At some point in life there comes the time when the storm must become peace...
Becoming a race horse is a grueling marathon training event. FROM RACE HORSE TO TRAIL HORSE AND PET is the non-fictional memoir of Billy, an ex thoroughbred racehorse, who's able to look back over a young but profound life and shares his deeply moving story!
Retired from racing, Billy is exercised occasionally, but always groomed and fed... Until one day he's not shod and soon develops abscesses on his feet. Angry at Billy's condition, his caretaker called the vet. After all the changes that have happened at the farm, Billy worries as horses leave and his caretaker sinks deeper and deeper into melancholy. And this was only the beginning.
Despite his caretaker's sadness and the disappearance of the other horses, she cares lovingly for Billy. The day she takes him to a new home, he's surprised but very pleased -- He was moved to a green and grassy place, with good hay to eat and a lake with cool, refreshing water! Although he's the only thoroughbred race horse in the huge paddock, the other horses, albeit somewhat shy, are healthy, well-groomed and friendly. To his surprise, Billy finds out he first must learn to be like a natural horse -- something he's never been taught. He'd been trained to run and win. This is a new race in which no one runs and everyone can win!
In this heartwarming and candid expose, we're invited into the world of a thoroughbred race horse, never realizing the trials and triumphs that make this horse and caretaker a cut above all others! This enthralling book is filled with gorgeous photos that say what words never can. Get your copy of FROM RACEHORSE TO TRAIL HORSE AND PET and discover the exciting and precarious life of a champion thoroughbred whose only goal is to fit in... Just to be a natural horse!
Reviewed by April Gilly for Readers' Favorite
From Race Horse to Trail Horse and Pet by Marion N. Seidel is the story of Billy, a thoroughbred gelding who started his life as a racehorse and then became a trail horse and pet when his racing career ended. Told from Billy's point of view, From Race Horse to Trail Horse and Pet details Billy's uncertainty of his training to be a racer and the anxiety he faced thanks to training that started at a young age and the performance drugs and feed given to help him perform. When Billy's career ends, he finds himself scared and uncertain as his routine changes and he finds himself alone and in a new home. Billy then finds a new friend that helps him adjust to the new routine and life as an ex-racer. When things change again and Billy finds himself alone and in pain, his friend steps in and takes him to a new home and helps him adjust and learn to be happy as a trail horse and a pet.
From Race Horse to Trail Horse and Pet by Marion N. Seidel is relatively well written and the author has great imagery and puts the pictures of Billy in the right spots to help you picture what Billy is describing. I smiled and laughed at Billy's accomplishments and wanted to cry when Billy told of the pain he was in. Being written from Billy's perspective makes From Race Horse to Trail Horse and Pet unique, but I think it could have been better written from the perspective of Billy's owner with excerpts from Billy throughout. However, this is an amazing read.
