Susan Richards lived a hard life. She lost her mother early on, was abandoned by her father, had an unhappy marriage and suffered from alcoholism. But instead of letting her life take control, she took control of her life and adopted a horse that changed everything.

Richards' books, "Chosen by a Horse" and "Chosen Forever," are open accounts of her tough life. It was her horse, Lay Me Down, that gave her the push to write her books.

And everything fell into place from there. The book led to a book tour that led to reconnecting with family and falling in love. She says she realized that although her life started off on the wrong foot, her horse essentially helped her get on the right track and finally found happiness and love.

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