When my oldest daughter gets a new horse book, she camps out on the couch for days. Yes, she is absolutely horse crazy. She has literally read every horse book for kids that she has ever been able to get a hold of and she’s always asking for more. If you have a child who loves horses, you can probably relate!
Need help weeding through the good and bad when it comes to horse-related literature? We’ve put together a list of some of the good horse books for kids.
The books below are listed in order of reading difficulty. I have used the Scholastic Books reading level scale. The number corresponds with the recommended grade level. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your 4th grade child can’t read 6.0 level material. As the parent, you can decide if your child is ready for the next level.
Horse Books for Kids
Breyer Stablemates Series
This is a great series for the youngest of readers. Each book is about 30-35 pages, making it perfect for the horse lover who is still developing her reading skills. The books are fiction, but each one features a different bread of horse as the main focus. The book ends with facts about that breed. Titles include: Starlight, Patch, Snowflake, Diamond, Dash, Stormy, Belle, Lucky, Fancy, Penny. (Some of these books are out of print, but can be found used.) Reading Level 3.0
Pony Pals
This series contains 30+ simple chapter books for your horse lover. My daughter loved these books all through elementary school. She would sit down with one and read it in under an hour. The plot is child-friendly and exciting. They are easy to get at the local library, too! Reading Level 3.0
Circle C Beginnings
Targeted for early chapter book readers, this series is about a sweet and lovable 6 year old girl named Andi (Andrea). She is just old enough for her first pony. Each of the 6 books in the series features a beautiful moral lesson that Andi and her friend Riley learn as they grow. This series is the earlier or “younger” days for Andi and Riley, the same characters in the Circle C Adventures listed later on in this list. You can find the whole set of Circle C Beginnings here. Reading Level 3.0
Horse Diaries
“For anyone who’s ever dreamed of hearing a horse’s story” is the tagline for this series. First published in 2013, it probably is a new addition for most horse lovers! There are 10 volumes, each featuring a fictional story rooted deep into a particular breed and time period. They are also uniquely set in the part of the world that is most suited for the breed. You’ll travel everywhere from Iceland (c. 1000 AD) to Alabama (c. 1856 AD) as you venture through this exciting historical fiction.
The words are fairly large and the chapters are short, making it a good fit for struggling readers, too. Titles include: Elska, Bell’s Star, Koda, Maestoso Petra, Golden Sun, Yatimah, Risky Chance, Black Cloud, Tennessee Rose, Darcy Reading Level 3.0
Breyer Horse Collection
This is a favorite series because they can be purchased with a matching model horse. My daughter constantly put these horse books on her wish list. Each story is a fictional adventure about a particular breed. Titles in the series include: Little Prince, Wild Blue, Chico’s Challenge, Samirah’s Ride, Mercury’s Flight. Reading Level 3.5-4.0
Animal Ark
This series is about a little girl named Mandy who helps her parents treat animals of all kinds in their veterinary clinic. Our favorite horse selections are: Horse in the House, Foals in the Field, Shetland in the Shed, Pony on the Porch, Pony in a Package, Mare in the Meadow, Racehorse in the Rain. Reading Level 4.0
Sonrise Stable Series
This Christian horse-lover’s series wore the proud title of my daughter’s absolute favorite! Author, Vicki Watson, combines everything we love in life: God, family, friends, horses, and good-wholesome fun! Each book is based on a focal scripture that teaches a beautiful truth through two lovable 8-year old girls, their grandma and HORSES! Titles include: Rosie and Scamper, Carrie and Bandit , Clothed with Thunder, Tender Mercies, Outward Appearances. Reading Level 4.0
Treasured Horses Collection
This historical fiction series is truly a treasure! Sadly, the books are out of print, but I had no trouble finding them used and in the library. Titles include: Ride of Courage, Pride of Green Mountains, Changing Times. There is also a box set, Treasured Horse Collection, which includes 4 books: Riding School Rivals, Pretty Lady of Saratoga, The Stallion of Box Canyon, and Kate’s Secret Plan. Reading Level 5.0
Phantom Stallion
A series full of mystery and adventure, Phantom Stallion leaves you wondering if 13 year old Samantha’s missing horse really could be the wild “phantom” that she so longs to touch. With titles such as The Wild One, Mustang Moon, and Dark Sunshine, it’s easy to see why this best-selling series has won the hearts of so many girls! There are 20+ exciting titles for your adventure! Reading Level 5.0
