A wonderful story abut the impact that "Lay Me Down", a formerly abused horse has on the book's heroine and the other people and creatures that "Lay Me Down" interacts with. Be prepared for tears,but definitely a worthwhile read.

This book is a gutsy look at a hard life, and at the same time a moving story of a horse/owner relationship most of us will only dream of. Definitely a book for adults (not for horse-loving teens), it describes coming to terms with a difficult life in middle years, and how the past can be overcome, no matter how tough. It's a lovely story, told with honesty and courage. Susan Richards' horses are described so vividly as to seem like human characters. A book to be read alongside a box of Kleenex.

Based on other reader's comments, I purchased this book in anticipation of a great story. Somewhat disappointed and expected much more. Would not recommend purchasing; borrow from a friend or library.

A fast & easy read. A touching and heart-warming story. It is pleasing to to know that when others don't care about the welfare of animals that there are others who do. This is such a story. As an owner of several adopted animals, they have given me so much more than what I give them.

Well written book about a horse and it's new owner. Both have issues and learn to overcome them. If you like horses, you'll enjoy this book.

I picked up this book, excited it was about my passion: horses. We agreed to read it during our office book club (we are a global publisher's office, so we've gone through our share of literature). The day of the meeting everyone was silent. I think they were afraid of offending me, since I love horses. I spoke up first. "I hated it. It was boring, had nothing to do with her relationship with her horse (if she even had a relationship at all). All she did was whine about her life." Everyone sighed, and started pouring out their thoughts. They agreed with me. They thought it was terrible writing, the characters were in no way engaging, and was there even a relationship with the horse?

This has to be the least engaging book I've ever read. The author doesn't heal at the end, like she claims to have. There is no evidence of it, and there is no evidence that the horse even helped her heal. I really felt like yelling at the author throughout the book, "get over yourself!" And while I feel very sorry for the hardships she's been through in her life, the whole book was one big whining-fest.

Please, do not waste your money. There are many more valuable literature out there that are actually about the bonds between a woman and her horse, but this is not one of them. The author digs herself deeper into a hole that started in the beginning of her life, and tells the story in writing at a 7th grade level. Who did she know at the publisher's office to become an author?

Great book. Well writen and easy to read. Didn't want to put it down. If you love and care for and about horses.....you'll LOVE this book. Give it a try!!

As a horse lover/owner and a bereavement facilitator I bought this book as a perfect combination for myself, and to excerpt for my group, after friends in England sent me an excerpt of it from their local paper. Emailed the British company to purchase it and was surprised to discover it was published here and written by someone living upstate, not far from where my sister had a home (I'm a New Yorker myself) and found it at Amazon!

I love horses, so naturally this title drew me in and I was hooked immediately. What Susan Richards went through and experienced is amazingly and undeniably a blessing, to her and Lay Me Down. A love story in so many ways. I cried so much I couldn't read the words and had to stop many times to collect myself, but couldn't wait to read more. Knowing how this would end was almost an overwhelming warning to stop before the end. The relationship between Susan and her horses is so beautiful, true love and devotion expressed without words. I will read again, knowing I will cry again.

This is a beautiful horse story. It should be paired with Joe Camp's "The Soul of Horse", another beautiful horse story.The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd

Chosen by a Horse

This book is absolutely the most delightful reading I have done in quite some time. Ms. Richards story telling abilities were as refreshing as a cool glass of water on a hot and humid day. Ms. Richards story was expressed in the most honest, touching, and gentle way, it enabled me to connect to her experience almost as if I had experienced it myself. Her story telling style is clean, direct and unadorned, hence that lovely feeling I had of having read something almost pristine in the context of the written word. The story was so well told the only disappointment I might express, was that it ended much too quickly. I truly felt saddened when I came to the end, and only wished that it could have gone on longer. Happily for myself I just found out that she came out with a follow up book, which I am purchasing today, the title is "Chosen Forever". I cannot wait to get my new book and continue along this journey that Ms. Richards began to pen so beautifully in "Chosen by a Horse. I purchased numerous copies of this book and shared it with all of my friends, I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

I loved this book! I became attached to Lay Me Down. This book is perfect in demonstating horse-owner relationships. Animals in general have a way of tuning us more into ourselves by just spending time with them. A perfect book for any horse and/or animal lover!

I really enjoyed this book. What a remarkable horse Lay Me Down was, and you really got a sense of that through Susan Richards writing. I enjoyed her writing style and wit. If you like this book, you'll also love books by Melanie Sue Bowles (my other favorite real-life horse author) like The Horses of Proud Spirit.

