Second Chance Horses is a collection of true stories reflecting the amazing things ex-racehorses can accomplish once they are re-trained for new careers. From serving as mounted police horses to working in human therapy programs to competing on the Olympic level, ex-racehorses are proving there is plenty of life after the track. Second Chance Horses is the only book that chronicles a dozen horses in their journeys from the racetrack to new careers and the obstacles they overcame to succeed in their new roles.
From miniature donkeys to enormous draft horses, from regal Arabian stallions to sassy Shetland ponies, horses and other equines bring us delight and comfort whenever we encounter them. Even more so, perhaps, when humans and horses are brought together through a rescue. Whether someone has started a rescue ranch on purpose or circumstances align to match up the right horse with the right person, stories of second chances warm our hearts and restore our hope. This emotional and inspiring collection of true stories introduces you to a pony who helps a little girl get over her fear of riding, a donkey who discovers his purpose protecting vulnerable lambs, blind horses who teach their human about courage, and even a pony who somehow figures out how to drive a golf cart. By turns humorous and heartwarming, these delightful tales are the perfect companion for those times you long to slow down, take a load off, and enjoy the ride.
When horses outlive their usefulness to humans, they are often treated as disposable -- auctioned off and sent to the slaughterhouse. But thanks to the work of rescue organizations and horse sanctuaries, many of these formerly unwanted horses are enjoying genuine appreciation and newfound freedom. The horses in this book were abused, neglected, abandoned, rejected. They are lame, old, blind, or just unattractive according to some notions of beauty. Some are crossbreeds with no clearly defined bloodline. Others are wild horses forced off public lands. All have been given a second chance to live a meaningful and dignified life. To document these remarkable creatures, acclaimed equine photographer Tony Stromberg traveled to sanctuaries across North America to capture the soul of "working-class" equines. Through Stromberg's gorgeous photography, The Forgotten Horses reveals the profound spirit of these animals and honors the people and sanctuaries that have offered them a well-deserved home.
The love of animals can touch our lives. Often we learn life's most valuable lessons from our four-legged friends. But sometimes that love is met with ruthless abuse, neglect and mistreatment. In this collection of uplifting stories for all ages, you will meet some remarkable horses who have lived through unthinkable pain and suffering, but because of some special "angels" who weren't afraid to get involved, have triumphed over the pain they endured to be given a "Second Chance". You will feel their pain and then celebrate their joy as they journey from abuse to the safety of loving hands and hearts. Their stories are nothing less than miracles, and their spirits are inspiring.
How do you fight an army backed by dragons? Recently battered by war and famine, the kingdom of Isidore now must somehow gather an army of mages and warriors who not only believe in the legendary monsters, but who stand a chance of fighting them. Dedicated to saving the culture that once saved her, Isidore's Captain Juliay Auten is faced with the impossible job of finding someone who might be able to counter the deadly mage. But no one can win a duel with a dragon Fleeing the abuse of the Lord of Raindell, Joy Arasé desperately wants to belong. But with acceptance into a warrior guild comes the responsibility to protect her kingdom. Even with the support of new friends, conquering her fear of her own magical ability is more than daunting. Will she be able to bear the weight of being Isidore's only hope?
In the spring of 1896, Rachael, just shy of her twentieth birthday, boards a train destined to a remote cattle ranch in Oregon for a prearranged employment position. An arrangement made by a guilt-ridden wife who could no longer tolerate her husband’s forceful adulterous actions upon their young housemaid. Seizing the opportunity of his wife’s intervention, he demands that Rachael take his two young illegitimate children with her on her journey west; if she wants her father to remain alive. Traveling west from Brockport, New York, Rachael undertakes her first assignment from her new boss, the ranch owner. She will be required to transact business in a man’s world by overseeing the loading of supplies and freight along the train route. Her third business stop, Rock Springs, Wyoming, brings her face to face with four members of her new employer, three brothers and the ranch foreman. Overwhelmed, she unconsciously turns to one brother for security, beginning his commitment to her. During the next decade of hard work, Rachael struggles to bury her past. Her new family, the Prestons and their bunkhouse crew, give her an optimistic appreciation of life as she learns there are no social boundaries in the West. By including her in all the daily trials and tribulations of ranch life, cattle roundups, hunting, procuring and preserving their food supply, expanding families, and celebrating holidays, Rachael learns to live and trust again. She receives her second chance.
HOLLY CLAYTON is a business major, and has a B.S. degree in Teaching. She taught children and adults for many years. She is a widow, and has two children, one son and one daughter, and five grandchildren. She wrote a book on Mary's life in prison, and why Mary went to prison. Holly believes everyone deserves a second chance. Mary didn't get a second chance Act, and believed she was treated wrong by the justice system and the prison she went too. She also wrote about her life with her husband and the love they shared together, and the way the end came for her husband and her not being there for him when he needed her the most. Holly also talks about how the justice system is so unfair for the first time non-violet crimes on taxes. Compassion is what the justice system needs, and to look into a person's file and life, before sentencing to prison. Holly's concerned with equal justice for all!
