What do you think?
Rate this book
The Nurse Mare's Tale
At four years old Sadie and Nellie discovered their job for life would be being bred, losing their foal and then being rented out to nurse a high-dollar mare's foal. While their foals were sent to slaughter, left to die, or if their foals were lucky rescued.
Eighteen years later Sadie is about to give birth to what will probably be her last foal. She is frightened of the future and reminisces of the past losses. Sadie is also afraid that Nellie will not even get the chance to have her foal as she became pregnant late and there will be no high-dollar foals left to nurse.
The two aging nurse mares contemplate and plan how they might save them both and Nellie's foal from the auction and probable slaughter.
Although fiction the practice of nurse mares, and nurse mare foals are all too real. Will they find a way to save themselves and Nellie's baby? Told from the point of view of the horses, this book has all the earmarks of books such as Black Stallion.
Eighteen years later Sadie is about to give birth to what will probably be her last foal. She is frightened of the future and reminisces of the past losses. Sadie is also afraid that Nellie will not even get the chance to have her foal as she became pregnant late and there will be no high-dollar foals left to nurse.
The two aging nurse mares contemplate and plan how they might save them both and Nellie's foal from the auction and probable slaughter.
Although fiction the practice of nurse mares, and nurse mare foals are all too real. Will they find a way to save themselves and Nellie's baby? Told from the point of view of the horses, this book has all the earmarks of books such as Black Stallion.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 14, 2023
Captivating Story
There is so much depth in the story told. Sadie’s bravery after a life of so much sorrow and mistreatment. I was so worried about where the story was going to have the thrill of that ending, knowing it is only the beginning of a new start for Sadie and Nellie. Great read.
There is so much depth in the story told. Sadie’s bravery after a life of so much sorrow and mistreatment. I was so worried about where the story was going to have the thrill of that ending, knowing it is only the beginning of a new start for Sadie and Nellie. Great read.
July 28, 2023
Tears of sorrow turned to tears of joys in this emotional portrayal of an aging mare, Sadie. The story is told from the unique pov of Sadie with added insight from her friend and fellow nurse mare Nellie. It further opened my eye to the horse industry and the cruelty of mankind towards animals. A beautifully written book that I can't recommend enough.
May 26, 2023
***** A truly unique and touching novel with a great narration
Right away, this book struck me as being truly unique. By having the story told from the point of view of female horses and their plight, it’s as if they were actually human women, dealing with brutal human trafficking––and worse. For, in these horses’ world, the few humans on the property and, particularly the owner, simply view the mares as saleable objects, and nothing else.
The main characters, Sadie and Nellie ‘talk’ about their sad lives. Descriptions of being brutally mounted by stallions as if they were being raped, is discussed. Also, how they are carefully groomed when they are younger, because they are of a greater use to the humans’ financial wallets. And where do the mares end up? Either kept to have and nurse foal after foal, killed right out, or simply sold down south to become horsemeat in Mexico. Thus, there is a constant hierarchy of the horses––who is saved and who is not.
But then Sadie comes up with a plan––and it’s a doozy. Will it be a happy ending? You’ll just have to read/listen yourself. Meanwhile, this story was so touching I definitely got teary-eyed on more than one occasion. And with the fine narration by A. J. Carter, I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Right away, this book struck me as being truly unique. By having the story told from the point of view of female horses and their plight, it’s as if they were actually human women, dealing with brutal human trafficking––and worse. For, in these horses’ world, the few humans on the property and, particularly the owner, simply view the mares as saleable objects, and nothing else.
The main characters, Sadie and Nellie ‘talk’ about their sad lives. Descriptions of being brutally mounted by stallions as if they were being raped, is discussed. Also, how they are carefully groomed when they are younger, because they are of a greater use to the humans’ financial wallets. And where do the mares end up? Either kept to have and nurse foal after foal, killed right out, or simply sold down south to become horsemeat in Mexico. Thus, there is a constant hierarchy of the horses––who is saved and who is not.
But then Sadie comes up with a plan––and it’s a doozy. Will it be a happy ending? You’ll just have to read/listen yourself. Meanwhile, this story was so touching I definitely got teary-eyed on more than one occasion. And with the fine narration by A. J. Carter, I HIGHLY recommend this book!
January 29, 2026
A Unique Horse Story
This compelling tale unfolds through the eyes of two aging nurse mares, Sadie and Nellie, both nearing what they know will be their last foals. They’ve endured the cycle for years—give birth, watch their foal taken away, and be forced to nurse a valuable star foal. Both fear what will happen when their owner can no longer profit from their servitude.
Sadie is still haunted by the loss of her first foal, killed by wolves while she lay helpless after birth. Two decades later, she’s taken to the same field to deliver again, comforted only by the brief presence of a bird. When her newborn is taken and her milk no longer needed, she’s place with other old nurse mares—including Nellie—to await auction.