What a beautiful story! A friend sent me this book and I finished reading it within a day. The author really knows how to write in a flowing, easy-going manner with plenty of wit and intelligence, making it easy to do so.

"Chosen By A Horse" refers to one pre-named Lay Me Down whom the author, Susan Richards rescues through the SPCA and brings back to health and a better life.

Ms. Richards had already been through a hauntingly rough childhood. In her later years, she indulged in her love of horses and had three to take care of before bringing Lay Me Down to the herd. She knows and writes about her horses as another might describe the personalities, antics and endearments of human children. One can easily picture and imagine each horse - especially Lay Me Down - the sweetest and most trusting of horses in spite of what the brood mare had suffered in her past life.

When a tumor develops near Lay Me Down's eye, Ms. Richards writes about Lay Me Down's reaction to the vet's visit and tests, "She sighed over the bucket and licked the lid of the sonogram machine. Everything she did seemed precious to me, precious and tender. For me, her terrible past was always a presence, a reminder of what it was that had survived: this sweet, kind nature, qualities so lacking in my human family they seemed like miracles to me now."

When death seemed imminent, this is written: "It was as though Lay Me Down and my childhood had merged into the same thing: losing what mattered, losing love. In a crazy way, it felt like Lay Me Down had been taking care of me ever since I got her, bringing to life parts of me that had died with my mother. By her gentle affection I felt restored to the status of someone who mattered, someone who was needed. She gave me that, a sense of family. We both had belonged to nobody, nobody who cared, and now so late in our lives, this miracle had occurred. We had come together on my farm, and for the first time, we had both been free from our fears."

The ending is especially poignant and touching.

What a wonderful, deeply moving book! I was hooked from the beginning. By the last two chapters, I couldn't put it down! For those people who don't believe that horses have feelings, PLEASE read this book! You will see horses as intelligent, sensitive, and caring animals! What a wonderful memoir to a special horse! Lay Me Down lives on through the pages of this book. I am so glad that I got to read about this unique animal.

This review is for the Kindle version, which was flawlessly edited.

The book is truly excellent and even a month after reading it I find myself still recalling it fondly, as though Richards' world had become familiar somehow, like a vivid dream. And it isn't too surprising, since her book is very personal, her recollections candid and humorous, her love of life and horses and people compelling.

I find myself looking forward to more of her work, which I hope will be forthcoming. Her way of looking at life is very engaging, and her descriptions of the horses in her life are truly beautiful, almost poetic. Yet the writing is very down to earth. All in all a real treat.

I have a close friend with a similar medical diagnosis so it was very difficult to read this but it's an EXCELLENT book!

Best read I have had in a long time. Book was so inspiring, I could not put it down. Gave me a better appreciation for my horses, our relationship, and their health. Healing message of this book could not have come at a better time.

I could not put this book down. Susan Richards writing is nothing less than powerful and heartwarming. I will never forget Lay Me Down, Hotshot, Susan and the lessons on living, trust, compassion and caring they have for all of us.

I was intrigued by this books review so I thought I would give it a try. I was immediately pulled in and could not wait to get from page to page. It was such a good story and captivated me from the get go. You will not be disappointed with this book. I have even ordered hard copies to be sent to friends to read.

I love horses and I admire the author for her generosity and kindness towards animals. However, I found this book a tough read, not for content so much as style. The writing is stilted and awkward... the sentences often don't flow... her writing style is too blatant, which has the effect of putting the reader off instead of drawing them in. The whole time I read this book I was very aware of the fact I was reading something that was hard to swallow, like leftover cold tuna, when in fact I was hoping for something juicy and delicious. But I think horses are wonderful, and I repect the author for putting her story out there.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves horses. It was so inspiring and heartwarming!

I absolutely loved this book. Susan Richards shared a beautiful memory through her story of friendship with horses, one special horse in particular. I read the book in two days and was brought to tears several times. It was a beautiful, personally touching story and one I won't easily forget. I recommend this read to anyone who can appreciate how animals touch human lives.

This will make a number of people frustrated, but I wanted to shout "grow up" to the immature woman at the center of this book. Wealth, privilege and all the trappings -- and an almost meaningless life. I venture that many may find the book of interest. I did only mildly and with slight curiosity to how the author would end. If you want to read something of value, I recommend substituting "Kite Runner" or other books with more enduring value to the reader.

