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Saving Nevada: One Woman, One Wild Horse, and a Hundred Days to Save Each Other
One woman, one wild horse, and a hundred days to save each other. Fans of Black Beauty will love this poignant story. (Based on a true story)Haley Wilson’s heart is as big as her dreams. Driven by a childhood passion, she signs up for the Mustang Makeover, a highly competitive equestrian contest. But there is a twist. Haley must train Nevada from wild to mild in one hundred days, but she quickly learns that training a wild beast is not as easy as she thought. Nevada is too big, too bold, too dangerous.Despite challenges and financial limitations, Haley falls in love with the horse. She must find a way to earn the prize money to win her at the auction, but they are far behind the other competitors with almost no chance of success.“Saving Nevada” is a novel based on a true story that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you cheering for the underdog. Join Haley on this captivating journey, where a wild mustang becomes not only her toughest challenge but also the catalyst for exploring love, self-discovery, and extraordinary strength found in the unlikeliest of friendships.
- GenresHorses
175 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2023
28 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 27, 2023
Saving Nevada by Lori Hayes is a book about one woman’s quest to save and tame a wild horse in a one-hundred-day mustang makeover competition and launch her own business as a professional horse trainer in the process.
The author herself is an experienced horsewoman and provides a very knowledgeable and engaging read at length. In this book, the heroine Haley’s commitment to Nevada, and to her own mustang dream, makes this book a very real depiction of the courage, strength, perseverance and passion it takes to train a wild animal. Throughout the journey, Haley realizes it’s no longer about her ego but instead rapidly becomes a labor of love. Given that the book is based on just one hundred days, it is written so that it flows quickly without repetition of prosaic tasks of the everyday and focuses on both the challenging low and highlights of the competition. Haley’s “I won’t give up on you” motto through the mustang makeover will have you rooting for Haley and Nevada until the very last page.
This reader was completely won over and found Saving Nevada to be both captivating and breathtaking! I would rate this book with maximum stars.
The author herself is an experienced horsewoman and provides a very knowledgeable and engaging read at length. In this book, the heroine Haley’s commitment to Nevada, and to her own mustang dream, makes this book a very real depiction of the courage, strength, perseverance and passion it takes to train a wild animal. Throughout the journey, Haley realizes it’s no longer about her ego but instead rapidly becomes a labor of love. Given that the book is based on just one hundred days, it is written so that it flows quickly without repetition of prosaic tasks of the everyday and focuses on both the challenging low and highlights of the competition. Haley’s “I won’t give up on you” motto through the mustang makeover will have you rooting for Haley and Nevada until the very last page.
This reader was completely won over and found Saving Nevada to be both captivating and breathtaking! I would rate this book with maximum stars.
November 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! It is such a heart warming story. Even though I do not know anything about horse training, it didn’t affect my interest in the book or make it difficult to understand. It’s a quick read and I loved all the things Haley learned during the process - love, patience, perseverance, and following your dream.
January 26, 2024
In "Saving Nevada," author Lori Hayes skillfully weaves a heartwarming tale of perseverance, courage, and the unbreakable bonds between humans and horses. The story chronicles protagonist Haley Wilson's daring mission to train a wild mustang named Nevada as part of a competitive "mustang makeover" event. What ensues is an emotional rollercoaster full of setbacks and triumphs.
From the very first tense meeting, it's clear Nevada is not an easy horse to handle. The mare is defensive, unpredictable, and aggressive, charging at Haley more than once. However, Haley refuses to give up. We root for her as she seeks help from an expert trainer, slowly building trust and making breakthroughs with the headstrong Nevada.
Hayes captures the peaks and valleys of this journey: the joy of first touch, the disappointment when Nevada reverts back to fight-or-flight behaviors, and the thrill of their inaugural ride together. The realistic portrayal of the nonlinear training process is insightful for any animal lover. We come away understanding horses a little better.
The ultimate ride-or-die between woman and mustang has you hoping beyond hope that Haley and Nevada find their happy ending together. The final emotional auction will have you tearing up as Haley bids to keep her beloved horse. This unlikely duo reminds us to keep persevering, even when the odds seem impossible.
