Books on Horses for Your Reading Pleasure

When I didn’t have a horse and before I could take riding lessons, I learned as much as I could from reading books on horses. My local library and Scholastic Book Fairs provided me with hours of entertainment and education. If you are a fan of books about horses too, I hope you will enjoy all or some of these reads. Disclaimer: I have not read every book on this list (not enough hours in the day), but I want to bring to your attention to these new, older and some lesser known titles. Happy reading!

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Books on Horses—Nonfiction

Sky Watch: Chasing an American Saddlebred Story by Emma Hudleson is a #1 new release on Amazon. If you like horses and history, this story of a champion Saddlebred named Sky Watch, one of the greatest show horses of all time, is for you.

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How to Become an Equine Veterinarian by Justin B. Long and Erica Lacher, DVM

If you or someone you know has always wanted to be a horse vet, this book will show the way. You might be familiar with the authors of this book as they are the dynamic duo from the popular Straight from the Horse Doctor’s Mouth podcast. I recently met both Justin and Dr. Lacher in Florida (their veterinary practice is near Gainsville) and they were a delight.

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Lexington by Kim Wickens

I’m halfway in to this historical account of the crazy-talented race horse and prominent sire Lexington. This is the true story of grand bay stallion known for endurance and speed. In an era when races were four miles and there were mutliple heats per race day, one horse captured the hearts of racing fans in the U.S. I’m learning more about Civil War history as well. (Lexington’s skeleton is at the International Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park.)

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Dear Readers and Riders by Lettie Teague

Wall Street Journal wine columnist and fellow equestrian Lettie Teague wrote a Marguerite Henry biography that shines a light on the beloved books, faithful fans and hidden private life of an iconic horse book author.

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Strands of Hope: How to Grieve the Loss of a Horse by Susan Friedland (that’s me!)

I NEVER wanted to write this nonfiction horse book, but I have a wildly popular blog post about how I grieved the loss of my heart horse DC. Many fellow horse lovers reached out to share how the blog post “How to Grieve the Loss of a Horse in 10 Not-So-Easy Steps” helped them feel less alone. I realized there are more readers of books on horses than there are readers of horse blogs, so I wrote Strands of Hope through tears (with a Kleenex box nearby) to help others know it’s okay to grieve a horse (and not to feel weird about it).

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Equestrian Memoir

Adventures of the Horse Doctor’s Husband by Justin B. Long

In the same vein as James Herriott’s All Creatures Great and Small series, Justin B. Long, writes of his life adventures in the horse realm. Justin was not a horse person until he met his perfect match–Dr. Erica Lacher, DVM. The two are quite a pair (you’ll love the scene from their wedding–spoiler alert it was a costume party and the bride dressed as Lara Croft rappelled into the event from a giant tree).

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Marguerite, Misty and Me: a Horse Lover’s Hunt for the Hidden History of Marguerite Henry and Her Chincoteague Pony by me 🙂

Part Marguerite Henry biography, part horse girl memoir, I set off to discover the backstory of Marguerite Henry after re-reading (and falling in love all over again) with Misty of Chincoteague. I wanted to know who Marguerite Henry was as a human, learn her writing techniques and practices (so I could apply them to my own writing life), uncover whether she was an equestrian like me or more of a horse lover from the ground. Also, I was intent on finding people who knew her in real life to find out what she was really like. My guiding questions set me on a journey from California (where she spent her senior years) to Chincoteague (for the famous pony swim) to Minnesota (where her personal papers are archived) and to Wayne, Illinois, the village where I learned to ride as a girl.

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Stable Weight by Lisa Whalen

This equestrian memoir pulls back the curtain on the author’s struggle with an eating disorder and the role horses played in her journey back to health and wholeness. Whalen is a writing professor from Minnesota.

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Horse Girl: a Journey Home by Susanna Newsonsen

TEDx speaker and online columnist for Psychology Today, Susanna Simonsen traces her equestrian journey from childhood until the present in her equestrian memoir Horse Girl. As a girl, her family moved from Finland to Brazil–there is where she (and her mother) evolved into passionate riders. Today she rides dressage and lives in Southern France.

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Equestrian Fiction

Back Door Horse by Heather Wallace

Heather Wallace’s debut novel is a romance set in Vermont. (You might know her nonfiction books on horses such as Girl Forward and Confessions of a Timid Rider). When a Jersey girl heads to Vermont to help her aunt, an escape artist of a horse dashes into her life. And so does a handsome country veterinarian. This is Book 1 of the Green Mountain Romance series, and based on the Amazon reviews, readers are enjoying this equestrian romance.

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The Wellington Ruse by Sarah Welk-Baynum

This is Book 1 in the Wellington Equestrians Series: Ivy Cooper is only interested in one thing – getting promoted to manager of Beckett Equestrian Center. But in order to achieve that goal, she needs to fake a romantic relationship with Will, her billionaire boss’s socialite, over-privileged son. What could possibly go wrong (or right)?

