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Horse Crazy: Girls and the Lives of Horses
Horse Crazy explores the meaning behind the love between girls and horses. Jean O'Malley Halley, a self-professed "horse girl," contends that this relationship and its cultural signifiers influence the manner in which young girls define their identity when it comes to gender. Halley examines how popular culture, including the "pony book" genre, uses horses to encourage conformity to gender norms but also insists that the loving relationship between a girl and a horse fundamentally challenges sexist and mainstream ideas of girlhood.
Horse Crazy looks at the relationships between girls and horses through the frameworks of Michel Foucault's concepts of normalization and biopower, drawing conclusions about the way girls' agency is both normalized and resistant to normalization. Segments of Halley's own experiences with horses as a young girl, as well as experiences from the perspective of other girls, are sources for examination. "Horsey girls," as she calls them, are girls who find a way to defy the expectations given to them by society--thinness, obsession with makeup and beauty, frailty--and gain the possibility of freedom in the process.
Drawing on Nicole Shukin's uses of animal capital theories, Halley also explores the varied treatment of horses themselves as an example of the biopolitical use of nonhuman animals and the manipulation and exploitation of horse life. In so doing she engages with common ways we think and feel about animals and with the technologies of speciesism.
Horse Crazy looks at the relationships between girls and horses through the frameworks of Michel Foucault's concepts of normalization and biopower, drawing conclusions about the way girls' agency is both normalized and resistant to normalization. Segments of Halley's own experiences with horses as a young girl, as well as experiences from the perspective of other girls, are sources for examination. "Horsey girls," as she calls them, are girls who find a way to defy the expectations given to them by society--thinness, obsession with makeup and beauty, frailty--and gain the possibility of freedom in the process.
Drawing on Nicole Shukin's uses of animal capital theories, Halley also explores the varied treatment of horses themselves as an example of the biopolitical use of nonhuman animals and the manipulation and exploitation of horse life. In so doing she engages with common ways we think and feel about animals and with the technologies of speciesism.
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First published July 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 4, 2020
This book didn’t quite give me what I was looking for. I was hoping to get a history that would explain how horses transitioned from the realm of the masculine to the feminine in American culture. I do feel like I got a sense of that, but the dots weren’t really connected in this book the way i would have liked. This felt more like a dissertation on horse loving girls from a horse-loving woman. While I found her personal history interesting, it wasn’t what I thought I signed up for.
I did appreciate learning about horse literature in the U.S. and England, especially the distinction that the trend of the young horse loving protagonist being female started in British literature, while they were mostly male in American literature. As horses became less useful with the advent of cars, they came to represent more leisurely activities, brining a love for them into the realm of women. According to the author, as horse love became feminized, the women who love them are slightly masculinized, if only by claiming a sense of freedom and physical power they couldn’t claim without the horse. I really appreciated the perspective of disabled people who love horses, especially the examples of physically disabled people who felt the presence of the horse erased their disability and made them equal with everyone else. It was also interesting to contemplate horse-riding as a sport in which women can be equal, if not superior competitors with men. I wish the book had been written a little differently, but I ultimately enjoyed it.
I did appreciate learning about horse literature in the U.S. and England, especially the distinction that the trend of the young horse loving protagonist being female started in British literature, while they were mostly male in American literature. As horses became less useful with the advent of cars, they came to represent more leisurely activities, brining a love for them into the realm of women. According to the author, as horse love became feminized, the women who love them are slightly masculinized, if only by claiming a sense of freedom and physical power they couldn’t claim without the horse. I really appreciated the perspective of disabled people who love horses, especially the examples of physically disabled people who felt the presence of the horse erased their disability and made them equal with everyone else. It was also interesting to contemplate horse-riding as a sport in which women can be equal, if not superior competitors with men. I wish the book had been written a little differently, but I ultimately enjoyed it.
August 4, 2019
Why do girls love horses?
