Books About Horses

As writers of horse fiction, we are also readers of it as well. So, I wanted to tell you about a book that I just finished. It isn't fiction. It's actually a memoir titled CHOSEN BY A HORSE. If you haven't read this book, do yourself a favor and read it. I know anyone with a horse will be able to relate to the relationship and the emotions that the horses in this book avail to their owner Susan Richards. It is a story of growth, hope, love and life.

Susan saves an abused Standardbred mare from the killers at auction and brings her back to her farm where her Morgan mare Georgia rules the roost, and her two geldings do what geldings tend to do--whatever the mare orders. However, as the story unfolds a beautiful love affair takes place between the Standardbred named Lay Me Down and one of the geldings. Georgia never does come around to give Lay me Down the time of day, but it doesn't seem to bother her too much.

Like Lay Me Down, her owner Susan comes from an abusive background and through her mare who is the most gentle, loving animal Susan learns to let go of her own demons and love her life again.

I don't want to give any spoilers away, so I will only say that this book touched me and I loved every page of it. It's a testament to the horse as a thinking, generous, wonderful animal. Lay Me Down had one of the biggest hearts I've ever read about.

I wish so much that we had more horse related books available to us. I think there is a huge market for these books. Whenever I see a cover of a book with a horse on it, I always buy it. I haven't read Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, but I have read her horse books and loved them too. Of course everyone here writes wonderful equestrian fiction and I am happy to be a part of this group.

How about all of you? What are your favorites in horse fiction and why? Was it the relationship the character had with the horse, the animal itself, plot, theme? In your opinion as a writer I'd like to know what readers thhink work when they read our type of books. And what doesn't work for you?

Have a wonderful week! Hug a horse!

Cheers,
Michele