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The Makeover Horse by Natalie Keller Reinert

I can’t think of a more prolific author of books on horses than Natalie Keller Reinert. You might know her from her popular Eventing series or Show Barn Blue series. The Makeover Horse is her latest release and is part of the Ocala Horse Girls series (book 5). Fun fact: I saw Natalie last fall at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover as a volunteer. Do you think she she used that real life event to forge her storyline? Read The Makeover Horse to find out. 🙂

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Jump by Tiffany Noelle Chacon

Set in the world of competitive show jumping, Jump is a new adult romance about falling in love, facing your fears and building your own happily-ever-after. It’s also an Amazon #1 bestseller in Teen and Young Adult Equestrian Fiction ebooks. Mila rescues her friend and barnmate, Alex, with a kiss. A simple kiss sets them on a trajectory that’s as surprising as it is electrifying. (I heard this story idea was based on an actual events–a raid at a show grounds in Florida.)

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Through the Mist by Susan Abel

Set in the mid-1900s at an equestrian camp near a Blackfeet reservation in Montana and interwoven with themes of racism and American Indian beliefs, Through the Mist contains messages on self-worth, true love and letting go for women of all ages and backgrounds.

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Horse Show by Jess Bowers

“From the tale of Lady Wonder, the mare who fooled a Duke University psychologist into thinking she could read minds, to television palomino Mr. Ed’ s hypnotic hold over Wilbur Post and his long-suffering wife, the thirteen stories in Horse Show explore how humans have used, abused, and spectacularized their equine companions throughout American history.” (Amazon description)

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Books on Horses for Kids

Pony Swim by Allison Clark

What an adorable picture book for fans of Chincoteague Ponies of all ages. The suggested age for this rhyming adventure with the wild, swimming ponies is 3-9 years. I’m MUCH older than that and liked it too. lol! (But I’m obviously biased since I spent two years researching the life of Marguerite Henry and her relationship with the real Misty of Chincoteague–I hope you’ll read my book, Marguerite, Misty and Me as well.)

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The Jockey and Her Horse by Sarah Maslin Nir and Raymond White, Jr.

Cheryl White grew up in a horse-loving family. Her dad was a race horse trainer, her older brother an exercise rider and she followed suit. Cheryl followed her dreams to gallop at the track and became America’s first Black female jockey. Read the story of an inspiring horsewoman told by her brother Raymond and Sarah Maslin Nir, the author of Horse Crazy. (Breyer has honored Cheryl’s legacy by creating a set featuring Cheryl, her mount Jetolara and the book.

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Summer Pony by Jean Slaughter Doty

Ginny wants a pony for her very own (who doesn’t?). Summer is approaching and her parents agree to let her lease a steed while school’s out. Unfortunately, the dream pony has some quirks. Will the two get along, and will Ginny live her best horse girl life? You might also like Winter Pony by Jean Slaughter Doty. 🙂

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The Magic Carousel by K. L. Small

Russell’s Grandpa comes to town and the pair rides a carousel. Thanks to a magic brass ring, the boy finds himself magically transported into the past, where he faces life-and-death challenges. Each ride is a new, risky adventure. If Russell’s not careful, he could be trapped in one of his wild adventures forever!

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Jump the Moon by Kathy Simmers

Based on a true story, this picture book explores the concept of literally following your dreams. A young equestrian forges a special bond with a new pony at the barn–one that is challenging for other riders. The duo becomes a team, shows together and are best friends. Through a twist of fate, the pony is sold. And sold again. The two inseparable pals are separated. Flash forward several years and the girl who is now a woman, begins to dream of the pony. She vows to find her no matter how difficult it might be. Read to find out what happens next.

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Unbridled Creativity: 101 Writing Exercises for the Horse Lover by Susan Friedland

For the riding writer, or anyone who loves horses and enjoys writing prompt books, Unbridled Creativity contains 101 varied idea starters. From photo prompts (what’s not to love about a close up of a horse’s muzzle) to persuasive topics that require you to choose a side, you will hone your critical and creative thinking skills while considering equestrian topics. This book would bolster the creativity of anyone from about age 9 to age 99. (If you shop below, I’ll autograph the copy for you!)

There you have it, 21 books on horses to enjoy today, tomorrow and next week. I’m curious. What’s on your to-be-read list? Do you have any book recommendations for us too? Go ahead and leave a comment. And thank you for supporting our community of authors who love horses and horse books.

Would you like a free ebook sampler of my horse books? CLICK HERE to grab excerpts from Marguerite, Misty and Me, Horses Adored and Men Endured, Strands of Hope and Unbridled Creativity.

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