Clare Balding grew up in a rather unusual household. Her father a champion trainer, she shared her life with more than 100 thoroughbred racehorses, mares, foals and ponies, as well as an ever-present pack of boxers and lurchers. As a toddler she would happily ride the legendary Mill Reef and take breakfast with the Queen.

She and her younger brother came very low down the pecking order. Left to their own devices, they had to learn life’s toughest lessons through the animals, and through their adventures in the stables and the idyllic Hampshire Downs. From the protective Candy to the pot-bellied Valkyrie and the frisky Hattie, each horse and each dog had their own character and their own special part to play.

The running family joke was that “women ain’t people”. Clare had to prove them wrong, to make her voice heard – but first she had to make sure she had something to say.

My Thoughts:

I have always like Clare Balding and was excited to read this book. It was so lovely with each animal for the different chapters. The portraits of the different animals were amazing, so much skill had been put in to them. I am a big animal lover and use to go horseriding but there were some things that I have learnt about Clare but also about horses. It was a very detailed read which I found rather enjoyable.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Animals-Other-Family-Clare-Balding/