Hingham Author Tells Tale of Racehorses and Redemption

A Hingham author and columnist with a knack for sharing people's stories recently released a new book.

Lawrence Lindner, who has penned two New York Times best-sellers, teamed up with Jo Anne Normile for "Saving Baby: How One Woman's Love for a Racehorse Led to Her Redemption."

"Saving Baby" chronicles Normile's journey from entering two thoroughbreds, Baby and Scarlett, a granddaughter of Secretariat, into horse racing and eventually leaving the sport to create one of the most successful horse rescues in the country, Canter.

Normile was sucked into the $40 billion horse racing industry that she previously knew very little about. She experienced the dangers for horses and the sale and slaughter of horses after racing. Normile had a "life changing moment," and left the world to save thoroughbreds. 

"She really made good on her regret," said Lindner, who has lived in Hingham for 18 years.

Beginning in 1986, Lindner worked at the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter. He left his position as executive editor in 2004 to pursue freelance writing and book projects. He went on to write nine books.

On two of his books, "Puppy's First Steps" and "Good Old Dog," Lindner collaborated with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Working with the Cummings School staff, he met Dr. Nicholas Dodman.

Over the course of their friendship, Dodman suggested Lindner work with Normile on a book about horses. The occasional suggestions turned into "gentle nagging."

But still, Lindner, who grew up in New York City and was only exposed to horses pulling carriages through Central Park, had little interest in the subject matter.

"I didn't think it was something I could address," said Lindner.

He eventually spoke to Normile, but was still hesitant to take on the project. Eventually, after several phone calls on which Normile chronicled the inhumane drugging and treatment of racehorses and their brutal slaughter after racing, Lindner was convinced.

The book was initially conceived as a chapter by chapter account of the abuses suffered by racehorses. Lindner reached out to publishers and was told a story about a specific horse would have larger appeal than a magazine article style book. 

Normile happened to have the perfect story.

"They just had a beautiful relationship," Lindner said of Normile's connection with baby.

The three year process of writing the book has had an impact on Lindner.

"I never thought about horses in my life and now not a day goes by that we don't mention the word 'horse' in my house," said Lindner, who added his family has even considered moving out of Hingham in favor of a home with more space to accommodate a horse.

Halfway through the collaboration, Lindner and Normile created Saving Baby Equine Charity. More information about the new rescue is available at savingbaby.org.

Lindner said the book is currently being shopped to Hollywood production companies by a prominent Boston film agent.

"It's the story of a strong women who acted on her conscience," said Lindner, who added the agent believes in the story's cinematic value.

"Saving Baby" is available at Amazon.com. Visit savingbaby.com for more information on the authors and the book.