On the surface, it seems like a simple question: Why do girls love horses? I’ve often wondered this throughout my life, but few people have stopped to consider this cultural phenomenon beyond simple established gender norms. Reading Horse Crazy was refreshing because I felt as if someone was finally taking my questions seriously. Often, issues related to women (including women writers and women’s interest) are overlooked.
Halley begins with a history of the horse starting all the way back in prehistoric times. Then, she provides a cultural survey of horses and horse literature. She also explores how writing about horses, as well as a love of horses in general, has helped to forge a space where women are able to express themselves free from the male gaze.
According to Halley, defining oneself as “horse crazy,” allows a third option for girls who may not normally within the confines of society. While modern feminism often argues that women find fulfillment in the workforce and modern conservatism argues that women should find fulfillment through raising children and homemaking, being horse crazy, provides a third option. In this option, women are able to find fulfillment simply from the enjoyment of life through the experience of riding and forging a relationship with another creature.
My mother taught me to love horses.
Growing up, I have vivid memories of my mother’s deep and passionate love for horses. Some of my mother’s fondest memories of her own childhood were the many hours that she spent on horseback. For a variety of reasons, I was not able to have my own horse when I was young. Instead, I had a tiny wooden stable (made by my grandfather) where my Breyer horses lived in stalls along side My Little Ponies.
I learned to love horses because my mother loved horses. Then, years later, when I was in seventh grade, my mother was able to afford for me to take horseback riding lessons. The minute I saw the beautiful and majestic animals up close, I was in love. As my own story shows, the love of horses can be a bond that helps to hold multiple generations together.
But why are so many girls horse crazy?
As an adult, I’ve worked with children in an educational environment. Without fail, there are always young girls who are infatuated with horses. I became even more curious because I slowly realized that many of these young girls who loved horses and unicorns had never even had the opportunity to ride an actual horse.
Reading Halley’s book was refreshing because it felt as if I finally had the opportunity to sit down with a well spoken and very well educated friend and talk through these questions. She uses stories from her own personal history with horses (some of which made me cry) as well as different sociological and psychological frameworks. She also shares results from an interview she conducted with self-identified “horse crazy,” women. The results, especially the way “horse crazy,” impacts members of the disability community, were fascinating.
I recommend Horse Crazy for any animal lover who enjoys reading college level text books. If you’re a giant nerd like me who also happens to love horses, this book will be perfect for you!
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and options are my own.
On the surface, it seems like a simple question: Why do girls love horses? I’ve often wondered this throughout my life, but few people have stopped to consider this cultural phenomenon beyond simple established gender norms. Reading Horse Crazy was refreshing because I felt as if someone was finally taking my questions seriously. Often, issues related to women (including women writers and women’s interest) are overlooked.
Halley begins with a history of the horse starting all the way back in prehistoric times. Then, she provides a cultural survey of horses and horse literature. She also explores how writing about horses, as well as a love of horses in general, has helped to forge a space where women are able to express themselves free from the male gaze.
According to Halley, defining oneself as “horse crazy,” allows a third option for girls who may not normally within the confines of society. While modern feminism often argues that women find fulfillment in the workforce and modern conservatism argues that women should find fulfillment through raising children and homemaking, being horse crazy, provides a third option. In this option, women are able to find fulfillment simply from the enjoyment of life through the experience of riding and forging a relationship with another creature.
My mother taught me to love horses.
Growing up, I have vivid memories of my mother’s deep and passionate love for horses. Some of my mother’s fondest memories of her own childhood were the many hours that she spent on horseback. For a variety of reasons, I was not able to have my own horse when I was young. Instead, I had a tiny wooden stable (made by my grandfather) where my Breyer horses lived in stalls along side My Little Ponies.
I learned to love horses because my mother loved horses. Then, years later, when I was in seventh grade, my mother was able to afford for me to take horseback riding lessons. The minute I saw the beautiful and majestic animals up close, I was in love. As my own story shows, the love of horses can be a bond that helps to hold multiple generations together.
But why are so many girls horse crazy?
