Weapon. Legend. Energy source. Shaper of cultures. Center of controversy. Throughout U.S. history, the horse has served as one of the most powerful influences on the country's development. Beginning 55 million years ago with the evolution of the horse across the Great Plains, this story charts its extinction in North America, its reintroduction to the continent by the Spanish, and eventually, its profoundly consequential acquisition by the native peoples of the plains. From there, the story tracks the horse's incredible contributions-through warring and racing and hauling, through companionship and servitude and strength-across the broad arc of the country's next 300 years. Soplop employs the horse as a narrative thread not only to bind seemingly disparate events, but also to allow for the inclusion of figures often written out of traditional histories: women and minorities. Through a modern lens, she skillfully weaves together science, literature, and policy to trace the fascinating account of how one animal shaped the nation. Captivating illustrations by Montana artist Robert Spannring, interspersed with Soplop's stunning photography, add further depth. This book is for anyone interested in exploring an unconventional perspective on history-no horse knowledge required.

From New York Times bestselling author of The Mosquito, the incredible story of how the horse shaped human history Timothy C. Winegard’s The Horse is an epic history unlike any other. Its story begins more than 5,500 years ago on the windswept grasslands of the Eurasian Steppe; when one human tamed one horse, an unbreakable bond was forged and the future of humanity was instantly rewritten, placing the reins of destiny firmly in human hands. Since that pivotal day, the horse has carried the history of civilizations on its powerful back. For millennia it was the primary mode of transportation, an essential farming machine, a steadfast companion, and a formidable weapon of war. Possessing a unique combination of size, speed, strength, and stamina, the horse dominated every facet of human life and shaped the very scope of human ambition. And we still live among its galloping shadows. Horses revolutionized the way we hunted, traded, traveled, farmed, fought, worshipped, and interacted. They fundamentally reshaped the human genome and the world’s linguistic map. They determined international borders, molded cultures, fueled economies, and built global superpowers. They decided the destinies of conquerors and empires. And they were vectors of lethal disease and contributed to lifesaving medical innovations. Horses even inspired architecture, invention, furniture, and fashion. From the thundering cavalry charges of Alexander the Great to the streets of New York during the Great Manure Crisis of 1894 and beyond, horses have shaped both the grand arc of history and our everyday lives. Driven by fascinating revelations and fast-paced storytelling, The Horse is a riveting narrative of this noble animal’s unrivaled and enduring reign across human history. To know the horse is to understand the world.

An equine therapist shares the story of a spiritual awakening she experienced with her black mare, Rasa, which led her to investigate the metaphysical and scientific aspects of the human-horse bond.

An eye-opening game-changer of a book that sheds new light on how horses learn, think, perceive, and perform, and explains how to work with the horse’s brain instead of against it. In this illuminating book, brain scientist and horsewoman Janet Jones describes human and equine brains working together. Using plain language, she explores the differences and similarities between equine and human ways of negotiating the world. Mental abilities—like seeing, learning, fearing, trusting, and focusing—are discussed from both human and horse perspectives. Throughout, true stories of horses and handlers attempting to understand each other—sometimes successfully, sometimes not—help to illustrate the principles. Horsemanship of every kind depends on mutual interaction between equine and human brains. When we understand the function of both, we can learn to communicate with horses on their terms instead of ours. By meeting horses halfway, we achieve many goals. We improve performance. We save valuable training time. We develop much deeper bonds with our horses. We handle them with insight and kindness instead of force or command. We comprehend their misbehavior in ways that allow solutions. We reduce the human mistakes we often make while working with them. Instead of working against the horse’s brain, expecting him to function in unnatural and counterproductive ways, this book provides the information needed to ride with the horse’s brain. Each principle is applied to real everyday issues in the arena or on the trail, often illustrated with true stories from the author’s horse training experience. Horse Brain, Human Brain offers revolutionary ideas that should be considered by anyone who works with horses.

This first novel in Jack Whyte's riveting Arthurian series tells how the story of Camelot may have actually come to be. We all know the story—how Arthur pulled the sword from the stone and how Camelot came to be. But how did it really happen? The Roman citizens of Britain faced a deadly choice: leave to live in a corrupt Roman world, or stay amidst the violence of the warring factions of Picts, Celts, and invading Saxons. For Publius Varrus and Caius Britannicus, there is only one answer. They will stay, try to preserve the best of Roman life, and create a new culture from the wreckage. In doing so, they will plant the seeds of a legend. For these two men are Arthur's great-grandfathers and their actions will shape a nation...and forge the sword known as Excalibur. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The second book in a series for children that tells the real-life story of Valegro, informally known as Blueberry. Valegro! Everyone has heard of the most famous dressage horse in the world, star of two Olympic Games, known at home as Blueberry. The second book in The Blueberry Stories documents his phenomenal rise to fame, brought to life by his trainer and co-owner, Carl Hester, told to equestrian author Janet Rising. The little brown horse has to learn his craft and it isn’t long before Carl has him entered for some important competitions. But will Blueberry be able to display his amazing potential? Will Carl be pleased with his pupil and continue training? Or will the prejudices of the other horses he encounters, who look down on him because of his lack of height, affect Blueberry’s confidence? Valegro – The Early Years continues Blueberry’s story in his own words and not only tells his life before he became famous, but gives an insight into one of the world’s top dressage yards, together with all its inhabitants. Follow Blueberry’s amazing journey as he works hard to follow his dream of becoming the best dressage horse the world has ever seen. This book continues the series and includes learning and technical aspects to pass on some equestrian knowledge and morals in a fun and friendly way, edited to Key Stage 2 making them suitable for use in schools and learning programmes. Ideal for readers aged 7-12, the young at heart and all animal lovers.