Some Horses: Essays

by Thomas McGuane, Buckeye Blake (Illustrator)

In Some Horses , Tom McGuane animates the wide prairie, the ranches where cattle roam and cutting horses are trained, and the packed coliseums in which these horses compete for prestige and prize money. Best of all, McGuane brings to life the horses he has known, celebrating the unique glories that make each of them memorable.

McGuane's writing is infused with a love of the cowboy life and the animals and people who inhabit that world where the intimate dance between horse and rider is as magical as flight--well beyond what the human body could ever discover on its own.

Genres: Essays, Horses, Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Collections, Writing

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Thomas Francis McGuane III is an American writer. His work includes ten novels, short fiction and screenplays, as well as three collections of essays devoted to his life in the outdoors. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, National Cutting Horse Association Members Hall of Fame and the Fly-Fishing Hall of Fame.

McGuane's early novels were noted for a comic appreciation for the irrational core of many human endeavors, multiple takes on the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s. His later writing reflected an increasing devotion to family relationships and relationships with the natural world in the changing American West, primarily Montana, where he has made his home since 1968, and where his last five novels and many of his essays are set. He has three children, Annie, Maggie and Thomas.

Reviews

[Robin Hetko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think any horse lover will enjoy this collection of stories. Although it mostly focuses on western riding and in particular cutting horses with cows, as a beginner dressage and trail rider, I still found it interesting. The last essay in the book is wonderful as the author writes about the birth of foal.

[Chloe (please see my bio) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Bonnie]

Aside from Tom McGuane's fishing book 'The Long Silence' 'Some Horses' is my favorite. McGuane is at his best as a natural storyteller when he writes about his passions. His respect and affection for horses is so obvious in his essays. He and his wife compete in cutting horse events. It's his humor, usually about some situation the human gets into with a horse - often times himself, that illustrates his respect for the intelligence of horses. I bought my first copy o this book in in a little book store in Key West . The book store owner told me how Tom would show up once in a while when he was visiting his brother-in-law singer & writer Jimmy Buffet. I gave the original copy to an old friend of mine who inspired me to get involved with wild horse issues. Years ago at the University of NV-Reno reading event, located in a small crowded classroom, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Tom McGuane. He recommended that I read Pam Houston's 'Cowboys Are My Weakness' - which I did - laughing out loud because I recognized part of me in that book. Whenever I need a mental lift I pick up Some Horses and read one of Tom's essays. They remind me that life is good, especially around horses.

[ron swegman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little collection of essays is a minor masterpiece. Thomas McGuane is a noted novelist and angling author; he is also a Montana rancher and skilled quarter horse champion. This book, a collection of occasional essays written over the past few decades, encapsulates McGuane's experience and relationship with raising and riding horses. There are tales from the trails and an inside glimpse of the rodeo circuit. McGuane's descriptive gifts and prodigious vocabulary combine to create a memorable testament to an attractive, intelligent, and indispensable animal: the domesticated horse.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

McGuane lifts writing about horses to literary heights in this tour-de-force. Better than nearly any novel, "Some Horses" captures the mystery, majesty and quirkiness of all things equine in a series of essays. Though McGuane was originally recognized for his raucous novels and Hollywood screenplays, he found redemption in Montana ranch life. "Some Horses" may be the finest collection of horse stories ever written.

[Mirrani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays on the author's experience with cutting horses. You really don't need to know anything about ranching, cutting, or horses to enjoy the storytelling properties of this book. The writing was straight forward, yet had a humorous side that easily made me "feel" the rancher-rider of the midwest. An easy, enjoyable read.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, funny, smart, touching -- a beautiful collection of essays about the author's experiences with horses, specifically competitive cutting horses. It will strike a chord with anyone who knows horses, and dressage riders may be surprised at the many similarities between the two disciplines.

[Bob Peru · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've always admired tom mcguane and his writing. both fiction and non. always admired horses too. this book is great.
even you're not a horse aficianado, but like great writing. . .
highly recommended.

especially the last two essays. read those alone.
superb.

[Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Some Horses” by Thomas McGuane is a series of essays/stories that the author has written. Each chapter tells a new story. The stories range from training horses to going to cutting competitions to traveling the country. The author talks about different horses that he has had and people he has met along the way.
I would rate this book a five out of five. I liked this book because of the different aspects of horses that the author included. He talked about cutting horses but also trail riding horses. The author included Buster Welch in his essays. Buster was a famous horse trainer at the Four Sixes ranch. The author explained what he learned from Buster. Thomas McGuane included many stories that had me hooked. One chapter was about him packing horses through a mountain in the snow and camping overnight. Another chapter was about a horse having a foal and the beauty of it. Many others were about horses that Thomas has had through the years like Sugar, Chink’s Benjibaby, and Roanie. He goes into great detail about the horses and brings out the beauty in them. He even has a chapter on team roping. Thomas explained many of the cutting horse competitions that he went to and how each horse acted in the ring. The author has a passion for cutting horse competitions and traveled the country just to go to some. The last chapter which is named “A Foal” was my favorite. In this chapter, he talks about waiting for a broodmare to have her foal and once she does it is a beautiful sight.
One thing that I disliked about the book was the setup of it. It took me a while to realize that each chapter was a different story and that they did not flow together. Once I did realize this, it became easier to read. Other than that though it was a great book with a lot of great horse stories.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was way out of my area of expertise with this book! Montana author Thomas McGuane is a rancher, horse lover, and a fine writer. He talks extensively about his many horses, owned over the course of decades, and his close relationship with them, on the ranch, and in the competitive world where money is there to be made, and reputations forged for horse and human. He beautifully describes the psychology of horses, general and particular, in all its quirky glory. What a pleasure to read about some of his more stubborn pony friends and the trouble they have gotten into and out of together. Really, some of the situations he describes are fodder for TV drama and/or sitcom or cartoon. A lovely chapter about the birth of a foal ends the book.

