Why can't horses burp? Curious questions about your favorite pet

Review by Booklist Review

Horses may not burp, but they can produce up to 50 pounds of manure per day. After focusing on cats and dogs in previous books, zoologist Crumpton turns to another favorite domesticated animal--the horse--in this lively informational volume. The author groups facts thematically into double-page spreads. While questions such as "Do any horses still live in the wild?" and "Do horses have jobs?" introduce a spread's topic, elongated illustrations in a folk-art style and short, chunked text provide the answers. Subjects range from the history of the horse and famous horses to their breeds, hair colors, gaits, and place in a herd. Also covered are horse grooming and tricks, how they use their ears to communicate, and equine Olympic events. A section on unique horse traits includes, of course, that horses don't burp because strong valves in their stomach keep food in, even at a gallop. Pair with Jennifer Thermes' Horse Power (2021) for another look at this animal's influence on and relationship with humans.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 2--5--Did you know that horses can't burp? They have special stomach valves to keep food inside while they're galloping. While the book's title may give the impression that a lot of the content will be just as wacky as equine burps, that isn't really the case. Much of the information provides an interesting but fairly straightforward overview of horse history, care, and jobs. Each spread features a theme (such as "History of the Horse") with a related query ("How long have there been horses?"). Along with the answer, additional related facts are found around the page. From famous horses like Alexander the Great's Bucephalus to the differences between horses and ponies, readers are sure to discover new fun facts and tidbits. There is also practical advice such as how to assess a horse's mood based on the position of the ears. The illustrations are quite appealing. The horses, with their varied colors, shapes, tack, and expressive faces, have abundant charm. Even though sequential reading isn't required, the ending of the book may seem abrupt, as readers may be looking for a wrap-up conclusion. Back matter includes a glossary of terms (like farrier and curry comb). VERDICT A perfect primer for equine enthusiasts.--Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State Univ., OH

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Horse facts, basic and obscure, fill this oversized illustrated book. Following Why Do Cats Meow? and Why Do Dogs Sniff Butts? (both 2020), this latest volume in a series on animals turns to horses of all kinds. Each spread focuses on one question, such as "How long have there been horses?"; "Why do horses wear shoes?"; and "Can a horse speak with its ears?" Short paragraphs responding with answers are spaced throughout each spread, around painted illustrations of horses against white backgrounds, in action scenes, or in portrait frames. Readers will learn the names of horses' colors, the names of older and younger members of a herd, the relationships between humans and horses, the jobs horses do, which breeds are strongest, which are most easily trained, and, of course, why horses can't burp, among other things. While the title implies that the book will be filled with quirky, unusual facts, most of the information is fairly basic--enlightening for beginner horse enthusiasts but less so for those who have already been delving into equine affairs. The writing style is plain, and bolded headings make browsing easy. The delicate watercolor illustrations are realistic enough to be informative but also playful in places, depicting horses with eyebrows to exaggerate their emotions in one spread, for instance. A number of famous horses from history are featured as well. Humans are pictured in a variety of skin tones. A fun gift or reference book for the newer horse enthusiast. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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