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. Alison 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.

The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud, the first book in the titular series by Alison Bellringer, follows three girls, Tilly, Coral, and Lexie, during a school holiday at Saddlers Ranch in Kentucky. Their time revolves around managing horses and completing ranch chores as unexpected events arise with the animals. A newly arrived gelding, Cloud, proves difficult to handle, and the consequences impact everyone. Meanwhile, care for Cloud continues alongside herd checks, a trapped heifer, and horses reacting to environmental hazards. The arrival of this other horse changes the operations and coordination of the entire ranch family, as the girls prepare, exercise, and observe the animals while juggling their own interests and safety.

Alison Bellringer’s The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud tells an uplifting story, and both my daughter and I really loved the bond between the young riders and their horses, especially how they show everyday life on a ranch. Coral, Lexie, and Tilly come across with a natural friendship that feels authentic, and Cloud also has a wonderful personality! Bellringer includes plenty of everyday details that readers like myself, who are complete unknowns to ranch life, will appreciate, from grooming and tack care to noticing the horses’ habits. There are mishaps that shake the story up and give it some solid subplots, all of which are resolved through the gumption of the girls and in a believable way. Overall, this is a fantastically enjoyable read for anyone who likes stories about friendship, animals, responsibility, and life on a working ranch. Recommended.

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. Driven by empathy, Tilly attempts to take on more than she is truly prepared to handle, which quickly lands her in surprising circumstances. Coral's dad uses this as an opportunity to teach the girls about responsibly interacting with Cloud. They decide to work together to help Cloud heal. Will they succeed?

Alison Bellringer’s 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.

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. Daring and adventurous Tilly believes she has a foolproof plan in place to prove that she can handle Cloud, but her attempt to do just that doesn't turn out how she intends and her mistake shocks everyone. 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 by Alison Bellringer to all animal lovers, children, and adults who enjoy children’s books.