20 Horse Books to Saddle Up With Now

Whether you’re between rides, looking for a cozy indoor activity, or simply in the mood for a good equestrian read, this roundup of 20 horse books to read has something for every kind of reader. From travel tales to true crime, equestrian romance to memoir, these handpicked titles will stir your love of horses and storytelling alike. So go ahead—scroll through, explore, and find your next great horse-themed book here!

📚 Bonus: Since this blog post first debuted, I’ve added more titles to my personal bookshelf and created a free guide just for readers like you: 10 Must-Read Horse Books for Horse Lovers.
👉 Click here to grab your FREE horse book guide and expand your TBR list!

By the way, if you have read any of these horse books or have other titles you wish to share, be sure to leave a comment. It helps me plan my next read, and will help fellow horse lovers looking for new titles. Thank you!

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MEMOIR/NON-FICTION HORSE BOOKS

1.  Wild Horses of the Summer Sun: a Memoir of Iceland by Tori Bilski

Wild Horses of the Summer Sun grabbed my attention from the shelf of my local indie bookstore. The stunning cover and evocative title forced me to pick it up, scan the book jacket, and then walk to the counter to purchase. This story was an immersive experience–I felt like I was traveling with this random group of women who pilgrimage to Iceland each year to ride and adventure. I’d love to experience the tolt!

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2. Second Chance Horses edited by Callie Grant Smith

Second Chance Horses is an anthology you will enjoy if you’re a fan of uplifting books like the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. I’m a little biased since I’m one of the contributors, but it’s truly a collection of feel-good horse tales perfect for just-before bed reading. My true short horse story is called “A Canter and a Kiss: Hope for a Horse With Kissing Spine” and it’s about the journey I’ve been on with my off-track Thoroughbred Knight.

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3. Lady Long Rider: Alone Across American on Horseback by Bernice Ende

I simply don’t have the courage nor desire to be alone out in the wilds (because that involves camping–for a loooong time) and I honestly don’t enjoy riding for super lengthy periods. Three and a half hours is about my max (which I did on Thanksgiving Day during the Mill Creek hunt in Illinois, but I had the luxury to climb into my heated car with heated seats and take a hot shower afterward). All that to say, I want to read this book because I admire and respect people who possess a million times more grit than me! I get to vicariously experience their adventure.

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4. Continuing the Ride: Rebuilding Confidence from the Ground Up  by Crissi McDonald

Continuing the Ride was written by a trainer who had a pretty intense riding accident, but who is powering through, and, as the title says, continuing the ride. Crissi McDonald is married to trainer/clinician Mark Rashid and so being on the road for clinics was/is a way of life for her. By sharing her story of tenacity through this book, she’s amplifying her message beyond those riders she meets around the country. This honest account of persevering through pain and fear will benefit riders of all backgrounds and disciplines who have had struggles with riding confidence.

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5. Out of the Clouds by Linda Carroll and David Rosner

I do judge a book by its cover, and this cover had me at hello. What’s not to love about an underdog racehorse? Read this promotional copy and you won’t be able to say no. lol

“. . . Jacobs was a commoner in ‘The Sport of Kings,’ a dirt-poor Brooklyn city slicker who forged an unlikely career as racing’s winningest trainer by buying cheap, unsound nags and magically transforming them into winners. The $1,500 pittance Jacobs paid to claim Stymie became history’s biggest bargain as the ultimate iron horse went on to run a whopping 131 races and win 25 stakes, becoming the first Thoroughbred ever to earn more than $900,000. ”

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6. Horses Adored and Men Endured: a Memoir of Falling and Getting Back Up by Susan Friedland (that’s me)

Dating and finding someone to love was hard. Falling for horses was easy. In this memoir I probably overshare the weirdest dates I’ve ever been on and tell stories about most of the horses I’ve known and loved–from Penny, my best friend’s neighbor’s palomino we sneaked off to a local horse show to DC my heart horse. So far the reviews for Horses Adored and Men Endured  have been positive. Some readers have expressed they laughed out loud reading my zany experiences. Some have even cried. I know I shed many tears bringing this personal account to life and I hope you read and love it! CLICK HERE to grab a copy of Horses Adored for your very own.

