Listen up, young horse lovers — this is the book you have been waiting for! It is a book by a Kiwi writer about the magic relationship which can exist between horses and humans. It is not a sentimental little tale, it is an in-depth account about the people who work and play with horses, for whom horses are their lives.
It is written in a simple forthright style that is easy for young readers to cope with, without
being condescending. At times it becomes almost lyrical as each writer’s affection shows through.
Horses & Us consists of 23 true stories each written by a different writer and each lavishly
illustrated. It talks to those at home in the world of horses, like movie stunt woman Dayna Pomare
Pai (Ngā Puhi), the owner of the New Zealand Stunt School. Dayna trains horses (and humans) to do
stunts for film and television, and she has been in many films, playing an Amazon in the film
Wonder Woman. Or Ben Weir, a rider, coach and trainer aiming for the Olympic Games.
These horse-mad riders come from throughout New Zealand, including a remote high-country station. Even those of us who are reasonably familiar with the horse world will be surprised how many
horses in this country are still working in day jobs – and how many horses make their living as
sports horses.
And for those who want to know more about horses there are two glossaries, one in English, and one
in te reo Māori. For children and young adults.
