San Francisco Public Library

The horse, the epic history of our noble companion, Wendy Williams

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-285) and index

illustrationsplates

index present

non fiction

The horse

bibliography

Wendy Williams

the epic history of our noble companion

"Horses have a story to tell, one of resilience, sociability, and intelligence, and of partnership with human beings. In The Horse, the journalist and equestrienne Wendy Williams brings that story brilliantly to life. Williams chronicles the 56-million-year journey of horses as she visits with experts around the world, exploring what our biological affinities and differences can tell us about the bond between horses and humans, and what our longtime companion might think and feel. Indeed, recent scientific breakthroughs regarding the social and cognitive capacities of the horse and its ability to adapt to changing ecosystems indicate that this animal is a major evolutionary triumph. Williams charts the course that leads to our modern Equus-from the protohorse to the Dutch Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, and cow ponies of the twenty-first century. She observes magnificent ancient cave art in France and Spain that signals a deep respect and admiration for horses well before they were domesticated; visits the mountains of Wyoming with experts in equine behavior to understand the dynamics of free-roaming mustangs; witnesses the fluid gracefulness of the famous Lipizzans of Vienna; contemplates what life is like for the sure-footed, mustachioed Garrano horses who thrive on the rugged terrain of Galicia; meets a family devoted to rehabilitating abandoned mustangs on their New Hampshire farm; celebrates the Takhi horses of Mongolia; and more. She blends profound scientific insights with remarkable stories to create a unique biography of the horse as a sentient being with a fascinating past and a finely nuanced mind" -- provided by publisher"A revelatory chronicle of the fifty-six-million-year history of the horse by a journalist and avid equestrienne, and reveals how biological affinities and differences have shaped bonds between horses and humans, "--NoveList

Prologue: Backyard horse -- Watching wild horses -- In the land of Butch Cassidy -- The Garden of Eden appears, then vanishes -- The triumph of Hipparion -- Equus -- Intermezzo -- The arch of the neck -- The partnership -- The eye of the horse -- The dance of communication -- The rewilding -- Epilogue: Backyard mustang