Once critics manage to look past the fact that this is a wonderful horse book, this little gem will deservedly find its place among modern classics such as 'Gift from the Sea' by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. A 43 year old social worker lives alone on a barn with three beloved horses, a cat and a dog. One day, not understanding what motivates her, she responds to an appeal by the local SPCA to adopt a horribly abused mare and her foal. Living with the mare changes Susan's perspective of her own life and helps her move beyond much of the pain she still carries within due to a very unhappy childhood. A better way to summarize this book is to state that it describes the effect of one loyal, calm and loving soul (Lay Me Down) on a tortured, hurt soul (the author). But, in a way, the horse simply reflects the love, the devotion, the compassion and the respect back on its provider - Susan. Susan is portrayed as a very caring, considerate, giving person, and it is a shame that she has not received much love and respect as a child. In her 20ies she continues to abuse herself, just like she had been abused by her caregivers (regrettably, her mother died when Susan was 5 years). Like many who have experienced torment in early years, she pursues a career as a social worker. I love this book for its ability to celebrate what is noble and good in life - the compassion, the caring, the love, the respect. Refreshingly, the main relationships are with females - Allie, the telepathic horse-friend; the vet; the favorite, yet difficult horse, and the prime character - Lay Me Down. And despite the fact that the main characters are female, this is not an 'angry' lesbian or 'angry' feminist book. It is gratifying to find a book which celebrates friendship between women and which does not place men on a pedestal. Which is not to say that male character are portrayed negatively - they also have their role to play and often these are highly supportive - Susan's brother, who helps her remember her mother and assuages her grief; the highway trooper, who - against regulations - helps shift a broken Susan to the back seat of her car so that she can continue her journey; the impossible, greasy shopping mall developer/lover - who makes Susan realize that just being the object of affection is not a good enough reason for commitment; the kindly old man who willingly drives the sick mare 6 hours through horrendous weather to the hospital for half the price of others. I also greatly enjoyed the clarity of Susan's writing - the sentences are straight-forward and clear. The reader does not have to work to understand. Susan also has a gift of describing desperate situations succinctly and sometimes with a dose of humor. For me the most hilarious scene was the shopping scene at Victoria Secrets. But more important than the occasional humor is the grace and dignity with which Susan allows Lay Me Down's life to pursue its inevitable end. Susan makes Lay Me Down's last year as comfortable as possible. She understands the mare's delight of sunshine, and with great sensitivity and understanding chooses the right timing for seeking out an operation and when to arrange for the end. If only we allowed our loved ones to die with such dignity and in such comfort. How wonderful that Lay Me Down was allowed to experience one last spring. Not being a hippophile, I appreciate how marvelously Susan gave me an understanding of horse behaviour, horse personality and horse care. While she employs technical terms, she never looses the reader with no knowledge in this field as she clearly explains the vocabulary.

Lay Me Down facilitated Susan's first step toward an acceptance of her past. It is now up to Susan to take the next steps towards learning to think positively, accepting herself as a special person in the prime of her life (43 years is not old, twice that age is old) and opening herself to the possibility of finding a soul-mate who shares her ability to be caring, compassionate and her sixth sense and love of horses. I look forward to more writing by this exceptional author.

In this noteworthy memoir, Susan Richardson tells of her life with Lay Me Down, a remarkable Bay who has been abused by her previous owner and who comes to Susan's ranch as a rescued animal. Susan who had been neglected and abandoned as a child and Lay Me Down who had been abused in her racing and broodmare years teach each other to trust and to live again, and in turn gaining hope and faith in the other. As each venture out into their new worlds, Lay Me Down into a new herd and Susan into the dating world, they each get banged up a bit, but learn that maybe there is a future for each of them. Maybe you do get a second chance, maybe somebody does want you. Combining both laughter and tears, Susan Richards brings a memoir that will be remembered for years.

This is a well written and inspiring book for any reader, whether you are a "horse lover" or not. Also highly recommended is ON THE TRAIL OF THE PONY EXPRESS, where Cherokee author, Jerry Ellis, retraces the 2,000 mile Pony Express Trail by horse, foot, covered wagon and canoe.

I purchased this on a whim, based on Amazons reviews, and the great picture of the horse on the cover. I am not a horse lover, never had one , don't know how to read them, now cats, that I understand. Still, I love stories of saved animals and how they change lives, so I read it eagerly. The book did not disappoint, although it wasn't as much about the horse as I thought it would be. I read this book on the heels of the "Come Back" book by the Fontaines, and this was a much lighter read, so maybe if I had read it first, it would have felt stronger to me. The author seems to have come to terms with her past and credits the horse for much of it. As for the reviewer who didn't like it that her teen was reading it and it had to do with premarital sex, yikes, there is no sex in the book. Yes, the author dates a married man, but there are no unnecessary (i.e. sex life) details and it is not a main part of the story, but it is integral to her growth process. Real life isn't always picture perfect.

