Decorated combat veteran. Breeder of scores of winning race horses and International Champion equestrian competitor, a lifelong horseman, Tom Equels has lived a life most of us could only imagine — and now he’s captured it in his debut novel, The Horseman’s Tale. Set against the backdrop of Florida racetracks, Irish stables, and even combat zones, the book blends adventure with reflection, exploring how a lifelong bond with horses can carry someone through triumphs, losses, and everything in between. We caught up with Tom to talk about the real-life experiences behind the novel, the lessons horses have taught him, and why the connection between rider and horse is as vital today as it’s ever been.
Q&A with Tom Equels
Q: Tom, The Horseman’s Tale feels incredibly authentic. How much of it comes from your own life?
Tom: Just about all of it is rooted in my life in some way. I’ve been riding and working with horses since I was a kid, and they’ve taken me places I never expected — from the winner’s circle at racetracks from Camarero in Puerto Rico to Presque Isle on Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie border with Canada. From riding in local show rings to international competitions, horses have been a part of my life. The emotions, the challenges, the small victories you find in the barn at the end of the day… those are real. I also served in combat, and some of those experiences, while not identical, informed the emotional weight of the story, but horses have always been my anchor through it all.
Q: You’ve bred and shown champion Paso Finos. What makes that breed so special to you?
Tom: Paso Finos are a joy to ride — smooth, responsive, and full of heart. But beyond their gait, it’s their spirit. They’re intelligent, sensitive, and incredibly connected to their riders. I’ve learned as much from my horses as they’ve learned from me. They’ve taught me patience, humility, and how to listen — not just with my ears, but with my whole presence.
Q: The book moves between racetracks, stables, and even war zones. Why weave such different worlds together?
Tom: On the surface, those worlds seem far apart, but they’re both about courage, discipline, and relationships you can trust your life to. In the military, you rely on your unit. In riding, you rely on your horse — and they rely on you. I wanted to show that those bonds, whether with a fellow soldier or a horse, can be the difference between breaking and surviving.
Q: What do you hope readers — especially horse people — take away from your story?
Tom: I hope they’re reminded that the horse-human relationship is more than just sport or hobby — it’s a partnership that can shape your character and carry you through life’s hardest moments. For non-riders, I want them to see that the lessons we learn in the saddle — perseverance, empathy, trust — are universal.
Q: What’s next for you? Any more books on the horizon?
Tom: Absolutely. I have more stories to tell, both about horses and about the human spirit. Writing The Horseman’s Tale showed me how powerful it is to put these experiences on paper, and I’m not done yet. And of course, I’ll still be out there in the barn every day — because at the end of the day, I’m a horseman first.
Get The Horseman’s Tale HERE
