From Library Journal
YA-Wonderfully clear, precise, and easy to follow, this book is directed toward European horse lovers, but reads as if written for American riders as well. Many beautiful and illustrative photos as well as diagrams clarify the text. Terminology necessary to understand the various types of horses is first covered, including pithy descriptions of "warmbloods," "coldbloods," and horse profiles. Each breed is succinctly characterized by its origin, height, color, character, appearance, applications, action, and special remarks delineating unusual traits. Each section of the animal's anatomy is clearly described and illustrated. An appendix provides details about the "founding sire" or parent stallion for particular breeds, information not normally found in books on horses. This title isso well done that even YAs with little interest in these animals are likely to be captivated.
Carol DeAngelo, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
This is the English-language edition of a fact-filled guide to the world of horses, originally published in The Netherlands. There are two main sections: one covering breeds of horses and the other dealing with the care of the horse and equestrian activities. Fifty breeds of horses and ponies are described in terms of their origins and physical characteristics. A color photograph accompanies the description of each breed. The section on breeds is followed by "Caring for Horses and Equestrian Sports," which includes an explanation of confirmation points, charts illustrating colors, leg and facial markings, and habits and characteristics of specific breeds. There are definitions of equestrian terms as well as sections on equipment, feeding, grooming, hoof care, equine diseases and disorders, and stable requirements. Training and riding basics, dressage terminology and exercises, show jumping, and driving are covered.
Although the focus of the book is European, there is a chapter on Western riding; and North American breeds are included. An appendix lists foundation sires and other well-know sires, and there is an alphabetical index.
The encyclopedia does a good job of covering the broad spectrum of information of interest to horse lovers. Although The Horse Encyclopedia is not as lavishly illustrated as Dorling Kindersley's Encyclopedia of the Horse [RBB D 1 94], almost all of the short but informative descriptions and explanations are accompanied by photographs, and young readers especially will find the format appealing. Both International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds and International Encyclopedia of Horses and Ponies [both RBB N 1 95] cover more breeds, while The Horse Dictionary [RBB N 1 95] covers more related terms. The Horse Encyclopedia is recommended for school and public libraries needing another resource on the topic.
