She Flies Without Wings

Women have always ridden to be free. They doffed their skirts and straddled horses to ride into the Crusades. They masqueraded as men to explore and tame the Old West. Women have been riding horses into myth and fable for a long as they have sought physical and spiritual liberation. She Flies Without Wings is the first book to explore and exalt the magical kinship between women and horses. Written by an internationally recognized horse-woman, examining all stages of woman's life, She Flies Without Wings draws myth and literature, the author's personal experiences and interviews with countless women, to celebrate this unique, powerful, and joyous relationship.When a horse beckons us from across a pasture, he summons us into a magical world. And whether we do our riding on a secluded chaparral or in the freedom of our fantasies, this remarkable book draws us into the realm. Here we learn, through women's deeply personal stories, how horses enrich our lives and connect us to nature — making us readers of rhythm and invisible signs, teaching us what an unconditional relationship means, helping us harness our youthful sexuality, sharing the "horsepower" we need to reach our dreams.And here we see how, for thousands of years, the deep kinship between women and horses has connected us to our most intimate feelings of delight, provided us with insights into how to make decisions and solve problems, and set us astride the natural world. It has set our creativity free. From the poetry of Geoffry Chaucer to the classic writings of Beryl Markham, from the compelling fiction of Jane Austen to the respectful horse songs of Native Americans and folk tales from around the world, She Flies Without Wings draws from great literature and myth to encompass a broad spectrum of beliefs and perspectives — and creates a true celebration of speed and air, and the spectacular animal that connects us with both.Filled with moving lessons — about sensuality, commitment, power, nurturance, and spirituality — women riders have known for centuries, written with a loving hand by an expert equestrian,She Flies Without Wings is an eloquent paean to a pairing that has enlivened history, inspired literature, and continues to enchant us all.