Captivating from start to bittersweet end, "Saving Nevada" speaks to the strength of the human spirit and the magic that happens when two hearts connect across species barriers. This is an inspiring read for anyone who's ever loved an animal.
From the very first tense meeting, it's clear Nevada is not an easy horse to handle. The mare is defensive, unpredictable, and aggressive, charging at Haley more than once. However, Haley refuses to give up. We root for her as she seeks help from an expert trainer, slowly building trust and making breakthroughs with the headstrong Nevada.
Hayes captures the peaks and valleys of this journey: the joy of first touch, the disappointment when Nevada reverts back to fight-or-flight behaviors, and the thrill of their inaugural ride together. The realistic portrayal of the nonlinear training process is insightful for any animal lover. We come away understanding horses a little better.
The ultimate ride-or-die between woman and mustang has you hoping beyond hope that Haley and Nevada find their happy ending together. The final emotional auction will have you tearing up as Haley bids to keep her beloved horse. This unlikely duo reminds us to keep persevering, even when the odds seem impossible.
Captivating from start to bittersweet end, "Saving Nevada" speaks to the strength of the human spirit and the magic that happens when two hearts connect across species barriers. This is an inspiring read for anyone who's ever loved an animal.
February 8, 2024
A Girl and Her Challenging Horse. A Lovely, Engaging Story.
I’m not a horse person. In fact horses in real life are a bit scary to me. However, I LOVE stories about the bond between horses and riders (think “Seabiscuit" or “Heartland"). So a woman training a wild horse? I’m in!
The author mixes training details with emotional waves to nicely illustrate the myriad of challenges Haley faces. The training process and the interactions supporting it remain at the center of the narrative throughout, letting the reader feel Haley’s isolation and focus. The urgency behind the story questions—Will Haley succeed? What will the next day bring? Will Nevada come to trust Haley?—literally pulled me through the book. The author does assume some knowledge of training techniques, so the significance of Nevada’s behavior is not always pointed out for the benefit of the non-horse reader. Even so, Hayley’s reaction always indicates how the training is going. This is a strong piece of writing and a compelling story. If you love a good “horse book,” don’t miss this one!
I’m not a horse person. In fact horses in real life are a bit scary to me. However, I LOVE stories about the bond between horses and riders (think “Seabiscuit" or “Heartland"). So a woman training a wild horse? I’m in!
The author mixes training details with emotional waves to nicely illustrate the myriad of challenges Haley faces. The training process and the interactions supporting it remain at the center of the narrative throughout, letting the reader feel Haley’s isolation and focus. The urgency behind the story questions—Will Haley succeed? What will the next day bring? Will Nevada come to trust Haley?—literally pulled me through the book. The author does assume some knowledge of training techniques, so the significance of Nevada’s behavior is not always pointed out for the benefit of the non-horse reader. Even so, Hayley’s reaction always indicates how the training is going. This is a strong piece of writing and a compelling story. If you love a good “horse book,” don’t miss this one!
January 30, 2024
Saving Nevada tells the story of one woman's life-long dream of training a wild horse and riding him bareback in a prestigious Kentucky competition.
The odds seem to fall before her as she is paired with a horse that fearlessly displays unmasked defiance.
Haley's insecurities well up in her ability to train this particular horse in 100 days.
But even though the two of them face numerous trials along the way, Haley remains patient and gives the horse more time than is allowed, even at the expense of her own success.
While her desire to be respected as a horse-trainer is one of the main reasons for entering, she finds throughout the entire process that it is more a labor of love.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this compelling story and the author had me rooting for both Haley and Nevada.
The odds seem to fall before her as she is paired with a horse that fearlessly displays unmasked defiance.
Haley's insecurities well up in her ability to train this particular horse in 100 days.
But even though the two of them face numerous trials along the way, Haley remains patient and gives the horse more time than is allowed, even at the expense of her own success.
While her desire to be respected as a horse-trainer is one of the main reasons for entering, she finds throughout the entire process that it is more a labor of love.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this compelling story and the author had me rooting for both Haley and Nevada.
March 10, 2024
This is based on an extraordinary true story about a woman who trains a wild horse for a competition. Apparently, out west, some people think too many wild horses threaten the environment, so some horses are periodically rounded up. These rounded-up wild horses were then put into a competition and trainers had 100 days to turn them into show horses.
