The Truth About Horses

by Christy Cashman

Fourteen-year-old Reese’s dream of winning the Black Elk race is shattered when her beloved horse, Trusted Treasure, falls at the last jump and the vet suggests they put him down. While still reeling from that loss, her family suffers a second tragedy—one that results in the end of their family business, the sale of Trusted Treasure, and irreparable damage to Reese’s relationship with her father.

Heartbroken and still longing to find Trusted Treasure, Reese meets Wes, a selective mute, whose way of training horses is unlike anything she’s ever seen. If anyone can win the Black Elk, it’s Wes—but he’s struggling with his troubled past, and having a teenage girl hanging around his barn isn’t exactly what he’d planned. Through heartaches and triumphs, Reese must prove her worth if she wants to heal her family, help Wes, and show them all that some dreams are worth fighting for.

A spellbinding tale in which every teenager has magical powers within them just waiting to be discovered, this book will have you laughing and crying—sometimes on the same page—all the while rooting for Reese, the most unlikely of heroes.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Novels, Horses, Contemporary, Animals, Coming Of Age

392 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[Jolie McAdoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book couldn't have come at a more perfect time. The Truth About Horses was such a good change of pace from my normal reading. It was heartbreaking and emotional and such a good depiction of growing up and trying to find your voice as a kid. This is definitely one i will be rereading in the near future.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: THE TRUTH ABOUT HORSES
AUTHOR: Christy Cashman
PUB DATE: 08.15.2023

Power of horses
Power of dreams
Power of hope

THE TRUTH ABOUT HORSES by Christy Cashman is a story that address themes about the relationship between humans and horses, trauma, grief, and the eventual healing. In a heartwarming and hopeful story, I find myself rooting for Reese - despite the loss of her beloved horse Trusted Treasure, loss of their family business, and the fractured relationship with her father, but through a special friendship and in helping others, dreams do come true.

A special book I highly recommend!

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young teenage girl is a horse gal and only this can get her through multiple tragedies in her young life. Christy Cashman pens a stunning debut novel that touches on the messy devastating truth of loss and grief, but the everyday world of horses and horse people in a South Dakota community are brought vividly to life.

The Truth About Horses is told first person from young Reese’s perspective so the reader is right there with her for her deep despair, many stumbles, and comeback. There are no sudden silver linings, but the new guy who takes over the barn where she still puts Treasure turns out to be a kindred spirit. Wes is mute, but he has a connection with horses that helps Reese and Treasure both. So, there is a gradual understanding and eventually healing process taking place through the whole book.

And, then there is the mystical side to this story. Reese is guided by a ghostly herd of horses led by a wild and fierce great black stallion that only she can see. At pivotal times throughout the book, the horses are there for her. I did wonder whether Reese is seeing illusions or if the experience was real. Reese’s deep pain and anger lash out in bad ways and particularly toward her dad, his latest girlfriend and her sons. Whew, that was a dumpster fire of a mess and low point even for Reese. Some people say they aren’t people persons, but with Reese, she really, really wasn’t- not during this time of her grief.

This wasn’t an easy book to read and challenging emotionally. Definitely not my usual fair, but I’ve always loved stories that have a strong horse presence and this one does. Not the glamorous side, but the stall work, care, training, and exercising that gets one dirty and sweaty. But, yes, also the riding out in the open areas of South Dakota ranch country and the dream of the Black Elk race.

In the end, I’m glad to have been offered this book and the experience with the South Dakota ranch country and horses setting, Reese, Wes, her dad, Treasure, and the unpacking of their struggles. This was an amazing debut effort and I hope Christy Cashman produces more. The Truth About Horses is YA, but I think adults who like Literary Fiction would enjoy this too.

I rec'd a finished print copy from R Couri Hay CPR to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 7.31.24.

