In Riding, Pardis Mahdavi meditates on the lessons learned over a lifetime of horseback riding and the falling, failing, and joy it brings. At once a history of Caspian horses, an exploration of Mahdavi’s Iranian-American identity and family history, and a consideration of the capacity for self-reflection and self-compassion through human-animal relationships, Riding offers a roadmap for learning to live in harmony with the self and the environment around us. Mahdavi shows how her relationship with horses gives her insights into intergenerational strength and tools for healing intergenerational trauma. Riding from the mountains of Iran to the beaches of California, Mahdavi shares her love affair with horses, rediscovers a homeland she longs for, and ultimately finds her strength.

Pardis Mahdavi is a writer, professor, avid horsewoman, and the author of seven books. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Ms., the Washington Post, and elsewhere.

Acknowledgments  ix
1. Fall(ing)  1
2. Buck(ed)  24
3. Halt(ed)  39
4. Walk On  51
5. Ride Free  65