Horse Books for Holiday Gifting

If you have a horse lover who is also a bibliophile on your shopping list, a horse book is the perfect present. The merits of horse books as gifts are many: they’re easy to wrap, they’re relatively inexpensive (compared to other horse-related gifts), and they can be read, re-read and enjoyed for many years. If you are in shopping mode whether for yourself or someone else, here are nine horse books for holiday gifting. This post contains affiliate links.

1. The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts. I can’t say enough good things about this book. And considering its New York Times bestseller status, I’m not the only one who thought it was awesome. I reviewed The Perfect Horse earlier this year in great detail. Trust me, this one will be a great gift for anyone, including yourself.
2. Falling for Eli by Nancy Shulins. I am really drawn to memoir and this story about a woman who buys a horse and blossoms into a horsewoman as a way of coping with infertility is just beautiful. The bond she develops with Eli, her chestnut gelding, as she learns dressage is familiar territory if you’ve had a heart horse. You’ll feel like you have a new barn friend and find yourself rooting for Nancy and Eli as you journey with them.
3. American Pharoah by Joe Drape. This bestselling book about our latest Triple Crown winner is on my “to read” list for 2017. As a retired racehorse owner, I’m intrigued by the sport (I loved reading Seabiscuit) and I have heard from a friend who met American Pharoah in person that he has a very cool personality. I want to know more.
4. The Horse by Wendy Williams. This book is a historical and scientific exploration into the development of the horse. The author traveled around the world to meet with various scientists who specialize in aspects of equine studies as well as observe wild horses in their natural habitat. Although I’m not a science geek (at all) the book is written in a manner so the average person can understand it. As someone who’s read more horse books over the years than I can count, this book has presented multiple fresh ideas. One of the equine behavior questions that this book addresses is the myth of the herd’s patriarchal structure. #BossMaresRule
5. Fergus: A Horse to Be Reckoned  by Jean Abernethy.  Raise your hand if you love Fergus! I am a fan of the comic strip horse. He has a new book out and if it’s anything like his previous book The Essential Fergus the Horse which I reviewed a while back, it is charming and funny and would be a welcome addition under any equestrian’s Christmas tree.
6. Album of Horses by Marguerite Henry. From Arabians to Welsh Mountain Ponies and mules to Chincoteague ponies, this classic encyclopedia of horse breeds from the beloved author of the Misty series will delight horse lovers from 5 to 95. There are color illustrations by Wesley Dennis that are worthy of being framed. The book was first published in 1951 and is proof that horses never go out of style. To be perfectly honest, any and all Marguerite Henry books make great gifts for young  and old alike.
7. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis. Before there was Mister Ed the talking horse, there was Bree a talking horse from Narnia who led a young boy on an epic adventure to discover his true identity. If you’re a fan of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe or fantasy in general, you’ll find yourself at home in the pages of Lewis’s fifth book of the Narnia series. (And these books are better than the movies!)
8. Riding Through Thick and Thin by Melinda Folse. This book is on my nightstand with a highlighter inside it as a bookmark because there are so many great quotes! Melinda Folse who also wrote The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife Horses, wrote this very practical book with many anecdotes about body image and being healthy and strong as it relates to riding. It is well-researched and her voice makes you feel like she is talking to you–like a one-on-one pep talk regarding health and fitness.
9. Shy Boy by Monty Roberts. I bought this book when it first came out in 2000. The photography is stunning and the story of Shy Boy, the Mustang Monty befriended, is extremely heart warming. I don’t want to ruin the story line if it’s new to you, but a Hollywood script writer could not have come up with something better. By the way, if you visit Monty Roberts’ Flag is Up Farm near Solvang, California, you might get to see Shy Boy in his turn out. (I did last year and he was adorable!)

Your Turn: Thank you for reading and please share in the comments section what horse books you have loved reading and would make great gifts for fellow horse lovers. This list is so short and it could probably be more like 99 books! There are so many wonderful horse books out there.