In Service to the Horse: Chronicles of a Labor of Love

by Susan Nusser

Furnishes an insider's glimpse of the close relationship that exists between horses and the grooms that care for them, following a year in the lives of three grooms, all working with champion thoroughbreds, while describing the horses, their owners and riders, stable lore, and the multibillion-dollar industry of equestrian sport. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horses

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 13, 2004

About the author

In addition to Kentucky Derby Dreams, Susan Nusser is also the author of In Service to the Horse, which explored the bond that develops between competition horses and their grooms, and between that of one of Kentucky’s most valuable stallion and his groom. She has written about both the politics and culture of the human and animal relationship for Milwaukee Magazine and teaches writing at Carroll University. She lives in Milwaukee with her husband, daughters, cats and a pit bull.

Reviews

[Teresa Paulsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Service to the Horse by Susan Nusser is a great book about show jumping and other high-class horse competitions through the perspective of the grooms that dedicate their whole lives to these horses. It starts a little slow and takes a while to get into, but once you do, it is so engaging that you feel like you are actually there in the story as one of the grooms. Not only does it tell a good story and give lots of good information but it also teaches many themes such as not giving up on your dreams. It also teaches people that their plans or future job might not work out but that doesn’t mean that they have to give up it, you may be happy with something similar. An example of this in the book is the groom that always wanted to be a show jumper but in the end, she ended up being really happy as a groom. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in show horse life. The only thing is that the story uses a lot of advanced horsey language that you would need to understand the book. Loved hearing this story told from a unique point of view.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started slow for me, but after a bit I was swept up into the worlds it portrays. There is some sadness, as the author discusses some scandals in the horse business. Having worked as a thoroughbred groom and on a breeding farm, I think the author's portrayal of the relationship between horse and grooms is very true to life. There is a definite attachment there, and the more you, as a groom, can "read' a horse and make him or her happy and confident, the better the horse will behave and perform.

[Susan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that gives the perspective of top competition horses through the eyes of the grooms who care for them. The book brought back memories of long days spent in breeding barns, hunter/jumper, and dressage barns making everything just so, for the comfort of the horse, not the praise from the owners. It also brought up some of the ugly things that can happen in the higher echelons of horse sports and the very reason I now keep a few horses at home in my own care without the drama.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

were you a horse girl? read this and cry repeatedly even as you know animals shouldn't be personified to the degree the author is doing and also competitive riding can be hella fucked up. were you not a horse girl? there is nothing in this book for you, sorry.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book the week after I got it for Christmas, finished it in about four days. It was wonderful, and the author went to Emerson College!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for any horse lover. The determination and loyalty these grooms must have is amazing. I love my horse, but I don't know if I could be as dedicated as these people are.

[Melaniedk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this book about being a groom to show and race horses. This is a niche world that I enjoyed reading about.

[Robert Waldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder what goes on in the stables behind the scenes in the world of high-end horse competitions? Nusser chronicles the daily life and work of those unsung heroes of the horse set, the grooms.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me forever to read because it's kind of slow. However, I liked reading from the grooms POV and appreciate all their hard work for the O'Connors and their horses.