First Pony ¦ Grooming and Stable Management

Here are two well-conceived and skilfully delivered titles of an eventual four-book series on horse and pony care.

First Pony emphasises the importance of realising the responsibilities involved in the whole business before-getting hock-deep in it, and of getting the right pony for the right owner. From initial selection and housing, through settlling in to behaviour problems, the advice offered is clear and the message of 'don't go for it if you can't stick with it' ever recurrent.

Grooming and Stable Management amplifies in technical detail the messages about hard graft. Elementary grassland care and stable fire prevention join the more predictable muck-management, feeding and farriery, grooming and housing in the list of subjects upon which good and fuss-free advice is given.

The responsibilities of proper horse-stewardship are great and many instructors will testify that they can influence other aspects of young people's lives to their benefit. A pity, then, that such responsibilities are all too often glossed over by the pulp pony fiction still treasured faute de mieux by many of today's young horse lovers. Here is better in good measure and presented in a way that is easy to assimilate. Let us hope that the forthcoming Jumping and Showing carry on the good work.