Horsewatching: Why does a horse whinny and everything else you ever wanted to know [Hardcover]

Desmond Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 1989

The author of the phenomenally successful Catwatching, Dogwatching, and Catlore turns his attention to horses, answering more than 40 intriguing questions about the nature of the horse, and discussing the myths and history of horses through the ages. Desmond Morris delights animal lovers once again in this book of facts and lore. 25 black-and-white drawings.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Compared to The Naked Ape, the . . . Watching books (previous titles examined cats and dogs) are a step backwards for Morris. The title in hand offers questions and answers about the physiology and behavior of horses plus horse lore. Morris tells us that the horse's eye is one of the largest in the animal kingdom--bigger than the eye of the elephant or whale--and concludes that horses are nocturnal animals. On the subject of feeding, he notes that horses cannot vomit, that their natural feeding behavior is endless, varied grazing, that they are low-grade food specialists. There is material on cold-bloods, hot-bloods and breeds (207, of which 67 are ponies, 36 working horses, 104 sports horses). Discussing human-horse relationships, Morris states the secret of equine appeal is that the animal slaves for us while still looking noble. Illustrated.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

The author of the phenomenally successful Catwatching, Dogwatching, and Catlore turns his attention to horses, answering more than 40 intriguing questions about the nature of the horse, and discussing the myths and history of horses through the ages. Desmond Morris delights animal lovers once again in this book of facts and lore. 25 black-and-white drawings.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Crown (April 13, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517572672
• ISBN-13: 978-0517572672
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Desmond Morris was born in 1928. Educated at Birmingham and Oxford universities, he became the Curator of Mammals at London Zoo in 1959, a post he held for eight years.

In 1967 he published The Naked Ape which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and has changed the way we view our own species forever.

An accomplished artist, TV presenter, film maker and writer, Desmond Morris's books have been published in over thirty-six countries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is OK, December 21, 1999

By 

Gina Mesiti-Miller (CALI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horsewatching: Why does a horse whinny and everything else you ever wanted to know (Hardcover)

This book has an interesting look at a horses behavior, but i felt that it lacked depth and a true understanding of what a horse is really like. Morris attempted explanations on why horses whinny, shake their head, and what their body language means, but it is more of a textbook answer than real experiences. I have been around horses my whole life, and some of these things Morris says are true some of the time. It is a good supplement to why a horse behaves the way he does, as long as you can add in your own interpretations.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Novicewatching, April 21, 2001

By 

"jeancody" (Southwest Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horsewatching: Why does a horse whinny and everything else you ever wanted to know (Hardcover)

Mr. Desmond's book displays near complete inexperience with hroses. I wonder if he's even ridden a horse before. Furthermore, I thought the book was actually geared more towards children rather than adults. He has interesting facts here and there, but that's all I can say about it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars HorseWatching- For The Inexperienced Horse Person, May 15, 2004

By 

Anna Noelle Richards (Snoqualmie, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horsewatching: Why does a horse whinny and everything else you ever wanted to know (Hardcover)

In "Horse Watching" Desmond Morris explains in adequate detail some of the lesser thought aspects when it comes to horses. Such questions as "Why does a horse whinny?" are answered in this injustly named book. When you read the front cover, the critics and publishers give Morris far too much credit for a book suitable for 8-12 year olds. Yes, this book is fantastic for the new equestrian, but no, for the older and/or more experienced person, this book wouldn't be of much help.

Because of the fact Desmond Morris has written so many books about various animals, it indicates that he most likely has no or limited experience with horses, and textbooks and research filled the pages, not actual experience and raw knowledge.
Thanks for reading my review!

Yours Truly,
Anna
The Equestrian Critique :)