A silent room, your cozy bed, and a cup of aromatic coffee are best paired with a well-written book. No form of entertainment can ever replace the therapeutic comfort of book reading. Now, what’s better than adding your love for horses to this hobby too?
Today, we’re reviewing some of the best horse books. These include some fiction picks along with some hooking non-fictions. We also have great options for your little ones so that they can join in on your horse book addiction!
The list offers a good mix. Whether you want to doze off reading these books or wake up wanting to read one more chapter, you’ll find something perfect to satisfy your inner horse obsession. Some books are a great source of general horse knowledge, while the others will help you understand your equine better. The non-fiction horse books offer some inspiring plots for realistic motivation to become a better horse owner.
Quick Picks
Before we move on to the detailed reviews, let’s go over our top picks from each category:
Best non-fiction: The Horse Encyclopedia, by Elwyn Hartley Edwards, takes the win in the best non-fiction horse books category. It is appropriate for all ages, offers knowledge on a great array of topics, and comes with pictures. All in all, it is a well-written fiction book that provides worthwhile information in a way that it is received enjoyably by the reader.
Best fiction for adults: The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater, is a plot that will please all adult horse lovers. It is the best horse book for adults who ride horses. Basically, the plot revolves around the difficulty of horseriding topped with the main character being the first-ever girl to take part in such a competition.
Best fictions for children: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, by Charlie Mackesy, tugs all emotions. The adventures of the four animals in the book are always in need of the wisdom of the horse. It is a great book filled with life lessons that encourage friendship, hope, and love.
Best Non-Fiction Horse Books
If you’re in search of an educational horse book, you’ll love the following. This is a list of the best non-fiction horse books that will help you become a horse pro!
1. The Horse Encyclopedia, by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
The Horse Encyclopedia is a remarkable book full of knowledge. It is appropriate for all ages. Whether you’re a horse expert or a kid with no knowledge of horses, The Horse Encyclopedia is fitting for you.
You’ll find descriptive details of 150 horse breeds. The book discusses their history, personality, and unique characteristics. Alongside that, you also get relevant pictures to thoroughly understand and remember all horse breeds. Moreover, you’ll also get to read about famous breeders, riders, and other important people in the horse world.
The book also talks about some basic knowledge that a horse owner should have. This includes tips on feeding, grooming, maintaining stables, etc.
The book was published in 2016. It comprises 360 pages. If you’re more of a Kindle reader, you can get the e-book on Amazon. However, if you want a worthy addition to add value to your bookshelf, go for the hardcover.
2. Horse Brain, Human Brain: The Neuroscience of Horsemanship, by Janet Jones
It is not a rare occurrence when horse owners tend to forget that horse brains work differently than human brains. Basically, you cannot use the same teaching strategies on a horse and a human. So, if you’re the kind of person who wants to understand this better, Horse Brain, Human Brain is the best non-fiction book for you.
You will learn how to effectively train your horse without wasting time on fruitless techniques. It will help you understand your horse better to lead to a stronger relationship. Other than that, you will also find help to tackle personality and behavior. All of this is discussed with scientific backing but in very simple, everyday language so it’s easy to understand.
This book was published in 2020. It has 312 pages full of valid information that will help you understand yourself and your horse in comparison to each other.
3. Horse Life: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Riding Horses for Kids, by Robyn Smith
This book is among the best non-fiction horse books for kids. Whether your child is already interested in horses or you want to spark the love for equines, this book will do wonders.
It is a guidebook to care for horses. Moreover, it also goes over the basics of the horse body, equipment required to handle the animal, riding techniques, grooming tips, and safety precautions. Your kid will also be introduced to different horse breeds.
The book was published in 2020. It comes in paperback, hardcover, and spiral-bound versions. But, it is also available on Kindle. It is a 146 page read perfect for children between ages 8 and 12 years.
