I meant to just glance through this book and read it properly later, but I couldn't stop myself from reading. This is partly because of the awe-inspiring photos, such as the first one of a black and a white horse galloping over snow towards the camera. The text is easy to read and friendly in tone. We are treated to accounts of horse stars, such as Zorro's horse Tornado, Champion and Trigger; then there is Cass Ole the Arabian who played the Black Stallion in the film of Walter Farley's book. Among white horses, we meet Silver, Shadowfax and the Lipizzaners.

I've read many factual books on horses and this one is a great introduction, mixing fact with adventure and fantasy. We learn that there are two base coat colours - red and black. White hairs mixed through the coat creates a roan. Some breeds are more likely to be particular colours. British and American usage of terms may vary (the author is British) especially in terms like dun and buckskin. Film makers treat the choice of horse colour with care - a star will be given the showiest horse. 'Hidalgo' focused on a coloured mustang, a contrast to the desert Arab mounts he raced. For filming, seven horses were used for his different stunts, requiring enormous care with horse make- up.

A British breeder has persevered in purposely breeding a skewbald mostly-Thoroughbred horse which the racing authorities would allow to race, and she has won third and fourth places with him. The original Stud Book had no patched mares or stallions which is why you do not see this colour in races. We look at stripey zebras and crossbreed zonkeys. DNA testing is now showing up all kinds of genes and factors for colours. There are more spectacular photos on a Pinterest board which this book recommends. The author Lesley Lodge previously wrote 'Lights! Camera! Gallop! The Story of the Horse In Film' and clearly loves her fascinating subject HORSE AND PONY COLOURS. Ride on!

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