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7.  Always Hope: How Dairy Cows and Arabian Horses Inspired Grit in a Young Girl’s Life by Hope Ellis-Asburn

I’m honored to have heard about this book before it was even born! Hope is also a teacher (like me) who grew up in Tennessee and learned to drive a tractor before kindergarten! I HAD to put her in this list of 20 Horse Books to Read because she shared some crazy farm-life stories with me years ago at an equine media conference. One story that stood out was about a hired hand falling in a giant manure pile, artificially inseminating cows as a high schooler, etc. Snag a copy of this book and be amazed at the tenacity of farmers and wonder if your childhood was a little too boring by comparison.

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8. Starting in the Middle by Tik Maynard

Colt starting phenom, three-day eventer and dad joke aficionado Tik Maynard has written his second memoir, and at the time of this writing I’m about three quarters of the way through Starting in the Middle. Several years ago I reviewed Tik’s first book, In the Middle Are the Horsemen on this blog. At the time I was blown away that Tik emailed me a thank you for the blog post and answered a couple of my unanswered questions about his RRP horse. Since then I have met him in person a few times and am happy to report he’s a class act and solid horseman—I got to audit a Tik clinic in Wisconsin. The groundwork portion was fascinating. But I digress. Tik is a two-time national colt starting champion having won Road to the Horse in both 2024 and 2025. Starting in the Middle chronicles his fervor to learn horse psychology and discover all the nuances of their communication to be a more effective partner for them. The book is funny (he goes to a chicken traning camp to learn skilld to apply to horse training), honest (he is transparent about his insecurities and struggles with Imposter Syndrome) and it’s feel good.

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9. Unbreakable: the Woman Who Defied the Nazis in the World’s Most Dangerous Horse Race by Richard Askwith

In 2019, I encountered a Telegraph UK article that told the nutshell version of this boss girl equestrian from the 1930s (she was an ex-countess!) who prevailed in a less-egalitarian time in one of the world’s most grueling steeplechases. I had never heard of Lata Brandisova and the mare Norma before. It’s like a National Velvet story but better because it’s true and who doesn’t love a story where a woman shows up the Nazis?!?!

Read the full review of Unbreakable here.

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TRAVEL

10. Rough Magic: the World’s Loneliest Horse Race by Lara Prior-Palmer

Lara Prior-Palmer’s memoir on becoming the first female, and youngest, winner of the Mongol Derby, the longest horse race in the world, is sure to be a thrill! I heard her interviewed on the podcast Horses in the Morning and was intrigued. Lara’s aunt is the Olympic eventer Lucinda Green who won the silver medal for the UK in 1984. Lara is not just an overcomer in the saddle—she has battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I can’t wait to read this book about a horse girl riding in the steps and steppes of Genghis Khan!

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11. The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts

I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Letts. I read The Ride of Her Life during the pandemic and it gave me hope. Check out the full review here.

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12. Girl Forward: A Tale of One Unlikely Woman’s Adventure in Mongolia by Heather Wallace

True confession: Heather is a friend of mine. We met at the same equine media conference I mentioned earlier (which you should go to if you’re also an equestrian blogger/author/influencer/small business—DM me for info or just go to the American Horse Publications site and check it out). She is a spunky re-rider, blogger and mom of three. One of her talents is equine massage, for two years she went as media to cover The Gobi Desert Cup. If I were ever to go to Mongolia (which I don’t think I could because—camping) I feel like Heather and I would have situations come up like the modern-day equivalent of Lucy and Ethel from I Love Lucy.

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13. Cumberland Island: Strong Women, Wild Horses by Charles Seabrook

This one’s on my to-read list because I’m always up for a story of strong women paired with island horses. You too?

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14. Marguerite, Misty and Me by Susan Friedland (I hope you love my book!)

