The author describes her journey by horseback through Eastern Turkey and Iran.

Examines the events of the Civil War through the eyes of General Robert E. Lee's closest companion and devoted horse, Traveller.

Part American road trip, part coming-of-age adventure, and part uncommon love story—a remarkable memoir that explores the evolution of the human-animal relationship, along with the raw beauty of a life lived outdoors. Melissa Chapman was 23 years old and part of a happy, loving family. She had a decent job, a boyfriend she cared about, and friends she enjoyed. Yet she said goodbye to all of it. Carrying a puppy named Gypsy, she climbed aboard a horse and rode away from everything, heading west. With no cell phone, no GPS, no support team or truck following with supplies, Chapman quickly learned that the reality of a cross-country horseback journey was quite different from the fantasy. Her solo adventure would immediately test her mental, physical, and emotional resources as she and her four-legged companions were forced to adapt to the dangers and loneliness of a trek that would span over 2,600 miles, beginning in New York State and reaching its end on the other side of the country, in California. Enchanted by the freedom a nomadic life seemed to promise, the young woman would soon find herself only more deeply connected…to the animals that accompanied her, to the varying and challenging landscapes through which she traveled, and to the people she met on the farms and back roads that crisscross the United States. Chapman's vigilance in detailing the quietest moments of heroism and beauty, as well as the startling and tragic, yields a read that convinces one of both the magnificence of the countryside and the generosity of the people who call it home. A book for the equestrian, the animal lover, and the outdoor enthusiast—or anyone who dreams about one day bringing a longed-for adventure to life.

For thousands of years we have travelled on horseback but until now no one has shown us the way.The Horse Travel Handbook, a field guide drawn from its parent edition The Encyclopaedia of Equestrian Exploration, is the most authoritative work of its kind and contains the hard-earned wisdom gained by hundreds of Long Riders during centuries of equestrian travel. The concise, easy-to-use volume covers every aspect needed to successfully complete a journey by horse, including how to organize the trip, plan a route, choose the proper equipment and purchase horses. Traditional challenges such as loading a pack saddle, avoiding dangerous animals, fording rivers and outwitting horse thieves are covered here along with ingenious solutions to modern dilemmas like crossing international borders, surviving vehicle traffic and negotiating with hostile bureaucrats. This handbook covers all aspects of equine welfare including feeding, watering, saddling and health care. Technical details such as daily travel distance, where to locate nightly shelter and ways to avoid cultural conflicts are among the hundreds of specific topics examined. Equestrian explorers have special linguistic needs. Vital words such as hay and farrier are not found in standard phrase-books. A special appendix contains the Equestionary that provides images of objects and situations most likely to be of use when language is a barrier. Created by the founder of the Long Riders' Guild after decades of travel and study, this comprehensive book is filled with the indispensable knowledge needed to resolve problems, overcome hardships and avoid dangers while travelling. Just as importantly, it empowers readers to turn their dream into a life-changing equestrian journey.

This carefully crafted work brings you 70 color pictures, 40+ original drawings, and a story that burns with intensity, radiates personal crises, and reminds us how life can be lived. It is about horses, and not about horses at all. It's about the human journey we're all traveling.

One Woman's Insights Into Remote Cultures of the World Many people are tourists, but few are true travelers. Joyce Rasbach was an average American housewife until she acted on a lifelong dream -- traveling to Mongolia. What followed was a discovery of the magic in visiting out-of-the-way places and peoples. This is her enlightening and compelling chronicle of experiences with cultures and spiritual concepts that are fast-disappearing. Travel with her as she: - Makes her way on the Old Silk Road and the Gobi Desert - Teaches at girls' schools in Kabul, Afghanistan while living with an Afghan family - Travels through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan two weeks after 9/11 - Explores the lofty Pamir Highway in Tajikistan with a "guide" who doesn't know how to cook or survive at high altitudes - Battles bureaucratic obstacles; endures interrogations and accusations from government officials in Iran More than simply an account of sights and experiences, Ride the Horse in the Direction It's Going provides penetrating observations on our global community. Chief among them is the discovery that people are basically the same the world over -- kind, caring, and willing to share.

A dazzling pictorial journey through the world of Romani Gypsies and their horses