Riding Home

Description

Throughout history, people have loved, owned and ridden horses. They fascinate us, and we are drawn to books like The Horse Whisperer, events like The Kentucky Derby, and movies like Steven Spielberg's War Horse. Owners and non-horse owners alike have also discovered the amazing abilities of horses to help us heal and recover from disabling physical and mental conditions such as autism and multiple sclerosis by participating in Equine Therapy. Men and women afflicted with severe emotional damage are healing and making dramatic recoveries by receiving the simple love, understanding and acceptance that comes from establishing a relationship with a horse. The unqiue message of Riding Home is two-fold. It is the first and only book to explain why horses have this remarkable ability to heal and positively transform emotionally wounded men and women, whether they be troubled teens, prison inmates, or war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. On a societal level, it offers a powerful argument for the expansion of equine programs that accomplish what many organizations that utilize traditional methods of psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals have been unable to achieve. To have a relationship with a horse is to discover and know yourself and the world with truth and compassion. Horses help us discover hidden parts of ourselves. They teach us that when we're not getting what we want, we're the ones who need to change.

Reviews

"Drawing on his lifetime of experiences with horses, including his friendship of more than 17 years with a gelding quarter horse named Austin, Hayes examines the intricate connections between these four-legged creatures and humans...Hayes' obvious love for all things equine is evident throughout... An educational analysis of the bonds between horses and humans and how they can 'bring feelings of self-awareness, joy, wonder, humility, and peace of mind.'" - "Kirkus""Tim Hayes [is] a great storyteller blessed with passion for his subjects, horse and human. The lessons you'll take away from this beautiful volume of healing and love between man and nature will stay with you for a long time."--from the foreword by Robert Redford"Learn how horses can heal people and the power of equine therapy. "Riding Home" is essential reading for horse lovers and everyone who works with people who need healing."--Temple Grandin, author of "Animals in Translation" and "Animals Make us Human""Tim's deep compassion, understanding and devotion to the wellbeing of both humans and horses comes through in the quiet eloquence of this very well written book. His keen observations of the healing powers that horses can have on the human spirit are woven through with the kind of wisdom that makes this book more than a worthwhile read."--Mark Rashid, horse trainer, horsemanship clinician, and author of "Horses Never""Lie" and "Considering the Horse"""Riding Home" will inspire and further encourage those with mental and emotional disabilities to find the dramatic beneficial effects as well as the elation and spirit derived from being with horses."--Dr. Robert M. Miller, D.V.M., equine behaviorist, author of "Understanding the Ancient Secrets of the Horse's Mind, "and co-author of "The Revolution In Horsemanship and What It Means To Mankind"""Riding Home "is the result of many years of Tim Hayes' dedicated research on the healing power of horses...a different type of horsepower. The remarkable interaction between a horse and human provides the opportunity for solace, understanding and healing. Tim explains how horses are able to initiate the healing of our war veterans suffering from PTSD; a diagnosis that can be notoriously heartbreaking and difficult to treat. Through the horse, we can all connect physically, mentally, and spiritually. Truly, God has blessed mankind with an amazing gift...the horse." --Larry Mahan, 6 time World Champion All Around Cowboy, 2 time World Champion Bull Rider, Western Horseman Man of the Year, 2014