A vivid first-person study of a notorious equine ritual—from the perspective of the wild horses who are its targets Wild horses still roam the mountains of Galicia, Spain. But each year, in a ritual dating to the 1500s called rapa das bestas, villagers herd these “beasts” together and shave their manes and tails. Shaving the Beasts is a firsthand account of how the horses experience this traumatic rite, producing a profound revelation about the durability of sociality in the face of violent domination. John Hartigan Jr. constructs an engrossing, day-by-day narrative chronicling the complex, nuanced social lives of wild horses and the impact of their traumatic ritual shearing every summer. His story generates intimate, individual portraits of these creatures while analyzing the social practices—like grazing and grooming—that are the building blocks of equine society. Shaving the Beasts culminates in a searing portrayal of the inspiring resilience these creatures display as they endure and recover from rapa das bestas. Turning away from “thick” description to “thin,” Hartigan moves toward a more observational form of study, focusing on behaviors over interpretations. This vivid approach provides new and important contributions to the study of animal behavior. Ultimately, he comes away with profound, penetrating insights into multispecies interactions and a strong alternative to humancentric ethnographic practices.

The authors share their experiences while studying and photographing wild horses in the American West. Includes information on their habits and behavior.

Wild horses have been an important part of wildlife on Earth for centuries, yet many herds now face serious threats -- and very few people can claim to have seen them galloping free across the plains, or scaling mountain passes. Kelly Wilson has. For this book, she spent years researching the world's wildest herds, travelling the globe and living among them. From the remote forests of Canada and snow-capped mountains of America, to the unforgiving deserts of Australia and windswept beaches of New Zealand, Kelly has captured a raw and honest portrayal of these animals -- their rugged beauty, their unique way of life, and the harsh, yet picturesque landscapes they call home. Live the adventure alongside her, as Kelly looks into the secret lives of wild horses, how their populations are managed, and the many hardships they must overcome in their fight for survival.

The authors share their experiences while studying and photographing wild horses in the American West. Includes information on their habits and behavior.

Discusses the nesting habits, diet, family and social lives of penguins, and the current threats to their habitats.

Wild horses from all over the world are presented along with a close look at prehistoric horse-like animals and some famous horses and breeds from history and mythology.

Beautiful, full-color photographs and simple text lead readers into the world of the last of the wild horses. See the birth of a foal and watch it grow to challenge for leadership of the band. Learn why wild horses are so rare and find out what you can do to help protect the open spaces they need to survive.