Glenn BalchReseñas

A "what if" explanation tale, of an 18th century young Comanche who discovered horses that had escaped from their Spanish owners. The introduction of a better method of hunting and fighting changed the Comanche way of life forever. It's respectfully written, without graphic violence, so suitable for pre-teens and up. I enjoyed it, and will keep it on my shelves for another read.½

One of my very favorite books as a kid

Two young captives escape their Spanish masters, each taking a horse as they flee on foot. One of the horses is a prized stallion, a horse of two colors, sporting dark spots on its rump. But the youths know well that they are in danger, pursued by vengeful men. Can they make their way home safely ahead of angry soldiers and through the territory of enemy tribes?

This is an engaging story with minimal violence, appropriate for pre-teens and up.½

(This is an abridged version, the original book is called Wild Horse) It's about two kids who have been admiring a wild black stallion that lives near their father's cattle ranch. The father doesn't see much use in wild horses so he doesn't mind when men come to run the wild horses, intending to sell whatever they catch for rodeo broncos or to a factory that makes chicken feed. The kids are appalled that the wild stallion they call King might meet such a fate. The boy determines to go out and catch the wild horse himself, and his sister helps by bringing supplies and fresh horses. It is a long hard job which they mainly do by following the stallion in relays until he's worn out. Most of this story felt really flat and bland to me- the dialog and descriptions- but that is probably due to it being "revised". The final chapters were more interesting, after the horse is caught. The ranch hand is from South America. He uses a bola for the capture instead of a lariat and his methods for getting the wild horse to accept some basic tack were also interesting. I liked that the horse's behavior and responses were very realistic. Eventually they teach the horse that it can't get away from a rope and are riding it (although it's not really controllable). The kids are so excited to have the wild stallion, but also dismayed that it seems the horse will never really accept confinement or guidance from a rider- having lived so many years in the wild and being set in his ways. But if they let him go again, he's at risk of being caught by others and sold to rodeo or slaughterhouse. The way they solve this problem is neatly done and honestly I didn't expect it at all, even though it was hinted at in the opening scene, I missed it. Definitely think I'd like the original version of this story.

from the Dogear Diary

This is different from other horse stories I've read- so even though some parts felt predictable and the children's dialog a bit stilted (because English was their second language in the story) I found it likable enough. The main character is Jan, a boy whose family fled Latvia due to war. They settle uneasily in America, working on someone's farm. But this isn't lush green pastures with flowers and chickens running around like they were used to back home- it's dry sparse range country. Their main task is to tend a grain field, but the boy Jan longs to see and ride horses. He's jealous of the ranch owner's son, who can drive a truck, has a fancy rifle, a good horse, and roping skills. When Jan's mother wishes for warmer winter blankets, the boy makes traps to catch wild ducks and geese on a nearby body of water. He has no idea that in this new country there are laws protecting animals that don't belong to anyone, that he's trapping illegally out of season. When game wardens show up questioning the family, Jan basically panics. He remembers that his brother and grandfather back in Latvia were taken away by authorities for breaking some law, and never returned. He doesn't want to die at the hands of police or soldiers (so he imagines) so at night he grabs some supplies and runs away into the hills.

There he holes up for a while in an abandoned dugout shelter he finds by chance. Soon notices a band of wild horses that regularly grazes nearby, and realizes the golden-colored stallion must be the wild horse ranch kids talked about back home- everyone seemed to want to catch and own that stallion. Jan figures out how to survive in the wild (reminscent of Hatchet), and is planning to cross the mountain range where he hopes he can find work and nobody will have heard about his poaching mishap. But something holds him back- he sees a cougar stalking the horse herd, and comes across the bodies of colts it killed. He loves watching the young colts play and determines to protect them, by hunting down the cougar. (This part of the story reminded me so much of The White Puma by R.D. Lawrence). The big cat is secretive and intelligent, so this takes a long time. But when Jan finally deems the horses are safe from predation, he still can't leave- for now the horses have become used to his presence and he thinks maybe he has a chance to catch the golden stallion. His sister found out where he's living and brings him food supplies, she also brings him a rope when he tells her about seeing the wild stallion. However he hesitates to just throw the rope over the horse- instead determines to win its trust- by hanging out with the horses day after day they come to accept him until finally he can make his move to capture the stallion.