The aspect of this volume which I liked best is McGuane's writing style, conversational, poetic, and tongue in cheek all at once.....very enjoyable. I don't think that you need much knowledge about horses, western life, and competitions where the ritual moves of traditional cattle ranch work are displayed, to enjoy this book. I did. Enough is explained for the layperson, and then poetry and love of the territory take over. Heartfelt, and nicely done.

[Courtney]

I was not in the right headspace or setting for this essay collection—reading how to (poetically) rope a horse while baking on the beach at the Jersey Shore was never going to land—but I will revisit if only to come across this gem again:

"In the American West, the horse is considered part of a sacred birthright even though the native westerner is no more likely to be a horseman than is an Ohioan or a New Yorker. In the case of populous western states like Texas, he is perhaps less likely. Here in Montana, the most effete native condo dweller will chuckle at an out-of-stater on a horse. But a lover of horses has nothing to prove and no expertise to reveal. It is important that we find animals to love, and that is the end of the story."

[Jeff P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully direct writing. Warm and gently funny. Poetic in its efficiency. Definitely feel the influence of Jim Harrison, who led me to Mcguane through his non-fiction writing. The affection for horses in general and to those he has connected with especially is contagious. I must learn to ride horses.

[Tyler Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of 2024 so far. McGuane has the uncanny ability of explaining the duality of rider and horse into a parable that can be both emotional and comical simultaneously. Dozens of quotable nuances throughout the book.

[Paul Garns · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGuane's the kind of writer you read for the sheer enjoyment of great writing. He doesn't disappoint here.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on horses ever. If you know someone who loves horses, buy this book for them.

[Abigail Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I love.

Understated humor, original turns of phrase, wryness, quiet observation, an acceptance of human nature, a love for the beauty and unpredictability that is horses...

[Darla]

🐴🤠🐴🤠

[Nina Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite short story of all time about his cutting horse—Roanie or 79 in the famed Lucky Bottom line! Kept my family in stitches on a road trip to the Tetons & home via MT.

[Yerba Mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading McGuane, quite enjoyable, but of course I sure love horses

[Mpharris1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays by Thomas McGuane, a writer/cowboy/and great lover of animals. I can't say that my non-equine friends will enjoy this as much as I did, but it is a very quick read that is dedicated to his experiences with horses. He tells each story with humor and a great sensitivity to the unique character of the animals he is talking about. While his experiences center around cutting horses (horses that herd cows) and life in the open expanses of Montana, his ability to recreate the beauty of the land and to communicate the foibles of both man and beast, make this book universal.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays explore the uncanny, almost mystical connection between the rider and the horse. The other "character" is the landscape and culture of the West. There's a vivid sense of the terrain- the brush, buttes, and arroyos, and much of the horse and rider interaction revolves around cutting cattle.

Only four stars because I was so disappointed there wasn't more.

[Shane Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely has its moments- descriptions of western iconeries (my word) with depth and clarity, and for that, it's worth a read. But I had a little trouble connecting with the cutting horse scene and culture. I'm sure it's great, but if you are looking for something more All the Pretty Horses, taint here.

[Mae Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The essays were well-written, at times funny and always touching. You don't have to be a "horse person" to read it...the stories are universal! McGuane's voice is fluid and easy and the collection in this book capture non-fiction/essay writing at it's best.

[Harriet Wrye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would eat a mouth full of horseshoes to find another McGuane book like this!! He is just plain treasure. I love horses but know nothing about cutting horses and it doesn't matter--Just want more of these stories!

[Merri Melde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas McGuane has a way with horses and a way with words. It all comes together in this lovely group of essays about a subject he obviously loves. I've read it 3 times! It's a permanent fixture in my horse book shelves.

[KG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read about horses. This book has silly, funny, compelling and lovely stories about Thomas McGuane and his life with horses. Works for me.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review at my blog.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

My words might only detract from perfection in McGuane's words.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, thoughtful essays about life, horses, dogs. A lovely quick read that you keep in the re-read pile.

[Dana Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love his voice, point of view, humor, and tenderness. My first Thomas McGuane. Won't be my last.