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Horses Never Lie About Love: The Heartwarming Story of a Remarkable Horse Who Changed My Life
The heartwarming true story of a woman and the horse who changed her life.
Jana Harris had always dreamed of having a horse farm, and she knew the horse on whom she could build her dreams the moment she saw her on a ranch in the Eastern Mountains of Washington State, where a herd had been corralled to be a beautiful, deep dark red-colored mare standing about sixteen hands, with a white star on her pretty head. Something about the way this mare guarded her handsome foal spoke to Harris. The mare was named True Colors.
When True Colors was delivered to Harris’s ranch three months later, however, she was head-shy from the infected sores on her face, and lungs damaged by pneumonia, she sensed demons hiding in everything from the scent of fabric softener on clothes to a gate in a fence. This injured, traumatized horse existed between two worlds—wild and domesticated—and belonged to neither.
Remarkably, the other horses fell in love with her on sight. And true to her name, True Colors would never pretend to be something she was not; with her wise, intuitive nature, she would end up changing the lives of everyone she encountered. This is the story of True Colors and how, with her quiet wisdom, she became the heart of the range and farm. There is a famous horseman’s A horse never lies about its pain. But maybe we should also A horse never lies about love.
Jana Harris had always dreamed of having a horse farm, and she knew the horse on whom she could build her dreams the moment she saw her on a ranch in the Eastern Mountains of Washington State, where a herd had been corralled to be a beautiful, deep dark red-colored mare standing about sixteen hands, with a white star on her pretty head. Something about the way this mare guarded her handsome foal spoke to Harris. The mare was named True Colors.
When True Colors was delivered to Harris’s ranch three months later, however, she was head-shy from the infected sores on her face, and lungs damaged by pneumonia, she sensed demons hiding in everything from the scent of fabric softener on clothes to a gate in a fence. This injured, traumatized horse existed between two worlds—wild and domesticated—and belonged to neither.
Remarkably, the other horses fell in love with her on sight. And true to her name, True Colors would never pretend to be something she was not; with her wise, intuitive nature, she would end up changing the lives of everyone she encountered. This is the story of True Colors and how, with her quiet wisdom, she became the heart of the range and farm. There is a famous horseman’s A horse never lies about its pain. But maybe we should also A horse never lies about love.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
September 16, 2017
As a horse lover, and horse owner, I engaged with the author in the beginning of her book over the ups and downs of horse-ownership. However, as I read about her breeding farm I became more and more troubled by her selfishness to breed for her own interests and further, to get rid of the offspring that didn't quite pan out for her. As a horse rescue volunteer and a CT Humane Society volunteer, I find this kind of self-serving behavior reprehensible for so many unwanted animals already in our society who have no voice and choice of their own.
November 18, 2011
This is a depressing book full of bad choices and poor horse care and breeding practices. You can read my full review at
Horses Never Lie about Love
Horses Never Lie about Love
January 10, 2012
The book is ok. I kept reading trying to see what the point of the book was...but there wasn't one. Jana Harris makes poor decisions and they are documented in story form. I guess to each is own but I wouldn't recommend the book.
April 5, 2013
Janna Harris is just not my kind of horse person and never really seems to connect with any of the horses she owned or bred. Although she went through a lot and probably spent a lot she spends more time describing what kind of nail polish her vet had on, dropping names of fancy wines she drinks or the gourmet meals she eats and then sells or gives away all or most of the horses when she needs money or they do not live up to her expectations saying she feels bad but.....and the horses don't seem crazy about her style either. She may be a good poet, and an ok writer-but horse person-not so much. I mean at one point she was going to give "the horse that changed her world " to a rodeo.
March 19, 2012
I loved this book until I got about halfway through it. It began so promisingly! Horses plus an author who can really write are a rare combination. I was hooked! But somewhere halfway through the book, I just became increasingly annoyed with the author's blundering and helplessness. I have owned and very occasionally bred horses for thirty years, and I just cannot believe how many times these people were screaming for the vet. They must have very very deep pockets indeed.
On a more literary note, the last two chapters feel as if they were speedwritten in 20 minutes just to wrap things up. Very very sloppy.
