Summer Reading with Epic Farms

This is a wonderful story about a little boy who turns away from his faithful little pony in favor of a bigger (more exciting) horse. He soon learns that bigger is not always better, and there is nothing more valuable than true friendship.

The friend who posed for the above photo began reading this story to her grandson as I took several pictures. When I'd finished photographing them, he adamantly insisted she finish the story before he would get off her lap to go see the horses (I think he liked it). When she left, they were headed straight for the bookstore to get a copy ;o)

Little did I know when I fantasized about being shipwrecked on a deserted island with a gorgeous black horse, like this story's main character, how big a role the Arabian horse would later play in my life (I love them!). Alec finds himself enchanted by the stallion he is marooned with and decides to attempt to tame this fiery steed.

I could (and did) spend hours staring off into space dreaming about thundering down the beach with my own magnificent mount. When I got older, I dismissed this story as being implausible and daydreamed of finding a halter under the Christmas tree (which, as it turned out, was even more implausible). Now that I am older - and hopefully a little bit wiser - I will say that the bond that developed between Alec and The Black is not only plausible, but completely believable. I should know, as I have a special bond of my very own with a beautiful bay Arabian mare named Bella ;o)

This book by Marguerite Henry paints an exotic tale of the humble beginnings of the Godolphin Arabian (Sham) and his groom, Agba. Although Agba cannot speak, he and Sham develop a close relationship through all of their adventures together. A mixture of fact and historical fiction makes this a fascinating and entertaining read.

Plus it's Arabian horses again - yay! ;o)

This is the story of a horse's life as told by the horse himself (Black Beauty). Having spent enough time in the horse industry, I can honestly say that this is alarmingly accurate. It is a wonderful story, full of both joy and sadness, and gives the reader a chance to see what the world is like from the horse's point of view. This book has had a major impact on my life: not once, but twice:

1. It caused me to get thrown from a horse at my very first riding lesson (really). Having finished this book at the tender age of six, I avowed that I would be so gentle with my beautiful lesson horse that he would absolutely worship the very ground I tread upon. You know how kids behave one way when the regular teacher is present and cut loose when there's a sub? Well the horse is the class and a new rider is always the substitute. They know. The moment my hand touched the reins the horse ascertained my utter cluelessness and took off like a rocket. One well-executed buck center stage (well, arena) and I was a human cannonball; right up until the bone jarring splat at the end. And yes I got right back on, with a pair of very shaky legs and the newfound knowledge that too much of a good thing astride a cranky old barn sour lesson horse can quickly become a bad thing (and gravity rules ;o)

2. It put a new dream in my heart for the direction of Epic Farms and revealed the desire to share these magnificent creatures with as many people as possible. My daughter's 6th grade class had just finished reading Black Beauty, and her teacher asked me to come in and do a little presentation on horses for the kids. I took a saddle, bridle, halter and some bits to pass around, as well as lots of photos of our own horses. We talked at length about horses while the children took turns looking at all the things I brought to show them. After answering a barrage of questions that led to more talking and more questions, I suddenly realized I was having the time of my life. We've had several challenges along the way, but (thanks to God's grace) Epic Farms is [finally] almost there.