SUMMARY: Johnny belongs to a motorbike gang but when the gang plan to use a horrific wire bridle on some local horses, he turns against them. Published in the USA by Doubleday in 1966 and re-titled.ĮDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, USA re-titled edition. Eventually however, the local community is drawn together to help Sara and the horse. But others are appalled that she would spend money on a horse when she can barely support her two brothers.

SUMMARY: Sara takes on the broken-down race mare Crossed Fingers with the help of some of the townspeople. However he comes to terms with his illness whilst looking after a Dartmoor pony. Martin loses his hearing in an accident and retreats from life. USA edition published by Doubleday in 1965 with different illustrator, Ray Houlihan.ĮDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Carousel paperbacks, USA edition. Reprinted in paperback a couple of times by Carousel. Reprinted in hardback by Kestrel in 1980. SUMMARY: A young boy attempts to train a horse for the Grand National. Published in the USA by Doubleday in 1962 and re-titled.ĮDITIONS PICTURED: USA re-titled edition. Sadly he died young, at the age of only 49, in 1969. He also wrote some other non-pony novels as well as non-fiction books about horses, racing and Dartmoor, 19 books in all. Many of the books have a Dartmoor setting. Most of the books are aimed at an older readership. His books usually have a depth and perception unseen in many children's novels. He became a full time writer in the 1960s.įor some reason he is a rather over-looked author, but he is in fact an extremely accomplished writer.

He travelled extensively throughout the UK, Ireland and France, joined a travelling repertory company and worked as a journalist. Born in Totnes, Devon in 1919, he soon become passionately interested in Dartmoor, which was to feature in many of his books, both fictional and non-ficition.

Horses of Petrock by Vian Smith