I cried. Not going to lie, if my mom hadn't been in the same room as me, I probably would have been bawling with a baby. Now I want to say why (it could have been happy crying, it could have been sad crying, it could have been both) so, you are officially warned that there are probably going to be spoilers contained in this review...Chosen by a Horse is an amazing novel whether or not you're a horse or animal lover. It may touch those of us who have loved and owned animals a little more, but don't let that stop you non-animal people. Richards unique, witty and warm writing style immediately draws you in and makes you feel like you're a close friend and she's telling you a quick anecdote from her own life. In reality it's a long story, but it will suck you in and before you know it, your at the last page hoping Susan isn't done.I was raised around horses, and my aunt, mother, and father all are horse lovers as well so this book really hit home for me. If you check my writing section there's a more indepth story about my experience with horses if you want to check that out and maybe share your own experiences.Richards's as a smart way of writing that doesn't try and show off any clever literary turns that some writer's try and do. It makes you like her even more and draws you into her story even more. She never asks you to pity her, nor does she ever want you to like her. By all means there are things she talks about doing that should make you hate her or just plain not really care about her. In the end though you're crying for her loss of Lay Me Down, but smiling at the fact Lay Me Down has brought her something she never thought she would ever had.Through her beautiful words Richards's story flows smoothly and if you're as drawn in as I was you'll finish it within hours if not a day. This is a great and worthwhile book, horse lover, animal lover or not. It's a story about love and learning. I'd love to know what you think...
Chosen by a Horse is by Susan Richards. It was 248 pages long. This book has pros and cons. The con was that its hard to understand if you are not a horse person. I could read it just fine because i ride horses. That was the only con this book had. The book had many pros. One pro is the detail the author gives. She is in depth with describing injuries and pain. Another pro is Susan tells her story on the magic that can happen when you take the time to do something. Lay me down (the horse) is a ex racehorse. Ex racehorses are difficult to take in. They are scared and weak beast. When you feed them well, pay for any vet bills, pay for shoes, spend time with them, train them properly, and take them to different places. That is just a few thing to list. I love horses, they are loving animals that care a ton about there one special person. When a horse is going through recovery you try and socialize them to other horses. You put them usually with the same sex, but some horses you can mix them and they do fine. Some horses just don not get along. They fight for the leader of the field. When this happens at least one horse comes out with a cut or worst. Lay me down met a horse named Georgia. They got in a fight and one came out with the worst end of the fight. This book was a wonderful book and I recommend this book to horse people.
This is a bittersweet tale, beautifully written and edited. It had nothing extra. What may have taken a year or two to write, took just an evening to read. It exhibited, for me, a very affirming personality. A woman who'd knocked about (read: been knocked about) a bit, but who shows us the best of the human condition: love, integrity, generosity, acceptance, humor.I loved reading of the horses, because she has such long experience handling them, and of Cornell, certainly one of the most beautiful places on earth. Though the author presents Ithaca at its coldest and most unforgiving, she describes Cornell well--it had the highest quality of life I have ever seen--and that comes through loud and clear. And I laughed to hear of her fears and insecurities about dating--and the ridiculous and incongruous results. The author has the practice of making plays on words to express affection for animals she knows. For example, when describing a Morgan, a breed of horse known for its independent, even obstinate nature, she might say something like: "But not my Morgan. My Morgan is a peechum meechum." While gushy sobriquets generally make me wince, but I must admit to calling my dog, whose name is Porsche, Porchetto, or Porcino on occasion. A similar play on words might describe the insufferable man who angled for her attention: "Hank the Blankity-Blank." An honest, admirable book.
—Trish
I thoroughly enjoyed this book very much for the way the author wrote it and the style she choose to write it in. When I first started reading this book, I did not think that I would enjoy it as much as I thought because it was about horses. I do not ride horses or know anything about them, so I thought that I wouldn't take pleasure in reading this book. When Susan was talking about saving Lay Me Down and her foal, she went into great detail and she showed how much she really cared about her horses. She shared her information about horse very in detail and made me want to read more. When her other horses would get jealous because she wasn't giving them enough attention, she shared that with us and made the reader feel as if they were apart of the story and as if they were Susan. I recommend this book to anybody, especially those with a great love of horses. It was an inspiring book and anybody would want to read it and enjoy it.
—Breeze Reeder
Truly amazing book!The beginning, middle , and ending was all very precise, exact and if you are a horse lover it is a touching book! I cried before the book ended, the book is a memoir of the author,Susan Richards, so the feelings were not made up and knowing that someone actually felt this love and pain is so amazing. It makes it seem so real, and honestly this book may not look good but, if you have an interest in horses, you will love this book. It starts off slow but, there is a part in the book where it just clicks and you can't stop reading it until you finish. I recommend this book for all horse owners, horse lovers, horse riders, or any one who is truly obsessed with horses, or have a real connection with a special horse.AMAZING BOOK!
—Chelsea
