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Books & Boffins - Essential Reading - Sewell or Surtees - that is the question? |
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 Horsy 'people'... often like a good horsy read. Where do you start?
RideBorders.com has some essential, equine reading tips.
We thought you might enjoy hearing what our local 'horsy' celebrities like to read so on a regular basis we'll be asking our favourite Borderers what they most enjoy.
We'll also be asking them to review books for us and to open our minds to the wealth of equestrian related literature that goes far beyond how to 'pull a mane' properly.
We're also happy to hear of any equestrian books that you'd recommend other Rideborders.com users.
We have our own authors too here in the Borders - with much to offer all of us passionate about horses - so read on!
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"The Reivers": The Story of the Border Reivers by Alistair Moffat |
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All 'RideBorderers' must read 'The Reivers! and we're not the only ones who think so.....
"A most compelling, thought-provoking and entertaining history" - Rosemary Goring - The Herald.
"This is a definitive piece of research, colourfully and humorously written, beautifully illustrated with fine photography and enhanced by a necessary map, dates of the Common Ridings, names of Border families and a selection of evocative Border Ballads." - Scots Magazine.
Only one period in history is immediately, indelibly and uniquely linked to the whole area of the Scottish and English Border Country, and that is the time of the Border Reivers. Nowhere else in Britain in the modern era, or indeed in Europe, did civil order break down over such a wide area, or for such a long time. For more than a century the hoof-beats of countless raiding parties of Border Reivers drummed over the Border. Nowhere else in Britain or
indeed in Europe witnessed the break down of civil order over such a
wide area for such a long time. From Dumfriesshire to the high waste lands of Cumbria, from Roxburghshire to Redesdale, from the lonely valley of Liddelsdale to the fortress city of Carlisle, swords and spears spoke while the law remained silent. These were the 'Riding Times' and have
no parallel in modern European history.
In his book, Kelso born
historian and author Alistair Moffat tells the remarkable story of how
the Reivers made the Borders.
You've seen the video - now read the book!
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New Book review - a must for the loo! |
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'One Hundred Ways for a Horse to Train its Human' by Tina Bettison
This tiny book, priced at £3.50 is a painfully perceptive and wildly hilarious exposee of the horse/human relationship as seen through the eyes of your horse. In the chapter on 'Taking your Human for a Ride,' "Mounting steps," we're told, "are marvellous. "You can have hours of fun moving away from them just as your human reaches the top step." And "Spooking is a highly versatile communication tool." The chapter on 'stable manners' is especially amusing. You'll never be able to look your horse in the eye in quite the same way again, once you've laughed your way through this tirelessly funny little 'training manual!'
Recommended
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 Horse & Rider Fitness - Linda J Purves
So you think that you are fit enough to ride? Well just read this book and see if you still think that you are!! Linda Purves has written a comprehensive guide to fitness for horse and rider in a fascinating book from Quiller Publishing. Illustrated with quality photos and amusing cartoon drawings, she makes the fitness process really sound fun. No visits to the gym are necessary in her plans, only exercises that can be carried out in the course of your daily routine of looking after your horse, although some of them look a bit cringe-making if you are caught out by your friends!!
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 Until recently, says Hilary, I'd always had mature sensible horses but life has changed dramatically for the better since the arrival at age 4, (or was it really 3?) and now aged 6 (or is it really 5? ), of Fearless Fred our, intelligent kind and forgiving, Irish hooligan. Fred is constantly teaching me about horsemanship, relationships and riding but giving me loads of love, fun and confidence at the same time. I am so grateful for the natural horsemanship training methods that I have used with Freddie as with these I have forged a wonderful bond such that I have never had with any other horse.
I've chosen to review Centered Riding by Sally Swift and I hope this book will inspire other riders in the way it has inspired me.
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 Prolific author of historical novels, Liz Taylor from Melrose, whose astonishing high jinks while hunting with the Buccleuch as a child will doubtlessly be legendary one day!
Hellish dark and smells of cheese!
When we were growing up in Earlston, this was the answer my brother and I often gave if an unsuspecting adult asked what the weather was like outside.
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