But when he finally has the wild horse under his control, he realizes it is unhappy to be separated from the band of mares. He feels guilty for taking the stallion away from the life it's always known, and also wonders how he will take care of it if he travels on across the mountains, or if it will attract too much attention- being such a fine horse for a boy (except it's actually rather dirty and scruffy now). The final chapter is Jan deliberating what to do- and because it's a kid's book I guessed what would be his final move. Would have liked to see a bit more closure on that, what the consequence or reactions were, but oh well.

I do have to say, a key component of Jan's plan to approach the wild horses and get them used to him, took me by complete surprise. In fact it's a little shocking and not for the squeamish. I wonder how well it might have worked in a real situation.

from the Dogear Diary

It's the early 1800s in the United states, and John Daniels is sixteen. His elder brother went west to be a fur trapper three years before and has never communicated with his family. John joins a trading expedition led by a wily mountain man and does a lot of maturing in the following months as he tries to locate his brother.

I liked how the author avoided using stereotypes in his depiction of the native Americans, and I learned more about how people survived in the often hostile environment of the early American frontier.

While aimed at a youth audience, this story of a young man exploring the American wilderness is perfectly fine as an adult read. I found it entertaining, and kept me up past my bedtime.½

Interesting, believable, straightforward tale of Pawnee teens on their first spiritual quest. The characters are not stereotypical, and include one youth who is silently critical of the leadership. Fine for preteens as the violence is not graphic.

Two young Native Americans from the Comanche tribe are out hunting when surprised by enemies from the Ute tribe. As one youth runs back to warn their tribe, the other decoys the enemy... When he finally evades the Utes and makes it back to camp, all his people are gone except for an elderly man they call Old Man Crazy, because he speaks of things no one believes- people with white skin who wear armor and travel on the backs of animals. At this time none of the Comanches had ever seen a white man and horses were unknown to them. So the youth and the crazy old man travel alone together, and they come across a small band of horses, (escaped from the Spanish Conquistadors). At first they find the strange animals frightening, then are eager to learn how to possess and ride the horses themselves, so they can take these new valuable animals back to the tribe. It isn't easy, particularly as the natives don't have any idea how to approach or control the horses, but they are smart in the ways of wild animals, and quickly learn by observing how different horses are from wild game. The younger Comanche is particular invested in the attempt to use horses because he has a lame foot which always slowed him down; this will give him an advantage among his people. But he has to face a lot of unexpected challenges, and looses the guidance of the old man too, ending up on his own to figure out how to ride the horse and then find his own people again. This was a really well-told story, with good descriptions, realistic animal behaviors, engaging writing style and an interesting plot that surprised me a few times.

from the Dogear Diary

Ben and his family live on a ranch in Idaho, where they breed and raise horses and cattle. It's the only life he has known, but now that he's 14 he has to go to school in Boise, several hours' drive from home.

When he goes home in December, his Christmas present is a 'green broke' horse he had his eye on, to train as his own cow horse. But in a week he has to go back to Boise? How can he train his horse, "Inky", while at school?

Ben does some growing up in this book as he works hard to balance school and the challenge of finding time and money to take care of his horse.

This book is suitable for either adults or juveniles. I read it when I was about 12, but it was just as good as a reread, some 45 years later.

Another summer has arrived, with a surprise: Ben and Dixie find themselves the owners of a racehorse that won't listen or obey. Ben is determined that he can undo Peck O' Trouble's bad habits, but will he have the time to do so before school starts? And if Peck can be retrained, who would want to buy him?

