Heartland is a 25-novel series created by Lauren Brooke, and begun in 2000 with the novel Coming Home.
They attempt to help the abused horses by using psychologically based therapies instead of more traditional training methods.
Eventually, Amy is faced with tough decisions that put Heartland's future and fate in her hands.
Her natural talent with horses helped her to cure and save many otherwise neglected animals, and despite the doubts of many, she stays strong to her beliefs.
Amy faces hard challenges in her life, especially when it comes to deciding her future: college or Heartland.
He is a kind, yet stubborn, man and often helps the girls with the horses and acts as a counselor to characters in the books.
He helps the girls process their grief after their mother's death, and re-introduces Tim Fleming, Amy and Lou's father, into their life.
Perhaps as a result of her parents' constant pressure and high expectations, Ashley is extremely competitive and hostile towards Amy and her peers.
Val believes in using very firm discipline- for example, whips and riding crops- on her horses; many of her students agree with her techniques.
Val schools her ponies to respond to the commands of any rider and her horses learn to "excel in one area and complete a course to win".
Heartland, and its alternative therapeutic methods, are described in the series as having been Marion's vision; Amy credits her knowledge of herbal remedies and training techniques to her mother.
Marion dies in the beginning of the series from a trailer accident as she and Amy are trying to rescue an abandoned horse.
Amy and the staff at Heartland are depicted over the course of the series using several alternative treatment methods for horses.
One of the types of body work Amy uses is called Tellington TTouch, created by Linda Tellington-Jones.