The Shadows Breathe by Kathleen Marentes

This equine saga about a passionate horse lover named Kara Springs begins when she first takes lessons at Falling Waters Stable as an eight-year-old. The barn manager, George, and instructor, Sarah, are so impressed with her intuition about horses that she's offered a job to work at the stable. Then the story skips to when Sarah is in high school, and now a trainer at the same stable.

When George moves away, Kare is horrified to witness the new trainer, Ryan, abusing the horses in the name of controlling them. Instead of confiding in Sarah or the stables owners, Kara hatches a plan with her friends to rescue the horse. But it doesn't stop at one, or even a few. She steals horses from another pair of horse thieves as well as the ones belonging to Ryan. An exciting race ensues with lots of obstacles, including an emotional one with a fellow worker.

Although the story is accurate in its equine setting and details, I found it too long with lots of repeated internal dialogue and scenes that didn't advance the story. Plus, several points were unrealistic: George was an adult when Kara starts there, but as a teen she has a crush on him; Kara, who at first seems like a responsible good girl, yet she decides not to contact her superiors about the early abuse; the whole rounding up the herd at the end just doesn't seem plausible.

A fun fictional ride, but please don't try this way of saving horses at home!