Although it would seem like mule books would appeal to a very, very small readership, A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule was our top selling book in 2018! The following review was written by Tom Jerome, a writer at ezinearticles.com:
Most people won’t ever consider buying a mule, but for those who do, this book is a must-read. A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule will help a neophyte mule buyer avoid calamitous mistakes in choosing their mule.
This nine-chapter book covers everything from what to look for in a mule and how one should go about conducting their search, to making friends with the mule once purchased. That’s right: making friends. A mule won’t necessarily like a person just because he or she feeds it. A person must patiently work at getting the mule’s trust and acceptance. It’s not always easy, and it can take a long time. Unfortunately some mules may never develop that special bond to their owner.
The author also covers tack (that’s gear for the animal). There are photos of various bits, croupers, and other gear. Then the author gives advice on saddling the mule. Of special interest is the chapter on problems that can occur on the trail: how to avoid them and what to do about them when they’re unavoidable.
There’s also helpful advice on equine medical issues an owner will have to contend with, such as dental work (yes, equines should have the services of a licensed, certified equine dentist). The periodic worming of equines and seasonal vaccines are also discussed. These are often contentious topics among owners.
An interesting addition to this book compared to other equine books is the discussion of trailers and arenas. Most people think of large, rodeo arenas when the topic comes up, but the author introduces the idea of home-friendly loping arenas. These can be built by most home owners for a very reasonable price and will allow a working person to ride their animal more often. And getting a reluctant mule into a trailer? That’s covered also.
The discussion of boarding facilities brought up many issues that most new equine owners likely won’t think of. The author gives a great analogy of boarding an animal to paying moorage for a boat. If one uses the boat (or rides the animal frequently) the cost may not seem objectionable, but if one rarely uses the boat or rides the animal, the cost can become an annoyance. There follows an excellent discussion of things to look for (or avoid) if boarding the animal (either long-term or short-term).
The last chapter of the book, however, is the clincher – Clinics: Life Changing. It would be near impossible for a new mule owner not to seriously consider attending a reputable mule trainer’s clinic after reading this chapter.
A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule is a gem of helpful information, and it’s well-written and offers many a chuckle. The author’s style is friendly and never know-it-all. This is a book that even experienced riders could benefit from.
Developing the Art of Equine Communication is exactly what author C.L. Lee Anderson helps readers do in this down-to-earth, friendly read.
A former aviation engineer, Lee took to horses at a young age and now has decades of horse experience, including showing, riding, and training, under his belt. Lee continues to participate in the equine arena with his rescued racetrack mount, Concho. Both Concho and Lee are well-known figures in Arizona Western entertainment venues and publications.
The beauty of this book is that Lee not only describes a problem, but he tells the reader what has caused the problem and, most importantly, what to do about it. It seems once someone understands what is actually causing a particular problem, a lot of the “fear factor” goes away.
Lee’s style of writing is warm and folksy feeling. He’s a great man and highly thought of in the western equine community.
Lee Anderson’s newest book, The View from My Old Saddle, is bold and tells it all: the good, the bad, and the awful. This is a must-read book if a person is new to riding or horse ownership, as it will save a rider/owner from myriad mistakes in outfitting and handling the new mount.
Published in January 2020 and released January 15, 2020, The View from My Old Saddle surged out of the starting gate and won’t slow down for a long time to come. Lee’s works tend to become classics in the equine world. Endorsed by the who’s-who of Arizona, a reader can’t go wrong with this great horseman’s insights. Be kind to your horse. Read this book.
Due to many photos and illustrations, this title will not be available as an e-book.
Westerns, Whales and Oceans 