Whether your riding time has been minimized due to cold weather and you’re looking for more indoor activities, or you just need a few new reads on your nightstand, here are 20 horse books to read in 2020. From travel tales to true crime, equestrian romance to memoir, these are the 20 horse books I’m excited about for this new year (listed in no particular order). Scroll through, peruse and find your next book here. Have fun!
Update 4/26/2022: These books are still awesome even though this blog post was written a while ago. I’ve read and published more books since posting this roundup. For more recommendations, snag my Top 10 Must-Read Horse Books.
Photo by Lady Photographic.
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
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. I’m in the early pages, but feel like I’m there with the random group of women who pilgrimage to Iceland each year to ride and adventure. I’d love to experience the tolt!
2. The Horse of My Dreams: True Stories of the Horses We Love edited by Callie Grant Smith
The Horse of My Dreams 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.
Update 4/26/2022: I heard from a reliable source there will be another book in this series coming out down the road.
3. Lady Long Rider: Alone Across American on Horseback by Bernice Ende
4. Continuing the Ride: Rebuilding Confidence from the Ground Up by Crissi McDonald
At the time of this writing, I’m currently in the last chapters of Continuing the Ride. 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.
5. Out of the Clouds by Linda Carroll and David Rosner
“. . . 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. ”
6. Horses Adored and Men Endured: a Memoir of Falling and Getting Back Up by Yours Truly 🙂
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 for your very own.
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 a couple of 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.
8. How to get Your Leg over: Diary of a Wimpy Eventer (The Wimpy Trilogy) by Victoria Brant
If you are active on social media you might already follow the popular Instagram account @wimpyeventer. Victoria lives in the UK, is hilarious and just had a baby to make eventing life even more interesting. Her writing style is like she is having a one-on-one conversation with the reader, no holds barred. If you enjoy hilarity and horses, you’ll laugh along with Wimpy Eventer.
9. Unbreakable: the Woman Who Defied the Nazis in the World’s Most Dangerous Horse Race by Richard Askwith
Last year I encountered a Telegraph UK article that told the nutshell version of this bossgirl 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?!?! I can’t wait to read Unbreakable, and anticipate it will be one of the most an exciting horse books to read in 2020!
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 lymphoma. I can’t wait to read this book about a horse girl riding in the steps and steppes of Genghis Khan!
11. Equitrekking: Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman
I’m a huge fan of Darley Newman and her PBS show Equitrekking, so when I bumped into this book on Amazon I immediately pressed “add to cart.” I was delighted to see a section dedicated to Cumberland Island, Georgia as my nephew just texted me three beautiful horses from a recent afternoon he spent on the island just north of Florida. After reading Darley’s account of the park, I have put it on my “must travel to” list.
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 a 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, but in the last couple of years she’s been going as media to cover The Gobi Desert Cup. I can’t wait to read about her adventures because she’s a riot and 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.
13. Cumberland Island: Strong Women, Wild Horses by Charles Seabrook
Back to Cumberland Island (thanks to my photographer nephew who piqued my interest last week). This one’s on my to-read list because I’m always up for a story of strong women paired with horses. You too?
14. Riding in Africa by Ian Williams
I’m still on the fence as to whether or not I’d like to ride in Africa. I went on a safari when I was in my 20s and it was a transformative experience. I will never forget one day we walked on foot and saw leopard prints. I began walking extremely close, almost shoulder to shoulder, with the guide who had a rifle. He excitedly told me it was rare to see a leopard on foot. (Which I thought was neat–he pronounced it Leo-pard–like the guy’s name Leo). He assured me if we saw it, it would run away from us. Sure enough, a minute or so later we saw the flash of a tail and it was indeed running away from us. Back to this book Riding in Africa. The gentleman who penned this has ridden on horseback multiple times in Africa. I would like to learn from his experience from the comfort of my sofa. Depending on what I learn from his experience, maybe I’ll decide on an equestrian getaway to Africa someday.
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 was intent on killing. 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.
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.
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 (which I heard is soon becoming a film when you CLICK HERE.)
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 online (and in Carly’s case in person–same equine media conference mentioned above). 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! I believe she has over a dozen equestrian books and a few different series. I chose to share The Hidden Horses of New York on this list because it’s her latest and currently a best-seller! If you like eventing–Natalie’s got a series on that too. As a horsewoman herself you will be delighted by her on-target description and realistic way of weaving a horse tale.
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!
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 20 Horse Books to Read! Tally ho!
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I'm Susan and this is my horse Knight. We have been a blogging team since 2015 and we're glad you're here. Tally ho!
