I was one of those horse crazy kids and over the years I became most fond of Morgans, Lipizzans, and the Appaloosa, especially the Appy! This means I have enough books for several posts! (For you non-horse lovers, I will spread them out and list books on other 'themes' in between). ;-)

My mother was a world traveler. She took students all over the world with the People to People High School Student Ambassador Program. One year she took me to visit some of her favorite places. This included staying with a couple in Vienna that had been her home stay visit in past years. They didn't speak English, I spoke no German. I remember good food, walks in the evening, and the gift of an amazing book The White Stallions of Vienna, by Alois Podhajsky (translated by Frances Hogarth-Gaute). Filled with hundreds of photos, this book is a treasure.

For fewer pictures, but more text, there's The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, by Ann Tizia Leitich (translated by Stella von Musulin). A nice history of the horses and the school.

Two books, for the tourist (which, after all, is what I was) ;-) .... a wee book of mostly photographs: Lipizzan Horses. The text, by Podhajsky, is in English, French, and German. The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is one of those books you'd find in the tourist shop after a tour, concert, etc. At the time I was at the Spanish Riding School, there was no such shop, but Mom did find me this book somewhere (possibly on another of her trips).

I rarely read romances, but made an exception for Airs Above the Ground, by Mary Stewart because of the Lipizzans. Decades have passed since I read this, but I have a memory of one scene of a retired Lipizzan 'dancing' to the music coming from an open window. Stewart wrote historic fiction and did a good job on her research.

And, of course, White Stallion of Lipizza, by Maguerite Henry and illustrated by Wesley Dennis (from March 25, 2015 post). This book explains the movements performed by the riders, what the brands each horse carries mean, and a bit about the training process. It's a book I enjoy every time I read it.

Reading Hermit With Dog