On a more literary note, the last two chapters feel as if they were speedwritten in 20 minutes just to wrap things up. Very very sloppy.
September 16, 2017
Interesting title – Horses Never Lie About Love, but after reading this I think that some of their owners sure do.
February 16, 2020
This is a memoir written by a poet/educator and the horses she and her husband owned. The book centers around a mare named True Colors who had been injured in a fire and was very skittish. Gradually T.C. becomes the author's greatest friend. I love horses very much. It is said that their brains are small, yet many of the horses I have known are uncanny in their abilities to sense our emotions and needs. I enjoyed the book, particularly the descriptions of the births of the foals.
I find it so sad that because of the expense the author and her husband were often forced to sell some of their horses. That is the tragedy of horse ownership. Commonly, a horse is sold many times in her life and too often she is neglected or abused.
As I read the book, I remembered with great affection special horses in my life: Ace High, Naughty Boy, Sis, Corona Lark, Shorty, and Dundancer. They will always have a special place in my heart.
I find it so sad that because of the expense the author and her husband were often forced to sell some of their horses. That is the tragedy of horse ownership. Commonly, a horse is sold many times in her life and too often she is neglected or abused.
As I read the book, I remembered with great affection special horses in my life: Ace High, Naughty Boy, Sis, Corona Lark, Shorty, and Dundancer. They will always have a special place in my heart.
October 4, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. The absolute joy and heartbreak of this job was interesting to read about as was the parts about the horses' personalities showing that yup humans can only do so much, they are who they are
October 4, 2012
This is a book that probably every horse person will love, you can't help it. You fall in love with the horses she chooses and breeds and yet, I don't believe in breeding because of all the thousands of horses every year who end up starved or slaughtered or abandoned so I got irked with Harris for breeding her mares and studding out her stallions. Then she would sell the babies and hope they got a good, forever home. Just because this is something I could never do doesn't make it wrong, it just bugged me. Nevertheless, it's a good read about horse ownership.
November 7, 2013
Good, not great. I learned more about horses and which types of horses are good for what type of riding etc. I love learning more about these amazing creatures but I failed to see why this horse was revered. She was an excellent brood mare, but was only agreeable and approachable when pregnant, the rest of the time she was very Unapproachable and hard to handle. I kept waiting for this horse to become great , so it missed the mark a bit for me, still enjoyed reading it though.
September 30, 2015
I don't care for this woman and I almost stoped reading after the comment, Byron..." the ugliest weanling I`de ever seen, no wonder his dam had kicked him in the face."
She was worried about selling True Colors to an abusive situation but was willing to sell her as "rodeo stock" and THAT would have been okay? (She didn't end up doing it)
I don't like her. Books okay.
She was worried about selling True Colors to an abusive situation but was willing to sell her as "rodeo stock" and THAT would have been okay? (She didn't end up doing it)
I don't like her. Books okay.
November 4, 2011
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
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
January 15, 2012
This story is certain to appeal especially to horse lovers. The author, Jana Harris and her husband move to Washington state and raises horses. This is a dream come true, until they get a horse that gives them a lot of problems and they make a lot of bad decisions. I personally found it tedious overall, and would not consider it a light read by any streatch of the imagination. I won this book through a GOODREADS giveaway. The font was so tiny it was difficult for me to read in less than stellar lighting.
October 2, 2015
Horses DO lie about love -- as seen in this book when a mare tries to kill a stallion she was flirting with minutes before. The title is TERRIBLE -- it has nothing to do with what this book is about -- a rich idiot who decides that she is going to breed horses. She has hardly any knowledge about horse breeding, so of course all kinds of mayhem happens. The book is more horrifying than heartwarming. Shows clearly why amateurs should never breed horses.
January 15, 2015
It was interesting about the horse breeding business. I am glad that True Colors was given a chance by the author, but I didn't really get their relationship as the title/summary indicates. As a horse lover/owner I don't understand those that breed horses, and then they have to place those that have been a part of their lives, so they have room for youngsters.
