Title: Strands of Hope: How to Grieve the Loss of a Horse
Author: Susan Friedland
Year Published: 2020
Publisher: Saddle Seeks Horse Press
What's it about?: Susan shares how she lost her heart horse, DC. She also interviews others who have dealt with loss because of death or early retirement for their horse. Susan shares her experience to help guide others in healing from similar losses.
"As a horse woman, you have to love your horse as a horse first and enjoy his job after that."
Likes:
Everything.
It's a short book with short chapters that makes it easy to read. When dealing with grief the last thing you want to do is pick up a big book.
I can really feel how much care and love Susan put into this book. She also wrote with great sensitivity. Death is not an easy subject, but Susan wrote about it beautifully.
There are "optional assignments" throughout the book to help you start to move forward, but there is no pushing you to do anything until you are ready.
Dislikes:
Nothing.
I could have easily read a longer book by Susan about DC, but that was not the point of this book. For the purpose of guidance and healing, this book length is perfect.
"You are not alone."
Thoughts:
I love this book.
Losing an animal is difficult. Nothing can help ease the pain. However, it is powerful to know that you are not alone. This is a message Susan makes clear throughout the book. You are not alone.
As my horses age into their mid-twenties, I can't stand the thought of losing them. I bought this book to help me when that day comes, but honestly, I think we are still a long way off.
I have been a bit scared to read this book since I bought it almost a year ago because grief is not an easy emotion to sit with. When our cat died fairly suddenly, I finally picked this book up.
Susan and the women she interviewed shared such meaningful and personal stories. I could feel the love they each had for their horses and the pain of their horses' death or early retirement.
However, grief is not just for horses. This book can help you process any grief or loss in your life.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your story. Know that you too are not alone.
What helped you the most when you've grieved the loss of a loved one, human or animal?
You can find Strands of Hope at Susan's website here and follow everything she's doing here.
Want to go on another horse book adventure? Read my last book review here and read a surprise book review here.