The Second Mount by Christine Pullein-Thompson

The Second Mount by Christine Pullein-Thompson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There is something so specific about this sort of book, I think, and it comes from their very particular DNA and that is this: martingales, poetry, a hand-gallop (which mystified me for years and possibly still might?), at least one slipped stifle, a sensible pony, a not sensible pony, something that’s a bolter but turns out to be an amazing jumper When Given Time And Training, at least one orchard, at least one sensible relative With Looseboxes, a heroic deed being rewarded with at least one pony, and summers that last forever.

(ugh, I adore them).

I picked up an enormous swodge of pony books recently from a lovely little second hand bookshop because I had been feeling the need for pony books in my life again and ponies, really, if I am honest, solid and sensible bombproof hairy round things that just mooch along a bridleway in Summer and make everything perfect. For now, though, the books and specifically Christine Pullein-Thompson who I shall associate forever with Stopping Everything For Poetry And Also Sensible Advice. The Second Mount kind of follows that principle and is just a nice, solid, does everything it says on the tin kind of pony book. It’s a relatively quick read with some moments of genuine charm. For me, these came mainly when the characters realise how much they actually enjoy teaching others to ride. It’s hard to detach this from the author’s own experiences with her siblings (for more on this, the excellent Fair Girls and Grey Horses is well worth seeking out). There’s also some lovely, simple moments where nothing really happens but the character thinks “god, I really like riding” and it’s kind of deliciously wonderful in its clarity.

And yet, in a way, there’s also something interesting underneath this one. Pullein-Thompson is trying to do something different and write about some slightly older people butting up against the reality of everyday existence. I say “reality” but honestly, this is all profoundly otherworldly to contemporary readers which is again, part of the charm. One character is wrestling whether to become a debutante (!!) or to stay in the world of horses while another is considering whether the world of horses is really for them at all. Add to this the realities of paying bills, of paying rent, and of maintaining a friendship when you start to work professionally together, you start to get something quite interesting.

Having said all of that though, pony books like this exist in a world which is so wonderfully helpful to Those Who Are Horsey so you know that things will always work out eventually.


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