in his life.

When I went on the road in 2004 to market this book, so many other horse owners wanted to share stories of their remarkable equines. So, a series was born. Beloved Horses From Around the Country include inspirational handicapped riding horses, a funny police horse, a wise Belgium trail horse and many special backyard horses.

With Beloved Sport Horses, I interviewed all types of competitors with a variety of breeds and backgrounds. Some riders are famous - Katie Prudent, Carole Fletcher, Lynn Palm, Mary Alice Malone - to name a few. Many are beloved horses of those who enjoy the sport in which they compete, from Western to Eventing, and everything in between.

I'm now interviewing and writing stories for the fourth book in the series - Beloved Horses in Second Careers. It will be released this fall and prepaid orders for it in March will also be included in this fundraiser. This book will have even more stories than the others and the price will be the same at $14.95.

All the stories are enjoyed by readers young and old, and reviews and excerpts of the current books can be read at my publisher's site http://www.BBOTW.com or Amazon.com and search by title.

I also have three mystery novels for Middle Grade and Young Adult readers, and a Beginner Reader book about our Irish Terrier, Woogie. See info on his book at http://woogiestravels.blogspot.com/

Visit my site at http://www.sharonminer.com and print out the Order Form. Mail to me during March and you'll not only receive an autographed copy of wonderful horse stories, but also you'll be helping a worthy cause.

Just e-mail me at sharonminer@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Thanks for your support!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Equine ER



Equine ER is a collection of stories observed at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

This book of true stories by Leslie Guttman is very detailed - with emotions of the owners & vets, background of the patient, blood & guts before & during surgery...not for the reader who wants light reading. Some of the stories are very depressing.

It's quite the eye-opener and makes the reader understand what emergencies concerning horses can amount to, good and bad. And to understand what the dedicated vets face, day to day.

It made me appreciate all veterinarians even more.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Horse Secret



Here's an interesting horse book - not just because of the secret that the main characters' have but also because it is an E-book.

The Horse Secret by Stevan Hoffman and Leslie Martin is a fun adventure with several very unusual horses who are able to understand and speak human language. Reader's are drawn into their escapades both at home and at events such as a parade and a horse show. My favorite horse was young Princess who can't wait to be ridden and loved by children.

This is a fun read especially for young horse lovers who enjoy realistic details about horses mixed with a magical setting.

Visit
http://www.hofmart.com/ to learn more and to order this E-book.