Our 9 Favorite Books About Horses

Three young girls share a love of horses and an enduring friendship in a small Virginia town. It was books like these, about girls my age who actually had the chance to regularly ride horses and not just trade stickers of them in the cafeteria, that nourished my horse-loving spirit. I now understand why my parents encouraged me to read The Babysitter’s Club books instead, as babysitting was a more practical and attainable after-school activity for me to shoot for.

Black Beauty is the story of a beautiful black horse who just wants to be loved and taken care of. Some of his masters are kind to him, and others are harsh. At one point, his stable catches on fire and he almost perishes! As I write this, my heart is breaking. Black Beauty! Come home with me! I will love you forever! Wow. These books have still got it, huh?

Paul and Maureen are a brother and sister who love horses, and long for one of their own. Will they be able to save up enough money to buy wild mare Phantom and her foal, Misty, who have captured their hearts? Based on the story of a real life wild pony who was raised in captivity by the Beebe family of Chincoteague Island, Virginia, every child who reads this story will dream of visiting Chincoteague—which I can say from experience will NOT disappoint. Plus, it’s cheaper than Disneyland. Family road trip!

A teenage boy and a wild stallion are stranded on a deserted island together and have to bond together and learn to trust one another for survival. If that situation doesn’t sound like an absolute dream come true, then you’re probably no longer 11.

becomes the unlikely winner of the Grand National Steeplechase, is a classic underdog story that touches upon wider themes of family loyalty and ambition. Largely eclipsed by the 1944 film, which starred Elizabeth Taylor, Velvet in the novel is a little grittier and less of a glamour-puss, but her determination is just as inspiring.

One of Steinbeck’s earlier novels, the story is broken into four distinct parts following a period in the life of young Jody, a boy growing up on a ranch in California. Jody loves horses, and he learns some of life’s hardest lessons from them. So many hard lessons. Because, you know, Steinbeck.

For those of us who loved the Chronicles of Narnia, but thought they needed more talking horses. The Horse and his Boy tells the story of young Shasta and his companion, the talking horse Bree, who journey together to Narnia in search of freedom. This tale is the only one set entirely in the world of Narnia and featuring only Narnian characters.

When the son of a Wyoming rancher fails the fifth grade, his parents decide to give him a young colt to care for, because they believe it will help him learn to take responsibility and improve his grades. Yet when I flunked math in fifth grade, my parents got me a tutor. How is this fair?

After his parents’ divorce, Luke needed a friend more than ever. Beauty was an old horse, but Luke couldn’t have asked for a better friend. She brought him so much joy until one frightful night when a wild storm caused her to escape. Will Luke be able to save his beloved friend?