Jill Newton was drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon, and when she wasn't scribbling, she could often be found on the ground after falling off a bike or pony!

She studied Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, where she focused on her passion for animals and children's books. Jill has illustrated more than 150 titles and more than 20 of her own stories have been published. Her love of horses and other creatures continues to this day, as does her interest in history and the way it shapes our world.

Jill lives in Somerset with her husband Cosmo and their dog Garry. When not at work in her attic studio, she seeks inspiration in the countryside that surrounds her; running or rambling through the woods with Garry, up and down the hills and along the ever-changing shoreline.

What is a Zonkey? Why do some horses have feathers? How can a horse sleep standing up? Which horse dances to the beat of the tom toms? Who was the eight -headed horse of Indian folklore? Come on a journey around the world and meet 80 unique breeds of horses and ponies which have adapted to harsh environments in unusual ways. Be introduced to incredible equines, both real and mythical, that dance, talk, spell, save lives on the battlefield and have even won Oscars! This book is brimming with facts about the brave and bizarre acts performed by this amazing animal that helped shape civilisations for over six thousand years.