I enjoyed this addition to the Tack Ranch series, although I didn't feel it was as good as the previous books. I still would recommend it as a solid ranch/horse story.

An engaging story of a Comanche boy, from the time in early America when horses were a novelty. Well-written, suitable for preteens and up.

A satisfying and enjoyable read about the forerunners to the Nez Percé tribe, and how they acquired the first Appaloosa horse.½

Olaf starts his life in a kennel, a purebred Elkhound...yet different from his siblings. He learns quickly that people can inflict pain, and so he distrusts all men, until a soft-spoken young man comes into his world. But Olaf suddenly finds himself in the wilderness, struggling to survive, and relearning the hard lesson that men cause pain.

Good story, with lots of tension and suspense as Olaf tries to live on his own.½

King, the wild thoroughbred, is accused of stealing mares from not only neighboring ranches, but those that are as far away as Nevada. Ben and Dixie, with the aid of Gaucho, try to unravel the mystery, before some irate horseman shoots King! Enjoyable read.½

It's the hardest winter in years, with storm after storm burying the good Idaho grass. While the ranch horses are well cared for, young Ben Darby goes on a quest to find and aid King and his wild horse herd, before they all succumb to starvation or predators.

This is another satisfying read about the Tack Ranch family.½

First off, let me say that I've yet to read anything by this author that was sub-par or that I didn't want to finish. Glenn Balch knew horses, wild animals, and the environment in which they lived, and it shows in his writing. Nothing is unbelievable, everything is realistic without being graphic or gory. Balch's works are suitable for all ages.

Like other books by this author, "The Flaxy Mare" is about Idaho, cowboys, and horses, including the subject of the story, a wild horse. Flaxy is born in the wild, offspring of a wild mare with obvious Thoroughbred ancestry. At an early age the filly is cared for by a young cowboy, but soon finds herself on her own in the wilderness.

I enjoyed this book, although it's not the best book I've read by this author. It's entertaining, and possibly will be reread in the future, but I am not rushing out to buy the book. Recommended, especially for horse lovers and Glenn Balch aficionados .

This is the last book that Glenn Balch wrote, and it ranks with the best of his works. Told entirely from the perspective of a wild horse in contemporary Idaho, it is neither romantic or tragic, just realistic.

The story starts with the birth of a little yellow foal, the product of a range stallion and a wild mare in the mountainous areas of Idaho. As we read, we see Buck grow, survive, and overcome obstacles that wild horses face daily in order to live another day. Not Disney, but not depressing, either. Recommended.½

Horse-runner Tom Sample shows up at the Tack Ranch one day, with a smirk on his face and a stranger in tow, Andy Blair. Andy's thoroughbred colt was stolen several years back, and he's never given up hope that he'd be found one day. Tom suggests that the wild horse, King, is Andy's long-lost colt, and offers to catch the wild stallion...for a fee, of course.

Ben and Dixie try to come up with a plan to keep King free and wild. Barring that, they intend to do anything to protect the wild herds from injury or worse, as Tom and his gang strive to capture King, no matter what it takes...including killing wild horses...½

I have to start this review by saying I really enjoy books by Glenn Balch. His "horse/dog" books are not geared down to children, but can be read at either a juvenile or adult level.

I've read a couple books in this series but never book number 1, "Wild Horse" (aka "The Stallion King"). From the early pages of the story, I can see where the author set the stage for several books to follow. We meet Ben and Dixie, Steve and their parents who own the Tack Ranch. In this book we also are introduced to the horse trainer, "Gaucho" from South America.

The story, about a young man (Ben is about 13) and his younger sister, Dixie (love her independent spirit!) who monitor a wild horse herd several miles away from their ranch, in the wilds of Idaho. A new stallion has taken over, a huge black horse with obvious good breeding. They name him "King", and are cheered by the idea of his progeny helping to improve the "broomtails/scrubs" breeding of the area.

But when men arrive with intent to either capture or kill King, Ben and Dixie try to come up with a plan to save him.

