User:Ktmurray

Alex, The West Nile Horse is an autobiographical novel published in 2013 that depicts the 18 month recovery of an American Saddlebred horse from severe brain encephalitis as a result of contracting the West Nile virus. It is the first novel for author Katie Klosterman and depicts the recovery of the horse and its effects on the author.

The novel takes place in rural Arizona where a championship bred Alex, had become a rescue horse after being banished as a young horse because it is determined that he will not win enough money in the show ring. It is assumed that by sending Alex to the land of cowboys in western desert, he will never return to the American Saddlebred world and prove his naysayers wrong. Initially, the horse is placed with larger draft rescue horses who bully him. A cowboy trainer is brought into teach Alex how to be a trail horse. Yet, Alex is unable to respond well to either of these situations. One day, Alex is found laying flat on the ground unable to move. Although vaccinated, it is confirmed that Alex has the most severe form of the West Nile virus. His prognosis is grim and he is not expected to survive.

Somehow, after many weeks of suffering from severe brain encephalitis, Alex begins his slow recovery. He is not the same horse he was before becoming ill. He is weak and suffering issues from his brain trauma. For some unknown reason he seeks the help of one particular person and her daughter who are boarding horses at his stable to help him. The story that follows is chronicled in the book, Alex, The West Nile Horse. This novel is unique in that it is the first book to chronicle the recovery of a horse from this disease.

This novel is not a typical feel good rescue story. Rather, it honestly details the frustrations, confusion and triumphs which result from the challenge of working with a damaged rescue horse. Both the horse and author go through their own unique journeys which sometimes overlap. It may or may not make you want to rescue your own horse in the future. Its design is simply to tell a true story that is one you will remember.

Category:Books by year Category:Books Category:Books by genre