Hoofprints of Hope
This week, I’m delighted to have Kathryn O’Neill, author of Hoofprints of Hope: 52 Wonders of Faith and Sciences for Horse-Loving Kids, as my special guest. And . . . there’s a giveaway offer at the end of my message. This informative, interesting, and inspiring devotional is an ideal gift for that special middle schooler in your life (I loved it, too–as a grown up horse lover).
Here’s Kathy!
Kathy, I’ve enjoyed your new release immensely. Please share a little about the background and history of Hoofprints of Hope. (Kathy’s responses are in bold).
“Thank you, Katherine. I’ve been looking forward to talking with you and your readers about Hoofprints of Hope.“
Kathy, as an adult horse lover, I enjoyed each of your articles and take away lessons. Middle graders often need special support, caught between childhood and becoming an adult. Was there a particular situation in your own life which influenced your choice to focus on this age group in Hoofprints?
“First of all, I love teaching middle graders. They’re full of energy and excitement! But you’re right, they’re at a vulnerable and sometimes hard-to-reach age. Some days they still act like little kids, and the very next day, they’ll surprise you with a thoughtful, grown-up answer to a question. As a teacher and a writer, we must be ready for both behaviors.
I think back to when I was that age. My Maine town stretched along the coast, separated by rivers and marshes. After 5th grade all the kids in town came to a central location 6th grade, and later junior and senior high.
We rarely knew kids from other parts of town, so everyone wanted to enter 6th grade with a good friend or two already in place. But my best friend had moved at the end of 5th grade, and I still remember how lonely and scared I felt stepping off the bus that first day of 6th grade.“
Loving horses
As a fellow horse lover, I can’t remember when my love for horses began. It seems I was born loving horses. Do you remember the beginning for you and your first experience with a horse?
“I think I was born loving horses, too! When I was a child, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ farm. My memories of those days are like warm hugs—Grammie made the best donuts. While they were still warm, we’d dip them in her big wooden sugar firkin. If we got hungry later, she’d butter slices of bread and sprinkle sugar on them for snacks. I always made sure to sit with her on her sunporch while she shelled peas, because she didn’t mind if I ate some raw.
On warm summer days I could settle into a shady corner of their porch to read and dream about horses.“
In his younger years, in addition to farming, Grandpa traveled by horse-drawn wagon around town selling meat to people, including the artist, Winslow Homer. The horses were gone by the time I came along, but the wagon draped in silky cobwebs sat in a corner of the barn. We kids played in it, calling out “giddy up” and “whoa” to our pretend horses.
Those summer days of playing in the barn, with its sweet smell of hay and reading horse books in a shady corner of the porch, corralled my heart to love these beautiful creatures. God made horses to survive in the wild or to be friendly and helpful companions to us humans.“
Lessons from horses
What are some of the special lessons horses have taught you throughout your life?
“God created horses with features that make them able to survive in the wild or be helpful and friendly companions and workers for people. When I brush a horse’s coat and see their ears flick back to hear my softest word, I know God has given them terrific hearing to stay safe from predators. Special features like that point us to God’s wisdom in the creation of all creatures.
I’ve volunteered in equine therapy programs and seen big therapy horses carefully carry children with disabilities and stand quietly afterwards for hugs and kisses. The horse’s kind and gentle nature can encourage us all to be more like that. I believe horses can help us know God, ourselves, and others a little bit more!“
Our favorite horse books
I read many of the same horse books you read as a child. The Black Stallion books by Walter Farley were my favorite. Which authors did you enjoy the most?
“I rode my bike to the library every week to hunt for horse books. I loved sitting with a book open before me and sea breezes billowing out the sheer curtains. My favorites were Marguerite Henry’s King of the Wind and her Misty of Chincoteague series. I still have copies of those. The Black Stallion books by Walter Farley, conjured up dreams of riding a horse along the beach, splashing through the shallows.“
More about Hoofprints of Hope
I found the famous horse section of your book fascinating. I had heard of many of the horses you featured, but others were new for me. Which one is your favorite and why?
“Snowman, an unwanted plow horse, is one of my favorites. His original owners thought he was no longer of any use. Snowman had sores on his body and overgrown hooves, and at the auction no one there wanted him either. He was headed for slaughter, when Harry DeLeyer, who had also had a hard life, saw his potential and helped Snowman heal and soar to become a champion jumper. God does that for us when He calls us and helps us heal and soar to reach our potential as part of His family.“
In the “Corral Your Thoughts” segments which follow each devotion, you share reflection and application actions for the reader. I found these recommendations to be wonderfully inspiring. What processes did you utilize to develop these unique and encouraging prompts?
“I’ve been an art teacher of K-12th graders for many years and often had students all the way from elementary grades through middle school and into high school. Sometimes, especially with middle graders and up, you get to sit down to help with a project and talk about things going on in their lives; families, friends, and even questions about faith.
“I also recently conducted a survey of about 80 4th -7th graders at the school where I teach. I asked kids to anonymously write about topics such as families, school, faith, and friendship. Friendship questions came up a lot—how to make friends, keep them, make up after arguments, the need for friends to be there for them, etc. They have many concerns about their faith, too, asking how to have faith when God doesn’t answer their prayers. And they were quite concerned about their future—whether they could get into a good college and if they’d have enough money for that.
All these questions and observations helped me write the prompts for the “Corral Your Thoughts section of Hoofprints.“
Super Powers!
Horses have many unique qualities that humans do not. If humans could have one of the “super powers” that horses have, what would you choose?
“What a fun question! I think I would choose their patience and trust in us. Most horses are patient with us even when we ask for a trot or a canter incorrectly, and will trust us when we ask them to do something that scares them such as walk over a crackling tarp.“
Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers?
“Yes, my prayer is that the fun information in Hoofprints of Hope will corral young people’s attention and lead them to insights about how much God loves them and longs to be their guide. Life is a little like a trail ride—mostly adventurous and fun, but sometimes a little hard or even scary. I hope Hoofprints of Hope will assure them that God is always with them on their trail ride.” Deuteronomy 31:8.
Also your readers can go to my website, and download a FREE activity packet to go along with Hoofprints of Hope, as well as subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media.
Thank you, Katherine, for having me as a guest on your blog! I’ve really enjoyed it, and let’s keep on loving horses!
Thank you, Kathy!
I’m giving away TWO copies of Hoofprints! If you’d like to enter the drawing for a copy, please comment and share about a special horse loving person (no names please) with whom you’d like to share this amazing devotional. Perhaps a son or daughter, grandchild, friend, neighbor, or even you! I loved this book, and it’s a wonderful gift.
If you’d like to purchase Hoofprints of Hope, the link is below.