I felt this was a good book but not a great book; kind of intersting and insightful but it could also "drag" in places. Perhaps my expectations were just too high having read the other reviews. I'll give this one to a friend to read; but it is not good enough for me to purchase and give as a present.

I picked up this book and couldn't put it down. Finished it in two sittings(would have been one, but I needed sleep :). It is really a testament to the bond that an animal and their human companion can share. I will highly recommend this book to my friends.

Fast service and excellent condition of the item. Seller exceeded service by shipping it fast enough to get before Christmas. I will definitely buy again for this seller.

I found this book on Amazon and I am a new horse owner at 53. I laughed and cried. It is an amazing story and as soon as I finished the book I went to hug and kiss my horse! It was such a GREAT story that I reread the praises at the beginning of the book and I just ordered Laura Cunningham's book....OHHHHH...I hope it is as heartwarming as this. I was very touched by this book! Thank you!

The only thing that I didn't like about the book is the explaination of every little "horsy" thing. Of course I realize that for non horse people it was probably helpful, but I found it lame. For example, does everyone need a written desciption of vet wrap? or a lunge line? or bran mash? I guess so if you aren't a horse person. So if you aren't then great! But if you are this book it pretty elementary. Aside from that I love horses and could relate to the personalities that hers had. Not a bad 1 night read. It was definitely not the Horse Whisperer or Seabiscuit (Way better than the movie...they always are) but again a quick easy read.

I can't say enough about this book. I'm usually not one to read these kinds of stories. However, the reviews and my love for animals (horses in particular), led me to pick up this book. I couldn't put it down. I read it on my way back from Christmas break.....and actually CRIED on the plane while reading it. Not only was the story touching, but it had a little humor mixed in. It was also very well written. I look forward to reading this again! It is now tucked in along side all my other treasured horse books. Don't miss this beautiful story!

Even though it made me cry at the end, it was tears of love for the special animals of my own past reflected in the love felt for Lay Me Down, both from Susan Richards and from Hot Shot. It is also a story about coming to terms with damages from your youth, how we cover it up with other distractions as young adults, but then learn and grow from it as we enter our middle years.

I'd recommend this book highly, even to non-horse people. It is transcendent.

I saw this book at the store in the corner of my eye. When I read the cover I was inspired to buy it feeling that I could relate to the rescued horse story. Susan is very passionate in this book. There were funny moments and sad also. I deffinitely related to it. I highly reccomend this book. It was a great read and now is one of my favorites.

Before I started this book, I had read many reviews of it. Why I wanted to read it, I don't know. It was different. It took me a day and a half to finish it, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who knows anything about horses, which I don't. It is truly a moving memoir and I wish good luck to the woman who shared her life with me. I immediately gave it to a friend of mine, who at one time owned three horses, and seemed to understand the situation when I described it to her. I truly enjoyed the story.

While it was probably the cover drawing and title that drew me to the book, i was not disappointed. I have 25 horses of my own and raise appaloosa foals. I've done some rescue work as well, and known horses like the the mare that the book is centered around. The author is very realistic and intuitive in the way she paints her horses, and in the way people love and relate to them as well. I sent it to all my horse buddies for Christmas.

Elizabeth Estridge, KY

This is a very interesting story, but as my daughter read it she disagreed with some of the morals demonstrated in the book. There are several instances of bad language. The main character had a difficult life before and after divorce. She finds new love, but it is with a married man who is himself going through hard times. She buys lingerie with the intention of having a premarital affair. My daughter is almost 17 and loves horse books, but stopped reading at chapter 11.

This book is definitely not written from a Christian perspective and not for young adults.

After a great beginning where the writer dwells on the importance of her relationship with the mare in helping her with her inner emotions, the story does not sustain the previous level depth in the description of the bond between the writer and the mare.

This was a wonderful read. It took me back to when I owned horses and all the emotions of loving them. The interaction is so powerful with a horse, it's incredible. Susan described these so wonderfully. Books like this are much appreciated. Thanks for writing it.

This is a very loving and beautiful story, especially if you love horses. A very moving story you could read time and again. This book would make a great stocking stuffer!

The beauty of "Chosen by a Horse" is that it isn't just for horse people. Susan Richards's story is about loss and love, universal emotions that anyone can relate to - though, of course, it is especially poignant for horse lovers. The story is honestly written, without apology, and is wonderfully constructed. Lay Me Down, Richard's mare, will touch anyone's heart.

This is a terrific book. I read it in one day and enjoyed every page. Richards tells the story of a horse she rescued and how the horse, in many ways, rescued her. The author recounts how she responded to a call for help when numerous horses were removed from an abusive owner. She had chosen one of the horses whose name she liked, but that horse refused to be corralled into the trailer. Instead, another horse named "Lay Me Down" simply walked up and in to the trailer of her own accord. That is how Richards was "chosen."

Richards carefully depicts how Lay Me Down was nursed back to health and integrated into the family of horses already on the farm. She interweaves her own story with Lay Me Down's and skillfully draws the reader into the parallel stories of abused horse and human and their mutual healing.

As a reader you will find yourself laughing at the funny antics of Georgia, Richards's headstrong "alpha-mare" and crying over the horrors of horse abuse and illness. Richards has a wonderful gift for storytelling, and she offers the reader insight into the personalities of horses and the relationship humans can have with them. Both heartbreaking and life-affirming, Chosen by a Horse will warm your soul and remind you that the unconditional love of an animal is the best kind of healing there is.

This was an absolutely wonderful book. It was a story filled with so much love. It is certainly a tear jerker; I sobbed my eyes out at the end but anyone who loves horses must read this book. This book shows people how to love again.

To have horses in our lives is to open ourselves to realms of awareness increasingly endangered by the current of our times. We live in an increasingly urban social mindset: one of concrete, ever more restricted spaces, rapacious consumption, frenzy and disrespect. Horses can not exist in such a realm; humans who choose to coexist with horses have to be mindful of a peaceableness that is, today, simply not fashionable.
Susan Richards' memoir confronts what happens when an unfashionable human - single, female, childless, Caucasian, over forty and soul-weary - chooses to not only coexist with horses, but to rescue an abused and crippled ex-racehorse. It is a grueling journey, both for the author and the reader. Richards is not weaving any happy-princess-at-last myths: the narrative has authenticity and thus heartbreak.
Horses are fragile. True, they are powerful, beautiful and, some say, mystical. Anyone who has been around horses knows the gut-wrenching sensation of the discovery of even minor injuries. By the same token, it takes quite a bit of practice to harden oneself to the sight of a pony tied to a tractor tire in an unfenced yard: while some urban moron might view this scene of torture as ornamental, it's a gruesome daily sight for me. Richards confronts the ignorance of the abused mare's previous owner in a chilling scene when " The case went to court and the owner won"(53). The rescued mare's previous owner s later arrive "[...]wearing knit shirts, jeans, and shiny black loafers-city shoes"(60) and who then "[...]lit a cigarette and took one deep drag, then flicked the mostly unsmoked cigarette into the long grass"(61-62). Although this scene is fairly early in the memoir, it shows how deep the rift is between those who love horses and those who don't -- those who don't are characterized by Richards as arrogantly disrespectful overall.
The prose style of the memoir is straightforward and often elegant. Richards tells us of crunching snow and starlight; she also tells us of the emotional landscape she experiences with an aplomb that is winsome: "Maybe because having a horse meant your life had been touched by a beautiful mystery"(219).
Richards' memoir is a brief reading experience, but a necessary one for any one for whom the emotional or spiritual realm of life has value.

I picked this book up on a whim over the summer while visiting a bookstore and it always seems wrong to me to leave a bookstore empty-handed. I carried it with me from place to place for almost 6 months before chance found me in a "need a book" situation and this the only book handy. I'm kicking myself now for not reading it sooner! Susan Richard's writing style is immediately engaging and she draws you into her narrative so quickly, you'll be halfway through the book before you know it. She recounts the details of her childhood in such a way that she elicits your sympathy without cloying for it. Unlike another reviewer, I cannot say on which page I was when the tears started to flow because they were speckling up my glasses so that I could barely make out the words on the page. This book evokes the same feelings as the movies "Terms of Endearment" or "Steel Magnolias": you know what's coming, but you're enjoying the journey so much, you can't turn back and wouldn't want to. I'll definitely re-read this. Sorry, Mom, you'll have to get your own copy!

Wonderfully written, this story drew me into the personal growth of the main character. So many parallels in my own life kept me reading; but, the best part was the unexpected role of the horse! Couldn't put it down until the last page!

Great story about the place horses have in our lives to sooth and heal our hurts.

I picked this book up in LGA airport on our way back from Brazil just because I liked the cover. I've loved horses since I was a kid but never had one. How like our relationship with Chirst - His gentle, loving nature rescues us and gives us hope. He teaches us how to embrace the joys of life despite the rough road we sometimes have to endure.