Horse Training, Schools and Trainers

A personal account of one man's attempt to fathom the complexities and truths from horse racing results. In this book Nick Morden presents his case for making consistent profits from horse racing selections in a style that allows you to learn as he adds to his knowledge by meticulous observation.

The book is divided into two main sections. The first navigates its way through the main points he raises when considering a racing selection. These factors he has learnt through observing and comprehending the results of many races. An important aspect of this analysis is that he puts the horse first, not the statistics. His understanding of the temperament of the horse, and its likes and dislikes in terms of going, track direction and undulation show a committment to giving each horse an individual character which cannot be exposed by the racing section in a daily newspaper. His investigation into the use of blinkers is by itself worth getting this book.

The second section of the book is a daily journal during one season of his attempt to make his observations pay profits. We read that inspite of his powerful logic, human emotion and fear can take control of the decision making process and hinder months of preparation.

The book is very much based upon British horse racing so may be of limited interest to American and Australian race goers. However it is by itself an easy and enjoyable read that anybody would find entertaining.

This is a wonderfully informative book exploring the natural instincts and abilities of all horses. Written in an easy flowing manner, Budiansky has produced a well constructed definition of reasons for the traits and physical characteristics of an animal which, if had not been for human intervention, could easily have become extinct.

The book begins with the evolutionary path of the horse, a path created more by short term need to survive than by a desire to eventually create the perfect running animal. This follows with an investigation into mans first brutal contact with the horse and its eventual domestication into a means of transport for trade and war.

The book then reaches for its true strengths when it begins to analyze the social interaction between horses in a natural environment. This is followed by three separate chapters investigating the horse's senses and mental strengths and weakenesses. All of which are very compelling reading.

The penultimate chapters investigate the mechanical design of a horse's movements and the genetic characteristics that have led to the established breeds we are familiar with today.

This book is very much a scientific study of the horse and provides a refreshing viewpoint of this amazing animal.