Horsey autobiographies

Tiddlypom said:
Monica Dickens’ ‘Talking of Horses’ is unfortunately not available on Kindle, but I’ve just bought a s/h paperback copy online for £3.70 inc postage from World of Books.

I hankered after a hardback copy, but those were too pricey for me.
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Maybe worth mentioning to Jane Badger books on Facebook. She's produced many old pony books both paperbacks and e books.

www.facebook.com

Jane Badger Books

Jane Badger Books. 3,676 likes · 3,609 talking about this. Republishing classic pony books. Horses. Ponies. Women and horses. Heroines on horseback.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
criso said:
Maybe worth mentioning to Jane Badger books on Facebook. She's produced many old pony books both paperbacks and e books.

www.facebook.com

Jane Badger Books

Jane Badger Books. 3,676 likes · 3,609 talking about this. Republishing classic pony books. Horses. Ponies. Women and horses. Heroines on horseback.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
Click to expand...
I think she only does fiction, but definitely worth mentioning 😊
 
Frankie Dettori.

Possibly too far in the past for some but I got The Memoirs of General Sir Cecil Blacker from a second hand shop last summer. He was a big name in show jumping at the time of Pat Smythe and Harry Llewellyn. He had such a long and distinguished career in the army and then in the horse world, hunting, racing, show jumping and then in the administration - it is fascinating.

I particularly liked the part when he was in the army before WWII. "It was understood that every officer would depart for two months to hunt, taking with him his two chargers plus one or two troop horses hired for the winter, together with his own horses if he had any, and as many soldier grooms as were needed to look after them."
 
A few of the older books that I have that are autobiographical and may be of interest are listed below (dating from 1880-2000). Copies can usually be found on ebay/Abe Books for a few pounds (a couple of the older ones are a little more expensive). The authors are a range of well-known riders/instructors/hunters of their generation:

  • Whyte-Melville, G.J. (1898) 'Riding Recollections.' A lot of hunting content (it is Whyte-Melville who is quoted on the front of every copy of H&H).
  • Hayes, M.H. (1894) 'Among Men and Horses.'
  • Saunders, A. (1886) 'Our Horses: the Best Muscles Controlled by the Best Brains.' A mix of reminiscences and advice.
  • Hieover, H. (1845 Vol.1 and 1846 Vol. 2) 'Stable Talk and Table Talk.'
  • Galtrey, Capt. S. (1918) 'The Horse and the War.' A shortish and rather sad account by someone who was there, written as it was happening. Illustrated with drawings.
  • Charlton, R.B (1944) 'A Lifetime with Ponies'. Written by a breeder of Fell ponies.
  • Seely, J. (1934) 'Warrior: the Amazing Story of a Real War Horse' (there are modern re-prints of this title)
  • Summerhayes, R.S. (1936) 'From Saddle and Fireside'
  • Summerhayes, R.S. (1960) 'A Lifetime with Horses.'
  • Edwards, L. (1940) 'Reminiscences of a Sporting Artist.' Written by the famous equine artist (Lionel Edwards)
  • Williams, D. (1957) 'Clear Round: The Story of Showjumping'. Fascinating history, including how army officers started planning organised SJ/the BSJA whilst being held as prisoners of war.
  • Dent, Capt. C.H. (1944) 'The Horse Has Four Legs: Some Reminiscences and Suggestions'. A mix of riding and SM tips as well as stories from his life with horses.

Slightly different to standard autobiographies:
  • Stephen, Sir G. (1841) ' The Adventures of a Gentleman in Search of a Horse.' Tales of the trials, tribulations and successes of horse buying, including stories of dealers tricks.
  • Hamilton, J. (2000) 'Marengo: the Myth of Napoleon's Horse.'
  • Williams, M. (1956) 'Horse Psychology.' As described by the title, but filled with interesting anecdotal examples of horse behaviour and psychology from the author's life.
  • Runnquist, A. (1957) 'Horses in Fact and Fiction.'
  • Sassoon, S., Edwards, L., Tschiffeley, A.F. et al (1947) 'My First Horse.' Written for older children, but a charming collection of recollections from famous horsemen of their first horse/pony.
  • Hayes, Capt. M.H. (1883) 'Indian Racing Reminiscences.'
Long Distance rides and adventures:
  • Tschiffeley, A.F. (1943) 'From Southern Cross to Pole Star' also published as 'Tschiffeley's Ride'. Story of the authors ride (taking ?two years) from south America up to Washington on two feral horses.
  • Tschiffeley, A.F. (1943) 'The Tale of Two Horses'. The above adventure 'written' by the horses (aimed at younger readers but very readable and interesting if you read the above account first).
  • Tshiffeley, A.F. (1947) 'Bridle Paths: Tschiffeley's Ride Through Rural England.' Describes a beautiful and peaceful countryside quickly being lost to the motor car and urbanisation, he rides the length of the country.
  • Canada Ride (M. Bosanquet, 1944)- author was involved in the setting up of the Canadian Mounties, the book also features time he spent riding across Canada and working in horse-related jobs. Like a cross between a travel journal and a memoire, I found it really interesting, particularly the description of riding in the wilderness.
  • Holt, W. (1966) 'Trigger in Europe.' Describes a long distance ride through Europe.
 
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