The Woman Equestrian

Rating:
Summary: An important and practical contribution
Review: Expertly written by Jane R. Slaughter (a free-lance published journalist for "The Chronicle of the Horse" magazine), The Woman Equestrian is an invaluable and thoroughly "student friendly" guide to horse riding for females of all ages and experience levels concerned with the care of, and interaction with, their equine companions. Individual chapters cover far more than the simple mechanics of how to ride a horse; they also provide informed and informative information on stable care, specific horse disciplines ranging from hunting to polo to show jumping and more, as well as how to properly get oneself into horse-riding shape. An important and practical contribution to personal, professional, and community library collections, The Woman Equestrian is a very highly recommended primer and resource.

Rating:
Summary: An important and practical contribution
Review: Expertly written by Jane R. Slaughter (a free-lance published journalist for "The Chronicle of the Horse" magazine), The Woman Equestrian is an invaluable and thoroughly "student friendly" guide to horse riding for females of all ages and experience levels concerned with the care of, and interaction with, their equine companions. Individual chapters cover far more than the simple mechanics of how to ride a horse; they also provide informed and informative information on stable care, specific horse disciplines ranging from hunting to polo to show jumping and more, as well as how to properly get oneself into horse-riding shape. An important and practical contribution to personal, professional, and community library collections, The Woman Equestrian is a very highly recommended primer and resource.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Ride
Review: Ms. Slaughter provides valuable moral support for women who choose to let the world function without them for a few hours as they claim a few hours at the barn for themselves. Her description of children whining about casserole nights when Mom's at the barn will hit home with many, I suspect. I do wish she'd given a nod to the issues facing childless adult women - our careers create similar demands - but that's picking a nit.

The deadly serious equestrienne might be turned off by the recipes, yoga suggestions, funny poem, and summary descriptions of each of the riding disciplines. I found myself rather charmed, in spite of myself, and really enjoyed the pictures of women riders enjoying each other's company. Inspiring!

The five foot oxer between this book and five stars is a lack of serious exploration of psychological differences that pose unique challenges for women riders - or, for that matter, give them unique abilities. If you're seeking this depth of analysis, The Woman Equestrian is not for you.

But if you want to feel good about getting out of the house and onto your horse, and feel like you have made a new riding friend, you'll enjoy this book.