The Tale of the Dancing Slaughter Horse

As a young girl, Victoria's world is peppered with chaos after her parents' divorce and abusive father. To find stability, Victoria throws herself into the world of dressage, a sport that tests the unity of horse and rider as they engage in what can only be called dancing. She finds a sense of calm in the stables near her New York home.

When Victoria meets Moonshine, an ex-racehorse saved from years of neglect and a future in the slaughterhouse, she despairs at having to ride such a difficult and ill-tempered horse. Victoria is discouraged about competing at the highest levels of dressage with a “slaughter horse” like Moony. They must compete against horses bred solely for the sport that the judges praise and favor, and Victoria begins to question her dreams. 

As she comes of age, and as she and Moonshine train together and get to know one another, Victoria teaches the horse to trust, and Moony teaches Victoria the importance of perseverance and heart. Horse and rider drastically change the course of each other’s lives in this true life story of overcoming adversity and believing in yourself, no matter how hard the road.

Victoria Shade

Victoria currently practices law, focusing on animal law and personal injury protection. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association Animal Law Committee, as well the Animal Law Committee’s Legislative subcommittee, and is involved in several groups supporting the humane treatment of animals, from the SPCA to the Animal Legal Defense Fund. She lives with her husband, also a horse-lover, and their young daughter, Olivia Jane, who had her first ride on Moony when she was in mommy’s belly. The family lives on a horse farm where Moonshine is one of many beloved family pets.