Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service [Paperback]

Allen Anderson (Author), Linda Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2009

With twenty-one dramatic true stories of courageous, loyal, and loving horses who found their life's purpose, this book reveals the wonders possible when both humans and horses are encouraged and allowed to follow their best instincts. The heroic equines you will meet include:

Molly, a pony who survived Hurricane Katrina and the loss of a leg, who spreads her message of hope to disabled children. Her story went viral with coverage on the Internet, in the New York Times, and on the CBS Evening News.

Sankofa, an Arabian stallion, who made it possible for social studies teacher Miles J. Dean to complete a cross-country journey in tribute to African American ancestors. Millions of adults and schoolchildren followed their odyssey as Miles and Sankofa made history come alive.

Diana, a wild horse of the rare Gila herd, who proved to be a proud and resourceful lead mare who protected her herd and taught the great lesson of forgiveness.

Butch, a retired gelding, who showed such an unswerving belief in a profoundly mentally retarded girl that he restored a mother's hopes for her child's future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With hearts and minds open, we can learn from the wild and domesticated horses in this wonderful book.”
— Joe Camp, author of The Soul of a Horse and creator of the films starring the canine superstar Benji

“This collection of stories will remind anyone who has ever had a horse as a best friend, confidante, and soul mate of what a special gift that can be.”
— Carson Kressley, Emmy Award–winning TV host, designer, and author of Off the Cuff

“You don't need to be an avid equestrian like me to truly enjoy this book, as the stories resonate with a spirit of hope and harmony that is shared by all creatures great and small.”
— Alison Eastwood, actress, director, and producer

“The spiritual and physical bond between horses and the humans who love them often reaches mystical proportions. Nothing celebrates that very special relationship more movingly or with greater clarity than Horses with a Mission.”
— Steven D. Price, editor of The Whole Horse Catalog

“Through their courage, sensitivity, and kindness, the horses in this book become our inspiration and guides.”
— Michael Mountain, former president of Best Friends Animal Society

“This important book will spark your imagination and inspire you to embrace the magical moments in life that happen every single day. This book is a joy to read.”
— Melanie Sue Bowles, author of Hoof Prints and founder of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary

About the Author

Allen and Linda Anderson are the founders of the Angel Animals Network, inspirational speakers, and the authors of many books, including Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals. They donate a portion of book sales proceeds to animal welfare organizations and live in Minneapolis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577316487
• ISBN-13: 978-1577316480
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Horses
  • #37 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Essays
  • #46 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Horses

More About the Author

Allen and Linda Anderson, speakers, authors, and founders of the Angel Animals Network, help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals. They are dedicated to promoting human-animal companionship and the idea that pets are family. Allen and Linda donate a portion of proceeds from their work to animal rescue organizations and they do fundraising activities.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ENJOY THE RIDE!, October 8, 2009

By 

Dorothy Weiss (ORLANDO, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service (Paperback)

I thought "Hidalgo", "Seabiscuit", and "Black Beauty," were classic unsurpassable equine stories. Now enters, "Horses With a Mission," a fine collection of true stories about horses making an impact in the lives of everyone around them. There is Pegasus, Molly, Avenger, Piper, Rocky, Diana, Cherokee, Butch, Saki, fascinating, intelligent, spirited courageous horses demonstrating overcoming fear, getting past traumas,giving unconditional love to those who care for them, and performing amazing feats of strength, and endurance. Molly's visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and a summer camp for children with cancer allowing herself to be touched, stroked,offering hope, laughter and comfort, standing on three "good" legs and one prosthetic leg as an inspirational example of survival is amazing.




This book is well written and packed with unique accounts of the many ways in which horses serve. The authors, the Andersons contend that every horse has a mission either as symbols of courage, wisdom, hope,forgiveness or in the entertainment arena of action, the sports field exuding athleticism, grace, and single-minded focus, - or to help us remember history, preserving the type of freedom we all aspire to attain - or offering emotional healing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these unique beings. Perhaps you will too and you may find yourself agreeing with the authors. You might find yourself actually dancing to the rhythm of the mighty hooves of "Horses with a Mission."



ENJOY THE RIDE!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This makes me very proud!, October 5, 2009

By 

Christianna Capra "Horse as Healer" (NY, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service (Paperback)

My review may be a bit biased as my story is on page 60 - Finding My Passionate Purpose with Spring Thaw...

When I entered the online contest with the story I did it because it was something that needed to be told from my heart. When it later ended up in the book, I figured that it was the light of my horse, Spring that would reach out to the world. I am hoping that when folks read this story it will plant seeds of inspiration as it did for me to live it. I am on the cusp of launching my passionate purpose, Spring Reins of Hope (Getting to the Horse of the Matter) and it has been a long and winding road to get here, however I can never give up because of how much effort, patience and physical ailing that came from Spring in order for us to end up on this glorious path. So for that I hope people enjoy the book.

NOW I will tell you what happened with me when I got the first copy, well first I cried because my story was published, and I read it like 10 times. But then I started to read the rest of the book, the other 20 stories in there...and...wow....

There is so much feeling, healing, love, inspiration, hope, and humor in this book. Reading all of the incredible stories I realized that there are amazing horses everywhere all over this world doing their little peice of magic on the humans in their lives... I laughed, I cried, and I felt my heart grow bigger with this book. I am so grateful to the Andersons (Allen and Linda) for their work with the Angel Animal Network and for the tireless efforts they put out there into their many books and reaching out to help people all over realize that animals are gifts to mankind. True gifts and if we pay attention and are open to recieving them, this life is a heck-of-a-lot easier!!!

If you have people in your life who love animals or just need some inspiring - please get them this book, it will do the job!!!
best,
Christianna Capra
[...]

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, October 9, 2009

By 

E. S. Corbin (Hudson Valley, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service (Paperback)

Whether or not you own a horse, you no doubt will be moved.
Those fortunate enough to be horse owners will find themselves nodding agreement, sighing, chuckling, maybe even shedding a tear. Those who don't? May be inspired enough to join the ranks,take the plunge, and finally let a horse into their lives.
So that they too can experience their own story.
Hope to see a sequel soon!