In 2015, Ellen took some time-off from her painting studio to write and illustrate "Ellen: The Little Girl Who Found Her Voice". In this true story, she explains the difficulties of growing up with a speech impediment. Creating this book from a child's perspective felt so wonderfully lighthearted. The experience was broadening and freeing which encouraged her to continue along this path. In 2018, she published "How Horses Make Me Feel; An Alphabet Book" which launched the beginning of her publishing & design company Throw Me A Carrot, LLC.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is grateful to Ellen Skidmore for her support and is honored to be a beneficiary of her book, How Horses Make Me Feel. The TAA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. She donates a portion of her Throw me a carrot merchandise to them.

To learn more or support the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.