By Kim J. Harmon

Two Bits first began introducing young riders to the American Quarter Horse in The Quarter Horse Journal but now he has his own book – The Kid’s Book of the American Quarter Horse: Two Bits’ Guide to Owning, Riding, and Caring for Your First Horse.

Two Bits is the cartoon narrator of this story – the story of the American Quarter Horse. In a simple, easy to understand way, he guides kids through the various parts of the horse, their habits, the history of the breed, and the responsiblities of grooming and caring for them.

Plus, Two Bits likes to have fun and there is plenty of fun stuff about riding.

But why the American Quarter Horse? The American Quarter Horse is the most popular horse breed in the world and, according to The Lyons Press, “every year more kids get their first taste of equestrian life on one of these beautiful animals.”

So the AQHA got together with acclaimed horse writer Steven D. Price to help children and adults learn how to have fun while taking good care of their first horse    . . . and how to stay safe in and out of the saddle.

Published in cooperation with the AQHA (with more than 300,000 members), this guidebook is aimed at ages eight and up. With plenty of drawings and photographs, it will give kids a new understanding of horses as well as an appreciation of all the hard work that goes into caring for them.

Steven D. Price is the author of 15 books on equestrian subjects, including The American Quarter Horse and The Whole Horse Catalog. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Chronicle of the Horse, Practical Horseman and America’s Horse.

 

CHAPTER 1

What Is A Horse?

Really, a simple question but one that needs a little further investigation – as in, “what are all the things that make a horse a horse?”

Two bits – with the aid of a nifty diagram – points out all the exterior parts of a horse and discusses in detail what all the parts are, how they operate, and what they do. Then he discusses the various colors of the American Quarter Horse, the various marks that may be featured, how and why the horse moves the way it does, and why the horse behaves the way it does.

CHAPTER 2

Meet The American Quarter Horse

Two Bits explained, “Once upon a time, and I mean hundreds of millions of years ago, horses lived in North America. Nowhere else in the world, just North America. They didn’t look at all like the horses that live today. These horses were no bigger than large dogs, and instead of a hard hoof, they had three toes on each foot.”

It is a nice little history lesson on the origins of the American Quarter Horse, how they migrated and then reintroduced themselves back into North America and how an enormous horse named Steel Dust helped settlers in the midwest and southwest.

CHAPTER 3

Tips On Riding Your American Quarter Horse

Two Bits isn’t trying to teach anyone how to ride a horse. As he says, “no one ever learned to ride a horse just by reading a book. Learning to ride takes a real live teacher.” So what he offers is simple tips on the proper clothing, how to get on and off a horse, and the basic “rules of the road” like listening to the teacher, riding only where you are welcome, and staying on the trail.

CHAPTER 4

Before You Get Your American Quarter Horse

Two Bits main message is that before you decide to get a horse, make sure you are able to take care of him. From deciding if you have the right kind of land to learning if horses are even allowed on your land, there is a lot of issues to explore.

CHAPTER 5

Keep Your American Quarter Horse

A pasture of a barn? Where will your horse spend most of his time? And how about a riding ring when you don’t want to ride on a trail? These are things you need to think about before getting your first horse.

CHAPTER 6

Choosing Your American Quarter Horse

Which is the right horse for you? Well, that takes some investigation, some help from your friends who already have horses, and a look at various stables where horses are for sale. Plus, a veterinarian can help you choose.

CHAPTER 7

Outfitting Your American Quarter Horse

Two Bits goes over everything from western tack (saddles, stirrups, cinches, riggings and blankets) to eastern tack (saddles, stirrups, stirrup leathers, saddle pads), from bits to bridles to reins. And lots more, too.

CHAPTER 8

Feeding Your American Quarter Horse

All horses love to eat and what they eat is important. Grass, hay, grain and feed, salt, water, and treats – what is okay to eat and how much is okay to eat? Two Bits discusses these issues.

CHAPTER 9

Grooming Your American Quarter Horse

Two Bits says this can be one of the really fun parts about owning a horse. It’s also very important – as important as grooming yourself. He talks about all the various ways to groom a horse and why each is important.

CHAPTER 10

Bedding And Mucking Out

Two Bits asks, “How would you like to stand on a hard floor all day? Or sleep in a bed that has no mattress? Well, neither would your horse.” The important of putting bedding down on the stall floor and, later, mucking out the stall is discussed.

CHAPTER 11

Keeping Your American Quarter Horse Happy And Healthy

Horses can suffer many different types of sicknesses – like people – so regular checkups with a veterinarian are very important. Two Bits helps readers learn of the various health problems horses may face.

CHAPTER 12

Let’s Go To A Horse Show

The excitement of owning an American Quarter Horse truly comes out when you see or feel them in action – in competition. Two Bits introduces young riders to the many different types of competitions, and the many types of classes in each.

CHAPTER 13

Let’s Go Racing

More than 90 racetracks across North American offer American Quarter Horse racing. Two Bits describes the many types of races that feature American Quarter Horses around the country and even points out a few that might be right near you.