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	<title>Literature and art &#8211; Equestrian from Crete</title>
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		<title>Book review &#8211; &#8220;Thoroughbred Breeders: New Blood&#8221;, by Christine Meunier</title>
		<link>http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/book-review-thoroughbred-breeders-new-blood-by-christine-meunier/</link>
					<comments>http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/book-review-thoroughbred-breeders-new-blood-by-christine-meunier/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[chriszygakis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:04:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Literature and art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Meunier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[equestrian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[literature]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/?p=2826</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[  I read Christine Meunier’s romance novel “Thoroughbred Breeders: New Blood”. The story unfolds in a large stud in Victoria, Australia. Savannah, having a degree in equine breeding, has only worked for a year in Nev’s large stud, looking after mares, stallions and foals. Of course, a business of this size requires the right partners and, in the equine world, this includes responsible farriers. Rick and Jay have a number of apprentices, whom they bring with them every Tuesday, to look after the feet of Nev’s precious horses. Tuesday had been a boring day for Savannah, who had to spend all day holding equine feet for the farrier and his annoying trainees. But that specific Tuesday was different; Rick and Jay brought in Craig, a knowledgeable yet humble young man. He immediately drew Savannah’s attention, and Savannah drew his. The only problem is, Craig is also pursued by one of Savannah’s best friends, who happens to have liked –and involved with-  a number of other apprentices. With precise descriptions, clear language and an engaging story, Meunier has once more proven that she has exceptional creative writing skills. I truly felt that I was at a large stud in Victoria, Australia, watching a young lady take care of horses and gossip with her friends about a handsome young farrier. Meunier’s deep knowledge in equestrian is clearly demonstrated here, as she provides a plethora of details of the equine breeding practices. The reader can literally feel that they are witnessing an equine birth. Last but not least, I do like the fine way in which the author refers to religion. I felt the strong impact that religion can have on our love lives; it is moral principles, which are so much needed but forgotten, as we tend to push them aside to allow space for narcissism and pursuit of happiness in “cheap” relationships. The ending of the book makes you anticipate impatiently more of the story and, personally, I hope that there is! &#160;]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2826</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Guest Post &#8211; Literature Passage: &#8220;B and B &#8211; A Horse Romance&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/guest-post-literature-passage-b-and-b-a-horse-romance/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[chriszygakis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Oct 2016 23:33:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Guest posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Literature and art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Meunier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[equestrian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guest post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[literature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[romance]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/?p=2654</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Christine Meunier has recently released a horse focused romance for the adult reader! You can read an excerpt below. Ben sighed, suddenly wishing for his previous conversation with Jake to continue. Anything but this. The group of ten had a couple of capable riders, but the majority were shaky at the trot and definitely weren’t up to cantering too much. This meant more conversation. Normally Ben could put up with this – Jake had given him a couple of great questions that he used to keep their clients talking about themselves. Unfortunately there was one chatty brunette who seemed insistent on getting Ben to talk. He was surprised by her apparent interest in him – the young women usually were drawn to Jake’s dark curls and blue eyes, as well as his easy laugh and ability to talk with anyone comfortably. More often than not when Ben watched the clients interact with his co-worker he either felt amused, or old. Today he would have settled for old. This woman – Jane or Jan or Janine, he couldn’t remember – appeared a little young and her energy was quickly tiring him. Didn’t some people know how to stop talking? He was glad when the group drew close to a hill they used for cantering. The ride slowed to a stop as Jake outlined what they were going to do. Then one by one, the riders cantered up the hill to wait at the top. Jake lead the way and thankfully Ben’s sudden fan realised he needed to keep watch over the riders, as they made their way between him and Jake waiting up top. Ben purposely held back when he saw the young woman make her ascent at a lazy canter. He smiled to himself when halfway up the hill the older mare she was on, decided a trot would suffice. The young brunette gave a hearty kick with her heels and the mare snorted and broke into a canter again – for three strides – before abruptly coming to a walk. Ben chuckled outright as he headed up the hill after her, noting with satisfaction that although she was surprised by the mare’s sudden change of pace, she stayed in the saddle. The rest of the ride was made up mainly of brisk trotting – a pace that caused some to focus on their seat, rather than the joys of conversation – and Ben was able to get a few moments to himself. He kept an eye on the riders, but was also able to enjoy the scenery of tall eucalypts, some acacias and the odd pine. The smell of the bush was both a familiar comfort, and refreshing. At times Ben wondered if there was a job that paid where he could just ride all day – without the clients. As the ride came to a close, the riders were allowed to spread out on an open hillside and push their mounts into a canter. It was an exhilarating feeling – the twelve of them racing up the hillside. Ben let out an uncharacteristic whoop as they reached the top. The riders appeared a little