[Disha Singh ;) · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its rich equestrian details and nuanced exploration of human emotions, this book is a must-read. The author masterfully captures the complexities of family relationships, grief, and the search for closure. The story is a powerful tribute to the healing power of love and connection, whether it's between humans or between humans and animals. A beautifully written narrative that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, leaving you reflecting on the importance of relationships and memories.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good!!! The ending is so sweet and of course I love this book because I'm an equestrian :)

[Motivationaldailythoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About Horses is an emotional tale of love and loss as well as recovery. The story is about fourteen years old Reese who runs against the clock to rescue her beloved horse, Trusted Treasure, and her family farm. Her world turns over the moment calamity hits her. The hope comes however in the form of a mystery black stallion and a new companion, Wes. Along the journey, Reese and Wes find a path that restores her to what was important all along, family, passion and inner strength. Christy Cashman surrounds the current of magical realism in the very realistic story of survival. The Black Elk race turns into something more than a race, but instead of transgression and pain, it means a new life and new acquaintances.

Slot 2 : -In the Truth about horses, Reese Tucker is a victim of heartbreak as her dream horse crumbles and the farm owned by her family is on the verge of falling off the wagon. The actions of her father intensify her sorrow but then salvation comes, in the wild form of a stallion and the troubled training expert called Wes. Reese discovers a new sense of her mission as she gets familiar with Wes and his unusual ways of doing things. The Black Elk race turns into a redemption story neither of her horse but of the bond. Cashman wrote such beautiful prose that is a mixture of tears and smiles that describes the success of the human spirit. The experiences that Reese goes through demonstrate that despite dreams crumbling one can develop better ones, based on trust, healing and love.

[Rainu Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love animals—especially horses—this book is a gift. It captures the spirit, wisdom, and emotional depth of horses in a way that few stories do. They are more than pets or props—they’re characters with presence and soul. Watching the bond grow between the girl and the horses is heart-melting. The way they help her find strength again is inspiring. As an animal lover, I found myself nodding through the whole story—this is exactly how animals change us. Anyone who’s ever looked into a horse’s eyes and felt seen will adore this moving and authentic tale.

[Twinkle Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about survival—not just of the body, but of the spirit. Life throws pain at the main character, and she stumbles, falls, but never stays down. With the help of horses and a deep well of courage, she reclaims her power. It’s not an easy path—but that’s what makes it so moving. There’s something deeply satisfying in seeing someone overcome heartbreak and emerge stronger. The story isn’t just about healing—it’s about reclaiming identity, one determined step at a time. If you need a reminder that it’s possible to come back stronger, this book will deliver.

[Ellen Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book due to growing up being a horse person and riding. I related a lot to the horse aspect of this book. If you don’t have that type of background, you may not enjoy it as much. It’s a story about an adolescent girl trying to live through loss, family issues, and the ups and downs of horse ownership and the life of owning a farm.

[Susan Thuvanuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for horse lovers. Reese, a teenage girl must come to terms with her mother’s death and the loss of the family’s horse farm.
Lots of family drama.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Truth About Horses is a story that pulls you in, even as you see where it will end early on. It's about a young teenaged girl who grew up raising and training horses on a tumbledown rented farm in the upper midwest. Reese is an only child. She loves the life her family leads, and considers herself a "horse person," by which she means honest, loyal, smart and caring. She thinks horse people are the best of us, and never aspires to be anything else. When her mother is killed in an automobile accident, both Reese and her father, Joe, go into a tailspin which takes Reese in one direction and her father in another. The farther away the get from one another, the worse Reese behaves until she finally alienates just about everyone she knows.

The rest of the story wraps up pretty quickly. There is a broad streak of magical realism that feels like a contrivance, handy every time the author is in a corner and needs help. Still, the story was engaging and maintained my interest. The ending, which was the great, unachievable but necessary goal from page one of the book, was downplayed and devalued, as if once achieved, it became unimportant. It seemed unbalanced to me, a betrayal of the rest of the story. Anyway, I finished it. I got its message, but I'm not sure I approve of it entirely.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was preparing myself as I started this debut ya novel about a teenage girl, Reese, who has lost her mother in a car accident. Now her father is busy serial dating while her family horse barn has been taken over by a new trainer. Did I also mention that her favorite horse, Trusted Treasure has been sold for parts unknown?

The good news is Reese is a strong and hardworking character and her strength keep me calm while reading her story.

There is also magical realism in a herd of wild horses that show up for Reese and give her signs.

Finally, there is Wes. He is the trainer that has taken over the barn. Wes chooses not to speak. The friendship between Reese and Wes is a beautiful thing to read.

