Eight of the best books about horses

For centuries, humans have shared a special bond with horses, so it makes sense that there is no shortage of books about them.

There are classic informational texts, how-to books, novels, poetry, and more. Since horse lovers can't be at the barn 24/7 (even though they'd probably like to be), books about horses are one way they can continue to enjoy their favorite animals from home. They can be a great education, and a great escape.

Listing all the great horse books would be impossible, but here are a couple of particularly impactful ones for horse lovers everywhere.

1. "Riding Lessons" by Sara Gruen.

One of the most frustrating aspects of horse books is the prevalence of inaccurate information.

But readers can rejoice with this book (and its sequel), because Sara Gruen paints an accurate picture of the top levels of equestrian competition, woven seamlessly into an engaging story that you'll want to read again and again.

2. "Learning to Fall" by Anne Clermont.

The accuracy continues in this novel, which centers around a main character named Brynn who, in the wake of her father's death, is struggling amid money problems and difficult clients to save the family's horse business.

3. "The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans.

This novel was so popular it was made into a major motion picture starring Robert Redford.

Set on a ranch in Montana, it tells the tale of a determined mother who brought her injured horse and daughter halfway across the country to seek help from "horse whisperer" Tom Booker ... who might be their last hope.

4. "Shadow Horse" by Alison Hart.

There are a number of good children's books about horses, but this mystery makes the list because it is entertaining and enjoyable even as an adult.

And with references to events like the Devon Horse Show, readers will enjoy its accuracy.

5. "Getting In TTouch: Understand and Influence Your Horse's Personality" by Linda Tellington-Jones.

This classic text from internationally recognized equine expert and creator of the Tellington TTouch explains how to analyze your horse's physical traits in order to understand and influence his or her personality.

You will never look at horse markings the same way again!

6. "Ruffian: Burning From the Start" by Jane Schwartz.

Though this book tells the true story of the tragic Thoroughbred race horse Ruffian, it reads like a brilliantly written novel.

From Ruffian's breeding, training and career all the way through the days following her tragic death, it does justice to this great filly as much as any book could.

7. "Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse" by Robin Hutton.

Another true tale about an incredible horse, this book chronicles the story of Sgt. Reckless, the Mongolian mare who served with the Marines during the Korean War and became the only animal to ever be awarded an official rank in the United States Marine Corps.

8. "Chosen by a Horse" by Susan Richards.

In this powerful memoir, author Susan Richards tells the true story of her experiences with Lay Me Down, a former race horse she rescued from an uncertain fate, and how the mare changed her life for the better.

There are countless horse books on the market, many of them excellent. But if you're looking for a guaranteed great horse read, this list will help you get started. Happy riding, and happy reading!

Latest News

• From the Outside, In: Six Ways to Make Your Farm Shine in the Real Estate Market
• The evolution of the horse: part 4 - Modern horses, Genome sequencing, Pleistocene extinctions and Return to the Americas
• The evolution of the horse: part 3 - The forest-suited form was Kalobatippus whose second and fourth front toes were long, well-suited travel [...]
• The evolution of the horse: part 2 - Eocene and Oligocene: early equids - Eohippus, Orohippus, Epihippus, Mesohippus and Miohippus
• The evolution of the horse, a mammal of the family Equidae, occurred over a geologic time scale of 50 million years, transforming the small [...]
• Equine coronavirus is NOT the same as the strain of coronavirus referred to as COVID-19, and cannot be transmitted to humans.
• Hippodrama, horse drama, or equestrian drama is a genre of theatrical show blending circus horsemanship display with popular [...]
• Since it's Valentine's Day we thought we'd share the love with five fun (and interesting) Valentine's Day related facts about your horse [...]
• For centuries, humans have shared a special bond with horses, so it makes sense that there is no shortage of books about them.
• Barns and stables, filled with highly flammable hay, bedding, and feed, are a big fire risk. Add the presence of panicked animals and you have [...]
• Compared to other horses, ponies often exhibit thicker manes, tails and overall coat, as well as proportionally shorter [...]
• The history of the modern circus is deeply rooted in horsemanship. The first modern circuses, which took place during the 18th century [...]
• Arabian horses are the topic of many myths and legends. One origin story tells how Muhammad chose his foundation mares by a test of their [...]
• If our horses could share their New Year's Resolutions, we bet they'd go something like this [...]
• The trick to winning the race, advises a wise Paddy Payne to daughter Michelle, is to go a steady pace until finding [...]
• A pantomime horse is a theatrical representation of a horse or other quadruped by two actors in a single costume who cooperate and [...]
• Orbaks are the space horses in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" directed by J.J. Abrams
• The Nokk is a character in Disney’s 2019 animated feature Frozen II. It is the horse-shaped elemental spirit of [...]
• New Year's Day is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Racing only as a two-year-old he won two of his three races including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
• Thanksgiving is a time of reflection. While your horse can't speak, we'll bet that he's thankful for a whole lot this Thanksgiving.
• The wild horse (Equus ferus) is a species of the genus Equus, which includes as subspecies the modern domesticated horse [...]
• Virtual horse games sound like something for small children, but plenty of adults play them. Sometimes they are horse lovers [...]
• The Banker horse is a breed of feral horse (Equus ferus caballus) living on barrier islands in North Carolina's Outer Banks.
• Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today.
• White horses are born white and stay white throughout their lives. White horses may have brown, blue, or hazel eyes.
• Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and [...]
• White horses have a special significance in the mythologies of cultures around the world. They are often associated with the sun chariot [...]
• In 1872, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. traveled to England, visiting Epsom in Surrey where The Derby had been running annually since 1780.
• Pegasus is a mythical winged divine horse, and one of the most recognized creatures in Greek mythology.
• The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. In each discipline, both individual and team medals are awarded.
• When you are looking to buy or sell property you are sure to have certain things in mind. This is a possibility especially if you have a specific need for it.
• If you are thinking of buying or selling horse property, register with a leading website that focuses on equine properties for sale.
• Unlike buying a home or a property, when it comes to buying an equestrian property to raise horses, the whole concept is something entirely different.
• You can sell equestrian real estate without much difficulty because there are unique websites that cater to buyers & sellers from around the world.
• There are several equestrian properties for sale but it is necessary to consider some basic points before you invest in a property.
• When you are planning your horse property for listing, do it through a popular and reliable website for equine real estate.
• Perhaps the most famous warhorse remains disputed; nonetheless, according to legend The TROJAN HORSE
• Horse racing in the United States dates back to 1665, which saw the establishment of the Newmarket course in Salisbury, New York.
• The American Quarter Horse, the official State Horse of Texas, is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances.
• Horse racing is a sport that translates well to board games. These are our picks for the best horse-racing board games.
• Between adhering to building codes and choosing the best equipment, there are many details to bear in mind when planning your dream stall barn.
• A movie ranch is a ranch that is at least partially dedicated for the creation and production of motion pictures and television productions.
• Everyone adores horses, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that there are tons of movies starring these beautiful creatures.
• Horses have captured the imagination and emotion of mankind for centuries – perhaps, in a way that no other species of animal ever has.
• Horse farms are often considered one of the most “green” businesses in agriculture. We don’t spread undue amounts of chemical fertilizer.
• Do you dream of owning your own stable, or perhaps just owning a place where you can keep your horses in the backyard?
• Anne Kusian, Arabian horse breeder and riding instructor are giving you a flavor of what are the advantages of owning a horse ranch.