The Hearts of Horses

The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss

The Hearts of Horses is a lovely tale of a young women on the changing Oregon frontier where the dream of the fiercely independent life is changing due to lack of knowledge, lack of water and of course, the introduction of technology. Martha Lessen is a nineteen year old "horse whisperer". The language and metaphor of the west had been conquering the land, the task and horses. Subduing through sheer strength.
A "horse whisperer" works with the horse, using the natural desires of herd mentality to get the horses attention and trust. You go into a round ring with a horse, and just keep it moving until the horse turns to you. I have seen it. Done it. It is a magical moment when the horse turns to you, moves toward you and then walks with you around the ring.
Martha becomes back of the community using her gentle ways to save a families horses when their wagon slid into a ravine, helping a dying man give his son a gift of a gentle horse, speaking up against a trainer abusing horses. Again a lovely tale of strength through communication of two species.

Eliza