Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service

by Allen Anderson, Linda Anderson

With twenty-one dramatic true stories of courageous, loyal, and loving horses who found their life's purpose, this book reveals the wonders possible when both humans and horses are encouraged and allowed to follow their best instincts. The heroic equines you will meet

Molly, a pony who survived Hurricane Katrina and the loss of a leg, who spreads her message of hope to disabled children. Her story went viral with coverage on the Internet, in the New York Times , and on the CBS Evening News .

Sankofa, an Arabian stallion, who made it possible for social studies teacher Miles J. Dean to complete a cross-country journey in tribute to African American ancestors. Millions of adults and schoolchildren followed their odyssey as Miles and Sankofa made history come alive.

Diana, a wild horse of the rare Gila herd, who proved to be a proud and resourceful lead mare who protected her herd and taught the great lesson of forgiveness.

Butch, a retired gelding, who showed such an unswerving belief in a profoundly mentally retarded girl that he restored a mother's hopes for her child's future.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

New York Times Best-Selling authors, Allen and Linda Anderson, are pet experts, keynote speakers, and founders of the Angel Animals Network. They help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals.

Dedicated to promoting human-animal companionship, Allen and Linda donate a portion of proceeds from their work to animal rescue organizations and do fundraising activities.

The Andersons believe that whenever you connect spiritually with animals, thousands of new doors open. Through their books, newsletters, presentations, and insights, they show portals into a whole new world where animals are guides, healers, and friends.

With pets in 70% of American homes, it's crucial to consider animals as wisdom partners and appreciate the benefits of tapping into their hidden talents.

Reviews

[Sarah B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was both very easy to read and yet very difficult to read. You might think they are oppasties and they are, yet it is very true. The book was very easy to read because each individual true story is well crafted and it pulls you right in...But it was so hard to read because so many of these stories made me cry. It's been a long time since I cried so much because of a book. I swear more than half of them made me cry! So if you love horses and if you feel very connected to them, then be aware that many of these stories are very emotional. I had to pause at the middle of the book to take a break, because I was being seriously overwhelmed..

There are 21 short true stories in here, each about a unique real horse and the person who loved that horse.. some are stories of heroic deeds or healing or how a horse found a forever home. Some are about how horses changed bad behavior or how they taught humans stuff. One story did make me chuckle a tiny bit. A few we're more like articles or essays than personal stories. Each has a photo of the horse in question..

It didn't take me long to read this book. It's a quick read. And each story is just a few pages. They are all very powerful and touching for different reasons. Each has something to tell us. About horses and about ourselves.

I just wish it hadn't been so sad. There's too much sadness right now.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to read it again and pass it on…..but it’s too good.
It will stay on my forever shelf.

[Emmeline Wachter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horses with a Mission, by Allen and Linda Anderson, was definitely one of the more heartfelt and inspiring books that I have read. These are amazing true stories of equine service that I very much enjoyed as I read each unique story and it's situation.

In this book you will read many dramatic, inspiring, and loving stories that make you think of the true power of a horses heart and mind. The book doesn't have an actual storyline as it is a collection of stories, but it is broken up into sections of the stories meaning. They go from offering service, inspiring, teaching, healing, and bringing love and hope. Each unique story has true meaning and understanding of horses that I truly believe. It varies from a pony who survived hurricane Katrina and then a dog attack, a foal named Frostbite born in the middle of winter, and even and old pony named Peanut who lost his meaning until a kind old man came into his life. My personal favorite was of a kind horse named Pegasus who had only one flaw. The horse would charge at any other horse in his pasture with him or next to him, breaking countless fences, and then later denting metal ones when the problem was trying to be stopped. Eventually one day, when no one thought anything else could be done, a rescue case came in overnight. A mare and her foal. The foal crawled into Pegasus's pasture, and against what anyone thought would happen, the horse took care of the foal that night, standing guard over him. Pegasus found his calling.

You don't have to be a horse person to enjoy this book. I would recommend this book to everyone because of its extraordinary stories and positive feeling. I really liked how each different situation was unique with the horses and showcased the spirit of the horse.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A horse speaks with it’s body language. All one has to do is watch and human emotions such as love, compassion, respect, playfulness and more come to mind. In these 21 true stories, attributes that are thought only to be human are shown to be exhibited by horses. Each story tells of a life changing event told by the person whose life was changed by a horse. In one of them a teenage boy tells of how he learned to embrace the true meaning of Christmas when he assists a mare deliver her foal in a pasture one cold Christmas Eve. Another is told by a mother with a severely retarded daughter about when the little girl utters her first words ever spoken during a therapeutic riding session. Yet another tells of how a woman’s horse may have saved her life. Each of the stories shows in their own way an appreciation for this animal with a loving nature that has throughout history so generously served man. At the end of each story, in a section entitled Meditation, a thought provoking question is asked relating to the story. The book is divided into five chapters, each with a different theme. The titles are Service, Inspiring, Teaching, Healing, and Bringing Joy and Hope. The introduction sparks an interest in what’s to come including in it a little horse history, information on horses serving the community, and even points out the value of the horse business to the economy. Found with every turn of a page are helping hooves fulfilling their mission.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book--it was like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books--even though I wanted to cry in some parts. The authors provided some thoughtful questions in each chapter. My favorite part was in the introduction--the organization I volunteer for was mentioned! The organization is Stable Influence Charity Program. For horse lovers, this book would be a nice, easy read that is also heartwarming.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get the tissues out and get ready for a whole new love & awe of these wonderful animals. It's amazing how they can be so physically strong and emotionally gentle.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would think someone choosing to read this book would know something about horses, so I found some of the details to be over explained and unnecessary. The stories are heartfelt. I am not spiritual and found some of the writing to be preachy with heavy doses of anthropomorphism.

[Laura B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had wonderful stories of horses and the love we share with them!

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a horse lover, I believe in their power to change and enhance our lives. These stories show that power.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very spiritual book and wether you believe in this sort of thing or not it was very moving, and i was in tears a couple of times,most of the people featured had spent their lives with horses, it would be nice to think such a bond exists between humans and animals.I found some of the book a bit preachey but on the whole an enjoyable book.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating; 2,5*
My favorite story was by far was Avenger- Destiny Comes Full Circle (I really loved that one!), although I did enjoy the others too
This was the sort of short story book that I had to only read a couple stories at a time, but overall I did like it

[Heidi Thompson]

If you are a horse lover you will enjoy this book - it is very touching

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took my awhile to read mostly because I read each short story at a time. However, it was a pleasant book and I enjoyed it. I'd recommend it to any horse lover.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were all enjoyable reads, but the book itself felt a bit preachy.

3/5 stars