Horse Crazy by Sarah Maslin Nir Book Review

Twice now I’ve started telling friends about Sarah Maslin Nir’s book Horse Crazy: The Story of a Woman and a World in Love with an Animal and have started to cry. I then laughed through my tears because it’s so embarrassing to get emotional about a book! For the record, I’m not much of a crier (far too Midwestern practical for that), but this horse book gave me all the feels.

Beautiful and honest, Horse Crazy is not just one woman’s deep dive into her passion for horses, it’s a story of people just like us from all walks of life. I lost track of how many times while reading or listening I thought, “Me too!” or, “I get you, Sarah!”

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It’s no secret I’m a fan of horse books, memoir in particular, and have featured several here on the blog (and have penned my own Horses Adored and Men Endured), so I was excited to be gifted a review copy of Horse Crazy. I began reading the book, then purchased the Audible version of Horse Crazy so I could listen to it on a flight and later on my 75-mile one way barn commute. Sarah narrates Horse Crazy and it’s a performance! I especially loved her characterization of her father, a Holocaust survivor, as she read his lines with his Polish accent. It’s such a personal experience listening to an author read her work–like being in conversation with a friend–I highly recommend it.

There is so much to love about Horse Crazy I don’t know where to begin. I’ll start off with the writing. If you’re not already familiar with her, Sarah is a Pulitzer Prize finalist who writes for the New York Times. Her words flow and are gorgeous. When I grow up I want to write like her. 🙂

Themes That Resonate

The magnetic pull of a kind beast on four hooves.

The hard work required to not just pay for horse expenses, but as a city girl, going to extremes to keep horses at the center of life.

The recurring question of belonging: whether to horses or belonging in the equestrian world.

These themes are woven through each chapter named after a particular horse. From Chapter 1 Guernsey to the last chapter titled Tango, your heart will sing and sometimes be crushed as Sarah chronicles her ups and downs with horses.

I particularly loved the chapter “Willow” named after Sarah’s gray OTTB mare she showed at The Hampton Classic. The scene with the ribbon is the one that got me a little choked up. I don’t want to give it away, but you’ll understand when you read it.

If you too are smitten with horses, feel like your truest self at the barn and are most alive when astride, you will treasure the book Horse Crazy and feel like Sarah is your new barn bestie.

There were so many scenes she brought to life where I was there, riding alongside her. I can’t recount them all but here’s a smattering:

When Sarah toured Chincoteague Island digging deep into our beloved Misty of Chincoteague’s history, I could almost smell the sea air. She also loved Marguerite Henry books!

When as a Parks Department Mounted Unit auxiliary officer and high school senior, Sarah rode Samson, a towering Belgian, I clip clopped through the streets of New York and saw the picnickers lazing on the green expanse of Central Park.

When she fox hunted as a guest and was promoted to first field, riding alongside of the Master of Foxhounds (I’ve never heard of this happening before!), I could hear the cry of the hounds and I was cheering her on, safe from my less-fast paced second field.

(There’s a chapter on Breyers too, and it’s the best!)

2023 Update: Sarah is now writing children’s horse books too. Check out her latest release The Flying Horse. 

Why We Need Horse Crazy Now

If you have not been able to travel because of the pandemic, Sarah’s book will provide you ample horse adventures starring a diverse cast of horsemen and horsewomen. From the founder of the Black Cowboy Museum in Texas to a Chappaquiddick breeder of the exotic Indian Marwari horse and more, you will be riveted by their horse tales.

Sarah’s story of love and horses is our story. Gallop, don’t trot, on over to grab a copy of Horse Crazy. I predict you will adore it too.

And just a quick tip: you might want to keep the tissues handy while you read this horse book.

Question: What good horse books have you read in lately? Leave a comment and share with the community.

Thanks for reading and tally ho!

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