Facing a grim fate, Sadie’s courage, strength, and wisdom emerge as she devises a daring escape plan to take place at the auction, knowing failure means death for her and every horse in her group who doesn’t succeed. Will they survive?
The author brings these gentle, resilient horses to life with vivid detail and deep compassion. The story is both moving and eye-opening. I had no idea how harshly nursing mares were treated. I highly recommend this unforgettable tale.
This compelling tale unfolds through the eyes of two aging nurse mares, Sadie and Nellie, both nearing what they know will be their last foals. They’ve endured the cycle for years—give birth, watch their foal taken away, and be forced to nurse a valuable star foal. Both fear what will happen when their owner can no longer profit from their servitude.
Sadie is still haunted by the loss of her first foal, killed by wolves while she lay helpless after birth. Two decades later, she’s taken to the same field to deliver again, comforted only by the brief presence of a bird. When her newborn is taken and her milk no longer needed, she’s place with other old nurse mares—including Nellie—to await auction.
Facing a grim fate, Sadie’s courage, strength, and wisdom emerge as she devises a daring escape plan to take place at the auction, knowing failure means death for her and every horse in her group who doesn’t succeed. Will they survive?
The author brings these gentle, resilient horses to life with vivid detail and deep compassion. The story is both moving and eye-opening. I had no idea how harshly nursing mares were treated. I highly recommend this unforgettable tale.
February 27, 2025
The Nurse Mare's Tale is not your average story. This tale is told through the lens of Sadie and Nellie, two horses who have seen the ugly side of life at the hands of their owners. Not only have they been traumatized by neglect and abuse, but poor Sadie has had to witness a most devastating attack on one of her foals. Not all men are bad, but even Sam doesn't understand the whirls of emotions inside his horses' heads.
I had no idea what mares went through to produce foals, only to have them ripped away from their mothers so the mothers could nurse strangers. This is a heartwarming story with an HEA that the author points out doesn't happen in real life.
Marta Moran Bishop truly cares about horses and animals in general, and that point leaps off the page, as do the gripping scenes in which Sadie and Nellie strive to find freedom.
I've read many books by this author and am always moved by her connection to animals of all sizes and species. This book, like most of her novels, has changed the way I think. Don't miss this one.
I had no idea what mares went through to produce foals, only to have them ripped away from their mothers so the mothers could nurse strangers. This is a heartwarming story with an HEA that the author points out doesn't happen in real life.
Marta Moran Bishop truly cares about horses and animals in general, and that point leaps off the page, as do the gripping scenes in which Sadie and Nellie strive to find freedom.
I've read many books by this author and am always moved by her connection to animals of all sizes and species. This book, like most of her novels, has changed the way I think. Don't miss this one.
March 23, 2024
The Nurse Mare's Tale is a sweet engaging story of an older mare and her friends - the horses in their circle are nurse mares and are used only to produce milk for foals and fillies with bright futures that enrich the farm owners' profits.
It's a vicious cycle. The nurse mares are impregnated, and once the mares have had their babies, their own are taken away, to be replaced with the future winners for nursing. I found this practice to be cruel and unjust, so you can well imagine how the mares felt.
Ghost, the nickname for the mare who narrates the story, decides to do something about their herd's dilemma before it's too late. Her narration was touching, as was the story, and I had been looking forward to reading this one for a while. The story didn't disappoint and was a wonderful way to explore another creature's feelings. Thank you, Marta.
It's a vicious cycle. The nurse mares are impregnated, and once the mares have had their babies, their own are taken away, to be replaced with the future winners for nursing. I found this practice to be cruel and unjust, so you can well imagine how the mares felt.
Ghost, the nickname for the mare who narrates the story, decides to do something about their herd's dilemma before it's too late. Her narration was touching, as was the story, and I had been looking forward to reading this one for a while. The story didn't disappoint and was a wonderful way to explore another creature's feelings. Thank you, Marta.
July 9, 2023
A story that is heart tugging and one that made me cry but one I am so glad it is being told as the more awareness brought out will I can only hope will help to getting the right changes made. The author did a beautiful job of letting letting Sadie tell her story . Loved how she never gave up hope and the plan she came up with. Loved the ending that Sadie and Nellie were able to acheive and so glad there is good people in the world that do care.
May 27, 2026
There may have been plot holes but I loved this story. I enjoyed it a lot more after reading about Dinky and could appreciate it a lot more. I am glad I read this book second. Definitely an Angel and not a Ghost 🤍
July 26, 2023
What wonderment
This is a wonderful read and I learned a ton. You will fall for these horses and their babies. Highly recommend this emotional book.
This is a wonderful read and I learned a ton. You will fall for these horses and their babies. Highly recommend this emotional book.
July 18, 2023
I loved the unusual point of view of this heartrending story. It's told entirely from the viewpoint of an aging mare who has spent her life nursing foals for the owners of high profile horses so their mother can return to her normal activities. I loved the horses' spirits, their very human portrayal and the hope they maintain in spite of the seeming hopelessness of their plight.
A great read.
A great read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews