The Ultimate Read for Horse Lover's . . . During their professional lives spent caring for, writing about, and riding horses, top equestrian experts Marty Becker, D.V.M., Audrey Pavia, Gina Spadafori, and Mikkel Becker have witnessed some amazing stories about the bonds between people and their beloved equines--true stories of love, loyalty, laughter, courage, connection, and camaraderie. Here these esteemed experts have compiled amazing true stories that will make you laugh and cry as you celebrate how much horses bring to our lives emotionally, physically, and spiritually. And, whether your passion is riding, showing, or racing, life with a horse is never without questions, so you'll find expert advice from top veterinarians, trainers, behaviorists, and other authorities on all manner of equine topics, including nutrition and preventative care, communication and behavior, and so much more. With over sixty pages of photos that capture the awe-inspiring beauty of horses, this is truly the ultimate book that will make any horse lover whinny with delight. Dr. Marty Becker is passionate about his work fostering the affection and connection between animals and people that he calls, "The Bond." Dr. Becker is regularly featured on ABC-TV's, Good Morning America, and co-writes the award-winning weekly column on pets and their care, PetConnection , which appears in newspapers across the United States and Canada through the Universal Press Syndicate. Becker is also the host of "The Pet Doctor" on PBS. He has been named Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year for the U.S. by the Delta Society and the American Veterinary Medical Association, and also coauthored fourteen pet books that have sold over six million copies including Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul and Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up? Marty and his family enjoy life in Northern Idaho and share Almost Heaven Ranch with four barn cats, three dogs, and four Quarter Horses. Gina Spadafori is the author of an award-winning weekly column on pets and their care, which is syndicated throughout North America and Canada by Universal Press Syndicate. She is a bestselling author of several pet books, which have sold over 500,000 combined, including Why Do Horses Sleep Standing Up? Audrey Pavia is a former editor of Horse Illustrated magazine and an award-winning freelance writer specializing in equine subjects. She is the author of several horse books, including Horses for Dummies, Horseback Riding for Dummies, and Trail Riding: A Complete Guide . She has authored hundreds of articles on equine topics in a number of horse publications, including Western Horseman, The Trail Rider, Equestrian Retailer, Horses USA, Appaloosa Journal, Paint Horse Journal, Quarter Horses USA, Equine Veterinary Management, and USDF Connection magazines. Mikkel Becker has been active in the Quarter Horse show circuit and she is a three-time Canadian National Champion in Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle. She is a contributing author to Knight Ridder newspapers, Cat Fancy Magazine and several Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Our Tears Mingled I was eleven years old and sick with the flu when Daddy stepped into my room. While his deep but tender voice always caressed my heart with comfort, today it made my heart beat faster. 'I've got something for you, honey,' he announced in a singing tone. He was holding the most beautiful saddle I'd ever seen: It was bright red and black with brilliant diamond cutouts around the edge. Its sparkle seemed to brighten my room, and I inhaled the scent of fresh leather that filled the air. Daddy placed the saddle at the foot of my bed. Pushing aside the covers, I ran my fingers slowly across the cool, smooth seat. I looked up at him and beamed. 'Do you like it?' he smiled back. He knew that something for my four-legged friend Scout would delight me more than any other present. 'I guess even the flu can't keep you from enjoying your gift.' He laughed and bounced the saddle on the bed, mimicking a bucking bronco. The new saddle seemed to make my flu symptoms all but disappear. 'Scout will love this!' I exclaimed. The next day, with the saddle in my hands, I headed to the barn to see Scout. As usual, he stood in the back stall, hiding in a shadowed corner, looking scared. It was no wonder. Daddy and I had gotten him from a sale barn three months earlier. He was scrawny and scared of everything―especially men. We suspected he had been abused and neglected. Even so, there was something about him that Daddy and I couldn't resist. Once we got him home, I spent every day in the barn with Scout, stroking him, talking to him, and feeding him. As soon as I saw him, I quickened my steps. 'There you are,' I murmured. I could feel the soft dirt under my feet and smell the strong odor of wet hay. I drew closer and whispered, 'Hey, boy, look what I have for you.' I swung the saddle up and positioned it on his back, taki