HORSES

A particular favorite among children is presented in terms that will appeal to fans and young researchers alike. Touching only briefly on the history of the horse and the evolution and development of contemporary breeds, Patent focuses on horses' behavior in the wild (explaining why, technically, they're ``feral,'' not ``wild''), their needs, and the interaction of individuals and the organization of bands. A detailed chapter on ``How Horses Communicate''—and the many signals they offer observant humans—is especially useful and interesting; Mu§oz's agreeable color photos are particularly apposite here. The text concludes with comments on what keeps horses happy (they'd rather be with other horses, and outdoors) and some contemporary issues: rodeos; overpopulation on public lands (the US Bureau of Land Management has had an adoption program since 1991). Solid and attractive. (Nonfiction. 8-12)