Book Review

'Greater than all Things'

Training Bella the shire

by Deborah Bragg

Fido Publishing £7.95

With the wisdom of hindsight the author of this delightful book admits that is really isn’t advisable for an inexperienced person to break a heavy horse to harness... On the other hand, she admits that 'there is nothing quite so exhilarating as working a horse you have broken yourself'. Deborah Bragg is insistent that she wouldn’t do it again, but somehow despite all the problems that she encountered along the way with her Shire Bella, she gives the impression that all the triumphs more than outweighed them and were a source of deep satisfaction to her.
Certainly in the author’s case this was an emotional challenge as well as a practical one. Despite her inexperience Deborah was intelligent and caring enough to seek advice from all those around her who were in a position to give it and, more to the point, she listened to them!
The sheer weight and size of a horse like Bella can create difficulties which shouldn’t be underestimated even in every day handling.
The author took her responsibilities seriously and with utmost determination - despite the inevitable feeling sometimes of taking several steps forward and even more back! Anyone who has been involved with the training of a young horse, whatever its breeding or stature, will, I am sure, identify with this. However she persevered and perseverance does bring its rewards.
You do not have to be a heavy horse owner or enthusiast to enjoy this book. Essentially it is a tale of one woman’s relationship with her horse - which just happens to be a Shire. The breed and stature of her horse just adds to the nature of the challenge which confronted them both.

An extract from the book can be seen in our Heavy Horse Section
There is a special reader’s offer available with this book of £6.95 including P&P.
Please send a cheque to
Fido Publishing
Netherhoff
Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6BD

and please mention ‘The Joy of Horses’

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