The Legend of the Great Horse

The spooked horses stampeded into the deadly corridor. The gray mare swung with the herd as Meagan grabbed mane and fought to stay mounted. Packed bodies crushed against her and she was carried with the torrent. Walls of rock blurred as the band plunged down the canyon… - Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

The tribe advanced, slowly tightening their circle as the herd milled in confusion. The only apparent escape was the deadly corridor between the rocks. The lead mare paced, trying to find another way before committing to the canyon’s blind entrance. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

A scene in “Eclipsed by Shadow” involves a prehistoric horse hunt, with man as the predator. This hunting scene took place in the same era that prehistoric cave paintings were being created, art still visible to us in places like the amazing caves of Lascaux, France.  Even in prehistoric times we have Man the predator [...]

A horse’s eyes are made to detect motion, and if the man made the slightest tremor the mare would recognize the danger. But she required that tremor. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

The herd’s stallion trotted fretfully around the edges of his band. A stallion may choose his group but he is not the boss. Equine society is based on friendships and roles—the stallion was waiting for the group’s leader to make a decision, and he wished she would hurry. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

The advancement of civilization has required many changes in attitude in mankind, perhaps none more revolutionary than the idea that horses might be our partners. The lesson of prehistoric horses is that our world has possibilities that exceed not our grasp … but our attitudes.

… if nothing else, water was a softer landing than dirt. She took a breath, hitched up her nightgown and gently closed her hands around the horse’s knotted mane. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Warm breath smelling of cut lawn blew on her neck. Meagan blinked in surprise but did not move. She thought of something else her grandfather used to say: “Horses are as unpredictable as people, only they have more sense.” – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)