World of Horses: Season 2

Broadcast on the Discovery Channel, this 13-episode second season from the World of Horses—narrated by John Scott—revolves around working horses: their breeding, training, the tasks they perform, and the impact they have on human lives. A segment on trail riding in the Rockies covers the physical characteristics and temperament of a good trail horse, and the relationships the animals have to their (often inexperienced) riders. Police horses are shown learning to accept unfamiliar noises, obstacles, and movements. A trick horse's trainer explains that the “tricks” are all natural behaviors that the horse has simply learned to perform on cue. A quarter horse trained for steer wrestling (or bulldogging) carries his rider at just the right speed and stays in a pattern even when the person slides off the saddle. Other episodes on this double-sided disc feature the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride (a precision team), and horses trained for barrel riding, driving, roping, rodeo pick-up, and three-day show events (dressage, steeplechase and cross-country, and jumping). The horses are beautifully filmed in a wide range of environments and situations, while comments from breeders, owners, and trainers emphasize the respect, warmth, and trust that can develop in the human-equine bond. Recommended. Aud: P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)