Some Horses

Some Horses collects essays by Thomas McGuane that focus on horses, horsemanship, and the culture of working with horses in the American West. The pieces span McGuane's experiences over decades as both an observer and participant in activities like cutting horses, reining, and ranch work. Each essay captures a different aspect of the connection between humans and horses, from training methods to competitions to the practical realities of working cattle. McGuane writes from direct experience, having owned and trained horses on his Montana ranch while also competing in cutting horse events. The writing maintains a balance between technical knowledge and personal narrative, explaining specialized horse-handling concepts while grounding them in concrete situations. The collection includes profiles of notable horses and horsemen McGuane has known, along with reflections on traditional Western horsemanship practices. Through these essays, McGuane explores themes of discipline, partnership between human and animal, and the preservation of traditional skills in a changing world. The work stands as both a practical examination of horsemanship and a meditation on how this ancient relationship continues to shape human experience.

Readers describe McGuane's essays as intimate portraits that capture both the physicality and spirituality of horses and horsemanship. They highlight his ability to convey technical details about cutting horses and reining while maintaining accessibility for non-equestrians. Readers appreciate: - Vivid descriptions of horse behavior and movement - Personal stories woven with horse training insights - Clear explanations of specialized riding techniques - Quality of the prose and imagery Common criticisms: - Too brief at only 144 pages - Some essays feel disconnected - Limited focus on Western riding disciplines - Assumes some prior horse knowledge Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (245 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 reviews) Sample reader comment: "McGuane writes about horses the way Norman Maclean writes about fly fishing - with precision, reverence and poetry." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted the book works better as individual essays rather than a cohesive whole.

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy The story follows a young man's journey through Mexico's ranch country, depicting horse culture and the vanishing American West with stark precision and deep knowledge of horsemanship.

Zen Mind, Zen Horse by Allan J. Hamilton A neurosurgeon draws connections between horsemanship, mindfulness, and the human-animal bond through practical experiences on his ranch.

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans A Montana horse trainer works to heal both an injured horse and its traumatized rider, revealing the complexities of natural horsemanship and human-equine relationships.

The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss A female horse trainer in 1917 Oregon breaks horses for ranchers during wartime, demonstrating the techniques and traditions of western horse training.

Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards A memoir chronicles the rehabilitation of an abused mare and explores the healing power of the human-horse connection through practical experience on a New England farm.

🐎 Thomas McGuane trained cutting horses himself and competed in cutting horse competitions, bringing firsthand experience to his essays about horsemanship. 🌟 The book's essays were originally published separately in prestigious magazines like The New Yorker and Sports Illustrated before being collected into this volume. 🤠 McGuane wrote these essays while living on his ranch in Sweet Grass County, Montana, where he raised cattle and horses for over 40 years. 📚 The author is better known for his fiction, including the novels "Ninety-Two in the Shade" and "Nothing but Blue Skies," making this collection of horse essays a departure from his usual work. 🎬 Beyond writing, McGuane has ties to Hollywood - he wrote several screenplays and was once married to actress Margot Kidder, famous for playing Lois Lane in Superman (1978).