voracious equestrian readers have found their match!
There are so many amazing books about horses, how can you figure out where to start? We’ve evaluated books from various time periods and genres and rated them based on suggested reading age to create the list below. includes classics like the black beauty, non-fiction like the horse encyclopedia, and even biographies.
Dive into the list below to find the best horse books for all ages. As someone who grew up obsessed with horses (and still is!), these readings will put a smile on any recipient’s face.
You are reading: Books about horses for young adults
my flicka friend
my friend flicka was written by mary o’hara and published in 1941. this classic book is about ken, the son of a rancher in wyoming. At ten years old, Ken is a dreamer struggling to enter the world of work and responsibility.
When you first see flicka, you know he’s the horse you’ve been waiting for. however, flicka comes from the mustang lineage and taming her will be much more difficult than ken imagined.
ken is faced with a difficult decision… but we won’t spoil the ending!
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 352
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
chincoteague fog
misty of chincoteague is a novel written by marguerite henry and published in 1947. it is the first in a series of three books about the ponies of chincoteague. The books take place in the island town of Chincoteague, Virginia, which is home to a band of centuries-old wild ponies.
We follow orphans Paul and Maureen as they try to buy an elusive wild pony, Phantom, and his filly, Misty.
what makes these books very special is that they are based on real events. Chincoteague is a true island and a national wildlife refuge. Assateague, a nearby island and a place in the book, is a National Seashore. this series could be combined very well with a family vacation to see these places in person!
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 176
- part of a series: yes, chincoteague ponies
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
national velvet
National Velvet was written by Enid Bagnold and published in 1935. The story is about Velvet Brown, a 14-year-old English girl who comes from ordinary means but achieves great things. she wins a horse (the piebald) in a raffle and trains it to jump in a prestigious race, the great national steeplechase.
Popular among young horse lovers, this book appeals to readers of all ages.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-18
- pages: 320
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
the black stallion
Written by Walter Farley, The Black Stallion was first published in 1941. The main character, Alec, is shipwrecked with a wild stallion on a desert island. they learn to depend on each other for survival, developing a strong bond. once rescued, the pair continue to train and race together.
the black stallion is the first book in a series of 20 books about the adventures of alec, the black and the offspring of the stallion.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 187
- part of a series: yes, the adventures of the black stallion
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
hunting seat riding
Hunter’s Seat Riding is a classic written by George H. morris. Morris is considered the founding father of hunting saddle riding. First published in 1971, the book is now in its third edition, last published in 1990. A work of non-fiction, this book is about teaching and riding the hunter’s seat.
Black and white photographs are included throughout the book. is an excellent starting point for learning the basics of good horsemanship and developing a foundation for riding correctly.
This book is considered by many to be “the bible of horsemanship, written by the master of the sport.”
What’s to Love:
- suitable for ages 12+
- pages: 224
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
black beauty
Black Beauty was written by Anna Sewell and published in 1877. Set in Victorian England in an age before automobiles, the book follows the life of a horse through the eyes of the horse. Black Beauty’s owners are initially nice, but they sell it multiple times to worse and worse owners.
anna sewell was an activist for the humane treatment of horses and uses the book to help people see animals in a new way.
Although not initially intended as a children’s book, it is a timeless classic that teaches the power of kindness.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 13-18
- pages: 140
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
a horse named wonder
A Horse Named Wonder, written by Joanna Campbell, was first published in 1991. A work of fiction, the book follows Ashleigh Griffen as her family takes over as stud managers at Townsend Acres. After the tragedy, Ashleigh is slow to connect with horses, until a sickly foal is born.
Follow Ashleigh as she tries to save the foal that no one thinks will live. this is the first book in a series of 72 books (it will keep you busy for a while!)
Initially focused on Kentucky Thoroughbred racing, the series is primarily intended for a pre-teen female audience.
