Encyclopedia Of The Horse

by Elwyn Hartley Edwards (Editor)

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. With too many wonders close inspection dispels both mystery and joy. Not so with the wonder that is the horse." So begins The Encyclopedia of the Horse , an extraordinary volume devoted to humankind's most essential animal partner. Expertly folding together the evolution of the horse with every major breed and its contribution to civilization, author Elwyn Hartley, editor of Riding magazine for over 18 years and author of 30 books on horses, divides his subject into 10 historically chronological chapters, covering "in words and pictures, the development over 60 million years of the small jungle animal into the various and sophisticated breeds of the 20th century." Beginning with Eohippus, or the Dawn horse, from the Eocene period, Hartley takes the reader on a fascinating journey, stopping along the way to discuss hundreds of notable breeds, including Friesians, Arabians, Andalusians, Thoroughbreds, Shetland and Highland ponies, Mustangs, and Clydesdales. Also interspersed throughout are notable horse-and-rider partnerships, such as El Cid and Babieca, as well as over 1,000 full-color photographs, illustrations, and maps, making this ode to Equus as beautiful as it is fascinating.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals, Reference, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1991

About the author

Captain Elwyn Hartley Edwards, MC, was an equestrian writer and editor, born on 17 April 1927 on a boat between India and Britain, and his birth recorded in North Wales. He died on 9 December 2007, aged 80.

Elwyn Edwards was the editor of Riding magazine for 18 years. And the consultant editor for Horse & Hound for five years, he also served as a regional chairman of the British Horse Society and as a member of the BHS council, receiving the society's Award of Merit in 1993. He was also a vice-president of the Riding for the Disabled Association and vice-patron of the Horse and Pony Protection Association.

He used to regularly judge horse shows in the UK. He had written more than 30 books on horse-related subjects and was an authority on lorinery and saddlery

Reviews

[Gwendolyn Banchero · Rating 5 out of 5]

My parents bought me this book in 1978 when I got my first horse. I was basically alone in learning to ride and to care for my horses. This book helped me immeasurably. It was especially helpful when I learned my mare was about to foal! I had no idea what to do. I was ten years old. I'd had the mare for just under a year, and was suspicious about her round belly. At any rate, I read about birth and rearing/breaking a foal by reading this book. I followed it to the letter. We had regular vet visits and I had other horsey friends, so with all that, my horses did well and were healthy. Can't recommend it enough!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ever Christmas present as a child, I did and still do adore this book!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome for horse lovers. filled with 300+ pages about horses and is very helpful. this book was published over 8+ years ago so it is very old and don't expect it to be at your local book store. If you would like to get this book the best place to look is amazon or e bay. i got mine for 6.00 when the orginal price is 30$ they have great deals on the web for this book. i was blown away when i got it as a library book. i decided i wanted to own it and bought it on e-bay it is a wise and very helpful book! so horse lovers should buy it!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 12-year-old daughter and I have read this from cover to cover several times over, I think. Obviously, it's entertaining for horse lovers and very enlightening. Edwards does, at times, allow his bias against the American world of horses show through every now and then, but, on the whole, I tend to agree with him. This is a must-have book for any age of horse enthusiast!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most favorite book out there. Best Christmas present.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on horses there is. I have several editions! Lovely book to tome to add to your collection.

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The horse-lover deep inside of me has adored this book since I was very young. Still a favorite of mine.

[Sammy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of information about horses. it will surley be on my wish list because I always like to know more about horses than other people.