Post by tintin on Jun 7, 2013 12:13:38 GMT 1
A shortish book aimed at youngish readers, but one which I enjoyed.
Prince the pony has belonged to his misstress, Jane, for 10 years, but now she has to go to Nursing School so reluctantly has to sell him. He is a very loved horse which her late father gave her when she was 8. Not only is he loved by Jane and her mother, but by their neighbours girl Mandy.
Mandy is an animal lover and Prince has been in his paddock as long as she can remember. Her mother and father run the "Animal Ark" Veterinary Surgery.
Mandy is highly delighted to find Prince has not gone far. Unfortunately Susan Prince's new misstress is prickly, headstong and new to the village. Although unpleasantly condescending Susan is at heart lonely and upset and misses her mother who is away a lot as a TV performer. The book interestingly touches on the fact that it is possible to be a good rider, but not a good horsemaster.
The story develops around the central theme that it is possible for two people to genuinely care about the welfare of a horse and yet be at loggerheads as to how to look after him
Like the other book by this author I have read, "Last Hope", the book cleverly raises an equine veterinary problem, in this case "the heaves" - chest complaints often due to allergies.
Prince is a hardy pony who has always lived outdoors. Mandy is convinced he has the heaves from living largely indoors at his new home, Susan is convinced his condition is due to being outside too much and he needs to be indoors til he is well. Mandy's efforts to save Prince from the heaves become more and more desparate util there is a dramatic denoument at the local show.
The book is fast paced, humorous, and does keep you slightly unsure as to who might be right. It is also a humane and sympathetic book to both horses and people. There is a slight hommage to James Herriot in the character of a posh old lady with a spoilt Pekinese.
Enjoyable, light read wih a useful message. The second of (at the time of publication) 50 alliterative volumes, with 16 in preparation. ("Chinchilla up the Chimney" made me smile) in the Animal Ark series, of which 4 and 3 respectively feature horses.
Prince the pony has belonged to his misstress, Jane, for 10 years, but now she has to go to Nursing School so reluctantly has to sell him. He is a very loved horse which her late father gave her when she was 8. Not only is he loved by Jane and her mother, but by their neighbours girl Mandy.
Mandy is an animal lover and Prince has been in his paddock as long as she can remember. Her mother and father run the "Animal Ark" Veterinary Surgery.
Mandy is highly delighted to find Prince has not gone far. Unfortunately Susan Prince's new misstress is prickly, headstong and new to the village. Although unpleasantly condescending Susan is at heart lonely and upset and misses her mother who is away a lot as a TV performer. The book interestingly touches on the fact that it is possible to be a good rider, but not a good horsemaster.
The story develops around the central theme that it is possible for two people to genuinely care about the welfare of a horse and yet be at loggerheads as to how to look after him
Like the other book by this author I have read, "Last Hope", the book cleverly raises an equine veterinary problem, in this case "the heaves" - chest complaints often due to allergies.
Prince is a hardy pony who has always lived outdoors. Mandy is convinced he has the heaves from living largely indoors at his new home, Susan is convinced his condition is due to being outside too much and he needs to be indoors til he is well. Mandy's efforts to save Prince from the heaves become more and more desparate util there is a dramatic denoument at the local show.
The book is fast paced, humorous, and does keep you slightly unsure as to who might be right. It is also a humane and sympathetic book to both horses and people. There is a slight hommage to James Herriot in the character of a posh old lady with a spoilt Pekinese.
Enjoyable, light read wih a useful message. The second of (at the time of publication) 50 alliterative volumes, with 16 in preparation. ("Chinchilla up the Chimney" made me smile) in the Animal Ark series, of which 4 and 3 respectively feature horses.