Good Horse Books for Kids
Do your kids love horses? We put together a list of the BEST Horse Books for Kids that they will absolutely love, with options for every reading level!
When my oldest daughter gets a new horse book, she camps out on the couch for days or as many hours as it takes to finish the whole book in one sitting! Yes, she is absolutely horse crazy. She has literally read every horse book for kids that she has 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!
There are so many horse books out there, but it’s hard to know what is good and what is not. If you need help finding the good ones, this is the resource for you! We’ve created a list of some great horse books for kids.
The books below are listed in order of reading difficulty using 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.
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 breed 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
The Pony Pals 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 who lives on a ranch in California. Set in the Old West of the 1800s, each of the 6 books in the series features a beautiful biblical 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 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. There are 10 volumes, each featuring a fictional story rooted deep into a particular breed and time period. What makes this series different is that it is written from the perspective of the horses. Set in the time period and the part of the world the breed originated in, 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. It’s a great way to learn about different horses as well as veterinary care. If you have a child interested in being a vet, this is a great series for them! 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
The Sonrise Stable Series is a Christian horse-lover’s series that 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 young girls, their grandma, and HORSES! As the series continues, the characters grow up and learn more about horses and their God in a way that kids of any age would enjoy. 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. A classic horse story filled with themes of the wild west and mustangs that all horse girls love, this story is a great option. Some of the titles include The Wild One, Mustang Moon, and Dark Sunshine. 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, and Margret and Flynn. Also part of this series are two sets of four books that follow the stories of two girls, Lara and Katie. Lara and the Gray Mare is about a young girl who is captured with her beloved horse’s foal by a rival clan. Katie and the Mustang is about the struggles of an 9-year-old orphaned girl and the wild mustang she learns to love. 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 of 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. These stories are not connected, so it is not mandatory to read them in order. 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 dreams, 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. There are also many resources out there to use Marguerite Henry’s books as an excellent literature course for your horse-loving middle or highschool student. 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. However, the scenes deal with these difficult topics in a way that isn’t obscene or inappropriate. The author weaves a beautiful Christian message through each one of the books as Andrea learns to choose the right thing even when the circumstances are hard.
This thrilling and engaging series follows the teenage years of Andi and her beloved mare Taffy. Titles include: Long Ride Home, Dangerous Decision, Family Secret, San Francisco Smugglers, Trouble with Treasure, Price of Truth. The boxed set is also an option: Circle C Adventures. Reading Level 6.0
Keystone Stables
The Keystone Stables series is great for horse-loving teens or preteens. It follows the story of a girl named Skye who has a painful past and is placed in a foster home with Christian foster parents who have a horse farm in their backyard. Her love for one of the horses compels her to stay and eventually allow her life to be changed by the gospel. Well-written in a contemporary time period, this story accurately informs about foster care, living out the Christian life, and of course, horses.
Stories from Kim Meeder
In Hope Rising and Bridge Called Hope, Kim Meeder shares stories from her experience rescuing horses from neglecting and pointing children to Christ. These are beautiful stories of redemption all centered around her ranch, which exists to use horses to help kids and families experience the saving hope of Jesus Christ. Due to the nature of some of the stories, it would be best suited for teens or could make a wonderful family read aloud.
Of course, there are many more great books for horse lovers not mentioned here. These are just a few treasured favorites ranging from more than half a century old to new, but all are still just as special. 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.
We were on the same wave length today! I shared a book list about horses today too. Your list is great compliment to my list which is for little ones. I’ll be sure to share your list with my readers who have older readers. Great ideas, thank you!
Hi Jodie,
I actually saw your post this morning and pinned it to my horse board! It was so cute!
Here is the post for anyone looking for picture books for younger readers:
http://growingbookbybook.com/2014/04/21/books-horses/
Thank you for sharing! My daughter loves horses and I can’t keep her stocked with enough books;)
This is a great and very helpful list! I’d love it if you’d come over and share it at my all-things-books linky party on Thursday – Booknificent Thursdays on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
I am so glad I saw this today! My little one has recently become fascinated with horses, we will have to check out some of these books!
I was wondering if you have reviewed the series Winnie the Horse Gentler. I downloaded a sample from Amazon today and then noticed tonight they were on Christianbook.com and are faith based.