Yes, there is sadness in this book, but the struggle and persistence of Reese makes for a book that is heart warming.

I think this book is great for young adults and adults as well as anyone who loves and appreciates animals.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Truth About Horses” by Christy Cashman is a powerful and wondrous coming-of-age novel. In this multi-layered novel, the genres are Fiction, Family Fiction, and Coming of Age. Christy Cashman magically weaves a well-written story and vividly describes the plot, scenery, and dramatic and colorful characters. The characters are complex, complicated, flawed, and dysfunctional. The horses have distinct personalities and also are complex and complicated, and there is symbolism. Most of the characters have tragic stories and backgrounds.

Reese is a 14-year-old young girl when her world collapses. Her horse Trusted Treasure has an accident and doesn’t win the Black Elk Race as expected. The vet feels that Trusted Treasure won’t ride again, and her father sells him. Then her mother tragically dies. Reese believes that she will find Trusted Treasure but is very lost. Reese becomes angry with her father.

Wes is a selective mute, a horse trainer who leases the barn that Reese’s family had. The last thing he needs is a teenager looking to find herself, but Reese pushes herself into Wes’ life. Reese is determined to prove her worth to Wes and her father by caring for the horses. She is still on a quest to find her beloved horse.

I was cheering Reese on through all her setbacks and successes. This is a heartfelt, memorable, and thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend to other readers. The author discusses the importance of family, friends, neighbors, love, and hope. There is a magical feeling of seeing your dreams come to life and never giving up hope. I suggest having a few Kleenex on hand. Happy Reading!

[Shifali B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy Cashman creates a world in which the pain of the heart and hope moves hand in hand in the book that deals with the truth about horses. The voice of young Reese Tucker shows us the painful loss of a mother, a rift between father and daughter, the deep affection of a girl to a favorite horse. This tale challenges its readers to the sleepers to go through grief with their chins up and find the strength in the most unexpected corners. And the message of Cashman is obvious: strength is created when we are silent and decide to continue. The novel provides a reminder of the good in a broken dream: no matter how apart it is, beauty remains intact, and an attraction of man to woman or horse can bring a person home.

[Harbans Lal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family is at the heart of this story—what’s lost, what’s broken, and what’s worth rebuilding. The main character’s experience of grief is raw and relatable, but so is her desire for connection. It made me reflect on my own relationships and how we often hurt and heal within the same circle. The presence of horses adds a nurturing element that speaks to the soul. This book doesn’t give us a picture-perfect family—it gives us a real one, with all its mess and beauty. A powerful, moving story about finding your place after everything falls apart.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review closer to August release

[Pat O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a young girl and her love of horses that is her life line during hard times.

[Amelia Lipton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I’m not a horse person per se, but I really like the author’s writing style. She brought the voice of the teenaged, female main character to life.

[Debbie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Loved the characters and of course the horses. Struggling with loss and how to make a go with a horse business.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's so hard to lose someone who's died, but maybe it's just as hard to lose someone who's standing right in front of you."

[CrafterFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Truth about Horses by Christy Cashman is the story of a young woman, Reese, who is struggling to deal with the loss of her mother while also trying to navigate a world where her beloved father is anything but the man she used to know.
When she is with her father, Reese cannot seem to be able to express her emotions in a healthy way. Wes, on the other hand, serves as a mentor who silently guides her through her journey of self-(re)discovery.
Even though at first it seemed like I would not enjoy this novel, it turned out to be very interesting. I would definitely recommend it.

Read my full review on my blog at www.crafterfox.eu

[Kim Childress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book profoundly touched me. “The Truth About Horses” is undeniably one of those rare gems that captivates from start to finish. Its eloquent prose and meticulously crafted setting, coupled with the intricate bond between horses and their human counterparts, held me in its grip throughout.

Set against the backdrop of South Dakota, this narrative weaves an extraordinary and captivating tale centered around Reese and Wes, a Lakota Indian. Their paths cross in the wake of harrowing personal tragedies, forming a connection that feels as organic as it is powerful. The essence of South Dakota is so skillfully interwoven that it takes on a character of its own, allowing me to immerse myself in the story—to witness breathtaking sunsets with their rose-quartz hues, hear the thunderous gallop of wild horses across the landscape, and even taste the gritty aftermath of a dust storm stirred by their hooves.

