War Horse

[HorseChick]

I started this one a few days ago. If I didn't have life getting in the way, I'd finish it up. Love it so far!

 

[Mercy]

I have always loved horses. Parts of my childhood were spent on my grandparents farm. We had two huge percherons called Jim and Judy. Jim was 2 hands taller than Judy, but they pulled easily together for 20 or so years. They pulled the manure wagon from the cow barns several miles to the lower field. I really understood Joey's pulling training and later his big black horse friend.

I saw a lot of horse to horse communications, kicking back with a hind leg was not just to shoe away flies, sometimes it was,"What's taking so long?" and sometimes when repeated a few times was a request to clean out the frog on his foot or his shoe felt loose. Even though I was young he readily let me puck up his foot and scrape out a small stone and accumulated sand. He loved to let me stand up under his huge chin and smooth down the velvety underside of his head. His other feat was to use only his lips to take a carrot offered by children. One time he couldn't quite get it so he snorted out a big snort to blow it off her hand. He hadn't blown his nose for quite a while. I was covered in straw filled green goo was all down my front! We all laughed so hard that he nickered with us bobbing his big head.

Thanks for choosing this book. It has brought back good times I thought were lost. I'm only 1/2 through. The war.....

 

[KP the nut]

Nice memories Mercy.

 

[HorseChick]

I saw a lot of horse to horse communications,

I love the way horses let each other know exactly what they're thinking or expecting. My little quarter horse will tell my big Thoroughbred exactly what he wants. First he turns an ear, if that doesn't work he turns his head, if that doesn't work, he'll bite at his hind quarters and although it rarely gets past the ear movement, he will kick. (I've seen Hawk literally do anything he can to get out of the way after Lucky just tilts his ear).

Even though Lucky is much smaller, he is the alpha horse. Hawk just wants to be everyone's friend and lets other horses always have their way. I always know when Hawk hasn't been listening when I see hair missing from his rump. LOL. They are very interesting to watch and read.

I also really enjoyed this book written from the horses perspective. Some people might think that when Joey stood over Topthorn, after he died, is stretching, but it truly happens. In real life, horses are known to stand over the spot where their pasture mates have died, for days and grieve.

 

[KP the nut]

I think after reading the book, I can now watch the movie.

 

[Mercy]

My Jim was so lonely after Judy had to be put down. We put a Morgan in the nexy stall, still he wouldn't eat or drink. I went and slept in his hay rick to keep him company and tried to hand him carrots, half an apple and sweet hay. He was dying of heartbreak. After ten days, Jim had to be put down too. I can still feel the sadness. It was familiar from all the child trafficking abuse. The abandonment and betrayals, the lies were heartbreaking.

I won't give away the ending but it is lovely.

 

[p-no]

I am almost done and it's been an emotional read...

One question though: Can someone tell me how you pronounce the name Heinie? Thanks.

 

[Mercy]

like Hi-nee

 

[p-no]

Okay, thanks, Mercy! I was just wondering if it is pronounced the German way. :)

 

[AS1975]

I picked this up this morning, and a few hours later I was finished. OMFG, what a seriously terrific story. Who ever picked this one out for reading, high five.

I remember reading this book at School, I really must get it for the kids.

 

[KP the nut]

Some friends of mine saw the stage show in London last week and were blown away by it. The puppeteers were incredible.

Mmmmm, maybe next year I feel a theatre break coming on.

 

[CraftyCath]

I love the theatre, if it comes to Manchester or Liverpool I might go and see it.