“A touching tale.” –Kirkus ReviewsThe heartwarming true story of a blind horse named Joey.At the height of his show career, this beautiful Appaloosa’s majestic stature, strength, and willingness to work made him the perfect partner. But when an injury cost Joey his show career, he moved from one owner to the next, ultimately experiencing severe abuse and neglect. A rescue group found Joey nearly … found Joey nearly dead from starvation–and blind.Then he came to Hope Reins–a ranch dedicated to helping hurting kids who had been abused, emotionally wounded, or unwanted. By teaching these children to care for rescued animals, the Hope Reins staff were convinced they could reach kids with love and hope and show them that we are never forgotten by God.But could the financially struggling ranch afford to take care of a blind horse that no one else wanted? Could Joey somehow learn to trust people even though the world had hurt him so badly? And what would happen–to Joey, the kids, and Hope Reins–if they failed?A true story of friendship destined to become a classic, Joeywill touch your heart and reveal the power of finding light in the darkness.
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A friend gave me this book knowing that I volunteer at a horse therapy farm. This story of how a horse can impact lives is powerful and inspiring. I’ve seen firsthand how a horse can help a child in so many different ways. I’ve experienced the bond with a horse and know how special it is to earn their trust and respect. So, the story of Joey truly touched my heart. The author did a good job of telling the story – I laughed and cried as if I were part of the Hope Reins team. Thank you for sharing Joey with me.
This book is so awesome! Well written. I enjoyed it so much and recommend it to anyone who has a love of horses and kids!
I absolutely adored this story of Joey and Hope Reins. I believe in equine therapy and especially in the kind shared in this book. In fact, my next novel features characters involved in it.
This is the true story of Joey, a broken horse who brought healing to others.
The story of Joey is one that you will need a box of tissues or a handkerchief close by. I cried both happy and sad tears as I read about all the lives that Joey touched and the way he helped heal everyone he came in contact with. I was filled with awe as I read this inspirational story, filled with faith both human and animal.
Throughout the story of Joey, Jennifer mentions having blind faith which is definitely not easy. Having blind faith is always a work in process no matter whether it is with an animal, another human being, or with God. As a dog owner I witness blind faith on a daily basis. I see that blind faith in my dog’s eyes that I will always be there to provide for him. All animals love unconditionally which is something that we as humans need to learn to do. Kim’s one word thought throughout this story “trust” which is something we have to learn do in order to actually develop blind faith. Once we trust blind faith with come.
Kim Tschirret the founder of Hope Reins said something that really stuck with me as she consoled Sarah, “Sarah, all of us are works in progress. We all bring hurts and sins and brokenness to the ranch. But that’s the beautiful thing! God takes our messes—our heaps of ashes—and turns them into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine.” This made me think and I realized that God does this for all of us everywhere we are as long as we have faith in him and put our lives in his hands.
Jennifer Bleakley may be a debut author but you would never know it reading this heartfelt story. Jennifer has a calling and that is writing. She drew me in, and transported me to Hope Reins where I also found healing as I read the story of Joey’s life. Thank you Jennifer for answering your calling to write this story. By doing so you have forever continued Joey’s mission of healing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the author’s Celebrate Lit book tour via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed this book & the fact that it was a true story really moved me. I cried a lot reading about the horses & the children involved with them. It’s wonderful that people think to do this kind of thing & then figure out how to do it.
I could tell from the beginning that I was going to need tissues to read this book. I can’t imagine what it would be like to find horses starving and begging for help. Some didn’t survive and my emotions were felt deep in my heart. The author has written an honest heart wrenching story that will have readers crying throughout the story. I loved Penny and her determination to get help for the animals. Her anger burned the pages as I read how desperate she was to find out who was responsible for this horrendous sight. I hear on the news all the time about cruelty being done to animals and I want to run and save them all. Penny is a force to be reckoned with.
Joey is one those animals that just tugs at your heart. I could see him gazing into Kim’s eyes as she decides whether he will fit at Hope Reins. After looking at Joey how could anyone walk away from him? Although Joey is blind, Kim knows he needs to be at Hope Reins. I loved when it was said in the book, “Some scars go unseen.” The emotional scars we have no one can see, but they are there. I can’t imagine what Joey went through before he was rescued.
I admire the work being done at Hope Reins. It has changed many lives and given new hope to children who felt lost and unwanted. Pairing an emotionally scarred child with a horse is very therapeutic. The faith that Kim and her husband have for Hope Reins is refreshing. Their belief that God would supply their needs is so powerful. One of the things I really liked about the book was all the information about the different types of horses there are and how much work it takes to take care of them. The work these horses did to reach the hurting children overwhelm me.
I think one reason this book touched me so much was because of a special animal my brother adopted. This lonely looking dog was up against the cage in a shelter. She was looking sad and hopeless. People passed her up because to them she was damaged. She had one eye missing and people were looking for the perfect dog. My brother couldn’t walk away from her and adopted her. The shelter named her Faith and she has given my brother faith to fight for his health. The dog is his constant companion and they have gained trust from each other. Just like Joey, Faith showed us that she may have emotional scars but she has a big heart.
As I end my review my tears stream down my face. I was a little girl locked in a shell. I cried out to God many times when I was scared and needed rescued. I never felt that He heard me as I suffered through a violent childhood. What I did learn from this book was I may have deep emotional scars ,but God felt every pain I felt. He led me to a man who would become my husband. My husband shows me unconditional love every day. He didn’t toss me away like the horses had before being rescued. God gave me a man who gives me emotional support and takes my hand when I hurt. To all the hurting people I say, never give up. You are valuable and God is waiting to take you in His arms. Joey’s story is a story of pain, sorrow, tears but most of all hope. I pray that someday we will all find a “Joey” to heal us.
“God takes or messes-our heaps of ashes-and turns them into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine.”
“At Hope Reins, the horses are the counselors, not the humans.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This was based on a true story. The story was touching, real, and such a wonderful idea. I smiled and yes teared up a few times as I watched how the ranch grew into one big family. I enjoyed the faith element and Joey was truly an inspiration to many..
I was gifted a copy and my review is voluntary..