Horses of Qatar: The Legend of Al Shaqab. Engl.-Französ.-Dtsch.-Span.-Italien. (Photographer), Vanessa von Zitzewitz

In the Arabian peninsula, horses are an essential part of society. They embody culture, wealth, nobility, as well as being a living embodiment of grace and power. In Qatar, the breeding and training of horses has been developed into both a science and an art. Under the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and of his daughter, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who is also head of Qatar Museums Authority, Vanessa von Zitzewitz enjoyed unparalleled access to some of the finest equine bloodstock anywhere. This comprehensive photogrpahic volume covers horses as never before. We get up-close glimpses of all the rigorous care these four-footed athletes receive. As well as horses being shod and being trained under water, we even witness the wonder of birth.