Calling all Misty of Chincoteague and Marguerite Henry fans! I spent over two years traveling 8,000+ miles uncovering the backstory of the world’s most lovable Chincoteague Pony and the trailblazing female writer who brought her to life. The result is my fifth book, a Julie and Julia-esque horsewoman’s tribute to Marguerite Henry, the beloved writer who influenced so many of us through not just Misty, but King of the Wind, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West, Justin Morgan Had a Horse and more!

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TRUE CRIME

What roundup of 20 horse books to read would be complete without horse industry villains? You’re welcome. lol

15. Silas Jayne, Chicago’s Suburban Gangster by Bryan Alaspa

Creepy and not too graphic, this true crime account travels back in time to when horse shows could be deadly. I had grown up hearing about the illegal shenanigans of Silas Jayne. My trainer would tell me how cutthroat (almost literally) horse shows in the Chicago area were back in the day. I knew this guy was responsible for killing a young trainer who had the misfortune of starting up the car of his brother who Silas intended to have killed. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I also knew some thought there was/is a connection with him and the missing Brach Candy heiress. This book helped fill in the blanks for me. Supposedly, even the Chicago mafia was intimidated by Silas Jayne—he was that bad.

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16.Wild Ride: the Rise and Fall of Calumet Farm Inc., America’s Premier Racing Dynasty by Ann Hagedorn Auerbach

This book comes highly recommended from a friend of a friend who has worked in the horse industry for most of his adult life. I was told it’s incredible, and I was shocked I’d never heard of it before—but there are so many books out there. Business Week dubbed Wild Ride “A fascinating tale with a cast of characters worthy of Dickens — or Runyon.” I’m not sure who Runyon is, but I’m a fan of Dickens. Can’t wait for my wild ride via this book.

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GRAPHIC NOVEL

17. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Charlie Mackesy and his sweet illustrations depicting a small boy and a wise horse have taken the Instagram world by storm–at least that’s where I first found him. Each illustration has a thoughtful and heart-felt message with themes of kindness, humanity, love and hope. The sweet factor reminds me a little of Pooh and Christopher Robin, but Mackesy’s characters are uniquely their own. Personally, I think this book would be a remarkable Valentine’s gift for a friend, sibling, significant other or parent.

Read my full review of Charlie’s book, CLICK HERE.

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FICTION

Disclaimer: I am more of a non-fiction reader myself, but wanted to share some noteworthy popular equestrian fiction from authors I have connected with. These are good people we need to support! 🙂

18. The Hidden Horses of New York by Natalie Keller Reinert

I discovered Natalie several years ago through Twitter, and she is a prolific writer! She has written over two dozen equestrian books and several different series based in the Ocala, Florida horse country. I chose to share The Hidden Horses of New York on this list because it’s what I’m currently reading! You might also like Natalie’s eight book Eventing Series which is going to be made into an Amazon Prime streaming series! Natalie is a horsewoman herself with a mini and a Quarter Horse gelding in her back yard. She writes strong female characters with authentic equestrian details.

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19. Where the Bluegrass Grows by Laurie Berglie

If you are involved in the equestrian Instagram community you are probably already following Laurie at her @marylandequestrian account. I think Laurie and I must be related as distant cousins because we both love foxes, the world of riding to hounds, Downton Abbey, The Crown, Thoroughbreds and the list goes on. Anyway, Laurie has an equestrian romance trilogy and Where the Bluegrass Grows is the first installment. When she’s not writing fiction she writes for Horse and Style magazine too. Dive in to Where the Bluegrass Grows and get a virtual Kentucky getaway!

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20. Show Pen Promise by Carly Kade

Carly Kade is a cowgirl from Arizona with a passion for Paint horses. Writing Western-themed romance for horsewomen makes her “spurs jingle” (that’s Carly’s equivalent of Nike’s “Just Do It”). Show Pen Promise is the third in her series which began with In the Reins, the story of a newly-single woman who finds solace in a somewhat challenging young mare. Of course, there are two handsome cowboys vying for her attention and I won’t give you any spoilers. You’ll just have to read for yourself.

I hope you enjoyed looking through this list and found some new titles.

Share your book recommendations: What’s on your nightstand or eReader? Leave a comment—don’t be shy!

Thanks for reading about these 20 Horse Books! Tally ho!

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