breathless, but were all smiling. It was a nice way to finish the ride. The group made their way at a steady walk down the hillside and toward the tie up yards. The brunette whose name Ben really wasn’t sure on continued her chatter, asking Ben questions about himself. He muttered some answers, glaring at Jake who was grinning cheerfully back at him. The pair worked quickly to help their clients dismount. Some part-time staff members were on hand to take the horses away and cool them down and brush them off before the afternoon feeding. Ben turned away from handing over his mount to one of the staff and nearly jumped when he found the young woman still in the yard. “Did you forget something?” he asked automatically, looking to see if the horse she had ridden was still handy. “Oh, no! I’ve got everything, thank you. We’re all going into town for a drink before we head back home and I thought you might like to join us,” she invited cheerfully. Ben questioned if he really did need to work on his people skills. He couldn’t for the life of him think of anything he’d said or done to give her the impression he would gladly join them for a little more socialising. He scratched the back of his head, unsure what to say. “Oh… thanks for the invitation…” Ben started. “But we’ve got quite a bit of work to do with these horses before we’re finished for the day,” Jake cut in smoothly, saving Ben. The young woman nodded in understanding. “The horses definitely need to come first. They were great today and we had a lot of fun riding. Thank you two again, we’ll be back!” she stated cheerfully, turning on her heel to join her friends. Ben let out a breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding. Jake slapped him on the back before walking off to tend to his horse. Ben didn’t miss his laugh as he said, “You’re welcome, my friend!” &#8212; For those interested in finding out more about B and B by Christine Meunier, head on over to http://www.horsecountrybook.com Author bio: Christine Meunier is an equine author and educator in Australia. She loves all things horses and dedicates her time to writing educational novels, horse courses and educational resources. Her greatest passion is Equus Education, a blog about 170+ horse careers around the world. For more details about Christine’s work, check her out on our guest author list.]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2654</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Guest post -Literature passage: &#8220;In Pursuit of a Horse&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/guest-post-literature-passage-in-pursuit-of-a-horse/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[chriszygakis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Oct 2016 19:22:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Guest posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Literature and art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Meunier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[equestrian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Free Rein series]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[literature]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/?p=2649</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[by Christine Meunier Below is an excerpt from the second book in the Free Rein series, In Pursuit of a Horse. The series details horse ownership and care for the younger rider. &#8220;Jacqui looked at Hannah and Geordie’s excited faces, not sure what the current scene meant. The girls had slept a bit later that morning, due to having tired themselves out from the two rides and the hot weather the day before. Jan had taken advantage of this by bringing in ponies for each of them to ride, and placing gear to the left of each pony. Jacqui had commented after she’d brushed her pony that the saddles seemed to be missing. She could find the bridle she was supposed to put on but had paused from attempting to do so. She’d noticed the day before that Jan had put the saddle on first and then the bridle. Also, Jacqui wasn’t sure about all the straps and buckles on the bridle and how to put this correctly on a horse. As soon as she mentioned the lack of saddles, Geordie had looked at Hannah excitedly before turning to Jan and asking if they were riding bareback. “What’s bareback?” Jacqui had eventually asked after seeing Jan nod that they would be doing so. “It means that you ride the horse without a saddle on. It’s back is bare,” Hannah explained, undoing the noseband on her pony’s head collar before putting the bridle on. Jacqui watched her do this, trying to take it all in as she thought about the idea of riding without a saddle. How will I get on the horse? Won’t the trot be really bouncy? How will I rise without stirrups? Will I look silly? So many questions flitted through her head as Jan came over to help her with the bridle. Jacqui followed Jan’s directions, smiling in triumph as she managed to put the bridle on by herself under Jan’s direction. “I did it!” “You did! So I guess you’ll be learning at least two new things today,” Jan commented with a smile. Jacqui looked up at her in surprise. “Two?” “Well you just put a bridle on by yourself for the first time and now you’re going to ride bareback for the first time… am I right?” Jacqui blushed and nodded her head. “How will I get on?” she whispered so that Geordie and Hannah wouldn’t hear her. Jan smiled. “I promise I’ll help. I have a mounting block that all of you can use. It’ll mean that you’re standing on something higher. Plus, Matty here,” she patted the little bay pony that Jacqui would be riding, “he’s really short and that’ll help, too!” Jacqui smiled. Hannah and Geordie announced that they were ready. Under Jan’s instructions the three girls led their mounts by the reins of the bridle, standing at their shoulder on the left hand side. Jacqui made sure she kept a decent space between her pony and Hannah’s that was walking in front. Jan had explained that some horses didn’t like it when others came up too close. If this happened, they might kick out to the other horse to warn it to stay away. Unfortunately for the person leading the horse, they might get kicked unintentionally! When the three were in the arena again Jan had them line up side by side. She took the mounting block first to Geordie who stood on it and then slid herself onto her pony’s back as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Jacqui watched keenly as Hannah did the same. It looked easy! Jan then brought the mounting block around to where Jacqui was standing at her pony’s shoulder. She placed it right beside Matty. “Ok! Stand on that for me first. Then you can hold onto a bit of his mane at his wither there and put your right leg over his back. Be