May 6, 2016
I don't read many biographies or true stories but this book was absolutely gorgeous. The ending could have been better as it seemed like a very odd part in the story to end it but I see why Jana did it. Loved following her and her husband Mark's journey and learning about what it was like for them to own a farm :)
September 16, 2018
with so much written about horse rescue and the over population of horses this book just struck a sour note with me. Breeding for her "perfect" horse and trying to off load the ones who do not measure up. Not even making sure they go to good homes. NAHHH....the woman can write I just did not like her or what she did/does.
June 10, 2012
Another horsey book that I really enjoyed. It was so relateable and reminded me so much of how my mom and I interacted with our horses while I was growing up. I was sad when it was over...it was a really beautiful and touching story.
December 13, 2019
I must say that what I got from this book was not quite as enjoyable as what I expected to get. This book would appear, at least if one judges its lengthy title and subtitle, to provide a look at a loving and inspirational horse. What one gets instead is a somewhat gossipy look at the life of a person seeking to run a horse farm and not being particularly skilled at it, to the point where the book's proceeds and advances were likely needed to avoid making a total mess of it. That is not to say that this is by any means a bad book. A gossipy book about the life of an academic in the country fulfilling a long-held dream of running a horse farm and not being particularly good at it can be the material of good books and even great books. That said, the expectation of this should be made, and the author needs to have at least some sense of self-awareness, providing a comic sense of irony between the account and what the reader and author both realize to be the truth. The author does not seem quite self-aware enough to make this a comic masterpiece of blundering, but at the same time the author is honest enough to make the blundering obvious without being entirely aware that it undercuts her own self-appraisal.
This book is organized in roughly chronological fashion as a tale told, with flashbacks, of a woman's attempt to run a horse farm in rural Washington on the extra money her and her husband make as professors. The author appears to have ridden and loved horses for a long time but doesn't have quite enough money to make a big splash in running a horse farm. So she buys a skittish and scarred mare who turns out to be preggers and then acquires and sells a variety of horseflesh over the next few years as she deals with the economics of mares and foals, the space limitations she has that requires her to avoid increasing the net amount of her amount of horses, and the problems she has shoeing, taking care of, and selling her beloved horses. One really gets a sense of the difficulty one has in taking care of skittish but honest animals as well as the way in which vets and others are not always as competent in handling horses as one might assume. The author's prose shows a lot of interest in local gossip, including the marriages and personal lives of the people she works with, and one gets a sense that not everyone talked about here is going to be happy about what the author has to say. People get nervous about being too close and personal with authors, after all.
Indeed, it is the little things and not the big things that make this book not quite as good as it could easily have been in the hands of a more skillful and less self-serious author. Indeed, had the author not taken herself so seriously she could have made her jokes about her husband, her drug-addled vet, her humorous but not very romantically successful neighbor, and all of the other crazy characters who populate these pages more entertaining. As it was, there was entertainment value to be found but not quite as many as one would hope. And it should be noted as well that at least for me, it would have been far better to have labeled the loss of unborn horses as a miscarriage rather than as an abortion, because it reminded me of the relationship between property rights and language in an unpleasant way that took away from the enjoyment of the story. This book aspired to be a comic masterpiece, but as it is it is merely the memoir of a wannabe horse farmer who can't quite admit to herself or the reader that she is by no means as smart as she thinks she is, even if she is blessed by the quality of her horses.
This book is organized in roughly chronological fashion as a tale told, with flashbacks, of a woman's attempt to run a horse farm in rural Washington on the extra money her and her husband make as professors. The author appears to have ridden and loved horses for a long time but doesn't have quite enough money to make a big splash in running a horse farm. So she buys a skittish and scarred mare who turns out to be preggers and then acquires and sells a variety of horseflesh over the next few years as she deals with the economics of mares and foals, the space limitations she has that requires her to avoid increasing the net amount of her amount of horses, and the problems she has shoeing, taking care of, and selling her beloved horses. One really gets a sense of the difficulty one has in taking care of skittish but honest animals as well as the way in which vets and others are not always as competent in handling horses as one might assume. The author's prose shows a lot of interest in local gossip, including the marriages and personal lives of the people she works with, and one gets a sense that not everyone talked about here is going to be happy about what the author has to say. People get nervous about being too close and personal with authors, after all.
