A Horse is a Horse…
Friday, September 1st, 2006
Of course, of course.
Just a quick little post today…
Most writers don’t have a clue how to write horses accurately. Even those of us who do have a clue often don’t have enough of a clue. I’m fairly knowledgeable about horses and the basics of riding. But all my books, both historical and fantasy, focus around horses (Star and Travis both raise horses, and Faela was a horse at one time). Therefore, I better make darn certain I know what I’m talking about.
Since I’ve been so impressed with Holly Lisle’s stuff (if you can’t tell–I’m starting to sound like a Tupperware saleswoman), I downloaded Horses for Writers, by Elizabeth J. Baldwin.
Ya know, there’s a bunch I didn’t know I didn’t know about horses.
For example, did you know that true black horses tend to fade in sunlight? And that they have very little stamina? Makes a writer rethink that coal-black stallion that the hero rides in on, doesn’t it?
And her one page about side saddles got me looking about on line. I’m quite curious now to actually try riding aside–it actually looks like fun (and bit more comfy for us short-legged riders who tend to have their legs spread just a wee bit too far by most horses)
Baldwin packs quite a lot into this little book. It’s obviously not meant for really in-depth writing about horses, but it will keep most authors from looking like total greenhorns.
Anyhoo, another book to add to your writer’s arsenal. I recommend it, and if you buy it now, you can get this handy cake saver/carrier for only $3.99! 