Second-Chance Horses

by Callie Smith Grant (Editor)

From miniature donkeys to enormous draft horses, from regal Arabian stallions to sassy Shetland ponies, horses and other equines bring us delight and comfort whenever we encounter them. Even more so, perhaps, when humans and horses are brought together through a rescue. Whether someone has started a rescue ranch on purpose or circumstances align to match up the right horse with the right person, stories of second chances warm our hearts and restore our hope.

This emotional and inspiring collection of true stories introduces you to a pony who helps a little girl get over her fear of riding, a donkey who discovers his purpose protecting vulnerable lambs, blind horses who teach their human about courage, and even a pony who somehow figures out how to drive a golf cart. By turns humorous and heartwarming, these delightful tales are the perfect companion for those times you long to slow down, take a load off, and enjoy the ride.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Callie Smith Grant is the editor of A Prince among Dogs and A Dickens of a Cat. She is also the author of several nonfiction books for young readers and adults as well as many animal-themed stories and poems which can be seen in Guideposts anthologies and in magazines such as Small Farmers Journal.

Reviews

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are wonderful stories about how humans and horses rescue each other. It is proof that everyone deserves a second chance, and that one good deed may grow and spread to others with rewards beyond imagination.

This will put joy in your heart and maybe bring a tear to your eye. Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved these different compiled stories about horses! It's the perfect book to read while cozied up on a fall night with a cup of tea. :)
There were a few stories that were less well-written but overall the set-up and writing was fine. So many stories were touching and funny, and almost all of them had a deeper story than I realized at the beginning.
It was definitely worth the time for any horse or animal lovers!

[Rebecca Trump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horses!! I absolutely love horses!! Second Chance Horses by Callie Smith Grant is ALL about horses and was a pure treat to read for this horse-loving-girl-at-heart. The author gathered a compilation of short stories from more than two dozen authors. Any woman who ever dreamed of owning a horse or maybe did own a horse, this book is for you. If you have a daughter who has those same dreams, this book is definitely for her. It would be a great gift to be treasured!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely, it is especially so because for over 40yrs my husband rescued many horses that no-one wanted and found loving h0mes for them. Most of them were off the harness racing track, but one special one was a stallion that was rogue. My husband is a Vietnam vet with PTSD., the relationship saved both their lives..
In these days of self indulgence, it is really lovely to read about people that care about other creatures, this book really had some wonderful moments and I enjoyed it very much.Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC .

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally enjoy books about horses and of course good rescues as well but this book was a minefield for me.

First of all the stories are from various authors so the tone doesn't end up being the same from one person to another. Instead the reader will pick-up, especially on the horses' names, from earlier thus allowing the reader to relate only in that regard. Of course since there are probably years between some of the stories you won't quite know the chronological order or how influence each of the various stories although in one or two cases you can guess.

Secondly this book just basically dragged on and even though it was meant to be a smaller book it didn't feel that way. Part of this was just since I felt so much of the authors were really entitled (my parents would never have considered getting me a horse, especially when my sister would stop hanging with me due to age differences), really privileged to have family as well as circumstances that allowed them to magically map out their lives with a few nickers and a lot of these stories really didn't read as actual rescue stories. As a result I just didn't want to shelve book.

And finally there was so many weird spots of horse care in the book, which maybe since I didn't get horse training I wouldn't known how to relate with. One of these was a story in which the young woman basically traded her horses out according to her trainer to improve her horsey skills instead of keeping the animal for life thus allowing that poor animal to be put back into a system of possible abuse with the next "owner". There were times when these authors were able to magically buy horses with celebrity care that they didn't have space or care lined up for just to basically pass them on down the road. And a few other awkward scenarios that just really made me quite uncomfortable.

And although some of the stories have nice little messages and the majority lean towards a Christian audience it wasn't enough to allow me get over the whole tone of the book itself. For those who enjoy horses and with the knowledge of that community, they may enjoy it but for me it should have been a hard pass.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC via a Librarything giveaway.

When I entered the Librarything giveaway for this book, I didn’t know that Revell was part of a Christian publishing house. When I started received the book and realized, I was a bit wary, t’s not that I have not read work from Christian publishing houses before, but some faith based published books are bit . . well . . too much. This is not one of them. It is simply a collection of true stories about horses and their place in the lives of the authors.

Most of the stories in this book do not mention God or praying. There is maybe a total of five that do, with only two of those with a power of prayer theme (and those written by the same author). While all the stories are written by women (with some contributing more than one) living in the US, the collection includes work from South American and Middle Eastern born writers as well.
The theme of the book is second chances, be it in the adopting of a horse or mini-Donkey (there are quite few mini donkeys here) or about an horse helping the rider/owner or even a horse recovering from an illness. The stories are heartwarming. And a couple of the essays are connected. There are a couple of essays that deal with horses from well known horse therapy groups such as Gentle Carousel Miniature. There is even a story about a zebra as well as discussions about BLM.

