SOLVED. YA Realistic Fiction, coming-of-age, (was in a High School library). Ranch for troubled boys/ teenagers, equine therapy. [s]

[Justine]

So it was probably published no later than 2009-2010, most likely 1990's or earlier. Starts from the perspective of a grown man who witnesses a car accident that involves a horse in a trailer. He comforts the injured horse while it dies and it triggers memories of his childhood. He gets in trouble and is sent to a ranch instead of going to juvie (I think, can't really remember that part) with a bunch of other boys. He is bullied by one boy specifically. I remember there was a scene where that boy ripped another boy's ear off. There was a horse that the MMC was responsible for, a white mare. She was called the Great White Bitch or something like that because she was "untamable", but he worked with her until only he could ride her. Later in the book, the bully made him shoot the horse. End of the book, is back to the adult POV. He meets up with the bully, they make amends (I think, or at least the bully apologizes).

[Rainbowheart]

Kings of Colorado

He’d just finished with a mustang he aptly named Hemingway before tackling The Great White Bitch (as he began to refer to her as the days dragged on).

[Justine]

Thank you! I have been trying to find this book for years!

[Rainbowheart]

No prob, glad to help out!