Saving Nevada tells the story of one woman who trained one horse for this competition. It's about their training journey together, how they ultimately help each other live better lives.
I don't know anything about horse training, but I didn't have to understand horse training to appreciate this story. Author explains all of that training activity so clearly. It all made sense, and I could focus on the emotional impact of this training endeavor.
Saving Nevada tells the story of one woman who trained one horse for this competition. It's about their training journey together, how they ultimately help each other live better lives.
I don't know anything about horse training, but I didn't have to understand horse training to appreciate this story. Author explains all of that training activity so clearly. It all made sense, and I could focus on the emotional impact of this training endeavor.
May 9, 2024
What a fun, quick read. As a horse trainer I'm always looking for good horse books, and this one did not disappoint. Similar to The Road to the Horse, the Mustang Makover is a real thing, one of the highest levels of competition for a horse trainer. It was so much fun to read a story (and one based on a real woman) about basically my life. The things I do with horses to get them to trust me, build up the bond, and eventually break and ride. It's always nice to see yourself reflected in the pages. Well written and the horse knowledge was very good, nothing to make a horse person roll their eyes like some far-fetched horse stories can be. Definitely recommend for horse people or anyone who has an interest in horses or reading a fun story about trust, confidence and love.
November 27, 2023
This book touched my heart deeply! I am an avid mustang trainer and love the intelligence, the beauty and overall durability and versatility these horses offer. I completely related to this story! It brought tears and memories I have experienced with my mustang gelding who took three years to make what was accomplished in 100 days. We still aren’t riding but the future plan is to start and pray for his trust to allow it in our future. If not he will be a permanent fixture in my life here on our farm. Thank you for such a wonderful truth to the story of how amazing these mustangs are! Faithful and blessed to know their trust!
January 7, 2024
An enjoyable true story about a young woman’s vision to tame an aggressive wild mustang rounded up on federal lands in Nevada and to train the horse, employing natural horsemanship methods. The book is about determination and defeat, pressure (both physical and emotional) and relief from pressure, fear and trust, frustration and patience, and the hearts of horses and those who love them. Surprisingly, I almost most enjoyed a smug and arrogant character who appears later in the book; I wanted to kick or bite him myself! (And fuss at the main character on the subject of halters and helmets.) An easy, fun, and informative read.
February 1, 2024
Lori Hayes captures the true story of a contest involving a wild mustang and a trainer with only 100 days to go from wild to competition exhibition. This book takes you along the journey of discovering the challenges and emotional ride it takes to build a trusting bond between horse and riders / trainer. This is a fast read because you are swept into the storyline. This could easily become the basis for a movie. Excellent Writing Ms. Hayes!
November 22, 2023
As the owner of Mustang, this was a really engaging story about gentling a horse from wild to mild. The trials of starting with a wild horse and the triumph of making the connection and building a partnership made it a real page turner for me. The character development, honest description of the process, and the building tension to the competition made for a great read.
July 12, 2025
I love reading books about horses. I felt like I was there during the training of Nevada, lots of ups and downs. I like that the BLM roundups were mentioned. People need to know what is happening to our Mustangs.
November 29, 2023
Incredible story, very riveting and wasn’t able to put it down til I was done!
November 30, 2023
This is a beautiful story about a woman changed through the journey of a lifetime! Setting out to save a wild horse, the author found the strength in herself that she didn’t know she had.
November 30, 2023
What a great story!!! A realistic easy to read book that highlights the highs and lows of training a mustang. I highly recommend for anyone it’s engaging and entertaining.
November 1, 2025
lovely book
This was a horse loving book for all ages. Incredibly written, and brought me to feel emotionally for the horse and trainer/owner. Loved it!
This was a horse loving book for all ages. Incredibly written, and brought me to feel emotionally for the horse and trainer/owner. Loved it!
November 24, 2025
Such an enjoyable read! It is always interesting to see how far we can go with our dreams!!!
December 6, 2023
As a first time Mustang adopter I’ve found myself experiencing many of the same self-doubts as Haley. I don’t envision myself competing in a Mustang Makeover but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Haley and Nevada’s journey in Saving Nevada. I would love to read additional stories of Mustangs and their humans from Ms. Hayes.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews