For most of us, the Christmas shopping rush has begun. But what do you get for your horse-loving friends and family members? To that we say, you can’t go wrong with a book. We’ve gathered a collection of suggestions – horse books from authors who live in our coverage area - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. We hope you find, the perfect gift!
From Pennsylvania author, Linda Oatman High - “Winter Shoes for Shadow Horse”
PICTURE BOOK
This touching story of a father handing down his profession is filled with soft, rich illustrations by Ted Lewin. While a nervous son prepares to set his first winter shoe, Papa offers a strong, steady hand in a book that showcases the old fashioned way to shoe a horse.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the process of farriers shoeing horses, and the research for this book was really fun,” said Linda Oatman High. “Living in Pennsylvania Amish country, I had the ability to visit a local farrier along with illustrator Ted Lewin, and we watched the process. Ted’s art really brings the horse and the wintertime vibe to life.”
From Delaware author, Lacey Lafferty - “Delaware Horse Racing: Images of America”
NONFICTION
“Delaware Horse Racing” takes readers back to the good old days on Delaware’s popular racetracks - Brandywine Raceway, Georgetown Raceway, Delaware Park Raceway, Dover Downs Raceway, and Harrington Raceway, when Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds raced on dirt tracks. Lafferty has gathered historical photos from noted collections, including previously unpublished historical photographs of legendary owners, trainers, drivers, and racehorses.
Lafferty became enthralled with horses as a child, after her parents purchased the family's first retired Standardbred racehorse. A retired Delaware state trooper, Lafferty raced her own Standardbreds and is currently owns several Standardbreds.
“I wrote the book to get information out there about what we have here in Delaware,” Lafferty said. “Horses are an intricate part of Delaware history, whether racehorses, work horses or pleasure horses. I was born and raised in Lewis Delaware and am from a long line of Delaware farmers. Horses were always a big part of that. The farming and agricultural community started racing here. It was a form of entertainment after a long day of work.”
From Maryland author, L.R Trovillion - “Horse Gods: The Dressage Rider's Betrayal”
YA MYSTERY
In this mystery novel for teens and adults, (the second in Lisa Trovllion’s Maryland Equestrian series) the author seamlessly blends strong family ties with a recognizable horse setting, adding a dash of the supernatural.
Regina Hamilton’s abusive mom is getting out of prison. Regina is the one who helped put her there. With only three months to prove to the courts that she can support herself and avoid the custody of her mom, Regina lands a job at an exclusive dressage barn. Alienated and alone, she befriends a reclusive boy who introduces her to a half-wild red mare with mysterious powers. As Regina gains the mare’s trust, she discovers a talent for dressage. Plot twists and turns include the death of a barn worker, and a deadly secret Regina has kept for years, while the brave but flawed heroine finds she must rely on the magical power of horses.
“The role horses have had in my life inspired me to create a series about people with problems who find hope and healing through their relationships with horses,” Trovillion said. “Although the novels are edgy with very real, contemporary problems kids face, there is a touch of magic and hope in each of them.”
From New Jersey author, Heather Wallace - “Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman’s Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia”
NONFICTION
Heather Wallace - a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) and Certified Canine Massage Therapist (CCMT) – says she wrote this nonfiction book after traveling to Mongolia as the photographer for The Gobi Desert Cup, an endurance ride through eastern Mongolia. The book chronicles the race through the heart of Mongolia and its nomads.
"Traveling to Mongolia changed my life, Wallace said. “Not only did I experience a culture so immersed and entwined with horses, but I proved to myself that I am stronger and bolder than I ever realized. I changed my perspective as a result and became a stronger person for the experience. I hope that others will read my journey and realize they can do the same."
From Maryland author, Laurie Berglie - “Taking Off”
ROMANCE
“Taking Off” is the latest installment in Berglie’s Equestrian Romance Series, three books that follow the life of character, Erin Sorrenson, a newly-divorced mom working to move past guilt over the breakup. Taking a leap of faith, she applies to be a working student for a professional eventer in Virginia. Erin packs her bags, loads her horse, and heads south for the winter. There she finds romance, struggles with painful memories, and forges a new path in life.
“I chose to write my Equestrian Romance Series because equestrian romance is my favorite genre to read, so I figured, why not write what I enjoy best?” Berglie said. “I also love referencing local venues, restaurants, etc. in my work, so as people read they can think, "Oh, I've shown my horse there too," or, "I've eaten dinner there before!" I really wanted there to be that personal connection.
From Pennsylvania author, Alicia Martin - “Private Mom”
FICTION
In Alicia Martin’s released novel, hairstylist Ava Kennedy has promised herself she will never fall in love again. She’s already lost the love of her life – her daughter, Rhya - to the Army. For twelve years after her husband’s death, she focused only on Rhya. Now, where will her life go?
Rhya, on the other hand, loathes everything connected to her helicoptering mother. Instead the high school senior rides horses in camo pants and muddy boots while dreaming of earning an ROTC scholarship to Jefferson Washington Military College where she can finally get away from the woman her fellow cadets affectionately call “Private Mom.”
Martin said this novel was inspired while reminiscing about raising her daughter after her husband’s death.
“Against my wishes, at eighteen, I dropped her off to join the Army. I remember the Sergeant yelling ‘your children are mine now’, and I panicked, thinking, did he even understand how much love went into parenting? I ridiculously searched for any way to follow her.”
Martin says horses have always been a part of her life.
“They developed qualities in my daughter, helping to mold a wonder woman and army officer - qualities, I could not give. I was not like my heroine, Ava, but a hardcore mom. Horses gave her a softness and taught her patience, just like the black stallion, Diesel, in Private Mom.
From New Jersey author, Eileen Watkins – “Reboot Ranch”
FICTION
Based on a true story, this novel tells the story of Anna Loehmeyer, whose marriage, job and life falls apart after her husband is arrested for fraud. On her own, Anna finds a new purpose, opening a horse rescue operation on her New Jersey Farm after rescuing a mare bound for slaughter and then two more hard-luck equines. She is joined in the operation by her teenaged niece MJ, who is recovering from her own heartbreak - the untimely death of her beloved father. Formerly a good student, MJ has become depressed and rebellious, even jeopardizing her chances to get into college. She persuades her mother to let her spend the summer living and working at the rescue farm, because in her Aunt Anna she sees “the only adult who’s doing anything meaningful.”
"Though I've ridden at lesson stables for most of my life, I only owned one horse, briefly--a chestnut mare named Brenda,” Watkins said. “She had a wonderful, lovable nature but a chronic breathing problem that kept getting worse. I finally sent her to a safe retirement at Bright Futures Farm in Pennsylvania. When Beverlee Dee of Bright Futures shared with me several great stories about her experiences while founding the rescue, I saw material for a novel. I researched other background information, but some of the most amazing incidents in Reboot Ranch, regarding the horses' behavior, are drawn from real life.
From Maryland Author, Orly Konig - “The Distance Home”
FICTION
A novel that Konig says she wrote just for women, “The Distance Home” is the story of Emma Metz. After a tragic accident takes Emma’s two best friends—one human and one equine – she reluctantly returns to the Maryland hometown she’d left under a cloud of guilt. Sorting through her father’s affairs, Emma uncovers a history of lies, but back at the stable, she finds it’s easy to win forgiveness from a horse. That’s something that’s not as easy for her former friend Jillian. To heal, Emma finds she must release her guilt, embrace an uncertain future and trust again in the healing power of horses.
“Animals have always played an important part in my life,” Konig said. “I feel more grounded when I’m around them. Being around horses, especially, was when I felt most at peace. Throughout the story, the main character discovers bits of herself - in the love for the horse that helped her find herself as a child, [in] the rescue of a neglected pony, and a special bond with a young therapeutic riding student. And there’s a cranky, mischievous old goat to add some fun!”
Maryland author, Valerie Ormond – “Believing in Horses, Too”
YA FICTION
Valerie Ormond’s two young adult novels, “Believing in Horses” and “Believing in Horses, Too” have racked up awards with the Military Writers Society of America, The Authors' Zone, Stroud Arts Book Festival, Pinnacle Book Achievement, EQUUS Film and Arts Festival, and the Stars and Flags Book Awards Gold Medal. This second insightful book explores family life challenges faced by many of today’s military youth.
First the move to Maryland. Then Dad's deployment to Afghanistan. Every day, thirteen-year-old Sadie lives in fear about her father serving in Afghanistan. She turns to her love of horses to help her cope and commits to showing at the largest local horse show while volunteering for therapeutic riding programs. When an inexperienced horse and an unwelcome show ring rival threaten success at her first horse show Sadie must find courage to overcome her fears.
“I wrote my Believing In Horses books to highlight the connection horses and people have, and the power these special animals have to help people believe in themselves and what they can do,” Ormond said. “I grew up with horses as part of my life in Maryland, so that seemed the perfect setting. I also wanted to tell stories about a military family to share with readers some aspects of that life they may not otherwise know.”
Correspondent Lois Szymanski lives in Maryland and has written multiple pony books, many about the wild Chincoteague Ponies of Virginia. Her latest picture book, "Georgie McLittle, a Friend for Life" was released in November. It is about her own miniature horse.