4. 101 Ground Training Exercises for Every Horse Handler, by Cherry Hill
When you feel like it’s time to move past the basic beginner-level horse training, this book will come in handy. It offers a detailed guide for on-the-track training.
You will find a long list of exercises along with all the tips and tricks to help your horse learn them. How to prepare for the training, how long it will take for the horse to learn it, what is the ideal age to teach the exercise, what rewards you should offer, and what equipment you’ll need are all clarified.
It is a paperback version with 256 pages. This book was published back in 2012.
Best Fiction Horse Books for Adults
When you’re talking of the best horse books, it is only fair to have a separate category for the best fiction horse books. These books will keep you wanting to read one more chapter! So, here we go with a review of the best horse novels for adults!
1. The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater has developed the plot of this novel around a horse race with unique obstacles. Puck Connolly unwillingly becomes the first-ever girl to participate in such a hose race. What’s even harder is that all the riders have limited water to last them the entire race.
This book is intended for young adults aged 14 to 18 years. However, the rollercoaster of emotions and messages of strength will keep all adults absorbed in the book. The unmatched combination of a struggle for life and death paired with the spark of love will keep you wanting for more till the end.
Published in 2011, the book spans through 426-pages. You can get it in the form of paperback, hardcover, audiobook, audio CD, or on Kindle.
2. Falling From Horses, by Molly Gloss
Romance, heartbreak, action, and horse riding; what can top this remarkable combination? Falling From Horses is a story about a young horseman who wants to shift his horseriding skills from real life to action movies. He meets a girl who also wants to enter Hollywood, but, as a writer. This book is all about the journey of the two striking personalities struggling together for their similar goals.
The book was published in 2016. It is 336-pages long which makes it an easy read. The novel is available in the form of a hardcover, paperback, audiobook, audio CD, and on Kindle.
3. The Horsewoman, by James Patterson
The thrill of horse riding is stressful as is. But, this plot adds more with some drama, emotions, and tense competition. What makes it unique is that the competition is among a mother and daughter who vowed to never go up against one another. But, the Paris Olympics change the dynamics of the family promises. It all comes down to the title of the Best Horsewoman in the World!
This book is a new publication that came out in the January of 2022. The story in the book spans 448 pages, making it a long read. You can get The Horsewoman in the form of hardcover, paperback, audiobook, audio CD, or on Kindle.
Best Fiction Horse Books for Children
Here we have the top 3 picks of the best horse books for children. They’re just the right amount of thrill to keep a kid hooked with enough horse knowledge to satisfy the inner equestrian in them!
1. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse, by Charlie Mackesy
Do you want to ignite the love for animals in your child? Well then, this book will do just that!
This is not just a book about horses, but also about a lot of valuable life lessons taught through the personalities of the different animals. However, the horse, in particular, plays an important role in the overall storyline.
Furthermore, emotions are just the right amount to reach your child’s heart. On top of that, the 100 black and white illustrations add to the story while giving the little readers enough room for imagination.
The book was published in 2019. It is a great length of 128 pages; not too long for kids but also enough to take them a while to get to the end. It is available on Kindle, as a hardcover, audiobook, and audio CD.
2. Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell
Black Beauty deserves a fair spot among the best fiction horse books. The author has written this story from a horse’s point of view. The reader can better understand what a horse experiences, thinks, or goes through with the help of this fiction masterpiece.
The story goes over the day-to-day struggles of a horse. Above all, the hard work it does, how human behaviors affect its emotions, the environmental changes in country life versus city life, and the social interactions have been beautifully covered in Black Beauty’s plot.
It comes in a hardback form so your kid can experience the real thrill of turning each page to get deeper into the story. Although the book is marketed for children aged 10 to 11 years, it is a great read for all horse lovers regardless of their age. This 240-page book was published in 2019.
3. The Black Stallion Adventures Box Set, by Walter Farley
This horse book series is definitely on the top of the best horse books for children. It is a tale of love between a horse and its owner. The series goes over all the emotions of heartbreaks, revenge, reunions, and utmost love.
