The heartfelt true story of a rescued horse that became a rescuer
Big and not much to look at, Red was in rough shape. He was by himself in a bare, wire-fenced pasture at the end of a long dirt road. He'd lost three horseshoes, but the fourth clung to a hoof grown nearly six inches. He was left by a family forced to move when their old adobe house was condemned, and they needed to sell him fast. When she saw him, she knew she had to get him out of there-he was ready for the killer buyers. They stared at each other across the pasture, and she heard "Get me out of here."
"This is a rewarding read about how acknowledging the intelligence and hearts of other animals enriches our human lives. The kindnesses shown by human and equine beings working together provide a glimpse into a bountiful way to live."
-Barbara Clark, Potter, Middle San Pedro Field Mgr (ret.) for The Nature Conservancy
From the moment Red arrived at her stable, she knew there were huge lessons to be learned. She thought she was rescuing an older horse suitable for guests, but that was not to be the plan. It took the farrier four trims to fix his hobbled walk, and the level of his abuse was so intense, he forced her to 'listen in' before she could do anything with him. He became a Master Teacher. Over the years, she gave him everything she could, and it was almost as if giving could somehow surgically remove the sadness of those old, horrific abuses...and perhaps hers, too. In return, once saddled, he was safe and very careful with her.
"Susan brings a lifetime of experience with horses to this story, making it clear how the relationship between horse and human can create healing for both. Saving Red is an exploration of where we find true safety and an example of a life attuned both inward to personal wisdom and outward to the many creatures we share life with. Susan writes with an understanding of the "whole," always coming back to the interconnected web that carries us. And she knows that you can't hold on to anything-but you can touch and be touched as it passes."
-Katie Talbott, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
In due time, others were drawn to his stall, and a woman came once just to lead him around. She stood talking to someone in the barnyard, holding his lead line, her feet crossed as she talked. She looked down and noticed that Red's feet were crossed, too. She looked up in surprise and slowly switched her stance. So did he. Red became a mirror...and one of the most important lessons he forced was about learning to get there quietly and safely. He taught her self-understanding followed by patient interaction. Healing rarely occurs along a straight path.
"I was never really able to heal Red as much as Red healed me-he was a true healer in a different form. Even though he was a horse, he was the one that taught me how to work with gentle energy. I loved working on him-his soul was alive and open to whoever would feel his great heart."
-Michael Murphy, Radiokinesiology Therapist
During her work with Red and other horses, she continued the enormous task of recovering an old racing stable that had been about to face the bulldozer. People came to help, some not sure why, but all eager to be involved in the dream of bringing the stable back to life. The recovery of both stable and Red were intertwined.
"Horse as guru...owner as follower...and where each of these becomes the other is the Still Point place you'll find you have landed on opening Saving Red, my sidekick Sue's personal story set on the desert of southern Arizona. It's wonderful to have this record of a kind of life now vanishing like a mirage, a life that is a gift to those who were willing to trade creature comforts (and income!) for dust and rusty wire and nickering horses..."
-Woody Hume, Cattle Herd Mgr (ret.), Casc
