Synopses & Reviews
Carole Fletcher's story opens on a November morning in 1975. She began this day as a striking young teacher in a happy relationship; a horse lover and car enthusiast -- ultimately, a young woman eager for what lay ahead. But a gasoline explosion changed all that, leaving her with second- and third-degree burns over sixty-five percent of her body. At day's end, surgeons warned she had a one-in-ten chance of surviving the night and that even if she did, it would be more than likely she would never walk again -- let alone ride a horse.
Carole surprised everyone: her family, her doctors, even herself. After seven months in the hospital and twenty-eight skin graft surgeries, she began to ride her beloved horse, Bailey. Thanks to the therapeutic nature of riding, she slowly regained almost full use of her legs. And though more surgery and almost four years of rehabilitation would follow, Carole eventually plunged into the world of performance with a clever trick horse named Dial.
Carole Fletcher tells an inspiring and eloquent story of recovery and rebirth. Healed by Horses offers a compelling account of one woman's uncommon courage and perseverance, and illustrates the extraordinary connection possible between humans and horses, and how that bond can restore, motivate, and heal.
Review
"Carole Fletcher writes from the heart about a subject that is dear to my own heart. The horse makes us look at ourselves without subterfuge; he's demanding but not critical. Smart people say we ride like the company we keep. Carole and I would agree: we couldn't be in better company than with a horse."
-- Ray Hunt, legendary horseman and author of Think Harmony with Horses: An In-Depth Study of the Horse/Man Relationship
Review
"You don't have to be a horse person to be deeply touched by this book; it is an immensely moving story, candidly and honorably told. The horses that helped Fletcher on the long road back, especially Dial and his tricks, captivated me."
-- Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author of Inside the Halo and Beyond: The Anatomy of a Recovery
Review
"Carole Fletcher's inspiring story is one of great courage, told with truly extraordinary good humor and a total lack of self-pity. It should be an inspiration to every reader, like Douglas Bader's
Reach for the Sky, and to everyone who loves horses a reminder of the healing role they can play in our lives, and the debt we owe to them."
-- Michael Korda, author of Horse People: Scenes from the Riding Life
Review
"What a beautiful book, full of hope in times of deep despair, and the realization of the unconditional love and sensitivity that comes from God's gift to humans -- horses!"
-- Roy Rogers, Jr.
"Carole Fletcher writes from the heart about a subject that is dear to my own heart. The horse makes us look at ourselves without subterfuge; he's demanding but not critical. Smart people say we ride like the company we keep. Carole and I would agree: we couldn't be in better company than with a horse."
-- Ray Hunt, legendary horseman and author of Think Harmony with Horses: An In-Depth Study of the Horse/Man Relationship "You don't have to be a horse person to be deeply touched by this book; it is an immensely moving story, candidly and honorably told. The horses that helped Fletcher on the long road back, especially Dial and his tricks, captivated me."
-- Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author of Inside the Halo and Beyond: The Anatomy of a Recovery
"Carole Fletcher's inspiring story is one of great courage, told with truly extraordinary good humor and a total lack of self-pity. It should be an inspiration to every reader, like Douglas Bader's Reach for the Sky, and to everyone who loves horses a reminder of the healing role they can play in our lives, and the debt we owe to them."
-- Michael Korda, author of Horse People: Scenes from the Riding Life
About the Author
Carole Fletcher and her husband own and operate Singin' Saddles Ranch near Reddick, Florida, where she trains and entertains with trick horses. She has written and produced books and videos on training and offers horse training clinics.Lawrence Scanlan is the author of nine books -- six about horses. He worked closely with Monty Roberts on their bestseller, The Man Who Listens to Horses. He lives, and rides, in Kingston, Ontario.