A Leg Up: How I Learned to Horseback Ride Starting at Age 40 [Paperback]

Katherine Maxwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2006

I missed those moments of joy and exhilaration, those moments of communicating with the horse, of flying, of floating, of traveling on the back of an animal and feeling his movements.

Shortly after her fortieth birthday, author Katherine Maxwell made a list of all the things she wanted to do in her lifetime. The very first item was learning how to ride a horse.

Having been on a horse only once before as a teenager, Maxwell estimated that seven lessons would be adequate. She quickly realized that seven lessons could not possibly turn her into an equestrian, or even make her a competent rider. But she discovered the joy of being in the saddle when she connected with the horse’s rhythms and movements.

Twenty-four years later, Maxwell remembers those adventures in learning intuitive skills as an older adult. To remind herself of what it took to build muscle memory and develop reflexive reactions, she wrote and compiled her stories into the touching memoir A Leg Up. Share in Maxwell’s joy and discovery as she takes you through her journey of self-awareness and courage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katherine Maxwell graduated with a degree in fine arts. She works with her husband producing his Photograph America Newsletter in Novato, California. Her passions are riding her American Saddlebred mare and painting in acrylics. Visit her website at www.a-leg-up.net.

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (March 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595380077
• ISBN-13: 978-0595380077
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,510,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recipe for success, July 12, 2006

By 

T. Niemann (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Leg Up: How I Learned to Horseback Ride Starting at Age 40 (Paperback)

At the age of 40 the author makes a list. A fairly long list of things she wanted to do. At the top of the list was learning to ride a horse. This book documents, in a personal way, her journey to become a proficient horseback rider. What makes it a compelling account is the fact that it did not come easy.

She figured seven lessons would be sufficient. Ha!

It took seven years before she was proficient enough to enter a cross-country competition. "I didn't think; I couldn't think... We headed directly toward the first jump. My intuition and right brain had taken over."

Another seven years and... "Somewhere in the middle of that hour, my balance in the saddle shifted, became more centered. My riding position suddenly changed - absolutely for the better, I could feel this amazing alteration, subtle yet incredibly significant."

Along the way were ups and downs. Successes and failures. And with each failure was the determination to get back on the horse and try again. This is a story, a true story, that illustrates in a heartfelt manner what it takes to succeed. And the tremendous reward when you do.

5.0 out of 5 stars So, you can't teach an old dog new tricks??, July 17, 2006

By 

Vera Reeves "Author of 'Barking Up The Right ... (Novato, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Leg Up: How I Learned to Horseback Ride Starting at Age 40 (Paperback)

What a lovely memoir! As is always the case, learning something worthwhile and complex in your middle age or later, is quite a humbling experience. The learner has to overcome obstacles, both physical and mental, that simply aren't much of an issue during the years of accelerated learning and physical flexibility of one's youth. But the hard-earned rewards are sweet, indeed! Katherine Maxwell takes on the challenge of learning to ride, first timidly, but with rising resolve and the willingness to explore fully where this endeavor will take her. Her lessons learned - and the insights drawn from them for life in general, are described vividly and with gentle humor.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspirational Story, July 10, 2006

By 

C. L. Abbott - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Leg Up: How I Learned to Horseback Ride Starting at Age 40 (Paperback)

I enjoyed A Leg Up very much, particularly at night when I was tired and wanted to read something uplifting and positive. I looked forward to crawling into bed with this book and reading another chapter. The story moves in a gentle progression, describing how the author learns a difficult skill over time despite various hurdles she must conquer. The story is humorous and compassionate. By the end of the book you love horses and feel a deeper understanding of the partnership between rider and horse. You feel like it's time to go out and learn something new.