I found this book inconsistent, some parts were lovely and poetic, Others were simplistic. I do like how the story kind of came full circle. I didn’t quite see the point of the “if a horse had words” concept. I know we were in the mind of the horse, but there may not have been enough of it. Age level is odd with this one, it’s almost too much in between a picture book and a chapter book. I did like the artwork.

This is a beauifully written and illustrated story for anyone who has loved a horse. The tale follows a horse from the time it is born through his trials and tribulations. When the young foal gets stuck in a badger hole, the boy saves him and they form a bond. They grow closer throughout the seasons as the horse learns new words. Unfortunately for the horse, he develops a phobia of the ground. When the boy tries to ride the horse, he is bucked off so his father sells him at auction. During the time spent apart the horse is used as a bucking bronco in the rodeo, no one can ride him because he does not want his four feet on the ground. He almost forgets the boy but when they are reunited she recognizes his smell and they both experience JOY. If you have ever loved and lost an animal, you will understand how they feel being together again. The watercolor pictures that accompany the story are absolutely beautiful. The landscapes, the animals, and the people are all painted with bright, pleasing colors it draws in the reader. Both children and adults will enjoy this lovely picture book. A great addition to a school, class, family or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

Horse-lovers unite! This book is for you.

This delightful tale is about a foal that is born one spring morning and instantly becomes aware of her surroundings. If she had words she would say willow, crocus, puddle and sky.

This sweet foal while learning to stand on her own gets stuck in a muddy badger hole and needs the assistance of the ranch owner and his son to help pull her out and then up onto her feet. She never, ever forgets that experience of feeling trapped. It is a fearful one indeed.

Time passes and she becomes more aware of her world and if she could express words for her observations: for the seasonal changes the word would be (seasons), for when the boy calls her Red Badger (name), for the gentle, loving touch and peppermint smell of the friendly boy (friend).

The time comes for Red Badger to be horse-broken, which means she needs to be tamed so someone can sit on her back and ride her. The young boy puts a saddle on her and mounts up. Unfortunately Red Badger is still full of fear thinking the ground is unstable beneath her and she may get stuck again! She becomes frightened and bucks the boy off landing him on the ground on his backside. Oh my! No!!!!

The boy's dad sees her reaction to her training session and decides that she is incapable of having a rider so he takes her to a local horse auction where he sells her to the highest bidder.

She finds herself on a new farm and the time passes causing memories of her prior life fade. When Red Badger looks up at the sky she thinks of the boy and if a horse had the word it would be... remember.

Fate smiles down on her (and the boy). Miraculously they are reunited at a rodeo once again. Will she allow her grown-up cowboy to ride her now?

This heartfelt story has beautiful illustrations that enhance the narrative greatly. It is told through the eyes of the horse and expresses the strong feelings of both the mare and the boy, now a man, towards each other. That strong familial bond between them has never disappeared. If you are a horse-lover then you will truly enjoy this book.

This is a wonderfully illustrated story for anyone who has loved a horse. The tale follows a horse and the boy who rescues her. They spend seasons together but the boy loses the horse because she will not be tamed and bucks him. During the time spent apart the horse almost forgets the boy but when they meet again, in a very exciting scenario, she recognizes his peppermint smell and they both experience joy. The watercolor pictures that accompany the story are absolutely beautiful. The landscapes, the animals, and the people are all aesthetically painted with such bright, pleasing colors it draws in the reader. Both children and adults will enjoy this lovely picture book.

If A Horse Had Words has a great concept behind it. As a baby horse begins to explore the world, he finds words to explain what he sees. The story was okay and it didn't really seem to connect. I felt there could have been more story development, but I appreciated the concept.

If a Horse Had Words is a wonderful children's book with the endearing story of Red Badger, following her birth all the way to the rodeo. Red Badger has a love for her boy, and the way it is described will melt your heart. Lovers of horses and their children will enjoy this sweet, phenomenally illustrated story. Luckily, we all know horses don't have to have words to show us their love. Beautiful book! 🐴

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley, for the complimentary copy.