careful not to kick him.” Jacqui followed her instructions, grinning proudly as she sat astride Matty without a saddle on. I did it! Her elation quickly turned into concentration as Jan directed them all to walk their ponies around to the right. Jacqui was relieved to find that she didn’t immediately fall off. After she’d done a lap in each direction she started to relax. “That’s better. Your pony will feel when you’re tense and wonder if there’s something he should be scared about too!” Jan commented as she walked beside Jacqui. Jacqui looked to the older woman and smiled in wonder. “They’re really that sensitive?” Jan nodded. “Oh yes! They can feel your emotions very strongly. The more relaxed and confident you are the more relaxed and confident they’ll be with you! Speaking of which, have you learnt how to do a sitting trot, Jacqui?” The young blonde girl nodded. “Good. When we trot bareback you don’t need to worry about rising to the trot. Just ride it as you would for a sitting trot. Does that sound ok?” Jacqui thought this over and realised it made sense. After all, she didn’t have any stirrups! She nodded in response, patting Matty on the neck. Once Jan was happy that the girls had walked their ponies in both directions and practised stopping and going, she announced that they were going to try out a trot bareback. All three grinned in excitement. Let the fun begin!&#8221; &#8212; If you enjoyed this excerpt, you may like to check out the Free Rein series by Christine Meunier at http://www.freereinseries.com/ Author bio: Christine Meunier is an equine author and educator in Australia. She loves all things horses and dedicates her time to writing educational novels, horse courses and educational resources. Her greatest passion is Equus Education, a blog about 170+ horse careers around the world. For more details about Christine’s work, check her out on our guest author list.]]></description>
		
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2649</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Literature passages: The Black Beauty</title>
		<link>http://www.equestrianfromcrete.com/literature-passages-the-black-beauty/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[chriszygakis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2015 18:32:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Literature and art]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black Beauty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[horse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[literature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[passage]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://equestrianfromcrete.wordpress.com/?p=1345</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Hi! Yesterday I found it a great idea to reward myself after a harsh semester -or, almost &#8220;after&#8221;, as I have to write one more essay plus my dissertation proposal- and read some classic equine literature. When I search for classic fiction, I check the Amazon Kindle store, where such books are often offered free of charge and you can read them on your portable device in any place you fancy. And here we go, I picked &#8220;Black Beauty&#8221;, downloaded it for free and read it in one night! Though it was afternoon when I started and morning when I finished. But well, it&#8217;s just me&#8230;  I want to share with you the funny chapter 03, &#8220;My Breaking In&#8221;: &#8220;I was not beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up.  When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had to walk trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said &#8220;When he has been well broken in he will do very well&#8221;. My master said he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, and a breeching , and to stand still while they are put on; then to have a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without dragging it after him; and he must never start at what he sees, not speak to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his master&#8217;s will, even though he may be tired or hungry; but the worst of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing. I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be led about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed, but it was a nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man&#8217;s finger to be pushed into one&#8217;s moth, between one&#8217;s teeth, and over one&#8217;s tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! Yes, very bad! At least I thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and all horses did when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, and what with my master&#8217;s pats, kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear my bit and bridle. Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; he then made the girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time; then I had a few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every day I soon became accustomed to it.   The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoe; that too was very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith&#8217;s forge, to see that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done with them all. Then he took a piece if iron the shape of my foot and clapped it on, and drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used to it. And now having got so far, my master went in ti break me to harness; there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either side, but only straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the crupper. I hated the crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked through that strap was almost as bad as the bit I never felt more like kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so in time I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my mother. I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have always considered a very great advantage, My master sent me for a fortnight to a neighboring farmer&#8217;s, who had a meadow which was skirted on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was turned in among them.  I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came -with a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke- a long black train of something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; these drew up the station close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found that this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, I began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master&#8217;s care, I am as fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way&#8221; &#160;]]></description>
		
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