The setting, while integral, is merely a canvas for the lives of Reese, Wes, and their families. As I delved deeper into their experiences, I grew profoundly attached to their journey. Their struggles to safeguard their family heritage, their loved ones, the horses, and ultimately themselves, resonated on a deeply emotional level. Being an animal enthusiast, particularly horses, I was naturally drawn to this narrative. However, beyond that, “The Truth About Horses” is an exquisite contemporary coming-of-age narrative, skillfully interweaving heartbreak and jubilation. This makes it a compelling read not only for fellow aficionados of YA fiction but also for anyone who appreciates graceful storytelling.

The novel encapsulates the lives of Reese, Wes, and their families, portraying challenges that strive to keep them apart. The resolution is both gratifying and true to life, a testament to the author’s commitment to realism. In essence, “The Truth About Horses” is an opulent tapestry of emotions, experiences, and growth that lingers in the reader’s heart long after the final page is turned.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written coming of age novel filled with life lessons. My heart went out to Reese so many times. There's something so magical and healing about horses and that's such a big part of this story. My sister has horses and I've seen the joy, love, and devotion they inspire. I can't wait for her to read this incredible book too. She's going to love it.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christopher Hachet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books of the last fifteen years or so for me.

Reese is an entirely believable and relatable main character. One of the most interesting and relatable main characters I personally have ever found.

She is a 14 year old high school freshman dealing with the death of her mother and the sale of her favorite horse, Trusted Treasure.

I read this at a time when I also decided to put a lifetime of grief and people I needed to let go behind me. So in a way watching Reese deal with her issues helped me deal with mine.

Reese’s father Joe and the horse trainer Wes, a mute Native American are both deeply flawed and beautiful in their execution. A huge bravo for that. Both were very relatable for me. Often, I find male figures in fiction to be poorly written, but both joe and Wes rank high in terms of both interesting development in their own character arc as well as in their ability to relate to Reese, the main character.

Overall a brilliantly done novel. Lots of subtle wit on the part of Reese. Some books are heavy on the ability of the writer to use prose, some are strong with plot. Christy Cashman is more than talented in both aspects of writing.

Strongly recommended.

[Jennifer Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

there were a few things I really liked about this book, Wes was an intriguing character and I was always waiting to understand and know more about him. I loved the horses as a characters in the book and their description had so much beauty and a mystical feel. my big issue was that the FMC just crossed too far over the line of what was acceptable to me in dealing with her grief and growing up verses being rude and hurtful and inappropriate. I get the dynamic that was trying to be created, but I just felt like her experiences weren't proportionate and the consequences and resulting were afterthoughts. like beat up an abuser and nothing with police, break up a relationship and her father just had a heart to heart with her. it didn't add up for me, but I liked the other parts enough to keep me interested in how the story ended.

[Carla Marinaccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

My neighbor at the lake gave me a copy of this and said her niece wrote it and it reminded her of where the crawdads sing-once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Heartbreaking and heartwarming story of a young girl who loses her mother and is trying to find her way through her grief and anger. She loves horses and uses her love of horses to find a way back to herself and help others along the way. I really enjoyed reading this one. Even with the ending being predictable, I desperately wanted it to end the way it did.

[Devon Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kinda wish The Truth About Horses by Christy Cashman wasn’t titled The Truth About Horses. And I also wish the cover were different. Though it almost looks self-pubbed and the title is lackluster and maybe even cheesy, the book is pretty solid. Despite some rather specific things I will find to complain about, overall it’s a good experience with older MG/earlier YA literature. Especially if you like horses. But it’s true: you don’t have to be a horse person (I’m not) or even a teen (I’m not) to enjoy this story and the fairly deep issues that the realistic characters are dealing with, though I think teen horse-lovers are the ones who will appreciate it most. Maybe not ground-breaking, but something I could see a lot of people liking and quite a few appreciating for its subject matter.