Indeed, it is the little things and not the big things that make this book not quite as good as it could easily have been in the hands of a more skillful and less self-serious author. Indeed, had the author not taken herself so seriously she could have made her jokes about her husband, her drug-addled vet, her humorous but not very romantically successful neighbor, and all of the other crazy characters who populate these pages more entertaining. As it was, there was entertainment value to be found but not quite as many as one would hope. And it should be noted as well that at least for me, it would have been far better to have labeled the loss of unborn horses as a miscarriage rather than as an abortion, because it reminded me of the relationship between property rights and language in an unpleasant way that took away from the enjoyment of the story. This book aspired to be a comic masterpiece, but as it is it is merely the memoir of a wannabe horse farmer who can't quite admit to herself or the reader that she is by no means as smart as she thinks she is, even if she is blessed by the quality of her horses.
August 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. For the writing style, detail and depth, I would give it 5/5 stars.
MINOR SPOILERS
However, if I was solely rating the book on its content, I would give it a 3/5. Growing up, I worked/volunteered extensively for almost a decade on a horse training and breeding farm for dressage horses. The author mentions, for example, that they always put their mare out first and then brought the stallion to her. When the mare comes to the stallion, he's interested in courting/breeding - that's the focus of their interaction. When you bring him to her, she will view him as an invader on her territory - courting/breeding probably isn't the first thing on her mind, but rather a fight for dominance.
This was never done on the real-life training/breeding farm where I worked - because the mare would view likely the stallion as an invader on her territory and attack him. You always brought the mare to the stallion for teasing, pasture breeding, etc. You could say the ambiance is different. In the book, they typically brought their stallion to the mare and he was often attacked.
This isn't a criticism of the author's writing style, just a minor detail that could have potentially made breeding horses far less violent for the writer in real life. It seems her veterinarian never mentioned this - so it may be something she nor her vet ever thought to try because it seems like a minor detail. It could have made a world of difference though. This was on my mind throughout the book from the first time they bred their stallion Kells and it really bothered me. If a mare viewed Kells as an invader on her territory, no wonder she attacked him.
MINOR SPOILERS
However, if I was solely rating the book on its content, I would give it a 3/5. Growing up, I worked/volunteered extensively for almost a decade on a horse training and breeding farm for dressage horses. The author mentions, for example, that they always put their mare out first and then brought the stallion to her. When the mare comes to the stallion, he's interested in courting/breeding - that's the focus of their interaction. When you bring him to her, she will view him as an invader on her territory - courting/breeding probably isn't the first thing on her mind, but rather a fight for dominance.
This was never done on the real-life training/breeding farm where I worked - because the mare would view likely the stallion as an invader on her territory and attack him. You always brought the mare to the stallion for teasing, pasture breeding, etc. You could say the ambiance is different. In the book, they typically brought their stallion to the mare and he was often attacked.
This isn't a criticism of the author's writing style, just a minor detail that could have potentially made breeding horses far less violent for the writer in real life. It seems her veterinarian never mentioned this - so it may be something she nor her vet ever thought to try because it seems like a minor detail. It could have made a world of difference though. This was on my mind throughout the book from the first time they bred their stallion Kells and it really bothered me. If a mare viewed Kells as an invader on her territory, no wonder she attacked him.
July 8, 2024
This book just reminds me that no matter how much I love horses and even if I ever had enough money, I wouldn't have a horse breeding program... or any breeding program, and it's not because I think animal breeding is terrible--quite the opposite if done responsibly. It reminds me of how insanely expensive such an endeavor is and how emotionally and physically draining the day to day operations are.
I know other readers were offended or felt that the author made "poor" choices and got rid of a lot of horses, but I beg--or don't beg to differ. A reality of developing a solid breeding program is saying goodbye to animals, starting over, and also not being able to keep everyone. I know this, considering I work for a dog breeding program. The author made mistakes, but she also didn't make her choices lightly, and it's clear that she loves every animal she has ever cared for.
