Books published by publisher CompanionHouse Books

Newly updated and extended, Advanced Western Riding joins the experience and enthusiasm of equestrienne Kara L. Stewart with the wisdom of Horse Illustrated to bring this definitive guide to advanced western riders. The book goes beyond the fundamentals to teach readers how to refine their riding skills--from the right mental attitude to the proper seat and hands to advanced schooling techniques and competitions. Complete with step-by-step instructions, countless tips, full-color photos, and an easy-to-use glossary, this guide takes the guesswork out of advanced western riding.

Published as a companion volume for public television’s Nature series, Cloud: The Wild Stallion of the Rockies is documentary filmmaker Ginger Kathrens’s personal retelling of her years following the wild horse she named Cloud. Beautifully designed, the book is elaborately photographed and divided into seventeen chapters that follow the life of a wild stallion, just one of hundreds of horses that have roamed wild in the Rocky Mountains for two hundred years. The book begins with the author and filmmaker witnessing the birth of a helpless white colt, that will soon capture her heart and imagination. Each subsequent chapter documents Cloud’s interaction with his mare Raven, his brother Diamond, and other colts in the wild as well as his adventures encountering dangerous predators, older stallions, and human trappers. The author follows Cloud over the course of five years, taking note of his physical and behavioral development, as his begins to take on more of a leadership role in the band of wild bachelors he’s joined, to become a fighter, a survivor, and a father. Kathrens’s emotional involvement in Cloud’s story is palpable, such as when she tearfully watches the young stallion get captured by trappers. Due to his unusual coloration, he is set free, though the other members of his band and sisters are removed and sold. Returning to the mountains every season, the author continues to look for Cloud in the vast wild habitat, always relieved to find him still living, despite fights, predators, and encounters with trappers. She is later is touched to see how Cloud, the five-year-old mare, grazes with his yearling son, the first of his new family. Kathrens’s gripping observations of wild horses of the Arrowheads, their fights, struggles, and alliances, give the reader much insight into the fascinating behavior of these wild horses.

An entertaining and educational introduction to the world of lizards of all sizes, colors, shapes, and personalities, Lizards provides keepers of all ages with intriguing information about common and unusual lizards. This colorful guide by herp expert Russ Case offers beginners who are looking to adopt a lizard the right guidance for purchasing a healthy specimen and for creating a safe, comfortable home where the pet lizard can thrive. Beginners will learn about the anatomy of lizards and their behavior in the wild and in captivity. The chapter “Lizard Food” is a lesson in how to provide lizards with the proper nutrients so that owners meet all of the special needs of their pets. The chapter “Five Most Excellent Lizard Pets” presents the most common species for newcomers, including the leopard gecko, green anole, bearded dragon, Chinese water dragon, blue-tongued skink, each illustrated with color photos and detailed with specific advice about feeding and housing. Additional examples of lizards are covered in “Other Cool Lizards,” such as the green iguana, chameleon, monitor lizard, tokay and day geckos and uromastyx; all of which are fascinating to read about though not recommended for beginners. A chapter on potential health problems gives a basic overview of how to care for and maintain captive lizards in the best of health. Sidebars throughout the text give the reader good advice on dos and don’ts to avoid common mistakes keepers make with these pet animals. Glossary included.

GaWaNi Pony Boy's unique approach to horses is captured in these five books from BowTie Press. GaWaNi Pony Boy is the founder and president of lyuptala University (lyuptala means "one-with" in Lakota), and online college that allows horse lovers to expand their knowledge of these magnificent animals. He regularly writes for equine publications throughout the United States and Europe.