Horses

Focusing on how people work together with horses in various activities, Horses features two programs originally shown on the acclaimed PBS-aired series Nature. In “Wild Horses of Mongolia with Julia Roberts,” viewers learn about the lifestyle of nomadic Mongolians, who rely upon horses to supply food (mare's milk is a critical staple of the diet), transportation, and sport in a rugged and isolated land. Much of the program is spent discussing other-than-horse related topics, as Julia Roberts roughs it with a family of nomads, gaining insights into Mongolian culture and social conditions. In “Horse and Rider,” the partnering of human and horse in highly competitive sports is examined, as experts in the fields of rodeo, dressage, and polo demonstrate how they train the animals to rely on or ignore natural instincts in order to excel in these sports. Likely to appeal to both animal enthusiasts and armchair travelers, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Sullivan)