HORSES OF GETTYSBURG. 2-DVD Special Edition. Narrated by Ronald F. Maxwell. Inecom Entertainment Inc. 150 Beta Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2932. 116 minutes. High-definition widescreen. 2006. $39.95.
On the campus of The Chronicle of the Horse and the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, Va., stands a lone bronze statue of a riderless horse in full tack. Commissioned by the late philanthropist Paul Mellon, the bronze is dedicated to all of the horses who died during the Civil War. I’ve driven by this bronze for many years now, but its meaning took on much more significance after I’d watched the Horses Of Gettysburg.

It’s estimated that 72,000 horses and mules served during the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg, with 160,000 men engaged in combat. While it’s hard to estimate the number of horses that died, it’s safe to say that tens of thousands lost their lives. This is the remarkable story of those brave horses.

Thanks to my husband, I’ve developed a fascination with the Civil War. Over the past 10 years we’ve visited many of the battle sites, in-cluding Gettysburg. And although he was skeptical about this DVD set because it centered on the horses, he found himself impressed with the content and detail that even educated a Civil War aficionado about some lesser–known Gettysburg battles and strategies.

Disc 1 is divided into 12 chapters that depict the primary battles of Gettysburg interspersed with general information, such as “Buying And Selling Army Horses,” and “Maintaining An Army Of Horses.”

The narration by Ronald F. Maxwell, the director of the films Gettysburg and Gods And Generals, is superb. In addition to beautiful cinematography of today’s Gettysburg National Military Park (they spent four seasons shooting for the best lighting), the DVD features an impressive collection of era photographs, paintings and illustrations.

Disc 2 features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the documentary, interviews with Maxwell and other key players.

It’s obvious a lot of meticulous research took place to detail how these horses served us during the Civil War. While it was interesting to learn that each horse was fed 14 pounds of hay, 18 pounds of grain and allowed 10 gallons of water each day, it’s more remarkable when you realize that with 72,000 horses in battle over three days that was an incredible task to feed and organize each side’s equines.

Horse lovers might find some of the photographs of the battles and narration disturbing, but it’s important to see and understand what truly amazing and dedicated partners we humans have had. For example, one soldier recounted the horses of war: “…some were wounded six or seven times before they died. When they were hit by a bullet, it sounded like the thud of a rock thrown into the mud.”

Of course, there’s a short segment about Gen. Robert E. Lee’s famous Traveler, with a lovely description of the horse found in a letter Lee had written to an artist of the time. Throughout the DVD such gems of information show just how important horses were in the lives of these men.

So if you’re interested in horses and history–and especially the Civil War–this DVD set is a must to own. It’s described as a celebration of the forgotten heroes of the Civil War and their critical role in shaping the United States of America we live in today. And after watching Horses Of Gettysburg, you’ll see that it’s so true.   Tricia Booker

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE HORSE LOVER’S SOUL II. Jack Cranfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Health Communications, Inc., Deerfield Beach, FL 800-441-5569. 270 pages. Illustrations. 2006. $14.95.
When your soul needs a pick up, chicken soup is just what the doctor ordered. Maybe that green pony who seemed to burst with potential three months ago has been nothing but rigid and cheeky in your schooling. Per-haps your day was dim and all you want is an unbiased friend to listen. Whatever ails the soul, this book offers more inspirational tales of passion, achievement and devotion to lift spirits.

I must admit my skepticism nearly got the best of me as I erroneously judged the book by its cover. Having also read its predecessor, I stretched to imagine what part II could offer that the first didn’t already cover. But after perusing the wealth of genuine stories exemplifying enthusiasm, courage, passion and humor, it became clear that stories from sincere horse lovers are as unique and unpredictable as life itself.

This time around, authors Jack Cranfield and Mark Victor Hansen collaborated again with co-authors Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, Peter Vegso and Theresa Peluso, and also recruited Chicken Soup veteran Teresa Becker to produce a second helping dedicated to “all horse lovers who nurture, protect and love their equine companions so deeply.”

Canfield and Hansen have helped people from diverse backgrounds reshape their visions of life and opportunity for more than 30 years.

From cover to cover, horse lovers can find compelling contributions from adolescent to professional writers who celebrate a common passion, the horse. The human-equine relationship is explored through personal experiences illustrating companionship, commitment, healing, special bonds, and the simple humorous amusement horses provide.

You may find yourself nodding your head and grinning in a “that’s-so-true” manner after reading each point and rule outlined in “Horse Mania–An Incurable Affliction.”

Regardless of your skill level, status or affiliation with horses, there’s something for everyone in Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul II. Even while wearing the proverbial Chicken Soup label, the stories remain exceptional and leave readers refreshed and enlightened. Expect some tugging at your heartstrings and a tickle on your funny bone.   Joshua A. Walker

TO THE NINES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO HORSE AND RIDER TURNOUT FOR DRESSAGE, EVENTING AND HUNTER/ JUMPER SHOWS. Jennifer Chong. Alpine Publications Inc. 225 S. Madison Ave., Loveland, CO 80537. 195 pp. Black and white photos. 2006. $19.95.
Alpine Book Publications’ mission statement is “helping people succeed with horses and dogs.” Jennifer Chong’s book, aimed at the amateur and junior rider, certainly lives up to her publishing company’s goals.

Chong has been competing since she was 10, and she’s managed to compile all of her secrets into a useful little book.

This is definitely a book for that equestrian who is just starting to get her feet wet in the competitive arena. At first glance, a quick flip through the pages may turn some more experienced equestrians off, as the book can seem redundantly basic. But hidden between all of the common sense advice are some gems of information that deserve closer reading. Did you know you can use Pledge Furniture Polish on your horse’s coat to keep the dust down?

Chong covers the English disciplines of dressage, eventing and hunter/ jumper, with chapters on each sport’s turnout requirements for horse and rider.

Chong includes money saving recipes for homemade preparations and remedies. She shares tricks that help speed up braiding and clipping and help rescue abused and abandoned tack. She also adds a really good chapter on how to keep your horse’s paperwork together.

But what this book does best is instruct a new-to-the-show-arena riders. Bring extras of everything, make sure all of your tack is in the tack trunk, and make sure you have an extra bit or noseband or lead shank. Especially helpful are the example checklists Chong supplies at the end of the book.

Chong’s book is one that should be given to the aspiring or beginning competitor.   Nicole Lever