Reese is 14 and is rooting for her family’s horse, Trusted Treasure, to win the Black Elk. But when Treasure takes a spill, it’s only the beginning of everything falling apart for Reese. A year or something later, everything has changed and while trying, alone, to put together the pieces of her life, Reese meets Wes, a man who refuses to speak (as in he’s mute) while he deals with his own trauma, and who is new to town and the owner of a horse stable. Reese inserts herself into the barn and into Wes’s life in her quest to get her horse back and find some sense of happiness and purpose… and Wes isn’t sure this is such a good idea.

I read this book as an ARC, which actually happened two months after its publication by the time everything washed out. And then I was doing Nanowrimo and then I was sick and then the holidays were a mad scramble. By now, the book has tens of reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, and people are loving it, for the most part. I am not paid to read ARCs, but I like to give a positive review as well as an honest one. I can do that with this book, even though my review is already just one of many.

It is Cashman’s first novel, and I think it possible she could write a lot more in the YA and MG arenas and hook some repeat readers, a la Jacqueline Woodson. This could also be the only story she has to tell, and she’ll end here (with other careers in her life). There will always be kids and teens (and adults) who love horses, and a pastoral in the modern times is a breath of fresh air that is reminiscent of both Judy Blume and books like Where the Red Fern Grows or Sign of the Beaver, at the same time.

The Truth About Horses is both what you expect and not. It has strong characters, realistic situations, growth, a whole lot about horses and a girl’s love of them, sweeping vistas, and other things to keep the pages turning. I would say the writing is adequate and there is some tweaking Cashman may learn to do as she writes more books, which I’m kinda assuming she will. If you have a teen in your life who is either a) into horses or b) going through some stuff, this is an accessible, small-town-agrarian-warm-feeling book that they can probably see themselves in. Really, all of us can see ourselves as struggling against the loss and injustice in our life, and Reese is an honest character to walk us through some of that.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As I said, this is Christy Cashman’s first novel. She also has a couple of children’s picture books. She was first an actress and a producer and has been in a bunch of movies. She lives between Ireland and Massachusetts and actually has horses as well as a lifelong love of horses. Her website is HERE, where there is a nice trailer for The Truth About Horses.

QUOTES:

“I don’t like being a stranger in a place that’s put its giant thumbprint on me” (p46).

“I think Wes has already figured out that stringing a bunch of sounds together is way less useful than we think” (p58).

“’When a horse charges, you have two choices. You stand your ground, or you stand your ground’” (p91).

“Crying about a stupid thing you’ve done is something horse people should do on their own time” (p92).

“I sleep like a baby. Literally. I’m awake every couple of hours and I’m restless and I want to cry. I realize that making an effort to go to sleep is making sleeping even more difficult” (p101).

“Even if Lexi spent twice the time working on her personality as she spends putting on her makeup, she’d barely make it to tolerable” (p192).

“He said most people use their vision to strengthen their fear, not to overcome it” (p222).

“Since humans aren’t great at dealing with pain, fear takes over. And we want to, you know, give a face to that fear” (p227).

“’It’s so hard to lose someone who’s died, but maybe it’s just as hard to lose someone who’s standing right in front of you’” (p312).

“But that night, it’s like we started to see each other again. And it seemed like we had both changed some and we had both stayed the same some” (p333).

“…once dreams are reached, they’re meant to turn to dust, giving you a chance to dream again” (p354).

MOVIES AND SHOWS

The book is new and she’s a new author and it’s not exactly spreading like wildfire, so I don’t see any movies or shows in the works. However, Cashman is a producer, so maybe she’ll make a movie or show of The Truth About Horses as her next “pet project?” I think it would actually work really well as a movie or a limited series, maybe even better than the book.

***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***

[Diane Hamel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read - 3.5. 3/4 of the story to get to a pretty quick (and predictable) conclusion. Other than the peppering of foul language, this would be a good young adult read. "When there is no light, no one to show you the way, that's when you grow". Reese learns that she is not the only one finding her way in the dark. And the pounding of the wild horse hooves lead her to the light.

[Mary Jane Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a story for equine enthusiasts. After the tragic loss of her mother and the sale of her mom's beloved horse, Jesse struggles with the losses as well as adjusting to her father's choices as a newly single man.

[Linda Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m confused about the high ratings of this book. I found it very predictable with an unbelievable main character. The genre felt very “young adult”. Not bad but definitely not high rating for me.