See Also: 30 years of Culture: what are the top five Iain M Banks novels? | Iain Banks | The Guardian
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 9-12
- pages: 192
- part of a series: yes, the thoroughbred series
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
bright grand canyon
The second book on this list by Marguerite Henry, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, was published in 1953. It is a fictionalized account of a real-life donkey named “Brighty” who lived in the Grand Canyon at the turn of the century. 19th and early 1900s. Brighty befriended a prospector who was murdered! The donkey, Brighty, risks everything to help bring the killer to justice.
The movie version of the book came out in 1966, a few years before the park service resumed its campaign to eradicate burros from the Grand Canyon. Between the book and the film, donkey advocates young and old banded together to defend the animals, an action that influenced the Wild Horse and Donkey Act of 1971.
To this day, a statue of Brighty remains in the lobby of the Grand Canyon Lodge!
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 224
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
the horse and his child
A Horse and His Child is the third book of seven in the Narnia series, written by C.S. Lewis. Originally published in 1954, the book follows two fugitives who join forces with two talking horses to escape to Narnia. The four seek only to escape, but find themselves at the center of a battle that will decide not only their fates, but the fate of Narnia as well.
This fantasy certainly isn’t the most equine book on this list, but it’s still a classic and an enjoyable action/adventure read!
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 256
- part of a series: yes, the chronicles of narnia
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
billy and blaze: a boy and his pony
billy and blaze was written by c.w. Anderson and published in 1936. It is book one in a series of nine books and is aimed at the younger group of readers on this list. Book one is about Billy, a horse-mad kid, who gets his first pony for his birthday.He and
blaze learn to trust and understand each other, eventually trying to win the silver cup at the mason horse show. Perfect for young readers, the book includes easy-to-read pictures and words.
the only drawback? your child can start asking for a pony of their own!
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 5-8
- pages: 56
- part of a series: yes, the billy & fire series
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
seabiscuit: an American legend
Seabiscuit: An American Legend was written by Laura Hillenbrand and originally published in 1996. It was made into a feature film in 2003 and includes actors such as Tobey Maguire, who played the jockey, Red Pollard. The book is a biography of the famous thoroughbred racehorse, Seabiscuit. hillenbrand did meticulous research to bring the story to life.
Characters include Tom Smith, a Colorado Mustang tamer, who encourages millionaire Charles Howard to buy Seabiscuit, a crook-legged racehorse that had been written off. Smith then hires Red Pollard, a failed boxer who was blind in one eye, to be Seabiscuit’s jockey.
this unlikely team beat the odds to become the “greatest newsmaker in the world in 1938, getting more coverage than fdr, hitler or mussolini.”
What’s to Love:
- suitable for ages 15+
- pages: 399
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
crazy horse – book 1 of the saddle club series
horse crazy is the first book in the saddle club series, which has a total of 70 books. written by bonnie bryant, appeals to girls in grades 4-8. The first book opens with the characters Carole Hanson and Stevie Lake, two twelve-year-old boys who are best friends and (obviously, thanks to the title) crazy about horses.
When thirteen-year-old Lisa Atwood arrives at Pine Hollow’s stables, the three become close friends.
Together, the group works together to overcome obstacles as they prepare for an overnight camp on a mountain trail for the students of the stable.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 144
- part of a series: yes, the saddle club
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
the scorpio races
Written by Maggie Stiefvater, Scorpio Races is a fantasy work of fiction about man-eating water horses that compete each year. The main character, Puck, is the first girl to enter the competition: she faces the returning champion, Sean.
One reader described the book as “the paranormal version of misty of chincoteague with romance”. This book is based on Celtic legends around a mythical creature called the eich uisce, or water horse.
aimed at an older audience, it has some romantic elements but doesn’t adhere to classical expectations.
What’s to Love:
- suitable for ages 13+
- pages: 448
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
ghost horse
The book Ghost Horse was written by Janni Lee Simner and published in 1996. It is the first book in a three-book series, Phantom Rider. In this book, twelve-year-old Callie has just moved to Arizona and isn’t having a great time.
One night, he sees a ghostly equine apparition outside his window. The horse, Estrella, seeks help to reunite with his owner, Michael.
an added bonus? The author, a Southwestern native, does a fantastic job detailing desert flora and fauna.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 9-12
- pages: 136
- part of a series: yes, ghost rider
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
smoke the cowboy
Author Will James wrote Smoky the Cowhorse and published it in 1926. Set in the western United States, Smoky is born in the wild, but is later captured and trained by cowboy Clint.
Known as one of the best cow horses, Smoky is stolen by a horse thief and comes to hate humans. it is used as a wild horse and later as a riding horse. Smoky endures the cruelty before reuniting with Clint for a happy ending.
The book was made into a movie three times in 1933, 1946, and most recently in 1966.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 336
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
king of the wind: the story of the arab godolphin
written by marguerite henry, (yes, this is the third book by this author on our list!) king of the wind: the story of the godolphin arab was first published in 1948. it won the newbery medal for excellence in American children’s literature in 1949 and made into a movie in 1990.
is based on true events that led to the beginning of the thoroughbred horse breed. The main character, an Arabian horse named Sham, goes on adventures with Agba, his stable boy. They travel across the sands of the Sahara, to the French court, and finally to England.
Sham’s history and speed are the stuff of legends.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 8-12
- pages: 176
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
the horse whisperer
written by nicholas evans, the horse whisperer is a novel that was published in 1995 and later made into a film starring robert redford and scarlett johansson. the book sold over 15 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
The story begins when a teenage girl, Grace, and her horse, Peregrine, are hit by a tractor trailer. both horse and human are extremely traumatized by the event. Grace’s mother, Annie, learns of a horse whisperer in Montana and travels to find him with her daughter and her horse.
Because this story also includes an adventure, it’s best saved for teens ages 15 and up.
What’s to Love:
- suitable for ages 15+
- pages: 448
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
war horse
Set in 1914, War Horse is Michael Morpurgo’s story of a farm horse sold to the Army during World War I. was published in 1982 and is part of the scholastic gold line, which includes beloved and award-winning novels.
The book is written from the point of view of the horse. A beautiful red bay horse, Joey is trained to fight in the war in France. His previous owner, Albert, tries to get him home safe and sound.
The book was made into a movie produced by Steven Spielberg in 2011.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 9-12
- pages: 176
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
mary’s song
mary’s song was written by susan count and published in 2016. it is the story of a twelve year old girl who was left disabled by a virus that also killed her mother. confined to a wheelchair, mary is limited to reading books about horses. she is also an artist and enjoys drawing the horses that live next to her. When a filly is born lame, Mary fights to save her.
This book is the first in a series of four books.
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: 9-12
- pages: 122
- part of a series: yes, dream horse adventures
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
the horse encyclopedia
This non-fiction volume was written by Elwyn Hartley Edwards and is touted as “a lavish celebration of all things equine.” includes breed-specific information along with historical and cultural components. Gorgeous photographs of everything from tiny ponies to huge draft horses are combined with comprehensive advice on horse care. the breadth of information provided will appeal to horse enthusiasts of all ages!
What’s to Love:
- age appropriate: all ages
- pages: 360
- part of a series: no
See Also: The 20 Best Video Game Design Books
see it on amazon
frequently asked questions
what is the best horse book for 7 year olds?
While most of the books on this list are geared towards children ages 8-12, Billy & the blaze series is perfect for children ages 5 to 8.
what is the best book series for 10 year olds or tweens?
Ten year olds have plenty of popular horse book series geared towards them! Both the Thoroughbred series and the Saddle Club series are highly recommended and will keep kids busy for a long time.
what is the best series of books about teenage horses?
heartland, the popular netflix show, started with a series of books perfect for teenage readers.
what is the best fiction book about horses for adults?
While many of the books on our list are classics that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, some are geared toward children. Here is a list of recommended equine books for adult readers.
Adult Books
- riding lessons: a novel
- falling from horses
- unbreakable
- wild horses of the summer sun
- the dancing horse
- from the clouds
- eighty dollar champion
- the red pony
parting thoughts
There is no shortage of equine-inspired reading material available, so much so that it can be hard to choose! this list contains some of the most popular horse books of all time. includes everything from fiction to fantasy and even non-fiction, spanning centuries.
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