Allen Anderson - Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service

The stories in Horses with a Mission demonstrate the soul presence in horses as they use their innate creativity, sensitivity, and intelligence to make choices that serve themselves and others. Karen Sussmans account of rescuing and documenting a wild horse herd reminds all of us that native and indigenous horses have been here for 52 million years. With hearts and minds open, we can learn from the wild and domesticated horses in this wonderful book.

Horses with a Mission allows us to travel into the world of the horse from so many unique perspectives and introduces horses that have touched and changed the lives of many people. To have our own writer, Cooky McClung, featured in this wonderful work makes it all the more fun. Its a fabulous read.

As an equine professional teaching in seven countries for over forty years, I have read and witnessed many inspirational, magical, and wonderful interactions between horses and humans. Horses with a Mission is an exceptional collection of such stories. The contributors show fine writing abilities and talent and share the deep appreciation and love they have for their equine counterparts. Bravo. Enjoy!

Many pets are here on this earth to help humans in the journey of life. Horses, with their primal nature as prey animals, daily make choices to override their fears, get past traumas, and put themselves in danger to be one with the humans who love them. The stories in this book are great examples of the power of unconditional love, which I am reminded of every day in my work helping clients.

This brilliant compilation of lovely and touching stories reflects upon the remarkable connection between humans and equines. You dont need to be an avid equestrian like me to truly enjoy this book, as the stories resonate with a spirit of hope and harmony that is shared by all creatures great and small.

Alison Eastwood, actress, director, and producer

If you love horses and appreciate the countless gifts they bring to our lives, you will want to keep this exceptional collection of heartwarming stories close to your bedside for inspirational reading. Angel Horses is a rare gift to the world of equines.

Linda Tellington-Jones, founder of the Tellington TTouch Method

For cultures as diverse as the Celts and the Plains Indians, horses not only represent the other but are considered an oracle, a link to the spirit world. So, too, the horses we meet in Allen and Linda Andersons collection of stories come to us as equine messengers who, if we are willing to listen, remind us of our own roles and responsibilities to all sentient beings. The stories in Angel Horses are told with passion and insight into the horse-human bond.

Anna Banks, PhD, equine massage practitioner and editor of www.womentalkhorses.com

Copyright 2009 by Allen and Linda Anderson

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Angel Animals is a registered trademark of Allen and Linda Anderson

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Horses with a mission : extraordinary true stories of equine service [edited
by] Allen &Linda Anderson.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-57731-648-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. HorsesBehaviorAnecdotes. 2. Altruistic behavior in animals Anecdotes.
I. Anderson, Allen. II. Anderson, Linda C.
SF281.H67 2009
636.1dc22

First printing, September 2009
ISBN 978-1-57731-648-0
Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

F ascinating, mystifying, highly intelligent horses have evoked awe in humans for thousands of years. The annals of history and literature speak of equines who made adventure, power, and the fulfillment of dreams possible for humans and entire cultures. Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service focuses on an aspect of horses that remains unexplored in todays utilitarian world: horses as vibrant spiritual beings, infused with purpose and intention. The books stories about the divine essence of horses allow glimpses into their secret worlds.

Horses excel at making history. They settled foreign lands, fought in wars, delivered people and goods to their destinations, herded cattle, and performed countless other useful and necessary endeavors. Riding a horse gives a person an imperial perspective that can only be gained from high atop a horses back. The American Museum of Natural Historys webpage devoted to its horse exhibit states, Some cultures have considered horses worthy of gods. In many faiths, they play a role in sacred rituals. Swift, strong and sometimes unruly, a spirited horse can be awe-inspiring. A running horse may be seen as an expression of freedom, a rearing horse as a symbol of power.