Carol Upton's Review of Mares! (Ya Gotta Love 'em) by Betsy Kelleher

Sincere thanks to my friend, Carol Upton, for sending the following review:

Mares! (Ya Gotta LOVE ‘em) Fifty Stories to Aid and Inspire Mare Owners
Compiled by Betsy Kelleher
Xulon Press, 2008. $23.99
ISBN: 978-1-60477-547-1
Copies are available from the author, who is offering a Christmas special at: www.goduseshorses.com

Reviewed by Carol M. Upton: www.dreamsaloud.ca

First published in print in Horses All Magazine: www.horsesall.com

"Mares often require special handling before their best side is evident" ~ Betsy Kelleher

In Mares! (Ya Gotta LOVE ’em), Betsy Kelleher has assembled a diverse collection of tales representing different breeds and backgrounds. Each of the fifty stories has one thing in common – they are an inspired tribute to the elusive Mare. The book is also about women, and the essence of being female is an interwoven theme. The original true stories, written by 38 different mare owners, enlighten and entertain while introducing us to the seeming paradoxical nature of mares – from stubborn to loving to dangerous to protective and loyal.

Mary Wynn Craig’s Lisa, the quarter horse with the permanent scowl, will capture your heart. Trainer Ron Meredith includes an excellent article on "Gender Differences: Training Mares." If you’ve ever loved and lost any horse, you’ll cry when young Erin Landers tells the tale of Duchess, her very first horse. You’ll root for Factor, the thoroughbred brood mare, in "Chiropractic Saves a Life." Helen Farley sticks with her little bay Abby, despite repeated admonishments about mares being no good, in the touching "Kindred Females."

This book acknowledges the unexplainable moments present in the lives of horse owners and encourages us to find God at work even in more difficult situations. Some of the stories are completely zany and others touch on profound sorrow, yet lessons of love and hope show up in each tender tale, alongside practical tips for handling your mare. Mares! will leave an impression on every horse lover and is an irresistible read for those moments when you just want to take care of you.

Betsy Kelleher’s first riding horse was a Percheron mare from her grandfather’s work team on an Iowa farm. She writes a monthly column for the Illinois Horse Network newspaper. Her website, www.goduseshorses.com, shares her columns, horse photos and information about her books.

Trainer Recommendations -- Rex Peterson & Cari Swanson

I asked readers of the Horse Lovers of the Business World Group on Linkedin to recommend trainers who might not have a national following. Diana Murphy responded with this very strong recommendation for Rex Peterson and Cari Swanson. Diana's filly, Belladora, is pictured here.

Rex Peterson & Cari Swanson are the best team when it comes to clinics, training, starting young horses and "fixing" problem horses. Some may recognize Rex Peterson as the Hollywood Horse Trainer, having trained numerous stunt/movie horses for well known movies including: Black Beauty, The Horse Whisperer, Hidalgo, Flicka, Dreamer, Appaloosa, All the Pretty Horses, The Ring, The Patriot, Buddy, Crazy Horse, Far and Away, Sylvester, Three Amigos, Runaway Bride and The Black Stallion. He has been interviewed in numerous magazines and film. What most people don't know is that this exceptional trainer team, previously only available in Dutchess County, NY, is now available for clinics and actually travels throughout the US - helping "regular" people with their horses.

Speaking from personal experience, Rex started a strong/hot unbroke filly for me in 2007. This filly had no trouble rearing straight up and staying up, but that's not what we wanted in a riding horse. After only 3 days with Rex, she was started under saddle and has never reared with a rider thanks to Rex's immediate correction in the round pen. She has since developed into awesome and very safe athlete at 5-years old. And this year, Rex started another unbroke filly, who began to develop a fresh attitude as she turned 3 in 2009. I decided to keep my filly in the program with Cari Swanson and just over 3 months later, she took 1st place at her first show which was a large show (NEDA Fall Festival at HITS in Saugerties, NY) and then went on to take 2nd place (missing the win by a mere tenth of a %) at Dressage at Devon in PA (the show of all shows on the east coast). Absolutely incredible results by this team of professionals. For info, visit their website: www.swansonpetersonproductions.com or call Cari to set up a clinic at 914.456.3155.

I cannot stress how incredible my experiences have been with Rex & Cari. I have a 2-year old who will be started next year and I wouldn't think of having anyone else start and train him.