3: Not the best horse story I've ever reviewed
As a horsewoman and published author of horse stories for middle-grade readers, I was dismayed at the number of factual errors in this book and the often inappropriate behavior of both humans and horses.Some examples: Tom's been riding for only 2 years, not nearly long enough to qualify for open jumping events. In reality, he'd be in walk, trot, canter over fences, no more than two feet high. The story takes place in mid-summer. The horse's winter coat would be long gone; therefore, no need to discuss clipping him out. Tom and Nick buy a gray mare at a sale. Nick estimates she's about 3, then gives Tom a leg up onto the mare's back. What responsible riding instructor would put a student on an unknown horse's back? They go for a ride; Nick calls for a canter, and Tom 'crouches' over Chancey's back. Good riders don't 'crouch' at a canter. They sit deep in the saddle with a straight back. At one point, Tom 'sprang' into the saddle. Makes him sound like a kangaroo. Tom often rides the horse hard, cantering over fences, then puts him away without cooling him off first; or worse, feeding him immediately after riding. Once, he interrupted a horse's feed (grain) to ride it at a gallop. It's a miracle it didn't colic. And then Tom, mounted on Feather whom he's barely ridden, wins the open jumping class as a prestigous horse show, beating a class of 100+ experienced riders. I could go on, but suffice it to say, if this so-called educational publisher wants to produce quality horse stories for children that will help teach them about the right way to handle horses and ponies, they should take a good look at this sub-standard series and reconsider continuing its publication.
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