Keeping It Simple

Horse lessons really are like a weekly field trip for us. While I am not sure that we are meant for the country life, we all enjoy hanging out at the stables. I am constantly surprised at how much there is to learn- from how to form the right knot for the right job to which tool to use for which grooming purpose, there is so much detail to learn and remember. And, of course, the safety procedures that probably seem second nature to those who are around horses regularly. It was quite a feat for the younger two boys just to learn to keep attentive to what they are doing at all times.   Yep. Scooping the poop is all part of the deal!   He's not really all that cheerful about it, but, for some reason,  was hamming for the camera.  A job well done!   While the younger two boys were scooping, Paul was riding.   Taking shoes off got a response in a previous post-  these are the shoes.  ...

I know those few who regularly read my blog will find this hard to believe, but I have two more horse books to share with you!! I knew you'd be excited. Magnus at the Fire by Jennifer Armstrong- I was strolling through a hand-crafters boutique when a book with a picture of a magnificent looking horse appeared on a shelf right in front of me. I have no idea what a shelf of used books was doing there, but I snagged the book and it has been a favorite in our home since. Magnus, the fire horse, is forced into retirement with the invention of the much more economical self-propelled fire engines (1906). Much to the fire department's dismay, Magnus is constantly arriving on the scene of the fire and getting in the way.  In true storybook fashion, eventually Magnus is there at the right time and saves the day. While I am not sure that the story of Magnus is a 100% true, it is based in historical fact. The author mentions in a note to th...

 Our stack of "favorite" horse books. We borrowed  many  more! These are the books that my boys (all three of them) decided make the cut as excellent books on horses, donkeys, or mules.   The book pictured  above is one from the "favorite" series (we borrowed 7 from this series). Mark's says with great authority, "It's a very good series!". These books have a nice photograph to text ratio (lots of attractive photos of horses), a "quick fact" page in the front of each book, a history of the horse breed, lots of information on the particular breed, a glossary of terms, and more book recommendations. The book pictured above held particular appeal to my boys as the Appaloosa is an American breed that was developed by the Nez Perces. They are not happy to have to return this series of books to the library.                    ...

Bronco Charlie Rider of the Pony Express by Henry V. Larom :  This true story of an 11 year old boy who rode the Pony Express is met with some skepticism in a few articles I have read. My boys, however, choose to adore this adventurous account of a brave young boy who saved the day by carrying the mail. After a riderless horse arrives in Sacramento, CA with the mail pouches still intact, Charlie volunteers to take the mail on to Placerville in spite of many dangers. Bronco Charlie lived to 105 years old and readers can see a real picture of him (as an older man) in the beginning of this book. The Great Horse-less Carriage Race : A mere 34 years after the Pony Express ended, a new form of transportation was attempting a takeover. In spite of the prediction that it was just a fad, those who wished it otherwise sponsored a race to prove that these new horse-less carriages were a better mode of transportation. This book does a great job of telling this adventerou...

Brave Norman : A True Story A "hard to place" shelter dog finds a home with a loving family. The dog goes blind. In spite of those who say this is too much of a burden, the family keeps their commitment to this dog that they love. In an unexpected turn of events, this "unwanted" dog saves the day at the beach by rescuing a drowning girl!! Really, truly. A true story about a canine hero is the perfect read in James' eyes. Why Do Horses Neigh? This book is leveled for 4-7 year old readers. For James (7yo), a few words needed to be sounded out, but it was just the right difficulty and length for his patience level (which is not very long!). Plus, and this is a big plus when looking for easy reader books, James thought it was interesting. Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends: A True Story Another one from the Pets to the Rescue series. This book gets off to a heart stopping start with Jim and his dogs walking across the frozen lake, and then J...