Beyond the Homestretch: What Saving Racehorses Taught Me About Starting Over, Facing Fear, and Finding My Inner Cowgirl [Paperback]

Lynn Reardon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2011

After learning to ride horses as an adult, Lynn Reardon quit her office job in Washington DC and moved to rural Texas to open the racehorse adoption ranch LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers). Since then, LOPE has helped transition more than 750 thoroughbreds into new homes. In this riveting account, Reardon encounters dozens of unruly racehorses, all with special needs, unusual histories, and distinct personalities. She takes readers for a thrilling ride through the horse-racing world filled with offbeat horse people, colorful Texas culture clashes, veterinary melodramas, and surprising life lessons. Reardon may have saved these horses’ lives, but they saved hers as well.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Terrific tales of second chances that will lift your heart with joy.”
— Susan Richards, author of Chosen by a Horse

“This is a book for anyone who truly wants to change their life and live their dream.”
— Leslie Guttman, author of Equine ER

“In Lynn Reardon’s world, the horses have as much personality as the people, and most all of them are real characters....Lynn’s gift is making the day-to-day chores and the simplest interactions poignant, meaningful, and insightful.”
— Linda Kohanov, author of The Tao of Equus

“Lynn Reardon shares a personal journey to which many horse lovers secretly aspire: leaving the safety of the office cubicle and embarking upon a career working with horses.”
— Rick Lamb, host of The Horse Show

“Every now and again — all too rarely — a book crosses my desk that is a must-read. Beyond the Homestretch is one of them.”
— Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals

“A wonderful, wonderful journey that inspires us all to live our lives with purpose, on purpose.”
— Joe Camp, author of The Soul of a Horse

About the Author

Lynn Reardon is the founder and executive director of LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE Texas), a nonprofit racehorse placement agency near Austin, Texas. Prior to founding LOPE, Lynn worked in nonprofit finance and administrative management in the Washington DC–area for too many years. Lynn lives on the LOPE ranch with her husband, Sophie the dog, multiple cats, and a herd of ex-racehorses up for adoption. Lynn has adopted three LOPE horses of her own: Tulsa Mambo, Sally, and Lightening Ball.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 1 Reprint edition (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577319567
• ISBN-13: 978-1577319566
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynn Reardon is the founder and executive director of LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE Texas), a nonprofit racehorse placement agency near Austin, TX. Prior to founding LOPE, Lynn worked in nonprofit finance and administrative management in the Washington, DC-area for too many years. Lynn lives on the LOPE ranch with her husband, Sophie the dog, multiple cats, and a herd of ex-racehorses up for adoption. Lynn has adopted three LOPE horses of her own: Tulsa Mambo, Sally, and Lightening Ball.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, November 24, 2009

By 

Lane R. Hatcher "Lane" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond the Homestretch: What I've Learned from Saving Racehorses (Hardcover)

It's fair to say that I inhaled Lynn's book in just a few hours. I adopted my horse, Taj Mahal (nee Famous General) from Lynn almost two years ago. While impressed with her and her organization from the beginning, my admiration has only grown. For anyone thinking about buying a horse, spend a few bucks (some of the proceeds go towards LOPE) and read this book, and then consider adopting a retired racehorse. As Lynn points out, once the steroids and excitement of the track are out of their systems, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that have lived that life seem to easily (and, I believe for many of them, greatfully) give up that life and are happy to go on doing pretty much whatever riding discipline their new owners may choose. They are smart, they've got great characters, and I have found them (three of my own, plus many others) to be ready, willing, able, and, most important, happy to do whatever job you may have for them.

What I found particularly special about this book was Lynn's willingness to share her own fears, worries, and self-doubts as she started down the road of rescuing these horses. In my experience, many horsepeople, men and women alike, seem to have a need to "know it all" and show others how well they can ride. What many of them seem to ignore is the importance of horsemanship -- the ability to really understand their horses and their needs, and be willing to be humble and kind to these animals who are so willing to give us whatever they can. When I began riding as an adult, I often felt alone, distanced, and ashamed as the often snooty and arrogant teens and adults paraded past me and my TB and QH with their warmbloods and their gorgeous tack, perfect riding gear, and riding skills. Over time, though, I learned that it wasn't the riding itself that I so enjoyed, it was the sense of oneness I felt with my horse when we did a really good leg yield, or got to the jump perfectly -- or when he came up to me in the stall and nuzzled me, glowing from his good grooming and good care, and obviously seemed happy and relaxed. When I read of Lynn's experiences, I remembered those times all over again, and realized how far I've come and how greatful I am for having gone through all that and come out the other side with happy, healthy horses and a respect and delight for them that far transcends any "perfect" ride I ever had.

Thank you Lynn, so much, for highlighting the horses and yourself. Yours is a horse book unlike any I've read before, and I will make sure all my horse friends enjoy it as much as I.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy & humorous read and a good story, November 30, 2009

By 

D. mulcahy (texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond the Homestretch: What I've Learned from Saving Racehorses (Hardcover)

You might think this is about the horrors of saving unwanted horses, but it isn't. It is about a journey from Lynn doing a "career job" to doing a much more trying job that is her heart's passion. The characters are funny and quirky and that includes the horses. If you love horses, you will truly enjoy the indepth character analysis that each of the horses in the book get during Lynn's fostering. Its a good inside look at the trials of keeping up a horse ranch and a variety of horse sports such as racing, polo, etc. As Lynn trys to find the right life's work and adopter for each of her horses, she learns about the wide world of horses from show jumpers to tough cowboys and shares it all. You will learn alot right along with her and enjoy the journey almost as much as she seems to without having to actually schlep through muddy pastures and perform emergency vet procedures as she did. It is funny and uplifting and I was sorry when I came to the end.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!, December 29, 2009

By 

C. Haxton "Tina in VA" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond the Homestretch: What I've Learned from Saving Racehorses (Hardcover)

I picked up this book at the book store, started reading it in the store, continued reading it in the car on the way home and finished it several hours later at home. I couldn't put it down. The book is very well written and holds you from cover to cover. I could relate to a lot of the horse antics in the book which had me chuckling out loud often. My 11 year old equally horsey daughter read the book yesterday and loved it too. My 14 year old son is reading it today. Great book for the whole horsey family. Don't hesitate to buy this book. It is well worth it. Tina in VA