By Henry Luzzatto

Correspondent

Local author Kay Kerr will host a signing for her new children’s book “Corolla’s Sand Horse Beach: Croatoan’s Memoirs,” at Lake Prince Woods on Aug. 3, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Kerr wrote and illustrated the book, which tells the true story of Croatoan, a Corolla wild horse, who was moved away from the beach to Smithfield, for his safety.

The book recounts Croatoan’s journey to Smithfield, as well as the history of his homeplace and the struggles of some of his friends who were relocated. Kerr’s story is written for all ages but is geared toward children in the 9-14 age range, she said.

Kerr said that she was interested in horses from a young age, and that she grew up riding her friends’ horses. She now owns multiple mustangs, one of which is half-Corolla. She bought her horses from Steve Edwards, who appears in her book as the man who relocated the horses to Smithfield.

Kerr said she first got the idea for the book from Edwards, when the horses were brought in nearly 10 years ago.

“My daughter was very young when she started riding them,” she said. “And I thought the story was wonderful.”

Kerr has worked with horses for years, including starting the PTSD equine groundwork program with the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center.

“We use horses to help the veterans,” Kerr said. “Some of them have traumatic brain injuries and use the horses to learn to concentrate and focus, as well as gaining social skills by caring for them.”

Kerr is passionate about saving the Corolla wild horses and hopes to use her book to educate the public about the dangers posed to them by development on the beaches.

“They’re on the endangered breed list,” Kerr said. “There are only 102 left.”

A portion of the proceeds from the book’s sales will go to the Corolla Wild Horse fund.

“I hope that it opens people’s eyes to the future of these animals,” she said.