Wild Horses I Have Known [Hardcover]

Hope Ryden (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Naturalist Hope Ryden's stunning photographs accompany clear, conversational essays telling of her observations and experiences as she tracked the mustangs of the West. Wild horses evolved and roamed in North America until becoming extinct ten thousand years ago. Not until the early sixteenth century, when the conquistadors brought tough mounts to carry them as they explore what is now Mexico and the Southwest, did the horse reappear on American soil. Hope Ryden describes how the Plains Indians adopted the horse, which transformed their culture. But many of their horses escaped into the wild and reverted to primitive behaviors-such as forming tight-knit social groups with complicated social hierarchies-that enabled them to thrive and survive. Horse lovers and history buffs, as well as all who relish a good true-life adventure, will be fascinated and moved by this compelling portrait of a national treasure. Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-This fascinating photo-essay is a study of the wild mustangs of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range located along the Wyoming-Montana border. Ryden has spent years observing these horses, and this book is a tribute to their spirit and beauty. As the author lovingly describes the actions and behaviors of individual animals, she affords readers a real voyage into their everyday lives. She discusses where wild horses came from, what happened to them during westward expansion in this century and the last, grazing rights, and land-use issues. Explanations of the animals' complex social structures and survival methods are greatly enhanced by the stunning, full-color photography. Single- and sometimes double-page photos appear in sections after each chapter; they range from close-up shots of a mother and foal to broader perspectives with breathtaking background vistas. The last chapter describes the colors and markings found in wild horses, complete with photographs. Libraries that own Alvin Silverstein's The Mustang (Millbrook, 1997) will still want to purchase this one for its far superior pictures and riveting text.
Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-Based on three decades of observation, Ryden shares her thoughts about the origins, nature, and habits of wild mustangs. The grace and spirit of these free-roaming creatures are beautifully captured in her striking photos.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (March 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395775205
• ISBN-13: 978-0395775202
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,395,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done!, July 26, 2000

By 

Freedom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Horses I Have Known (Hardcover)

Hope Ryden has done an excellent job on her book. Beautiful pictures of horses are every where in this book. Hope has followed several herds of wild mustangs and observed their behavor. I am amazed at her knowledge of these horses and she has shared it with us in her book. Meet The Black King-the undisputed leader of his harem defend his mares against other stallions and the Bandidos. Read about Hope's narrow escapes and her funniest moments. Young and old will love reading this book over and over and gazing for hours at the beautiful pictures.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful companion book to "America's Last Wild Horses", February 15, 2006

By 

appaloosa (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Horses I Have Known (Hardcover)

Beautifully laid out & photographed.

Remarkable photographs by a remarkable woman. The author has spent the majority of her life documenting the last remaining herds of wild mustangs along the Wyoming-Montana Pryor Mountain range.

The last few pages in the book feature wonderful photographs of the various colours of these mustangs, from grulla, to medicine hat pinto, to buckskin, cremello, blue roan, etc - followed by text and commentary by the author describing these colours.

This is the companion book to the author's previous release: "America's Last Wild Horses".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wild Horses I Have Known, May 18, 2009

By 

Jessica A. Fry (pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wild Horses I Have Known (Hardcover)

I found this book well worth the value I paid for it ($6ppd). It's a small book, but laid out well with lots of interesting reading about mustangs. I do like the pictures, there are many interesting colors presented, instead of your same old bays and greys.