Chosen by a Horse

by Susan Richards and Susan Richards

Book Overview

"Two kindred spirits find each other in this beautifully written memoir about the human-animal bond" (Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation).

The horse Susan Richards chose for rescue wouldn't be corralled into her waiting trailer. Instead Lay Me Down, a former racehorse, walked right up that ramp and into Susan's life. This gentle creature--malnourished, plagued by pneumonia and an eye infection--had endured a rough...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156031175
• ISBN13: 9780156031172
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Loved It!

It's a book that once you start you can not put it down! A must read for any horse lover. Don't forget to have a box of tissues with you. (You will need them) One of my favorite books!

You don’t need to be a horse person

I love horses and animal stories but honestly this book was unexpectedly not really about that. The owner (a woman) is the main character I feel not the animal and her character growth in the book is quite good and deserved.

I adore this book!

"Chosen by a Horse" is one of the most moving books I've read. I read it twice in high school (for fun!) and even wrote a paper on it. It's a painfully uplifting book about love and loss. It's inspirational and reminds you that while it takes effort, wounds can heal. You'll never want to put this book down.

Amazing

A heart wrenching tale of a woman, and the bond she shares with a horse. I laughed and cried and generally felt included in the story. One of the best horse stories out there.

Wonderful Story about the Magic of Horses

Beautiful story about a woman who rescues a neglected horse and at the same time is changed. The rescued horse, Lay Me Down, has a gentle and loving nature even after suffering a terrible life. And this kindness makes Susan re-evaluate her life and the abuse she suffered as a child and in her marriage. I was pulled into the story and enjoyed it to the end even though I was crying. I highly recommend this book if you love a good horse story. I finished this book in one day!

Amazing story, well written, a must-read for anyone

I picked this book up at a bookstore while I was waiting around for my car to be serviced. Having no intention of buying the book, because I'm not "into" horses, I thought I'd skim through it to see how the author started her story. I'm taking a writing class about spirituality and inspiration. Well, let me tell you, I ended up resenting the fact that the car repair called me right in the middle of my reading--I'd read about 25 pages. I dashed over to cash register, bought the book, drove home (it took me an hour) and all I could think of was how I could hardly wait to get through dinner and settle down again with that book. At 12 midnight, I finished the book, crying my eyes out, trying not to wake up my husband sleeping peacefully at my side. What a book! Susan Richards, keep on writing! We need your sensitivity and insights!

Heartbreaking and renewing

I started reading this book after my normal Friday riding lesson while still at the bookstore with my cup of tea and had read 81 pages before I left. I spent the rest of the evening engrossed and sobbing by the time Susan found Lay Me Down lying in the sun on the last day. My son must have thought I was nuts, crying over a book. I found it somewhat ironic that a social worker had so many issues herself-yet she must have empathy for her clients. She was able to paint a strong visual picture of her horses with their behaviors and Hot Shots grief was as heartbreaking as her own. I'd recommend this book to anyone with a heart.

COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!

This memoir had me from the first few pages. By the second chapter, I was wishing it would never end. It was like sitting down for coffee with a best friend with whom you share so much in common. Susan Richards put into words so many of my feelings for horses and for my life with them, that I could scarcely believe these words were coming from the voice of someone else. Richard's writing skill is above reproach. It is just a pure joy to read. My only complaint is that the book had to end. My only hope is that she write more wonderfully honest books about her life & that of her horses. Bless you Ms. Richards. You touched my heart.

a moving, splendid memoir

I'm not a horse person. The one time I went riding, the horse took off at a gallop for mountains unknown and I was sobbing and panicked. But I do admire their beauty and grace--but not half as much as I admire the beauty and grace of this book. About a woman whose life has been banged up but not broken, it's also a moving chronicle of coming back to life, discovering what's important, and appreciating the small moments of beauty available to us. Exquisitely written, spare, and flat out magnificent.