Good story, nice characters, not sweet but real. Recommended.½

Note: this is the sixth in a series, but it can be read as a standalone book)

We're back with Ben and Dixie at the Tack ranch, but not for a happy occasion: King, the wild thoroughbred is not with his herd of mares and colts! With the help of Gaucho, the Argentinian ranch hand, Ben and Dixie set out to find King, or find out what happened to him.

The author's experience with horses and ranch work is evident in his writing. This book is well written and entertaining, even if you're not a western/horse lover.½

In the past I've read and enjoyed books written by Glenn Balch, and this story is not an exception.

Little Falcon knows what he wants, from before the Paint colt is even born. Through hardships and trials, despite setbacks that would cause others less determined to give up, the son of his tribe's chief relentlessly pursues his dream of taming and riding Shadow, son of the wild stallion from the high mesa.

Started a little slow, but I quickly was pulled into the narrative, and finished this book in 'one sitting'.

Recommended!½

Just found this at the local public library. I enjoyed it!

White Ruff is a collie owned by a young man, Chet. He lives with Chet and his father in the hills of Idaho.

But someone has a money making scheme planned for this dog: after White Ruff disappears, Chet and his father search for him until they hear that the dog has become a victim of a fiery, fatal wreck.

But White Ruff is not dead, but many miles away, heading west, trying to find his home and family...

Another old but good horse story from Glenn Balch (but still doesn't live up to my favorite.) This one is about a teenage boy on a ranch who admires the wild horses that run in the hills. He feels certain there's some good blood in those wild horses, and has his eye on a particular black colt. But his father adamantly claims none of them are worth the effort to catch and train- they're just loco, or their spirits would break at being caught and tamed. Ben gets his wish however, when one Christmas he returns home from school (boarding in the city with his aunt to attend high school) and finds that the black colt was caught just for him and "green-broke" by the ranch hand.

Ecstatic at owning the black colt, Ben's joy soon turns to dismay when he realizes he won't be able to train the horse himself when he's away at school. Eventually he finds a solution in boarding his horse at a nearby riding stable in town, but that doesn't quite solve his problem. Ben has to work in the stables to pay for his horse's keep, and with schoolwork as well, there's little time left to ride his horse. Compounding the issue is his embarrassment when a girl he admires at school finds out he works mucking out stalls. At first she doesn't believe he has a wild horse, then she doesn't believe Ben can ride it. He's determined to prove himself to her as a horseman, and finally gets his chance in a spectacular way.

This book was a slow start. Nice enough, but not very interesting until it got to the part where he was trying to juggle school, work and horse-training, as well as impress the girl. Later in the story Ben takes his horse back to the ranch for the summer, where he moves on from just teaching it to be obedient to commands and introduces the horse to ropes and cattle, intending to make it a skilled cow pony. All the while he's anxious to show his father that this wild horse amounted to something good.

It's a pretty good story, if you like horses. I got a chuckle out of the horse's name: Inkpot. Ben's sister named it after it was caught, before he came home for Christmas and had a chance to name it himself. He didn't like the name at first, but it stuck. I thought it was funny.

DogearDiary

Story about how Appaloosa horses were first introduced to Native Americans. Two young men from different Indian tribes escape from a Spanish settlement where they've been held captive. In a bold daring move, they steal two horses to take home, one a striking two-colored stallion, its hindquarters white with black spots. The boys have never seen a horse like him before. They don't know much about horses, as their people have just recently started to use them, and only for pack animals. Together the boys face difficulties of the long journey home: how to handle the horses, doubts about whether they can be ridden, eluding the pursuing Spaniards and finding enough food as they pass through some desolate country. More problems arise when Indians from an enemy tribe show up, fiercely determined to catch the horses for themselves. The journey is not without tragedy, and in the end one of the boys returns home to people who have almost forgotten him, feeling something of a failure. But the ending has a pleasant surprise that makes his hardships and losses worthwhile.

from the Dogear Diary