BOOK REVIEWS Seven Sets Of Horseshoes: An American Journey By LYNN LLOYD
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onfession: I am incredibly fond of Lynn Lloyd. I met her when I was assigned to write a profile on her for this magazine a few years back. She took me foxhunting—a first for me—with the Red Rock Hounds, the hunt she established outside of Reno, Nev. It remains that state’s first and only Masters of Foxhounds Association-recognized hunt. I spent a few exhilarating days getting to know her and came away impressed by her authenticity, moxie, optimism, determination and appreciative world view. (I know that’s a lot of adjectives, but she is worthy.) Reading her new book Seven Sets Of Horseshoes: An American Journey, which chronicles her seven-month, 3,100-mile trek
across the country solo on horseback in 1973—when she was 23—I realized those qualities Lloyd displayed when I met her were present from the start. This book is an inspiring read for anyone who wavers on whether an idea is too foolish or too daunting. It’s a book about saying yes to adventure, learning to trust your instincts, and the bond between people and animals. Setting out from eastern Pennsylvania and riding to southern California, the freespirited Lloyd is accompanied by her dog, Puddles, an abandoned puppy she found prior to her trip. Lloyd’s enthusiasm for life and her sunny outlook is captured in her writing
New Track, New Life: Understanding And Retraining The Off-Track Thoroughbred By KIMBERLY GODWIN CLARK
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his book came across my desk at exactly the right moment. I’d just picked up my new off-the-track Thoroughbred and was excited to start his retraining. I’ve brought along two other OTTBs in my life—one straight from the track who was quite simple and sweet, 92 JULY/AUGUST 2017
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and the second who came to me with walk, trot, canter and knowledge of basic jumping, but after reading Kimberly Godwin Clark’s book, I realized there was a lot about the breed that I didn’t know. Clark has galloped, trained and owned Thoroughbreds for 30 years and has been promoting them for adoption since 2007, both on her own and through her non-profit, Thoroughbred Placement Resources, so she brings a wealth of detailed knowledge. Before I bought my OTTB, the only time I’d ever been to the track was to watch a race on a summer evening, so
style. She introduces us to various snapshots of America in 1973 through the people she encounters on her way west—the majority generous of spirit and wanting to be part of the adventure, offering a warm bed and food or helping her keep her horses in shoes. Lloyd is one of those rare people who inspires and whose example nurtures the little voice in our heads that asks, “Why not?” If you get the chance to hunt with Lloyd and spend a bit of time with her, take it! If not, her voice, outlook and zest for life are alive on these pages. —Jennifer B. Calder This book is self-published by Lynn Lloyd. It retails for $25 and can be purchased by visiting www.redrockhounds.com.
Clark’s step-by-step description of how the track works was extremely interesting. She describes the details of everyone’s job at the track, what kind of tack your OTTB wore, and how they were ridden and trained. She then walks the reader through a first trip to the track and what to expect—researching the horse online before you go, etiquette in the barns, evaluating a horse for sale, and how to make an offer. In the second half of the book, Clark offers advice on everything from how to start a recently retired race horse to what to feed, how to deal with turnout, behavior modifications and when things go wrong. If you’re new to OTTBs, it’s always a good idea to get help from an experienced person. But before you embark on the journey, New Track, New Life is an educational read to help you have a positive experience with your new partner. —Lindsay Berreth
