‘Smoky: The Cowhorse’ by Will James
Considered one of the greatest horse stories ever written, Smoky: The Cowhorse details the life of a bronco born on the range lands in the US and destined to be paired with a cowboy in the cattle drive. The book is revered for its vivid depictions of how horse transitions from being wild into the system of horse and cowboy. The unfortunate events that follow brought a tear (or two) to my eye.
While I could discuss how the horse was central to human development for several thousand years (at least), this book moved me to think about mortality through changing seasons, growing old, leaving parents and unfortunate events that grow our understanding of the crueler side of the world. I recommend this book to horse lovers and non-horse lovers. I am looking forward, but also apprehensive, about reading this book to my daughter given the beautiful and sad moments it contains.
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