Horses Never Lie About Love by Jana Harris ~ review

  

About the book:

Combining the drama of The God of Animals with the powerful realism ofChosen by a Horse, award-winning poet Jana Harris tells the inspiring story of her twenty-four year relationship with a troubled but beautiful, blood-red feral mare who, in spite of her troubled past, has a talent for healing and helping every human and other being she comes into contact with.

When Jana Harris and her husband landed in Washington State, Harris realized that she could fulfill her lifelong dream of raising and riding horses. But in True Colors, her first broodmare, Harris got more than she bargained for: a complex, traumatized animal whose outsized personality would transform everyone around her, both human and equine.

When True Colors arrived at Harris’s farm, she was in dire shape. She had survived a range fire that had scarred her head, ears, and lungs, and she was terrified of most people, especially men. True Colors sensed demons hiding in everything from the scent of fabric softener to a gate in a fence, and her will to escape was enormous. In Horses Never Lie About Love, Harris lyrically recounts how this wounded, implacable beast nevertheless held a magical influence over the other horses of the ranch and how she eased uncannily into the role of mother after having a foal. In time she became the heart of the ranch—now thirty-three years old, she is a matriarchal presence without whom the other horses cannot sleep at night, and whose quiet wisdom transmits strength of character that transcends the thin line between animals and the humans they love. 

My take on this book:

I have always loved horses so I was anxious to read this book. In this touching book the author shares the story of True Colors a Thoroughbred horse whom she purchased from The Rocking D Ranch in May 1986. The situation was less than ideal on the ranch, the horses were allowed to run on the range and had never really been handled and were afraid of people.  There was one mare that stood out for Jana Harris because of the way  the horse guarded her foal. That mare turned out to be a beautiful horse named True Colors. Ms. Harris purchases True Colors and her foal along with another foal that was yet to be born, to be delivered to her farm later. While the foals were delivered on time, the breeders kept putting her off regarding the delivery of True Colors. When True Colors was finally delivered to the farm, she didn't look like the same horse. Her face had been burned and she had a persistent cough because she had gotten to close to wildfires that were going on near the Rocking D ranch.


The story the author shares in her book"Horses Never Lie About Love" is a touching story of how the author thru loving care and patience finally gained the trust of True Colors and how True Colors touched everyone around her. I really loved reading not only about True Colors but also the other horses on the Harris ranch. There was the two foals that she purchased named BeDazzeled which she nicknamed Miss Piggy and Abercrombie which she nicknamed Kermit as well as two older horses who were already on the ranch.  


Reading this story I couldn't help but fall in love with the horses on Ms. Harris' ranch. She easily allows the reader to see the individual personalities of her horses and takes us along while she gains their trust. The pictures that she includes really allowed me to connect with the horses. A heart touching, wonderfully well written  memoir that I am certain that I will pick up and reread. Recommended


rating 5/5