I particularly appreciated the stories that included parts that illustrated that every horse is not right for every rider, and that sometimes the best thing for both woman and steed was to rehome the horse. It was good to see that, and it ensured that the stories, though feel good, weren’t Hollywood feel good. I also really did enjoy reading about Pumpkin who drives the golf cart as well as a woman’s obsession with Secretariat.

While it is true that some of the stories do not fully fit the second chance theme, it is still a warm fuzzy in a not too sweet way read.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was struck by the fact that each of the horse rescuers in this non-fiction book is a woman. Some live on ranches and some in suburban homes with a large yard and barn, but each of them managed to adopt at least one horse or donkey. Quite a few of the animals had been neglected, turned out or stabled and forgotten. This applied to pedigreed Arabians and the less exalted equally. When times turned bad, horses - racehorses in one story - were an unpayable expense.

Several of the horses were rescued from sales held after roundups of mustangs and burros. These horses sold for buttons and proved well chosen mounts once trained. Others were a purchase for a child, or a memory from childhood, and many of the women said they rescued a horse who also rescued them, perhaps after a tragedy or a divorce or the loss of a much loved mount. Expect some unexpected tears as you read.

A rescued zebra was a surprise. The writer tells us that some people, for unfathomable reasons, pay to shoot zebras on American ranches. The ranch sells the foal claiming its mother died. Zebras are not pets, and kick anything that might be a lion or jackal. A nice story was a rescued donkey working to guard a herd of sheep from dogs and coyotes. A minihorse or two make it into the pages, and the founders of Gentle Carousel, about which I read their book previously, grace the pages.

One point I noted as recurrent, is that when you have a horse, or rescue a horse, it's likely you'll adopt another horse in need. (Because you have land.) One lady had nine already, a lot of work and feeding, and just had to take in a horse she saw. Another writer had to start a nonprofit and raise funds as her habit grew so large. Each said these horses made great companions. Bless you, ladies, keep up the good work. I love and respect you all.

No photos were in my edition, but there might be some by the time it gets to publication.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second-Chance Horses by Callie Smith Grant

Summary:
From miniature donkeys to enormous draft horses, from regal Arabian stallions to sassy Shetland ponies, horses and other equines bring us delight and comfort whenever we encounter them. Even more so, perhaps, when humans and horses are brought together through a rescue. Whether someone has started a rescue ranch on purpose or circumstances align to match up the right horse with the right person, stories of second chances warm our hearts and restore our hope.

This emotional and inspiring collection of true stories introduces you to a pony who helps a little girl get over her fear of riding, a donkey who discovers his purpose protecting vulnerable lambs, blind horses who teach their human about courage, and even a pony who somehow figures out how to drive a golf cart. By turns humorous and heartwarming, these delightful tales are the perfect companion for those times you long to slow down, take a load off, and enjoy the ride.

Review: 5-Star
This book really touched my heart. You see I rescued my first horse a PMU Foal in the Spring of 04 before he was even born and got him home as a weanling in Oct of 04. That same year I bought a mare and her 15-month-old colt whose name is Chance and is my soul-horse. I’ve then started being a QT(Quarantine) Hub for horses coming off the kill lots I currently have 3 mares from the kill lots that are mine, and I just recently gave a 4th away to a friend cause the mare took to her. I know how sometimes it seems they’ve rescued us not us rescuing them. Each of these stories touched and made me remember why I used to be a QT Hub sadly I had to give it up because I lost my husband and now live on a fixed income that doesn’t allow me the freedom I once had. If I had the funds, I’d gladly get back into it. I’ve seen so many wonderful horses come out of the kill lots,

[Dezirah Remington · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the collection is competently written, and the editing of the actual pieces is what would be expected from a feel good book.

However, the stories move from really simplistic and uninspiring: a nervous girl gains confidence in a riding class, a neglected horse finally finds a little freedom. However the issues I have with this book, are in the choices of stories to be told. While attempting to be uplifting there are issues here with horses as being disposable (bought for a teen with no plan for the horse when that child grows), really irresponsible "rescuing" where someone buys horses without a location to house them or a plan for how to feed or provide care among other really problematic themes in the horse world that are glorified here. The cherry on top is. a story about a blind therapy horse that is equal parts ableist and handi-porn. As someone who has spent the last three years attempting to rehabilitate two mares that were ruined by a lot of the human-centered thoughts of horses in the moment without appropriate plans for the lifetime care and expense this collection made me sad and angry. I will give it two stars because the writing and editing is not as bad as other horse writing I've attempted to read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do horses own a big piece of your heart? Even if you do not have one to call your own, horse lovers will find themselves quickly reading through the many true-life stories in this book. Many are likely to find that memories of a special horse come to mind when reading individual stories.

