Friends, today’s guest on Help From My Friends Friday is Author Thonie Hevron whose passion is horses. Thonie writes about the expense of boarding horses, but based on this article, I’d wager many would agree they’re worth every penny. Read on. ~ Donnell
By Thonie Hevron
Author Thonie Hevron
I’ve always loved horses. From the first time (as a six-year-old) my cousin let me ride behind her to my teen-aged sister’s temperamental Anglo-Arab (Thoroughbred and Arabian cross). When I got married and reality barged in, I switched my affection to unicorns. They were easier keepers. Cheaper, too. But the die was cast—I loved horses, in whatever form I could get them. Feeling passionate about animals or anything, really, is what keeps a person engaged, alive, eager for new knowledge and experiences. Horses have been this and more for me.
About a year into my second marriage in the late 80s, my sister-in-law asked if I wanted one of her horses. She had eight and was the only rider in the family. My new hubby was fine with it, and I had a decent job as a 911 dispatcher to pay for its upkeep, so I got a gelding named Sunny. He was a twelve-year old fine-boned reddish bay Anglo-Arab. My riding to date had been mostly on dude ranches so when I found a wonderful board ranch, I undertook lessons in Western riding. Sunny been trained English (he’d been a jumper) and Western for trail riding. Thank God he was trained because I sure wasn’t. His easy temperament made falling in love effortless.
Lessons were pricey with board, vet bills, shoeing, and special nutritional supplements (due to a previous injury) so I spent a lot of time plodding around on him in the arena and grooming. That horse loved to be brushed, sprayed, braided, picked and fussed over. Pressures at work made Sunny’s maintenance a godsend. My therapy became his “Barbie doll” moments as the Mister called it.
Later, a move to the mountains (Bishop, California, elevation 4,150 feet) brought me Casey. Sunny’s long-standing injury had finally taken its toll so he was put out to pasture. Casey was a twelve-year-old Thoroughbred trained as a jumper. I’ve never jumped (and don’t plan to) but chose a safer but more rigorous discipline—dressage. Lessons in this Olympic sport help both rider and horse become balanced and encourage working together. This required focus and physical agility to execute. I trained regularly with a German instructor who deserved an Olympic medal in patience. When pressures at work grew into the exceptional level, my therapy, again, was riding. I learned something new every time I got into the saddle. I worked on my skills and sometimes headed out to the desert for trail rides.
In the meantime, I smoked. From the time I moved into my college dorm until 1996, I smoked sometimes a pack-and-a- half a day. Twenty-six years-worth of addiction, sheesh. I smoked at work until I was mandated to smoke outdoors, then I smoked outdoors when I could get a break.
After a year of riding my energetic thirteen-year-old at that altitude, smoking caught up with me. I got winded at the trot and canter. I realized something had to give. I loved my horse more than I loved my cigarettes. I’d tried patches, but nothing really worked. I still craved nicotine. A hypnosis session finally did the trick.
I haven’t had a cigarette since 1996, nor do I ever foresee having one. I have, however, been riding this whole time. I finally lost Casey several years ago at the ripe old age of thirty-three. Presently I’m riding a friend’s horse at least once a week. I’ll ride until I can no longer hoist myself in the saddle.
Casey and all horses have done so much for me. I’ve learned to face my fears. In my 20s I developed a somewhat debilitating phobia that forced me to settle for less than my dreams. About four years ago, when I really began to make progress in dressage training (yes, it takes years), I found myself facing that fear and managing it. I can’t begin to say it’s conquered, but it is manageable—as is speaking in public.
Another fear. In 2013, my first book was due to be published. I knew part of the marketing was speaking engagements. So I volunteered to help chair my local writers club’s annual conference for 2014. The probability that I’d be emceeing at least part of the conference was assured. Little by little, I got up in front of crowds and announced the conference. If I could steer a 1300-pound animal with a brain the size of a walnut around a ranch, I could do this. By the time the conference rolled around, once again, I managed just fine. Horses have helped me quit smoking, conquer fears, learn to make realistic goals and plan to reach them (especially in writing). They’ve enriched my life in innumerable ways. Too many to articulate here.
So rather than a huge dramatic moment, my horses saved me incrementally. Day in and day out they taught me courage to face the unknown. They challenged me to breathe mindfully before that was a thing. These are lessons I will live always.
Horses are in all my books. In By Force or Fear a sinister judge lures my heroine, Meredith Ryan, with the promise of entering the polo world. Intent to Hold has less but mentions Meredith’s father’s role as a San Francisco Police Mounted Unit. In With Malice Aforethought, two ranch horses make appearances as they do also in my newest novel, Felony Murder Rule.
