John R. reviewed Horsewoman? on 11/25/2008 + 22 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

I am always leery to read equine-related works because it is difficult for an author to portray horsemanship if they haven't been thoroughly immersed in it. This book does relatively well, but it is written much from an observer's perspective, not from someone who would have actually competed or ridden extensively. Small faults, such as the heroine riding dressage (the word means "training") in JEANS, give this away. (English riders always ride in either jodhpurs or breeches, both of which are tight-fitting and, typically, either tan (for normal work) or white (for competition). Jeans KILL you in the saddle when you're riding long-distance or actively. Other things, such as referring to Cross-Country portion of the Three Day Event as the Endurance event is obviously just misinformed. Some of her horse's actions I have never seen portrayed in other equines (although I have ridden in English events, and worked during the summer on a Colorado horse ranch, as well as having my own horses used for REAL endurance riding), such as "protectiveness" of their particular "master," although aggression in stallions is normal. Horses can prefer women over men, and vice versa, but it is more to do with body language (men tend to be aggressive, women less so) than a particular "thing" the horse has about individual sexes.

I also imagine that the clandestine officers of the various worldwide intelligence services would have something to say about the hero, as well; but I'm not qualified.

I would recommend this for someone not knowledgeable about horses; the mistakes just get a rider bogged down.

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