Recently, Equus Local had the privledge of chatting with Laura Parker, one of the authors of the new book, The Enlightened Equestrian. Laura Parker and Dee Dee Cooke the 2nd author of the book, have enjoyed a relationship of over four decades with each having over 50 years of experience.
Read the conversation below and enter to win a copy on the bottom of the page!
- How long have you had Inner Circle Farm?
The farm is 25 years old - How long have you been thinking of writing a book and what was your purpose in finally writing this with Dee Dee?
I’ve been taking notes about my lessons and beginning articles yet never completing them for at least ten years. Dee Dee and I have shared our teaching ideas and complained to each other about the lack of good basics in riding and horse care for decades. When she came for a visit the idea of writing a book together just manifested organically. Our deep love and respect for the horse nation and awe of their willingness to keep trying to offer us chance after chance to do right by them has actually been painful to witness as so infrequently are they “heard” or understood. - I see this is the first book in a series. How many more are you planning, and how long do you anticipate it will be before the next one is out?
We have a lot of information that we did not put into this book that is an expansion of what’s written in the Enlightened Equestrian book 1. Our plan is to start writing again soon and possibly complete another book by the end of the summer. We are planning together to gather questions and responses to our first book to be able to offer what others would desire to know more about. - Can you tell us a bit about the artist who illustrated the book?
Peggy Sands the highly developed fine artist who works so beautifully with color and light in her paintings. I’ve known her since about the beginning of high school! Even then the world was noticing her as she won 17 magazine’s artist award. Peggy also is a professional graphic artist who has done multiple book covers and book designs. We will include a link to her website as she is extremely prolific in many mediums. I’ve admired her drawing specifically since we were teenagers. - What do you want people to come away with after reading the book?
Dee Dee and I both hope that the intention we wrote in the preface below creates a response in any horse lover to learn more about their needs, sensitivities, amazing intelligence and to recognize that there may be some regrets when looking back on how we have handled them or ridden them etc., but if we grow and change ourselves to become more conscious they will benefit. Animals communicate telepathically we once did as well. We are the ones who are limited and need to learn from them.
Preface: The Enlightened Equestrian has evolved as an offering from ajoint desire to share our knowledge in honoring the horse nation and its caregivers by writing a guideline directed at the essentials of riding and the prevention of injury and discomfort. Additionally, we want to provide a path to success through information collected over decades of experience and commitment to our own learning process.
The book is available in its beautiful hardcover format or can be purchased also as an ebook. Visit the website to learn more about the book and the authors and to get your copy today.
Buy Now Visit the Website
Win a signed copy of The Enlightened Equestrian!
Fill out the form below between December 20 and January 1st for your chance to win!
Create a an ad of any type on Equus Local, and receive an additional entry for every ad you create! Check out the “How it Works” Page to get started!
* Winners will be announced January 5th