I’m plotting my next book, but it won’t feature Nick and Meredith but another pair of detectives. No horses in sight for this one, though.
About the Author: Thonie Hevron, is a retired 911 dispatcher, who makes her home in Petaluma in the Sonoma Wine Country, California with her husband, Danny. When not writing, Thonie rides horses and enjoys traveling. Her work has appeared in Beyond Borders: 2014 Redwood Writers Anthology and Felons, Flames and Ambulance Rides: Public Safety Writers 2013 Anthology. She is the author of four award-winning mystery/thriller novels, By Force or Fear, Intent to Hold, and With Malice Aforethought currently available on Amazon, but will be re-published by Aakenbaaken & Kent (A&K) in the future. A&K is proud to present the fourth mystery, Felon with a Firearm.
About 
Felony Murder Rule:
At home one night, sheriff’s detective Meredith Ryan surprises an intruder leaning over her baby’s crib. Unable to catch him, she launches a dangerous journey to protect her family. The death of her father the next day steers her onto a path of deceit and mystery where the two incidents are connected by the mysterious man in her nursery. With Nick, her husband, they unravel her father’s involvement in a robbery/homicide years ago. To find the hidden loot, competing crime rivals plot to use her family as bargaining chips. Meredith and Nick must find the truth in the next 24 hours before the criminals close in on her family.
Contact Links:
Website: www.thoniehevron.com
Book review:
Thonie Hevron’s latest novel, The Felony Murder Rule, is a real winner. The engaging characters had me rooting for Meredith and Nick all the way through this complex case that involves from a crime from the past that comes to roost in the present. Ms. Hevron’s smooth and elegant writing style, combined with the intricate plot and excellent characterization make it very pleasant reading experience. ~ Michael A. Black, author of Legends of the West, Dying Art and Cold Fury in the Executioner series (as Don Pendleton), and Gunslinger: Killer’s Brand (as A.W. Hart).
Thonie, such an interesting article. I’m curious about hypnosis. After one treatment you stopped smoking? Your books sound like something I must read. Thanks for being my guest today.
Horses are wonderful. I totally get what you’re saying. They made my life richer too.
What a great story! My husband has been doing dressage for decades. He’s given up jumping (thankfully). I know he loves it as much as you do, and he’s a big believer in horseback riding as therapy. Sounds like it helped you with stress!
Thank you for Donnell for hosting Thonie!
My pleasure, Vicki! Thanks for stopping by.
Donnell, Hypnosis actually took me two sessions. After my first one, I walked out of the building and lit up a smoke. The second one didn’t kick in until a day later. I woke up one morning, took my coffee and cigarettes out to the garage (I didn’t smoke in the house). After I finished both, I remember walking in the house thinking, “Well, that was disgusting. I won’t ever do that again.” And I didn’t. It’s been over 25 years now and I’ve never had the urge to smoke. I still love coffee, though.
Thanks, Vicki, for your comment. I love to hear about another dressage rider, especially a male. Tami Hoag is also a dressage rider, I believe. The discipline is so strict, structured and gymnastic that when it works with the horse, the feeling is awesome. It requires concentration and focus that doesn’t allow for worrying about work. Thankfully.
Nancy, they’re wonderful therapy, aren’t they?
Thonie, I love this about the horses. I’ve loved horses since I was five or six, too. Not saying how old I am now. lol. Passed the love on to my daughter and granddaughter who both show in dressage classes. My daughter actually uses horses in her with her speech therapy clients.
I have By Force or Fear downloaded and will start reading it tonight!
Thonie, you clearly wanted to quit smoking. So glad hypnosis worked for you!
Thank you, Patricia! Loving our equine friends is very fulfilling. Happy trails to your daughter and granddaughter.
Thonie, I completely understand your love of horses and how they can help. Growing up, I always wanted a horse but never could have one. When I sold my first book, my husband told me to use the money for something I really wanted…so I bought a horse, an Arab, who lived to be 36. I no longer ride, but my daughter caught the horse-love passion. She owns 2 horses and has been competing in dressage events for years. Horses are a wonderful addiction.
Thonie,
Great article. As a teenager, I rode constantly, more often than not bareback. I remember how much it meant to me. Thanks for sharing your story and bringing back so many great memories.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your life with horses. Thx for sharing. Vb
I loved this post, Thonie! Great knowing more about you…and I believe without horses we would not have any civilization at all. We owe horses a lot…
Thank you, Maris, George and Vicki for your thoughtful comments. It’s gratifying to see so many others with the same affection for equines.
Thank you. I have always loved horses too. They are very therapeutic!
Great cover for your book, too.
Inspirational story, thank you!