Life has a way of teaching us simple lessons in everyday moments. We all know the feeling—something frustrating happens, and we immediately sink into irritation or disappointment. But what if we could see things differently? What if shifting our perspective just a little bit could change our entire experience? That’s exactly what The Stock Horse and the Stable Cat by Phil Van Treuren explores in a simple yet powerful way.
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Same Situation, Different Perspective
This book follows the story of two very different barnyard friends: a faithful stock horse and a wily cat, as the book describes them. They experience the same situations—wind, rain, an apple snack, a change in plans—but react in totally different ways. And it’s not just the cat who tends to be skeptical. The stock horse also struggles with perspective. The cat sees narrow spaces as cozy, while the horse sees them as restrictive. The horse longs for companionship, while the cat finds peace in solitude. The horse sees the darkness of night as something to fear, while the cat embraces it as a time of adventure. They both have their moments of seeing the bad in things, and they both have their moments of seeing the good.
I couldn’t help but think of all the times I’ve been the skeptical cat or the nervous horse in my own life. How often do I react negatively to things that, in the whole picture of things, don’t really deserve all that frustration? Horses teach us this lesson all the time. A spook on the trail? A chance to desensitize. A slow training session? Maybe a moment to practice patience. A rainstorm? A refreshing, cool-down from the heat. Our experiences aren’t just about what happens—they’re about how we choose to see them.
Why This Matters for Equestrians
As horse people, our mindset plays a big role in how we interact with our horses. Have you ever been in a lesson where nothing was going right, and you just felt like giving up? Maybe you blamed yourself, your horse, the windy weather, cold weather, or some random distraction in the distance. But what if, instead, you saw it as just part of the learning process? What if you took a breath and approached the situation like the stock horse at his best—accepting it, adapting, and finding the good in it? Or like the stable cat, recognizing the hidden benefits in things that seem inconvenient?
Perspective is everything. And The Stock Horse and the Stable Cat reminds us of that in the best way—through a sweet, relatable story that feels effortless but lingers in your mind long after you’ve closed the book.
Why You Need to Read This Book
I’m so grateful to Phil Van Treuren for sending me a copy of this book to review, because honestly? I loved it. It’s not just a cute little fable—it’s a reminder that we get to choose how we see things, every single day. It’s a quick, enjoyable read with beautiful illustrations that make it perfect for both adults and kids. I highly recommend grabbing a copy for yourself—or even as a gift for someone who could use a little shift in perspective.
You can get your copy at Amazon or other store where the book is sold. Let this charming story give you a fresh way to look at life, your horses, and maybe even yourself.
Next time something frustrating happens—whether it’s a bad ride, a rainy day, or just life being life—pause and ask yourself: Am I seeing this as the stock horse, or the stable cat?
Because maybe, just maybe, things aren’t as bad as they seem.
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Cheers,
Kacey