Hoofbeats
Another historical fiction series, Hoofbeats promises adventure, history and horses. There are two stand alone books: Silence and Lily 1773, and Margret and Flynn 1875. Then there are two girls that have 4 books each. Lara and the Gray Mare is about a young girl who is captured with her horse by a rival clan. Katie and the Mustang is about the struggles of an 9-year old orphaned girl. Reading Level 5.0
The Black Stallion
For over 65 years, Walter Farley has captivated readers with his adventure filled Black Stallion series. There are 20+ horse books written in this series full over bravery, instinct and survival. The first 4 are included in a best-selling Black Stallion Adventures set. Get your sense of adventure peaked with the set or buy them all! Reading Level 5.5
Thoroughbred
Written in the early 1990’s, this series is truly all about horses. The characters are teenage girls who are avid horse lovers. The story focuses on drama involving the horses and not the teenage girls, which is nice. Horses fall ill, win/lose races, and face many other challenges of equestrian life. Although it wouldn’t be mandatory to read in order, it probably would be nice. Some of the books are harder to find available online; however, we still have a good selection at our local library. The first in the series is A Horse Called Wonder. Reading Level 5.5
Misty of Chincoteague
Based on a true story, this is possibly one of the most beloved horse series ever written. It all starts with Misty of Chincoteague, the story of how the wildest horse in all of Assateague Island is pinned with her precious colt, Misty. It’s a story full of whimsy, determination, and blessing. Stormy, Misty’s Foal is then born in the aftermath of a great storm that devastated Chincoteague Island. Readers are captivated as the islanders rebuilt their land. The story continues as Paul and Maureen rescue yet another wild colt in Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague. Written nearly 50 years later, Misty’s Twilight is the story of another of Misty’s foals who has the chance to become a dressage champion. Reading Level 5.5
Circle C Adventures
This is the series that kept my 4th grader mesmerized for days. The books captivate with their fast-paced tales about Andrea (Andi), a 12-year old girl living on a California ranch in the 1880’s. The content is definitely for an older reader (I’d say 10-14) as Andrea encounters real-life issues that might frighten a younger reader, such as bullies, a horse thief, the perilous choice to run away from home and even murder (a man gets in a fight with another and shoves him, but he is immediately repentant). However, don’t be alarmed, the scenes deal with these difficult topics in a way that isn’t obscene or inappropriate and the author weaves a beautiful Christian message through each one of the books as Andrea learns to chose the right thing even when the circumstances are really hard.
This series does build on itself and should be read in order. Titles include: Long Ride Home, Dangerous Decision, Family Secret, San Francisco Smugglers, Trouble with Treasure, Price of Truth. Or buy the boxed set of Circle C Adventures here. Reading Level 6.0
Of course, there are lots of great horse books for kids that didn’t come with a sequel to back them up. Some are treasured favorites more than half a century old, others are newer, but still just as treasured. Your horse lover’s shelf will be full of beauty, majesty, and adventure!
As much as my daughter loves fiction, she also very much enjoys reading factual books about horses. She has learned much about caring for horses, riding horses, and even what the various breeds are most known for. Here are some of her favorites.
Do you have a favorite horse book that we forgot to mention? Share it with us!
Through practical tools & Bible-based resources, Kim Sorgius is dedicated to helping your family GROW in faith so you can be Not Consumed by life’s struggles. Author of popular kid’s devotional Bible studies and practical homeschooling tools, Kim has a master’s degree in education and curriculum design coupled with over 2 decades of experience working with kids and teens. Above all, her most treasured job is mother and homeschool teacher of four amazing kiddos.
Anne says
I loved horse books as a child. Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka (absolute favorite) and its sequels, Thunderhead and Green Grass of Wyoming, The Black Stallion books and for younger readers also by Walter Farley, The Little Black: A Pony books and by C.W. Anderson, The Billy and Blaze Books, also The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses and The Gift of the Sacred Dog both by Paul Goble. Also loved all of Marguerite Henry’s books, Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind and many more.