You’ll get 4 books in this set; The Black Stallion, The Black Stallion Returns, The Black Stallion’s Ghost, and The Black Stallion Revolts. Each book has Alec Ramsay as the main character who loves his horse, the Black Stallion, enough to go to any extent. Every book is a new adventure of the separation of the horse and Alec, followed by continuous struggles to get back together.
It is the best fiction horse book set for children between 8 years and 12 years of age. The set is available as paperback and hardback but you can also get it on Kindle.
FAQs
Don’t worry about the questions you have in mind. The answers to some FAQs are given below to help clarify your thoughts.
The sport of riding horses is called equestrianism. It includes horseback riding, driving, and vaulting. In layman terms, the sport is referred to as horse riding.
Hobby horsing is exactly what it is called but it isn’t the same as equestrianism. Hobby horsing does not involve riding real horses, but people start with artificial horses made of wood or fabric.
The inexperienced horses are labeled as unbroken or not broke in the horse world. Basically, these horses have no experience of riding whatsoever.
A horse with some riding experience is called a beginner. These horses can trot at maximum. Next in line are novice horses. They are slightly familiar with all four stages of riding.
Other than that, a male horse that hasn’t been neutered is called a colt.
A good name for the horse is what suits the horse’s personality and looks. You can think of a good name based on the color or size of your horse. In fact, if there is a unique habit your horse possesses, name it around that.
Some good horse name options include:
– Alex
– Dusty
– Knight
– Sly
– Thunder
– Bella
– Midnight
– Fred
– Moon
To buy a horse for the first time, you need to start with a lot of research. First, make sure that you’re ready for the responsibility of owning a horse. Next, shortlist the breeds you are interested in. You should visit horse farms with an expert to help you spot the perfect animal.
When you’re at the place, ready to make the purchase, keep a few points in mind. First, ask the seller to confirm the health and lineage. Double-check all the documents. Ride the horse and observe its behavior to ensure no personality traits or health alarms are hidden from you.
Ask a lot of questions, be extra observant, and don’t leave any confusion unclarified before you bring the horse home.
Alec Ramsay is a teenager in the Black Stallion.
The Black Stallion is a series of children’s novels written by Walter Farley. Alec Ramsay is the main character of the story, who finds a Black Arabian Stallion on his trip. The rest of the plot revolves around a tragedy that the horse and Alec escape successfully from. This helps build a strong bond between the animal and the boy.
A female who rides a horse is called a horsewoman in simple words. However, the more technical name for such a female is equestrian. In certain areas, a horsewoman is also referred to as a cowgirl, but if you’re looking for a unisex name, go for horse rider.
A person who rides a horse, whether it is for entertainment or sport, is called a horseman/horsewoman. You can also refer to them as horse riders. An expert horseback rider is known as an equestrian or enne. In addition to these options, jockey and wrangler are also names for a horse person. A rider of the Western discipline is also called a cowboy/cowgirl.
Horse riding is not cruel. If you keep your horse’s comfort in view, there shouldn’t be an issue with riding.
Horse riding can easily fall into the category of animal cruelty if the rider is harsh. Usually, some novice riders unintentionally become cruel because they are unaware of the basic ethics of horse riding. So, make sure you take guidance from an experienced rider. Other than that, give time to your horse to adjust to your nature. Similarly, take time to understand what makes your horse uncomfortable so that you can adjust your riding style accordingly. Do not overburden your horse by riding it for long hours as it leads to exhaustion and sickness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have even the slightest bit of interest in horses, these equine books will help you with two hobbies at once. Without a doubt, it is a great way to strengthen your habit of book reading while learning more about horses. Whether you’re looking for a hooking non-fiction or a knowledgeable fiction horse book, you have the best options reviewed in front of you.
It’s now time for you to go ahead and order the book that sounds the most appealing to you. So, order your favorite horse book right away and start building a new kind of bond with your horse!
