Nayana’s review of the just published book by Lasell Jaretzki Bartlett (aka Kavita); “There are so many useful lessons running through the book, all written in a clean and simple style. It’s one of those books I’m sure I will dip back into again and again.”
Getting Along with Rusty
Horses, Healing and Therapeutic Riding
(Mostly a Memoir)
by Lasell Jaretzki Bartlett, MSW (aka Kavita)
lasellbartlett.com
Lilith House Press (August 19+20, 2023), 254 pages
Available through your favorite bookstore or online as hardcover, paperback and Kindle on Amazon or via Barnes & Noble – Scribd – Thriftbooks, etc.
ASIN: B0CG7FT8SC
Hardcover ISBN-13 : 979-8985810158
Paperback ISBN-13 : 979-8985810141
I first met Lasell over 40 years ago in a rebirthing group, in a place and time where horses were a distant dream. I had no idea that she was a fellow horse aficionada until many years later. There is a particular connection between those of us for whom horses are guides and teachers – we understand the immense wisdom and kindness inherent to their nature and it unites our hearts. I totally identify with the first paragraph in Lasell’s book as that was my experience, too.
“I love horses. They have been my passion since before I can remember. I may not know where the grocery stores and gas stations are, but I know where the horses live, noting each and every one by color and size, and their barns and fields, as I travel through the landscapes of life.”
But this book is so much bigger than a tale about horses written by a horse lover for horse lovers. Getting Along with Rusty is for anyone who is interested in the big questions: “Who am I?” and “How do I navigate this human experience?” and “What is true?” Lasell has dedicated her life to self-learning, and this is the story she shares.
There are specific lessons that can be learned through an association with horses and are valuable to any humans looking to understand themselves. First of all, and most valuable to the meditator, is presence. Horses feel safe with us when we are fully with them in the here and now with no agenda, no wandering mind. And because this is where they live naturally, it is easy for us to access and touch this space when we’re with them.
They also prefer it when we are emotionally honest. Pretending to feel happy when we are sad or angry, brave when we are scared – or any other incongruence – makes them uncomfortable. And they will respond to us based on what we truly feel, helping us bring awareness to our own truth.
The heart-filled energy circle (a Buddhafield?) of a group of horses is a powerful healing phenomenon in its own right. I witness it all the time here at Over the Edge Farm.
As Lasell says,
“We enter the world of horses and healing with openness to learn about connecting, despite species differences. We enter the realm of awakening as we recognize the impact of traumas we’ve experienced, and the impact of traumas our horses have experienced. We enter into learning new ways to relate so that we can heal.”
Lasell weaves together her own experiences and learnings from decades as a therapist, social worker, and horsewoman. All informed by her own search to heal the early trauma that made her struggle to fit in and understand the world she found herself in. She shares with us how horses have helped her with that.
Throughout the book, Lasell shares her path with great honesty and humility. Yes, it’s set in a background of horses but the lessons and struggles are universal. I came out of the book with insights about my own behaviours and a deeper understanding of the role trauma plays in our interactions with the world.
There are so many useful lessons running through the book, all written in a clean and simple style. It’s one of those books I’m sure I will dip back into again and again. And truly, her compassion for all beings shines through the whole book, and is inspiring for anyone who works in a helping role with people. And what a special blessing to share nearly 30 years of learning with one horse! Thank you, Rusty.
Excerpt from the book on Osho News
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