Were every horse loving person to be so lucky to have a magnificent animal like True Colors!
I know other readers were offended or felt that the author made "poor" choices and got rid of a lot of horses, but I beg--or don't beg to differ. A reality of developing a solid breeding program is saying goodbye to animals, starting over, and also not being able to keep everyone. I know this, considering I work for a dog breeding program. The author made mistakes, but she also didn't make her choices lightly, and it's clear that she loves every animal she has ever cared for.
Were every horse loving person to be so lucky to have a magnificent animal like True Colors!
November 12, 2020
This was a never-boring account of the daily ups and downs of owning a breeding farm for horses, as well as the story of the author’s special relationship with one horse, her first brood mare, True Colors. If you have fantasies of running a horse farm, read this book first. The number of things that can go astronomically, expensively wrong have to be heard to be believed. Unless I was a multi millionaire, I would not even consider it. Still, I love horses and I am very interested in animal breeding of all sorts. This author took a lot of heat in other reviews for the number of horses she bred and then got rid of when they didn’t suit, but to me that has to be done when you’re breeding for an ideal, and the only important thing is that you make sure everyone has a good home at the end of the day, which she did. So all those offended reviewers can go fly a kite.
February 6, 2021
As someone who came from a non-horsey family and owned my own horse at 15 years old I’m boggled by the poor reviews this book has gotten! Jana narrates the shenanigans that occur on a daily basis on her property with her horses, and discusses the way that the horses transformed her life.
I expected it to be a roller coaster of emotion and sadness (think Marley and Me), but instead was an easy going accurate depiction of the years of her horse-ownership.
Although, yes, she sometimes makes poor decisions, haven’t we all as horse owners/ careers? And yes, she does sell some of her horses but it’s in the nature of being a farmer and property owner to do what is best for yourself and your horse.
I think if you’re a horse/ animal lover looking to read a consistent story about horse ownership and the various escapades that usually occur alongside this, give it a read!
I expected it to be a roller coaster of emotion and sadness (think Marley and Me), but instead was an easy going accurate depiction of the years of her horse-ownership.
Although, yes, she sometimes makes poor decisions, haven’t we all as horse owners/ careers? And yes, she does sell some of her horses but it’s in the nature of being a farmer and property owner to do what is best for yourself and your horse.
I think if you’re a horse/ animal lover looking to read a consistent story about horse ownership and the various escapades that usually occur alongside this, give it a read!
September 21, 2019
This is a horse story. I don't have high expectations for such books as usually horse story authors are horsemen first and writers last if at all. This is a lovely book written by a poet who happens to compete in dressage...or a rider who happens to be a poet. Either way, well worth my time. Her descriptions are original and sparkling and the story is gripping (if you like that kind of thing). Very enjoyable.
January 9, 2019
Overall an alright book. Was annoyed at the explanations of horse terms. As a horse person these didn’t need explaining, and non horse people could figure them out with context clues. Felt like she rambled on too much about a multitude of various events rather than describing less events with more detail. 2.5-3
September 28, 2025
As a child and teen there was nothing I cared about more than horses. This book both made me long for those days and reminded me of the heartbreak many of them held. Loving horses is not an easy life, things often go wrong. This book beautifully highlights the highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies of equine partnerships.
February 3, 2018
Perfect story of the place horses hold in certain human hearts
Absolutely spellbinding from start to finish, which I did in a day. Thank you for sharing your love story. I only wish you had included pictures of all the grown babies!
Absolutely spellbinding from start to finish, which I did in a day. Thank you for sharing your love story. I only wish you had included pictures of all the grown babies!
May 16, 2018
While I admit that I'm more of a hound person than a horse person, I really enjoyed this book. It entertained me for hours and there were some times when I could not put it down. Overall, a decent read and a learning experience for me about horses.
September 17, 2018
If you love horses you will love this book. A true story set in the north of Washington State, this is about a particular horse and the woman (and man) who loved her. Very enjoyable.
May 3, 2020
choppy writing and at least 3 misspellings!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews