The Horse That Wouldn't Trot: A Life with Tennessee Walking Horses: Lessons Learned and Memories Shared

By Rose Miller

Book Overview

Rose Miller was born and raised in North Central Pennsylvania, spending much of her youth on a farm with her family. After marrying her husband, Hal, they moved to Goshen, Indiana. Most of her life... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1608442640
• ISBN13: 9781608442645
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A spectacular learning and educational experience

As a horse owner and exhibitor who owns Tennessee Walking Horses, I can have a really hard time with explaining my breed. Many times when I tell people what breed I own, and I get the narrow-eyed, skeptical expression, the tip of the chin outward and away from me, accompanied with a strong "Oh." I have to stop and explain that my horses are not shown in the horrible manner that so many people are exposed to, and that in fact I abhor the behind the scenes abuse that is happening with fervor to our magnificent breed. Perhaps because of this reaction, I have become an advocate for the sound Tennessee Walking Horse that is not abused and tortured to obtain the high-stepping gaits the show ring demands. I work hard to educate the public about soring and to find ways to end this atrocity once and for all. I'm asked frequently why I don't switch breeds, why do I fight, what difference does it make? The fight is so hard, why do you continue to do it? Rose's book answers these questions, whether she knows it or not. As far as writing style, Rose has a casual and easy prose that is comfortable, and we easily slip between the pages with the same comfort and familiarity of our more well-known authors. Rose is obviously writing from the heart, and her love for her horses is nothing but casual and absolutely bursts from the pages. I especially appreciate her unabashed explanations of how she learned from her mistakes. Rose is humble and sincere without sound either haughty or apologetic. Rose sprinkles her work with insights on animal issues such as why we should be selective when breeding animals and her views on horse slaughter, but she never tries to sway her reader to her views. She simply presents the information as she sees it, and it's refreshing to not be bombarded with zealous ideals. Rose's book is also a great way to learn about Tennessee Walking Horses and what has become of this breed. She is able to tell us about the horrors in the show ring, but she then shows how we can rise above the negative and push through with the positive. Her goal is not to force anyone into joining the fight to make a change. Rather, she wants people to understand why the abuse exists, why we must rise above it, and how we will be the better person because of it. Overall, Rose helps us understand why animals can be so important in our lives. Anyone can appreciate the hard work and dedication she put into her breeding and showing program, no matter what hobby they're into or lifestyle they lead. However, it can be extremely hard to express in words how animal owners feel about their pets. Rose makes it easy for anyone to understand with her gift of sincerity. She also shows us how animals become more than just pets--they are lifelong companions that become constants in our lives. When the world seems to go wrong and we seem to lose our way, the animals are always there to lift our spirits and calm our nerves. I truly believe that anyone can enjo

The Horse that Wouldn't Trot

Rose Miller has written a riveting book, which is not only educational but entertaining. Anyone who is interested in horses, animals or life lessons will want to read this book. It is heartbreaking to learn how many trainers train their horses by inhumane methods. Rose was innocent about the practice until she started training her own Tennessee Walkers. She is diligently working to stop this horrible method of training horses how to trot ina a very unnatural and painful way. She has won many awards with her horses through hard work and dedication. It is obvious that she loves her horses and has followed a very spiritual path getting her answers from God not only in her life with her horses but with her family. Some of her stories about her horses and foals will break your heart but you will cheer along with her at her accomplishments and joy over the many blessed experiences that she has had with her horses and their babies. This is also chocked full of joy and heartbreak over her loved ones with her husband Hal. The loss of their first grandbaby that they had waited so many years for that was named after them, and the loss of their beloved daughter Sharon to breast cancer will make you weep. You will champion Rose not only for her awards and accomplishments but you will grieve with her over her hard learned spiritual lessons in life. Rose also is a mentor to young women who have faced hardships in life. She is a giving woman and has shared how much she has learned from others as much as she has helped them along life's difficult path. This is a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about horses, training them and just plain loving them. It is also about a wonderful woman's spiritual journey and love and trust in God.

Wonderful read for animal lovers of all ages

I couldn't say it better than Connie Fenner's review in The Paper Horse Magazine. "You don't have to have a Tennessee Walking Horse in your barn to become engrossed in The Horse That Wouldn't Trot, a memoir of one woman's journey to success from the show ring to the breeding shed. Success usually comes with a price, and the author paid that price with sleepless nights, countless tears, and heart-wrenching decisions. When you operate a sizeable boarding, breeding and show barn, and you truly love the horses, it seems heartache is always lurking just around the corner, but likewise, the joy. The narrative dares to discuss the breed's abusive practices to produce the controversial exaggeration of the Walking Horse's original smooth gait. Rose Miller bred her horses for excellence through natural talent and training, yet was forced to compete against those who used illegal practices. The well-written narrative is both revealing and inspirational as the author struggles with her daughter's brave battle with breast caner, and the stillbirth of her first grandchild. She turns to prayer seeking answers and direction...for her family, her animals and herself. The Horse That Wouldn't Trot is suited for horse lovers from 12 to 100, and is full of charming anecdotes of the author's horses and their personalities. You'll meet "Nugget," a successful show mare who wanted nothing more than to be a mother (yes, the author regularly uses an animal communicator), but could not seem to put healthy foals on the ground. You'll follow her journey with "Praise Hallelujah," her nationally-known stallion, and soul mate, who was awesome in the show ring and produced many champions to carry his name. Learn why the author decided to geld him. Rose Miller's message is this: follow where you are led, go through doors that open, and trust that even in adversity, you can be blessed."

The Horse That Would Not Trot

The Horse that Would Not Trot is both a memoir and a voice for the betterment of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. Author Rose Miller shares the story of her involvement with the breed, her family's love for these gentle and smooth gaited horses,their successes, and life's many sorrows.Those who've grown up with Tennessee Walkers can enjoy the book as it relives an era in the breed's history. Those new to the breed gain a glimpseinto the show world of the pleasure walker and one woman's determination to bring the best she could into the picture. All horse lovers will laugh and cry as the story unfolds. An excellent book that holds the reader from start to finish.

The Horse That Wouldn't Trot

This book is truely a great read. It is educational, as well as informative. Rose takes the reader on a story through her life from a little girl, to all that happened with her own family as she grew up. Some sad and some joyful. The book is about her love of her Tennessee Walking Horses and her fight to stop the abusive soring of them. It is a book for those who know horses and those who just want to read about them. I am sure you will love it.