"Horse-Drawn Days adds to Jerry Apps's credentials as the 'dean' of Midwest regional writers. The book deftly combines personal narrative, folk culture, mechanical knowledge, and loving tribute to the large horses that long powered rural America. Jerry has produced an excellent history and field guide that will delight those who remember those times and those ways and will intrigue and inform those who missed out. This book belongs on every shelf devoted to rural culture and country living." (Dennis Boyer, former draft horse logger and author of Listen to the Land)

 

"As a breeder of Morgan horses for 30 years, I loved Jerry Apps's accurate and highly readable history of the big-hearted animals who partnered with our forebears in feeding the nation . . . from the gentle giants who hauled the plows to the plucky light horses that drew the family buggies to town. The book is plumb full of useful information as well as inklings that may well serve our future!" (Annie Randall, owner, Village Booksmith, Baraboo, Wisconsin)

 

"Jerry Apps is a master storyteller . . . . The book offers information about work horses that might otherwise be lost if it wasn't written down. It was an important time in our history, and there aren't that many people who can remember those days. And there especially aren't many people who can tell the story as well as Jerry Apps." (Jim Massey, editor, The Country Today)

 

"The stories woven in with all the details help even people with no connection to the land or agriculture enjoy the [book]. It was a little shocking even to me — a farm girl — how much change agriculture has gone through in such a short period of time! It makes one wonder what the next 50 to 70 years will look like. It also better helps me understand the deep appreciation some of my family members have for their draft horse stories. As usual, Apps also conveys a pretty strong message of remembering our past and learning from all of it."  (Pam Jahnke, Farm Director, Farm Report Radio)

 

"An appealing narrative . . . not only showing the value of the horse as a result of its contributions to the survival of rural farmers, but also underlining its valuable role as a member of the farm family."  (J. Liv Sandberg, Equine Extension Specialist, Dept. of Animal Sciences, UW-Madison)

 

"Jerry once again gives his readers a fencerow view of farming practices in the early half of the 20th century . . . a wonderful history lesson that goes beyond the 'seasons' of working the soil and tending livestock."  (Joan Sanstadt, News Editor, Agri-View)