The Ultimate Horse Lover: The Best Experts' Guide for a Happy, Healthy Horse with Stories and Photos of Awe-Inspiring Equines

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (12/08) I knew very little about horses, therefore decided to review this book. Being part of a series (Dog Lover, Cat Lover) I previously reviewed, I knew I would be in for a treat reading this book. Needless to say, it was a treat - an incredible treat. There are so many things I had no idea about when it comes to horses. Although the stories are very touching, it was also an educational read for me. Alluding to the fact that horses are not different than cats and dogs I'm familiar with, it ceases to amaze me they basically are no different when it comes to unconditional love, loyalty and friendship. The deeper I got into the book, the more enlightened I became. The same as the other books in the series, "The Ultimate Horse Lover" also has photographs of horses and a "must-know" section. This section covers areas such as saddle placement, care of feet, taking photographs, and how to calm a spooked horse. I highly recommend "The Ultimate Horse Lover" to all horse-lovers. However, I also recommend this book to people that aren't familiar with horses because they will certainly come away more knowledgeable as well as heart-touched.

This collection of stories and photographs highlight the myriad relationships between horses and their owners. Whether these stories are captured in text with real stories or in photos, each vignette brings a respite from everyday life; offering the reader an escape into the wonderful world of horses and their unique personalities. Different writers, different photographers all bring their unique perspectives. There is something for everyone in this book. Enjoy!

I'm the lead photographer and a contributing writer for The Ultimate Horse Lover. I wrote one chapter about my beloved and recently departed horse Alibar and one chapter about how to photograph horses. You'll recognize many of my favorite equine images that I've taken over the past two years, plus the work of many other talented writers and photographers. The Ultimate Horse Lover is a collection of stories about horses, tips on horse care, and full-page color photos of beautiful horses. I love the variety and fresh feel to it- there are up-to-date chapters about saddle fit, nutrition, and behavior. I remember spending my entire childhood poring over horse books- this is one of those books! Some stories will make you smile and some will make you shed a tear- they are all written from the heart. It was a pleasure to work with this group of people- they are the team that put together the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. This is a fantastic gift for horse lovers of all ages and disciplines.