As an adult, I’ve worked with children in an educational environment. Without fail, there are always young girls who are infatuated with horses. I became even more curious because I slowly realized that many of these young girls who loved horses and unicorns had never even had the opportunity to ride an actual horse.
Reading Halley’s book was refreshing because it felt as if I finally had the opportunity to sit down with a well spoken and very well educated friend and talk through these questions. She uses stories from her own personal history with horses (some of which made me cry) as well as different sociological and psychological frameworks. She also shares results from an interview she conducted with self-identified “horse crazy,” women. The results, especially the way “horse crazy,” impacts members of the disability community, were fascinating.
I recommend Horse Crazy for any animal lover who enjoys reading college level text books. If you’re a giant nerd like me who also happens to love horses, this book will be perfect for you!
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and options are my own.
September 2, 2019
Pony books for horse crazy girls are an incredible genre... as Jean O’Malley Halley’s book Horse Crazy: Girls and the Lives of Horses explores. How the horse-girl relationship can empower children, young adults and even adults is explored throughout the chapters of Halley’s book. Read more at http://equus-blog.com/horse-crazy-by-...
August 25, 2019
I remember while growing up, always having a girl or two in each class at school that was crazy about horses. I would catch them doodling, drawing or reading about horses. However, I did not understand their love of horses at all.
Ms. Halley, the author, describes her relationship with her father and how one day he surprises her by giving her a horse, for no reason at all. She experiences real-love by caring, riding, and spending as much time with her horse as possible. The author provides many detailed accounts as to how beneficial it is for girls to be infatuated with these beautiful, magnificent mammals. To a person without experience, simply the size of a horse can be very intimidating. A woman/girl can feel a sense of power, freedom, and being bigger and stronger because of horses.
While I did not agree with everything that Ms. Halley mentions in her book, there sure were a lot of interesting perspectives, with research to back them up. To me, it read a little like a research essay in parts, and was a little on the "heavy" side, with much concentration required to understand everything mentioned.
There is a section on horse history and evolution; which was very interesting. An incredible amount of research went into this book. Even a person (like myself) that is not crazy about horses will enjoy the stories in this book immensely.
The author interviewed many girls and women. I found the chapter called "Life, Death and Rescue" very touching and felt very emotional while reading about the death of the horses mentioned. I became very angry and frustrated about the practice of shipping horses to Mexico and Canada in order to be slaughtered. I can't believe this actually happens in this day and age. Humans can be so cruel. Very disturbing information.
There are girls that have never been near a real horse. Instead they play with toy horses such as My Little Pony. Even though they are limited in the experiences they gain from this; i.e. no cleaning manure, or taking care of a sick or injured animal; it is still a great way for them to learn to love horses.
For me, this was such an interesting book. Thank you to Ms. Halley for sending me an autographed copy of this book, which I received as a prize through Goodreads. I am so glad I read it!
Ms. Halley, the author, describes her relationship with her father and how one day he surprises her by giving her a horse, for no reason at all. She experiences real-love by caring, riding, and spending as much time with her horse as possible. The author provides many detailed accounts as to how beneficial it is for girls to be infatuated with these beautiful, magnificent mammals. To a person without experience, simply the size of a horse can be very intimidating. A woman/girl can feel a sense of power, freedom, and being bigger and stronger because of horses.
While I did not agree with everything that Ms. Halley mentions in her book, there sure were a lot of interesting perspectives, with research to back them up. To me, it read a little like a research essay in parts, and was a little on the "heavy" side, with much concentration required to understand everything mentioned.
There is a section on horse history and evolution; which was very interesting. An incredible amount of research went into this book. Even a person (like myself) that is not crazy about horses will enjoy the stories in this book immensely.
The author interviewed many girls and women. I found the chapter called "Life, Death and Rescue" very touching and felt very emotional while reading about the death of the horses mentioned. I became very angry and frustrated about the practice of shipping horses to Mexico and Canada in order to be slaughtered. I can't believe this actually happens in this day and age. Humans can be so cruel. Very disturbing information.
There are girls that have never been near a real horse. Instead they play with toy horses such as My Little Pony. Even though they are limited in the experiences they gain from this; i.e. no cleaning manure, or taking care of a sick or injured animal; it is still a great way for them to learn to love horses.
For me, this was such an interesting book. Thank you to Ms. Halley for sending me an autographed copy of this book, which I received as a prize through Goodreads. I am so glad I read it!
Read
March 13, 2019Jean O. Halley
ΦBK, Colorado College, 1989
Author
From the publisher: Horse Crazy explores the meaning behind the love between girls and horses. Jean O'Malley Halley, a self-professed "horse girl," contends that this relationship and its cultural signifiers influence the manner in which young girls define their identity when it comes to gender. Halley examines how popular culture, including the "pony book" genre, uses horses to encourage conformity to gender norms but also insists that the loving relationship between a girl and a horse fundamentally challenges sexist and mainstream ideas of girlhood.
Horse Crazy looks at the relationships between girls and horses through the frameworks of Michel Foucault's concepts of normalization and biopower, drawing conclusions about the way girls' agency is both normalized and resistant to normalization. Segments of Halley's own experiences with horses as a young girl, as well as experiences from the perspective of other girls, are sources for examination. "Horsey girls," as she calls them, are girls who find a way to defy the expectations given to them by society--thinness, obsession with makeup and beauty, frailty--and gain the possibility of freedom in the process.
Drawing on Nicole Shukin's uses of animal capital theories, Halley also explores the varied treatment of horses themselves as an example of the biopolitical use of nonhuman animals and the manipulation and exploitation of horse life. In so doing she engages with common ways we think and feel about animals and with the technologies of speciesism.
ΦBK, Colorado College, 1989
Author
From the publisher: Horse Crazy explores the meaning behind the love between girls and horses. Jean O'Malley Halley, a self-professed "horse girl," contends that this relationship and its cultural signifiers influence the manner in which young girls define their identity when it comes to gender. Halley examines how popular culture, including the "pony book" genre, uses horses to encourage conformity to gender norms but also insists that the loving relationship between a girl and a horse fundamentally challenges sexist and mainstream ideas of girlhood.
Horse Crazy looks at the relationships between girls and horses through the frameworks of Michel Foucault's concepts of normalization and biopower, drawing conclusions about the way girls' agency is both normalized and resistant to normalization. Segments of Halley's own experiences with horses as a young girl, as well as experiences from the perspective of other girls, are sources for examination. "Horsey girls," as she calls them, are girls who find a way to defy the expectations given to them by society--thinness, obsession with makeup and beauty, frailty--and gain the possibility of freedom in the process.
Drawing on Nicole Shukin's uses of animal capital theories, Halley also explores the varied treatment of horses themselves as an example of the biopolitical use of nonhuman animals and the manipulation and exploitation of horse life. In so doing she engages with common ways we think and feel about animals and with the technologies of speciesism.
August 4, 2019
Why do girls love horses?
On the surface, it seems like a simple question: Why do girls love horses? I’ve often wondered this throughout my life, but few people have stopped to consider this cultural phenomenon beyond simple established gender norms. Reading Horse Crazy was refreshing because I felt as if someone was finally taking my questions seriously. Often, issues related to women (including women writers and women’s interest) are overlooked.
Halley begins with a history of the horse starting all the way back in prehistoric times. Then, she provides a cultural survey of horses and horse literature. She also explores how writing about horses, as well as a love of horses in general, has helped to forge a space where women are able to express themselves free from the male gaze.
According to Halley, defining oneself as “horse crazy,” allows a third option for girls who may not normally within the confines of society. While modern feminism often argues that women find fulfillment in the workforce and modern conservatism argues that women should find fulfillment through raising children and homemaking, being horse crazy, provides a third option. In this option, women are able to find fulfillment simply from the enjoyment of life through the experience of riding and forging a relationship with another creature.
