One day, at the age of thirty-one, Susan Richards realized that she was an alcoholic. She wrote it down in her journal, struck by the fact that it had taken nine years of waking up hung-over to name her illness. What had changed? Susan had a new horse, a spirited Morgan named Georgia, and, as she says, "It had something to do with Georgia. It had something to do with making a commitment as enormous as caring for a horse that might live as my companion for the next forty years. It had something to do with love." Every day begins with a morning ride. Every day Susan lives a little more and thinks about her mistakes a little less. Every day she learns a little more from Georgia, the kind of horse who doesn't go in for indecision, who doesn't apologize for her opinions, and who isn't afraid to be herself. In Georgia, Susan finds something to draw her back to herself, but also something to keep her steady and focused, to teach her about stepping carefully in unknown territory, to help her learn again about balance. This is a memoir about the power of animals to carry us through the toughest times of our lives—about the importance of constancy, the beauty of quiet, steadfast love, the way loving a good (and sometimes bad!) animal can keep you going. It's a wonderful story for Susan's (and Georgia's) fans and for anyone who has ever loved an animal enough to keep on living.
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"I love the way this author expresses herself. This is her 3rd book - all memoirs and all super good reading. More than just about horses - it's about her complicated and interesting life experiences. Such great reading. Highly recommended. " — Cheryl (5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the way this author expresses herself. This is her 3rd book - all memoirs and all super good reading. More than just about horses - it's about her complicated and interesting life experiences. Such great reading. Highly recommended. "
Saddled is a searingly honest portrait of addiction and the redemptive power of animal-human love.
“Saddle up and enjoy the ride with Susan Richards. You’ll love it.”
“This is not only a horse story but a ‘drunkalogue’ in which the alcoholic tells what drinking was like, what happened to cause her to stop, and what recovery is like now. Animal lovers and recovering alcoholics will be inspired by this story.”
“Reading this book was like having an unflinchingly honest talk with a close friend about her struggle for meaning and hope after a devastating relationship and descent into alcoholism. It took a horse to give Susan the strength to change. When no human could have reached her injured soul, Susan Richards found healing in the form of her horse, who had no judgments of her and offered the profound love and companionship that can only be found with an animal. This book is a testament to the transforming power of animals in our lives; it was also impossible to put down.”
“Can a book be both looking glass and richly colored animal portrait? In Saddled, Susan Richards performs dual literary magic by giving us the history of a horsewoman retrieving her life from the bottom of the wine glass, and a mirror in which the sensitive reader will see herself again and again. Except that most of us could never duplicate Richards’s emotional courage—not to mention delightful humor. Her clarion words reflect a stone honesty that is truly rare. I loved every sentence in this superlative memoir.”
"Saddled is a searingly honest portrait of addiction and the redemptive power of animal-human love.”
“Susan Richards masterfully weaves together her compelling story of life lived on the edge with vivid accounts of a horse who gives her reasons to live and ultimately to thrive. She conveys with unflinching honesty the ways her horse Georgia influenced every decision and made reaching every milestone possible. Horse lovers will relate to their healing connection; people who know little about horses will be amazed at the benefits that occur when a horse and human forge bonds of unfailing trust and loyalty.”
“Susan Richards writes with no sentimentality and great lucid beauty about love: love between humans and creatures, love between broken people whose mending lies in acceptance of their injuries and their willingness to embrace a difficult hope.”
" I did like it, but it was hard for me (I work in DV). But I admire her willingness to look at herself and write a "real" account. "
" Second book I read by Richards and I liked it, though I liked Chosen By A Horse better. I enjoyed the parts about the human/animal bond and about her (very sad) childhood but some of her memories were a little dull. I'd still like to read more by Richards though. "
" I just didn't like it. I couldn't get beyond the poor pitiful me even though everything seems to just fall into my lap. It left a bad taste in my mouth. "
" Thank you Stephanie!!! "
" Good book, very fast to read! Enjoying how the horse helped this woman through an abusive marriage and alcoholism. "
" Interesting enough to read to the end. A bit self-indulgent at times but a good story. "
" I love the way this author expresses herself. This is her 3rd book - all memoirs and all super good reading. More than just about horses - it's about her complicated and interesting life experiences. Such great reading. Highly recommended. "
" Dragged me down. Heard about it in the LAST memoir. "
" I found this my favorite out of the three by Susan Richard "
" Horses are therapy! Case closed! "
" This book came to me when I needed it the most. Richards' story is focused on how she came to the realisation that not everything in her life was the way it should be and that things needed to change. Her story is inspiring and helped me out quite a bit. "
" This was a good story about how a horse helped a troubled woman put her life back together. This was a gift from a friend of mine and I really enjoyed it. Good read! "
" Engaging, and very true to life. Reminded me of someone I know and love, I only hope mine gets her life together as Richards has. Good read about an alcoholic who's life is saved by her love for a horse. "
" Really well written account of an alcoholic's experience getting clean with the help of her horse. Not overly sappy but real and honest. I loved it - especially how the horses helped her through it. "
" I really enjoyed this book.. It was a amazing story of what she learned from her horse and how the horse helped her change her life. "
" The love of a horse helping an alcoholic get sober. What could be sweeter. I have read all of Susan's books and her love and understanding of horses it wonderful. "
" I love Susan Richard's writing. She is a courageous and very insightful writer. "
" Good thoughtful account of her life with men, horses, addiction and finding our purpose...a good, quick read! "
Susan Richards has a BA degree in English from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University. She teaches writing at SUNY Ulster and Marist College.
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.
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