Let me just preface by saying I'm a Horse Girl.

I'm a grown-up Horse Girl - we exist, we are many, we read, we listen to audiobooks while we muck our horse's stalls or clean our horse paddocks. As an author who specializes in fiction with equestrian settings, a lot of readers asked my opinion of this book, with its evocative title that seemed ready-made for our ranks.

That's what HORSE GIRLS isn't - it's not really a book for the grown-up horse girls who are looking for a read about their own lifestyle and struggles. I think it's important to say that because no one wants to sell a book to the wrong person, or recommend a book to the wrong audience. Everyone just ends up feeling kind of bummed out.

But!

HORSE GIRLS is a lot of things - it's a collection of essays, after all, so every writer has her own take on the subject - and a lot of it is people looking back at their horsey childhoods, or sharing their experiences on what horsey childhoods are like from a non-white, non-cisgender background. All valuable, all valid, and all important, since the equestrian world is struggling with diversification and inclusion.

Riders who are interested in learning more about these challenges will enjoy this book. Former equestrians who are looking for stories from people who look back at their horsey years with a sort of conflicted but fond amusement will likely enjoy this book, as well. But in a lot of ways, HORSE GIRLS does feel a little too baffled by the concept of adult horsewomen, which is the prevailing sentiment in publishing. Good writing, but I'm a bit sad they snatched this title from our ranks.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely book! This is a perfect read for horse lovers. I have grown up with horses and have two now. I really enjoyed this collection of essays.

God, what a stunner. I got approved to read this 3 weeks into a bad book slump, picked it up expecting to put it right back down again thanks to the wildness of ~life circumstances~ but was HOOKED from the first sentence of T Kira's essay. Following that one with Carmen Maria Machado's was a 1-2 punch of perfection.

The book bogged for me in the middle, to the point where I set it aside. These middle essays weren't as formally daring as the opening ones, and I didn't connect with their subject matter much (or at all). This is the frustration I have with anthologies, that hit-or-miss quality, but I suspect this is where other readers will find their favorite material, so. [insert shrug] I'm happy to report the book piqued my interest again with "Daredevils" and ran right along to a satisfying end.

Favorites include "I Don't Love Horses," "Horse Girl: An Inquiry," "Daredevils," "Unconquered," "For the Roses," and "We Aren't Close to Anywhere."

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC. Out 8/3/21.

Required reading for horse girls everywhere. A recommended first purchase for all general nonfiction collections, with crossover HS appeal as well.

I grew up loving horses like many girls. However, I didn't get the opportunity to experience them beyond the rare trail ride I convinced family members to take while on vacation. In 2007, I started taking lessons. I wanted to be competent on a horse and around horses. I will admit, since I didn't grow up with horses, I haven't felt completely comfortable around other horse people. These essays made me feel seen. It's not about knowing the most about horses or winning all the ribbons, but understanding what horses mean to you, how they make you feel, their place in our lives and our history. Each of the essays touches on one or more of these points. Every essay was accessible and made me feel a part of the large horse community.