Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of Adulting with Horses to read and provide feedback to the author.
Title: Adulting with Horses
Author: Heather Wallace
Year Published: 2022
Publisher: Water Horse Press
What's it about?: The second book in Wallace's Confessions of a Timid Rider series. Wallace explores how owning a horse for the first time as an adult affects her confidence in the saddle and in motherhood.
"Sometimes our confidence wavers and we seek what is safe."
Likes:
As with Confessions of a Timid Rider, I feel a connection to Wallace. She writes like she is just talking to a friend which makes me feel like one of her close friends.
Wallace writes about a wide variety of topics that anyone can relate to. She talks about starting new relationships, trusting others, making changes in life, learning from children, letting others know your limits without apology, and simply being comfortable and confident with yourself. I may not be able to directly relate to every topic she covers, but Wallace writes in a way that makes every topic accessible to anyone.
Chapter 4, "Creating a Bond with a New Horse," is my favorite chapter. Wallace takes this chapter to talk about and to the most important horses of her past. As a sentimental person I just love it. Horses are so special and can make such a huge impact on you. It got me thinking about the horses from my past and how much I love them.
"They have a unique way of giving us what we need, even if it is not what we want."
Dislikes:
The chapters did not flow from one to the other, similar to Bridge Called Hope by Kim Meeder (you can read my thoughts about Bridge Called Hope here). I can't really complain too much because I feel like I write in this style, but it isn't my favorite style to read. I don't mind so much that the chapters feel like blog post updates, but there isn't any type of overarching story or idea that connects all the chapters to really make it feel like a book.
Similarly, each chapter does not cover a story. Each chapter talks about a topic and is reflective. Chapters will have a story or two to illustrate the reflection Wallace is making, but personally I don't like to read just another person's reflections.
I have many questions that weren't answered. My biggest question is: How did the show with Ferrous go?
"We all handle new things differently. Some of us are nervous and some need to be challenged. The important thing is to try new things and go at your own pace."
Thoughts:
I read the first book in this series, Confessions of a Timid Rider, within the last year and really enjoyed it (do you want a blog post about it?).
I would suggest reading Confessions of a Timid Rider first to get to know Wallace and some of the horses she talks about, but I don't think it's necessary. This book focuses mostly on how Wallace and Ferrous came together and their budding relationship.
I really enjoyed this book. I feel like if my confidence ever gets a knock, this is the perfect book to pick up and read. Wallace touches on very common and normal worries that everyone - timid or not - faces. After reading this book I felt a surge of confidence in myself just because of Wallace's words.
Wallace is able to mirror my thoughts with her words in Adulting with Horses. I felt seen and validated to be exactly who I am with my horses. Although Wallace returned to horses as an adult and I never left them, we share similar fears. If I ever have a knock in my confidence, I know that reading any chapter of Adulting with Horses will pick me right back up again.
Adulting with Horses is out now! Find it and Wallace's other books here.