Last Chance Mustang

April 15, 2015
An attorney and horse trainer's account of how he socialized, and ultimately befriended, an abused, psychologically damaged wild horse. When Bornstein first met Samson the mustang, the horse had already earned a reputation as a "flesh-eating, fire-breathing monster." His owner had rescued him from a trip to the slaughterhouse as a gesture of goodwill. However, she discovered that Samson was not only untrainable, but also dangerous to both humans and other animals. Bornstein quickly realized that a major part of Samson's problem was that he had been misunderstood and abused by almost every human he had known. Rather than seek voluntary compliance, previous owners had used "bullwhips, lariat ropes, anger and pain" to school Samson to proper ways of behavior. The author knew he would have to earn the animal's trust before he could ever hope to ride him. As he describes the yearlong-plus process of training-but never quite breaking-his fierce mustang charge, Bornstein also tells the story of wild horses in the United States. Descended from Old World equines brought to North America by the Spanish conquistadors, mustangs became one of the great symbols of the American West. But by the end of the 19th century, many settlers viewed them as a "scourge" that needed to be exterminated. Since then, ranchers, working alone and in tandem with government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, have massacred or displaced thousands of animals "to stave off alleged rangeland degradation." The author's examination of the history of wild horses is informative but shallow; his sensitive portrayal of his evolving relationship with Samson is the highlight of the book. At the same time, that depiction is somewhat one-sided in that the author does not probe his own life and past to reveal the deeper personal lessons that Samson taught him about himself. Flawed but occasionally moving.

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May 1, 2015

Bornstein, a lawyer who spends his spare time training horses, is known in the horse-owning community for his accomplishments with difficult equine clients. Samson proves to be his most challenging pupil ever. Formerly a free-roaming mustang, Samson is still wild and has suffered years of abuse. He doesn't get along with humans or other animals and is considered impossible to train. Bornstein is successful where others have failed, thanks to infinite patience and a thorough understanding of the horse's psyche. The "Samson Experience" proved to be as meaningful for the trainer as it was for the horse. The story of Samson is interspersed with the history of the Bureau of Land Management's wild horse management program, which was designed to ensure the safety of such populations while protecting rangelands, but it has gained a reputation for being ill conceived and mismanaged. VERDICT Horse enthusiasts will be moved by Samson's tale, laughing at his quirky personality and weeping at the injustices experienced by this noble beast. Animal lovers will enjoy being introduced to the collection of formerly unloved, rejected animals that are part of Samson's new life. Bornstein, a talented storyteller, captures the distinct personality of each barnyard companion.--Deborah Emerson, Central New York Lib. Resources Council, Syracuse

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2015
Bornstein had worked with neglected and damaged horses for 20 years, but he had never met a horse quite like Samson. An American mustang taken from the Nevada hills and abused for several years, Samson had been brought to Illinois, where his latest owner was not ready to handle him. When Bornstein and Samson met on a veritable battlefield of wills, the lessons both learned went far beyond getting Samson to finally accept a saddle. Samson learned about trust, safety, and allowing people near him, while Bornstein learned about hope, believing in his work, and never giving up. Both found a friendship that no one would have ever believed could happen. In his first book, Bornstein details not only his work with mistreated horses but also the long, bloody, yet beautiful history of the wild mustang. Violent and antisocial behavior is met with vulnerability, patience, and a belief that no onehuman or animalis too far gone emotionally for healing. A tough but engrossing tale of redemption, perseverance, and the bond between a horse and trainer.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)