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A sweet and thoughtful start to a series. The emotional connection between the girls and the horses is clearly the heart of the story. I especially liked the theme of patience and learning to look beyond first impressions. It’s not overly dramatic, which actually makes it feel more realistic and calming to read.
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A gentle and engaging horse story with heart. Coral and her friends feel like real teens, and their determination to understand Cloud rather than label him “bad” sends a great message to young readers. The pacing is calm but still keeps you interested, especially if you enjoy character-driven stories. Perfect for fans of wholesome ranch and stable settings.
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My daughter and I read this together and absolutely loved it. Cloud is such a fascinating horse, and the mystery around his behavior kept us both curious the whole way through. The ranch setting feels warm and real, and the friendships between the girls are supportive and positive without feeling unrealistic. It’s refreshing to find a middle grade book that focuses on responsibility, empathy, and understanding animals instead of just fast action.
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The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud by Alison Bellringer is an exciting horse adventure that will captivate young kids’ attention from the first page. Join best friends Lexie, Tilly, and Coral as they spend every spare moment riding at Coral’s dad’s beautiful cattle ranch. Lexie loves the steady, calm Striker, who matches her quiet personality. Coral’s wild and playful horse is Firestorm, a bubbly five-year-old filly, and Tilly enjoys racing across the fields with Navigator, a young and speedy black gelding. Together they share trail rides, laughter, and plenty of ranch chores. When a mysterious new horse named Cloud arrives, one mistake sets off a chain of events that will test their friendship.
Alison Bellringer’s book reminded me of the Heartland book series my daughter loved growing up. Creating three wonderful characters that girls can look up to, learn from, and connect with. It’s a fun and wholesome horse story featuring both geldings and fillies, and it gives readers a glimpse into life on a large cattle ranch in Kentucky.
Growing up on a cattle ranch myself, I know firsthand the hard work it takes to keep things running. I loved how Bellringer weaves this into the story. The girls have real chores and responsibilities, and they learn to work together every day to care for the animals, help with dinner, and pitch in with housework. When mistakes are made, this book doesn’t sugarcoat the consequences, whether it’s losing a chance to ride or risking the danger of falling off a horse. One of my favorite moments is when one of the girls got hurt; the others’ concern for her safety showed how much they care for one another.
I loved getting to know Lexie, Tilly, and Coral, and I felt like I was right there with them. Smelling the hay, the leather of the saddles, and brushing down the horses after a long ride. Young readers will connect with the girls’ friendship, their love for animals, and the challenges they face. The story shows that making mistakes, learning from them, and growing stronger together is a valuable lesson for every young rider.
I highly recommend Alison Bellringer’s The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud to any young reader who loves horses, adventure, and friendship stories. It kept me smiling, laughing, and cheering until the very end. I can’t wait to see what happens next at Saddlers Ranch!
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Paul Zietsman: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a heartfelt and beautifully written story about friendship, trust, and the quiet lessons that come from caring for animals. Set on a working ranch in Kentucky, it follows three best friends, Coral, Tilly, and Lexie, who spend their school break surrounded by horses and endless chores. When a spoiled show rider named Caitlyn abandons her gray Arabian gelding, Cloud, at the ranch, the girls find themselves drawn to the anxious horse and determined to help him settle in. What begins as an ordinary holiday quickly turns into an unforgettable experience filled with challenges, laughter, and self-discovery. Even when mistakes are made, there is always a sense of forgiveness and growth. Tilly’s mishap with Cloud brings home one of the book’s key messages: that respect, patience, and empathy are essential when working with animals. Alison Bellringer has a gift for writing stories that feel both real and comforting. The friendship between Coral, Tilly, and Lexie is genuine, with each girl’s personality shining through: Coral’s quiet sensitivity, Tilly’s impulsive energy, and Lexie’s level-headed calm. Through their adventures, the author captures the rhythm of ranch life and the bond that grows when trust is earned slowly and honestly. The story moves at a gentle pace, blending humor and emotion while showing the girls’ growing understanding of responsibility and compassion. Bellringer’s writing is clear and sincere, her love for animals evident on every page. The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a wholesome, uplifting read that will appeal to young readers and horse lovers alike; a reminder that kindness and care can heal even the deepest fears.
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Pikasho Deka: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a delightful children's book by Alison Bellringer. Tilly, Coral, and Lexie are best friends who bond over their deep love for horses on the Johnson family cattle ranch in Kentucky. The ranch belongs to Coral's parents. When a spirited Arab gelding arrives at the ranch with a girl named Caitlyn, it doesn't take long for the three friends to discover and appreciate his unique personality. Every day, Tilly, Coral, and Lexie ride their own horses. Tilly has a plan of her own, but will it unfold as she hopes? Or will it trigger something that can cause a rift between the friends? What's next for Tilly, Coral, and Lexie? The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a heartwarming tale that beautifully illustrates how a shared love for animals strengthens the bonds of friendship. Bellringer has crafted a captivating narrative that flows effortlessly, making it a delightful read for both children and young adults. What impressed me most about this book was its characters. Tilly, Coral, and Lexie all have distinct personalities, and so do their horses. Young readers are going to love Cloud. The setting of the story is also mesmerizing. It feels realistic, and you will find yourself fully immersed in the tale. The author masterfully captures the beauty of the ranch's surroundings. The narrative emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in recognizing the behavior and needs of horses, enriching the reader's connection to these magnificent animals. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it to young readers.
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Stewart Brian: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud by Alison Bellringer is a well written book that encourages readers, particularly children, to treat animals responsibly, with respect and compassion. Tilly, Coral, and Lexie, united by their love for horses, all attend Rushwater Academy High School. However, during the mid-term holiday, they have a week-long sleepover at Saddlers Ranch, which is owned by the Johnson family. Mr. Delaney gives his daughter’s Arab horse, named Cloud, to Mr. Johnson because he believes Cloud misbehaves… However, after a thorough inspection, the vet finally discovers the reason behind Cloud's behavior. As an avid animal lover, many things about this book appealed to me. I appreciated that the story, despite being a children's book, featured an appropriate number of well-developed characters. It also contains lessons that could positively impact kids, such as the value of meaningful friendships, caring for animals, and more. The writing is well-paced, organized, straightforward, and easy for kids to comprehend. The story features themes of teamwork, courage, compassion, animal care, and more. I found it both entertaining and enlightening. I believe this book is a means of introducing children to literature and also as a reminder of the importance of patience when handling animals, particularly horses, to better understand their behavior. I recommend The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud to all animal lovers, children, and adults who enjoy children’s books.
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Makeda Cummings: Readers’ Favorite, 2025
Alison Bellringer’s The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is set in Kentucky and tells the story of three girls—Coral, Tilly, and Lexie—who spend time on Coral’s family ranch during their school break. They do chores, have fun, and learn new things. In due time, Cloud, a new horse, arrives, and this changes everything. Cloud is an Arab gelding who was treated poorly by his former owners, but Coral’s father steps in and chooses to provide Cloud with a safe temporary home. Cloud is an anxious but gifted horse… The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud is a warm and easy-to-read book that teaches children the importance of kindness to animals and responsibly caring for them. The prose is full of heart, making it simple for young readers to understand what empathy is. Coral, Tilly, and Lexie learn that caring for Cloud is not just about love alone—it also requires patience, attention to safety, and respect for the animal's well-being. What stood out the most was that even though the three friends all have unique personalities, they learn to work together as a team to do what's right for Cloud. Their journey with Cloud will remind readers that we can always learn from our mistakes, and genuine friendships help us grow along the way. Equestrians and animal lovers will fall in love with this moving and inspirational tale.
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