Miskeen: The Dancing Horse

By Judy Andrekson

Miskeen was born in obscurity on a Russian farm, sold to a traveling circus, and earned a reputation performing in small towns in the 1980s. He was schooled first as a liberty (rider-less) horse and then as a "dancing" (dressage) performer. Dancing was what he did best, and he was often observed trotting on the spot whenever he heard music. He matured into a magnificent, highly trained and valuable animal. But then tragedy struck. Confined in his stall after an exhausting day of performances in unbearable heat, Miskeen was spotted by a boy. The boy took up a training whip and beat the horse mercilessly until, in panic, Miskeen struck out. The boy was bitten severely, and, in retribution, Miskeen was ordered to have all his teeth pulled so that he could never "turn vicious" again. Suddenly the magnificent animal was disabled, humiliated, unable to eat, and totally worthless to those who had prized him. Miskeen would have died, had he not been rehabilitated by a young British woman named Vicky Malia. He recovered, eventually rewarding his new owner with private dance performances. It seemed he still had an ear for music and a memory of grander days. Miskeen is dancing still.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B00A2QFV2E
• ISBN13: 9780887767715
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Tundra Books (NY)
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Miskeen means "poor" in Pashto, a good name for this unlucky horse

I am over 60 yrs old, a mad horse lover and animal advocate, and read just about everything I can find about them. This true story is about a horse in Russia and neighboring areas of Asia who ends up in a circus, and gives a story from the horse's point of view, about his experiences there, as well as a cruel punishment he suffered which he never deserved; it does have a reasonably happy ending. I personally liked the book, but would place the caveat that I think it might not be a good choice for some kids; It is a good advertisement for PETA, and makes one see circuses in an unfavorable way which some may find upsetting. (possibly not a bad thing!)