Robert D Reed Publishers
THE ALCHEMY OF HORSES: A Journey of Self-Healing
Available as a Kindle on Amazon (Click here).
The ALCHEMY OF HORSES: A Journey of Self-Healing is a real-life story of how horses speak to humans, helping them heal. The author, Donna Snyder-Smith, writes an honest tale from suffering to awakening, then to healing, all because of the horses in her life and the journey she has shared with them. The book reveals the horse's remarkable ability to reveal, through the unvarnished clarity of their emotions, a pathway to truth, for their owners and riders. Through the horse's examples, the past can be overcome, broken pieces can be put back together, and humans can find balance again.
Kidnapping, a sexual attack, and a shocking death ensnare a child's brain with a condition medical experts have only begun to investigate and understand. The ALCHEMY OF HORSES is a personal account of how PTSD drove the author's life without her knowledge, and how she kept the disorder from sinking her, through her association with horses. Each chapter tells a true story of an individual horse who helped her free herself from the iron grip of her history and become a well-respected, national professional in her field.
ENDORSEMENTS:
“Although I have known and admired Donna Snyder-Smith as a trainer, competitor, innovative and inspiring teacher, and author since the 60’s, I was not prepared for how deeply, reading her book The Alchemy of Horses, would touch me. I could not put it down! Now I find the depth of its impact is leaving me searching for words to communicate the unexpected extent of its effect on me, so I may write my testimonial.
“This captivating memoir delves deep into Donna's journey, revealing how, after retiring from a career that span more than a half-century dedicated to horses, she finally confronted the unacknowledged feelings of grief and desolation that haunted her during her lifetime. Emotions she would eventually discover stemmed from the PTSD brought on by early childhood trauma. Her heart-warming descriptions of the many horses, who graced her life and educated her, kept me reading long past midnight. Donna's book is a must for anyone who has ever loved a horse or has been over-whelmed by unfounded fear.”
~ Linda Tellington-Jones Ph.D. (H)
Founder Tellington TTouch Method®
“The Alchemy of Horses really delivers! A real page turner, this book is a fascinating journey through the author’s lifelong process of discovering the pieces of her childhood Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and progressively leaving their controlling clutches behind.
The honesty of animals, especially horses, allows many of us our first safe place where we can truly trust. In addition, horses instantly recognize whether we are living in integrity with ourselves; and if we are not, they can be incredible mentors on the road to finding that Truth…if we listen.
I ran through a gamut of emotions reading this book, frequently having to remind myself to breathe as I shared Donna’s amazing adventures. I also learned things about my own self, and often lost sleep because I had a difficult time putting this book down.
I highly recommend The Alchemy of Horses to anyone who feels held back by the past, as well as those who work with horses and seek insight into the minds of these amazing beings.
~ Kim Walnes, Member US Equestrian Team 1980–86; Winner US National Championship at Rolex Lexington, Kentucky; and Individual Bronze Medal Winner, World Three-Day Event Championship, Germany; Trainer/Instructor/Life-Relationship Coach with her teaching partners, The Gray Goose and Gideon Goodheart
“The Alchemy of Horses is a wonderful real-life story of how horses help humans to heal. The author writes an honest tale from suffering to an awakening, then to healing, all because of the horses in her life and the journey she shared with them. This book tells of horse's remarkable ability to demonstrate their clarity of emotions, sharing their secrets with their owners and riders if they will only listen. Through horses, the past can be overcome. Broken pieces can be brought together and a life restored to balance.”
~Elisa Wilfong, Mother, and owner, rider and lover of horses
"I first met Donna at a clinic we both attended when I was only 13. Thirty years later, we would meet again, this time at the large equestrian center I owned where she would teach for several years, during which time what I and my students learned from her was truly a gift. Her life story is a profound read revealing how her personal journey and the horses she worked with played into her long, successful career. Horse person or not, this book will touch anyone's soul who have dealt with personal trauma. I cannot recommend it enough.”
~ Linda Robertson, Professional Riding Coach Retired; Former owner of Brentwood Oaks Equestrian Center
FEEDBACK FROM AROUND THE WORLD AFTER SEEING HER VIDEO, "PTSD and the Healing Power of Horses" with Linda Tellington-Jones" (Available to everyone on Facebook). https://vimeo.com/1000455111/
Hello Donna! First, I want to than you for a wonderful interview yesterday with Linda Tellington-Jones. I am from Sweden but live in Norway now with my husband, 22 Shetland ponies, and 1 riding pony. I am an educated trainer and psychiatric nurse. I am writing a Master essay for the moment, and the team.... The accessibility of migrants to use equine-assisted therapy for trauma treatment associated with PTSD. I am very involved in the team, and happy to listen to you. Thank you. I can see it's not easy for me to get the book in Norway, but I hope I can get it and read it.... One more time, thank you!!! Sincerely, Caroline Erviksaeter
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8990895324
- Item Weight : 15.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.58 x 9 inches
