Lipizzans are my Favorite! (My Favorite Horses)

By: Elaine Landau
Publisher: Lerner Publications
Publication: February 2012
ISBN: 978-0761365334
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: February 2012

If you have ever seen Lipizzans in a circus and fallen in love with their grace and beauty they may have ended up on your wish list. They are "known for their grace and good looks," but they are much more work than a goldfish and definitely more costly. A Lipizzan is approximately fifteen hands tall and weighs around 1,300 pounds. They are a powerful, strong horse with personality plus. One fact that will amaze most people is the fact that their foals are not born white, but are "often deep gray, brown, or blackish brown." By the time they are grown they are light like their parents.

Most young horse lovers at least know what a mane and tail are, but how about a cannon? In this book is a two-page photographic spread of a Lipizzan where you can get a closer look at its body parts and their names. Historically, this breed originated in Spain. The Austrian royal family fell in love with them in the 1560s and imported them where they "stayed in the royal stables," could be seen in parades, or went into battle. In this book you'll also learn about the Spanish Riding School, what dressage is, how they almost became extinct, how you house a horse, their basic needs, stable boarding, how you should take care of their tack, and many other interesting facts about the absolutely appealing Lipizzan.

Many young readers are fascinated by horses, love reading about them, and dream about having one. Obviously the author stresses that the Lipizzan, as with other horses, are a lot of responsibility and perhaps when the youngster is older they will "own one after all." This small book has a nice layout, generously illustrated with photographs and a couple of archival art reproductions. There are numerous informative sidebars scattered throughout the book. For example, one talks about "Horsey Math" and how to figure out a Lipizzan's height. In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, and additional recommended books and a website to explore.

Quill says: This is an excellent overview of the fabulous Lipizzan horses for the young reader.