My mother taught me to love horses.
Growing up, I have vivid memories of my mother’s deep and passionate love for horses. Some of my mother’s fondest memories of her own childhood were the many hours that she spent on horseback. For a variety of reasons, I was not able to have my own horse when I was young. Instead, I had a tiny wooden stable (made by my grandfather) where my Breyer horses lived in stalls along side My Little Ponies.
I learned to love horses because my mother loved horses. Then, years later, when I was in seventh grade, my mother was able to afford for me to take horseback riding lessons. The minute I saw the beautiful and majestic animals up close, I was in love. As my own story shows, the love of horses can be a bond that helps to hold multiple generations together.
But why are so many girls horse crazy?
As an adult, I’ve worked with children in an educational environment. Without fail, there are always young girls who are infatuated with horses. I became even more curious because I slowly realized that many of these young girls who loved horses and unicorns had never even had the opportunity to ride an actual horse.
Reading Halley’s book was refreshing because it felt as if I finally had the opportunity to sit down with a well spoken and very well educated friend and talk through these questions. She uses stories from her own personal history with horses (some of which made me cry) as well as different sociological and psychological frameworks. She also shares results from an interview she conducted with self-identified “horse crazy,” women. The results, especially the way “horse crazy,” impacts members of the disability community, were fascinating.
I recommend Horse Crazy for any animal lover who enjoys reading college level text books. If you’re a giant nerd like me who also happens to love horses, this book will be perfect for you!
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and options are my own.
On the surface, it seems like a simple question: Why do girls love horses? I’ve often wondered this throughout my life, but few people have stopped to consider this cultural phenomenon beyond simple established gender norms. Reading Horse Crazy was refreshing because I felt as if someone was finally taking my questions seriously. Often, issues related to women (including women writers and women’s interest) are overlooked.
Halley begins with a history of the horse starting all the way back in prehistoric times. Then, she provides a cultural survey of horses and horse literature. She also explores how writing about horses, as well as a love of horses in general, has helped to forge a space where women are able to express themselves free from the male gaze.
According to Halley, defining oneself as “horse crazy,” allows a third option for girls who may not normally within the confines of society. While modern feminism often argues that women find fulfillment in the workforce and modern conservatism argues that women should find fulfillment through raising children and homemaking, being horse crazy, provides a third option. In this option, women are able to find fulfillment simply from the enjoyment of life through the experience of riding and forging a relationship with another creature.
My mother taught me to love horses.
Growing up, I have vivid memories of my mother’s deep and passionate love for horses. Some of my mother’s fondest memories of her own childhood were the many hours that she spent on horseback. For a variety of reasons, I was not able to have my own horse when I was young. Instead, I had a tiny wooden stable (made by my grandfather) where my Breyer horses lived in stalls along side My Little Ponies.
I learned to love horses because my mother loved horses. Then, years later, when I was in seventh grade, my mother was able to afford for me to take horseback riding lessons. The minute I saw the beautiful and majestic animals up close, I was in love. As my own story shows, the love of horses can be a bond that helps to hold multiple generations together.
But why are so many girls horse crazy?
As an adult, I’ve worked with children in an educational environment. Without fail, there are always young girls who are infatuated with horses. I became even more curious because I slowly realized that many of these young girls who loved horses and unicorns had never even had the opportunity to ride an actual horse.
Reading Halley’s book was refreshing because it felt as if I finally had the opportunity to sit down with a well spoken and very well educated friend and talk through these questions. She uses stories from her own personal history with horses (some of which made me cry) as well as different sociological and psychological frameworks. She also shares results from an interview she conducted with self-identified “horse crazy,” women. The results, especially the way “horse crazy,” impacts members of the disability community, were fascinating.
I recommend Horse Crazy for any animal lover who enjoys reading college level text books. If you’re a giant nerd like me who also happens to love horses, this book will be perfect for you!
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and options are my own.
July 24, 2019
Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews