Riding Home

December 15, 2014
Exploration of the healing relationship between humans and horses.Drawing on his lifetime of experiences with horses, including his friendship of more than 17 years with a gelding quarter horse named Austin, Hayes examines the intricate connections between these four-legged creatures and humans. He explains the three basic factors that motivate horses-"survival, comfort and leadership"-and places them in the context of a horse's interaction with humans, who are considered "predators." Despite their initial fear, horses overcome their hesitancy and develop long-standing connections with both children and adults. The author explains how this allows humans to accept their own fears and often leads to healing and greater life fulfillment. Through personal interviews and stories, Hayes covers the various aspects of using equine therapy for children with autism, war vets suffering from PTSD, inmates in prison for violent crimes, and those exposed to domestic violence and abuse. The author also discusses the benefits of horse riding for those with physical ailments and disabilities such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Hayes' obvious love for all things equine is evident throughout, especially when he relates his own moments of fear, such as when faced with a 20-mile ride through unknown countryside with only his horse to lead him in the right direction. "This remarkable creature can not only continue to serve humanity but can help heal our wounded, remind us of our connectedness to others, and ground us with love for ourselves and for all living things," writes the author, who provides a long list of equine resources with ample information for those interested in exploring equine therapy for a variety of ailments. An educational analysis of the bonds between horses and humans and how they can "bring feelings of self-awareness, joy, wonder, humility, and peace of mind."

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2015
Hayes, a former cowboy turned horse whisperer, makes a convincing case that his beloved equine companions are man's best friends. As he explains, for thousands of years, horses have given people transportation, physical labor, and help in war. They also help people with autism, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy, along with veterans, who find that the animals can lessen post-traumatic stress disorder. Horses can even turn around the lives of convicts, who are less likely to commit crimes after prison if they gentled wild mustangs while incarcerated. Equine therapy can also transform high-school dropouts, who gain a sense of self-worth from their work with horses. And just being around these hooved wonders can help kids who get too much exposure to technology and not enough to nature. Hayes comes across as a sweet man, who thanks libraries and coffee shops for giving him places to write. Hayes will turn even nonhorse lovers into equine-therapy believers, and readers will feel motivated to call the listed equine resources, such as Horses for Heroes (for wounded vets) and the Wild Horse Program.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)