Author Juliet Blaxland's latest book 'The House Pony: An ABC of Horsemanship' gives young readers a whistle-stop guide to horsecare, via beautiful illustrations and a humorous story
“Please may the motorway pony come and live in the house, Aunt Jelly?” asked Tuttyhead. “Of course he can. He can live in the house and be known as The House Pony, but you must look after him, and see to all his needs, and make sure he is happy. It will be fun!” said Aunt Jelly, with a look that hinted that the last place a pony should live is in a house.
Alarm bells may ring for horse owners at the prospect of a pony who was found loose on the M4 motorway, finding himself kipping down on a four-poster bed and being tied to an Aga rail. But author and illustrator Juliet Blaxland’s latest children’s book ‘The House Pony: An ABC of Horsemanship’ takes young readers on a fast-track guide to horsecare — from bedding and feeding, to quick-release knots and laminitis.
Approved by the Pony Club, the book has also been given a glowing review by the six-time Badminton winner Lucinda Green who says: “This is a stunningly illustrated book, that will be hugely enjoyed and greatly learnt from.”
Using the alphabet, each image contains items beginning with a particular letter, and the reader can enjoy searching for them at the same time as learning valuable facts about caring for a pony.
After The House Pony has raided the kitchen for food and shed hair all over the bed, it quickly becomes clear to Tuttyhead that a house is possibly not the best place to keep a pony after all…
This short paperback offers some light relief for budding young riders, who can feel bombarded by wading through heavy-going horsemanship manuals.
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Juliet Blaxland is married to a Household Cavalryman and is also the author of Nimrod — a Cavalry Black.
The House Pony: An ABC of Horsemanship by Juliet Blaxland is published by J.A. Allen
Price: £7.99
Visit: crowood.com
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