Guide to the Horses of the World

by Caroline Silver

Probably the most comprehensive single-volume guide to horse breeds available. It covers horses from all over the world: from Shetlnad ponies to thoroughbred racehorses, from Polish Tarpans, relics of the Ice Age, to Viennese Lippanzers. Over 200 breeds area described, most illustrated from specially commissioned studies. Included is a brief history of the horse, and useful information on horse buying, management and care. The author is an experienced horsewoman and one of the first British women to hold a jockey's permit.

Genres: Animals

Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive and informative guide to the different breeds of horses found across the world including notes on their origins and original purposes and how they are suited to various modern day tasks and leisure activities. There is also a useful section on the different groups of horse (i.e. cob, racer etc.), what these include and what they are used for in case the breed you want to know about isn't included.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own at least 5 different books detailing the history of the horse and describing the various breeds found around the world. This particular volume is nearly pocket sized, but hardcover. The number of breeds included here make it truly worldwide coverage, from lesser known breeds such as the Falabella, Landais, and Jaf to the wildly popular Thoroughbred and Arabian breeds. On the other hand, the author's tone is brisk and I found it less inviting than some of the other general horse books that I own.

The book is broken down into the following sections: History of the Breed, Care and Management, General Points (such as distinguishing markings and a glossary of terms), Pony Breeds, Horse Breeds, and a full index. There are full color illustrations sprinkled throughout that picture different breeds, pieces of equipment, and riding disciplines. There are some detailed illustrations that teach the reader the parts of the horse. Each breed is introduced with statistics such as origin, height, and characteristics, then described through a summary narrative that details the breed's history and usefulness. Within the narrative, breeding and cross-breeding are examined, and often famous horse(s), including foundation sires, and owner(s) of that breed are called out and their stories related. The detailed history included for many of the breeds is the true gem of this book.

There were a few entries that I thought odd - these are when a breed is inexplicably described within another entry instead of meriting an entry of its own (such as how information about the Pottok is combined into the entry of another French pony, the Landais). It was also never really clear to me in what order the breeds were set. The order of breeds in both the pony and horse sections appears haphazard, neither alphabetical nor geographical in nature.

[Megan]

it is very informational.

[Hildegart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book to go through. It has breeds of horses from all over the world. Just open the book to any page and information abounds.

[H. Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles of Han Storm Book Club Read

A very informative book with beautiful painted pictures of most horse breeds.