The reader is treated to tales of how owners learned as much from their horses as the horses did from them. We meet horses from various backgrounds – some with impressive pedigrees and others with more ordinary lineage. But these stories are about the heart connection between people and their horses and the pedigree is just a piece of paper.

I love the way each story reaches your heart in only a few pages and the horse-lady in me could have happily kept reading even more. Even if you had a childhood fascination with these animals and have little time to think about them now, this book is a great way to remember that horses really are as remarkable as you remember.

Thank you to Baker Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this wonderful book. No promise of a positive review was made or requested, but this reader is thrilled to report that I loved each of the heart-warming stories included.

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance Horses is a collection of horse stories that any horse lover would enjoy. Edited by Callie Smith Grant it is an easy-to-read anthology by various writers telling their stories of special horses and the interaction that they have had with them. While Most of these animals were rescued but during the reading of these stories you begin to understand how the rescuers were impacted in heart felt and inspiring ways too.

If you did not already have an appreciated for the intelligence and social nature of horses, you will certainly have one by the time you have read this book. Each entry is short, concise with all the emotional feels that you would expected in an animal book. Any one from middle grade would find this book a pleasure to read. The only thing that would have enhance the reading of it even more especially for younger readers would be photographs of some of the horses. Perhaps the hardback copy has photos but my digital copy did not.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

[Libby Mckinmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this collection of stories of rescue horses, you’ll discover the beauty of connection, the kindness of strangers, the luck of the draw and second chances.

Each horse found him or herself in need of rescue from a variety of situations – rounded-up wild mustangs, horses at the kill sales, racehorses, purebred horses, grade horses, young horses, handicapped horses, and old working horses past the age of earning their keep.

Their stories feature uplifting tales of second chances offered and are written by the rescuers. Not all the writing is consistent because it’s the rescuers, not necessarily professional writers, telling their stories, but the stories…ahh, they’re chronicles of courage, kindness, love and a second opportunity. And the editor has allowed each rescuer to keep her own voice and tell of her rescue her way. That is so much better than one homogenous “writer” voice because each horse’s and each rescuer’s experience is unique to them.

Each account is short and you can read the book in one sitting or savor a new chapter each day. This might be great to share with the horse-crazy youngster in your life, perhaps reading a story together daily.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter who is special needs has a special bond with horses. They have become her therapy and her must have in her life to where I have fallen in love with them too. I first saw this book and soon realized that it would be a book that my daughter would love too. I have to say that after reading this book as it was hard to put down was a perfect book that instead of letting her read it on my kindle, I'll be purchasing it for her in book form. If you have anyone in the family or know of someone who is obsessed with horses, this is your pick! I highly recommend it to everyone out there looking for a good heartfelt book to sit down and read!

[Ruth York · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review this book. Like many girls, when I was young, I had horse fever. This collection of stories was nice. Some I like more than others. Some didn't quite seem to fit the subtitle, as they didn't really include a rescue of a horse from abuse. Or a horse rescuing a person from a broken heart. There were some mentions of "horse language" that those who aren't familiar with it might not totally understand. But overall, it was a nice collection.

[Dione Hanke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to read.

Each horse rescue story was written by a different person. So the stories seemed disjointed. I expected to be inspired by each story - but I was not. Some were good but most were just ok. There are probably better horse stories of rescue at the barn where I keep my horses. I really wanted to love this book.

[Emmanuelle Marcoux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because there lot of wonderfull stories of frienship between human and horses, or even donkeys. I'm a little bit sad that callie smith didn't write her storie, but I enjoyed it anyway.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories prove that horses are good for the soul. I love stories of how horses have touched people and how an underdog of a horse becomes a beautiful swan of someone's heart.

[Annika Billberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful stories about many kinds of horses

I enjoyed reading the book very much. It gives hope in dark times and reminds you what fantastic creatures horses are.

[Sandra Binger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the stories from all walks of life and all ages of people. “ Apache’s Conversion “ is my favorite

[Ketterdam's Enforcer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and emotional collection of rescue horse stories from various owners/authors.
I enjoyed it and read one or two stories within the book at a time.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice compilation of heartfelt stories that show how much the bond between human and horas can be healing and meaningful. some stories coulda have better written, but it is still a good read.

[M Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with thirty-three essays from twenty-seven different authors, this straightforward book is a heartwarming read. These true tales illustrate the many ways horses can impact our lives and we can affect theirs. The stories emphasize the importance of giving both horses and people a second chance to survive and thrive. While horse enthusiasts are the obvious target of the book, I think most animal lovers will appreciate the spirit of the book. I give it a five-star review.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about horses and often, faith. The writing and story quality is all over the place. Some stories are really enjoyable. Some stories feel like getting stuck in conversation with that religious aunt that rambles on and on that family events.