The last time I looked at that series, I was uncomfortable with letting her read them. The focus is on troubled teens and that’s just not the content I want for my 9 year old. I honestly haven’t read them, so I don’t know how “dirty” they get with detail.
I’d love to know what others think.
It is a very great faith based series and I recommend to all girls ages 12+. Yes, it does have an abortion debate, but it is said in a clean, nice way. And that part is pretty short and not a very big part in the book. But it really does have faith based values in there. It isn’t really about troubled teens at all, actually, just a faith troubled girl in there and you get to watch her relationship with God blossom. Amazing, 5-star, series. <3
I allowed my 10 year old to read books 1 and 2 of Winnie the Horse Gentler but not the 3rd as it deals with abortion – there is a school debate on the topic and Winnie is on the prolife side but it is not a topic I am ready to discuss until my daughter is older.
We have recently become horse owners so this list is perfect for my daughter to learn more, thanks!
I was a horse crazy girl a long time ago. It’s nice to look back and remember all of these awesome books. Misty, black beauty, king of the wind, the black stallion series. I’d like to recommend one of my all time favorites as well. Smokey the Cowhorse by Will James. Great writer and wonderful illustrations 🙂
There is a newer horse book out by J.H. Lee that we so enjoyed reading, “Cowgirl Courage” Some one gave us a copy. This book was so well written. It kept my daughter’s attention and was the first chapter book she ever read. This story is clean and fun to read. It has spurred my daughter’s interest in reading and we are now looking for more wholesome books that ofcourse have something to do with horses.
THANK YOU! I am trying to get my first grader interested in reading, but all she cares about is horses. I have been trying to find books on her level she would enjoy and I just hit the jack pot. She rides western pleasure, which seems even harder to find than English. Our bonding time in the evenings is when I read to her and then we talk about what we’ve read. As a Christian family I’m excited to try the Sonrise books you suggested.
I grabbed a box set at the local book store called “Canterwood Crest Academy”. It is about middle school girls at a boarding school. It talks about typical girl back stabbing and clicks and there is a crush on a boy. It focuses on the new girl in school trying to make the advanced English riding team. My 6 year old liked it, but I skipped over parts I didn’t like. And often after I read it to her, I would have to explain the plot line. But it is probably great for a middle school student. It shows how being nice to everyone and pulling from your friends and not worrying about the mean girls will get you though.
Paint the Wind.
Keystone Stables book series of 8 is a faith based series for older girls like my 12 year old. My 10 year old daughter isn’t that interested in them-yet! My daughter has only read the first 3, so hopefully we’ll be able to get a hold of the rest. It is still highly recommended and can be added to your list!
Thank you so much for your list, it is pretty thorough. I can’t always read all the books they read, and we try to sift through one’s that wouldn’t be honoring to God for their minds to be thinking on, so thank you again!
A good book for anyone who loves horses and who might be facing challenges in their own life. Lots of photographs following the horse from newborn to five years old. True story. Family friendly. A story about discovering yourself and find your own talent. “DARKEN: The Scaredy Cat Champion. ( Amazon in e-book and paperback )
Well done! As an equine professional and a writer of children’s horse books, this helps me a bunch.
Thank you!
The Saddle Club series is a really good horse series. And by now, there is at least over 70 books in the series. It doesnt need to be read in order either. Some things build on each other so it is nice to go in order but you can easily understand what is going on if not read in order.
High Hurdles series by Lauraine Snelling is also a great series. It is a Christian based series with good morals in each book. I think there are close to 15 books in that series as well. And Lauraine Snelling has some other great series that are historical fiction that are great for teens and adults. I still love her books and I have been reading them since I was as young as 12 and I am now 25.
The reading level of the Saddle Club is great for tweens. I’m not sure what the reading level of High Hurdles would be. Maybe late tweens or early teens I’m thinking. I was an advanced reader (I was reading at least 4 RL above the standard for my grade and I was really young for my grade as well) for my age so I am not a good judge on that.
Canterwood Crest Academy talks about dating and shunning, the characters kiss and they might get into some fights that last for a while. I’m 12 years old, but I read them when I was 11 years old, so you might want to wait a few years but they are really enjoyable. I’ve read the series probably 8 times, I love them. There is an accident in the 12th book where the stable teacher breaks his leg from his horse landing on his leg in the middle of the road. I love the books, and I don’t even ride horses.
The High Hurdles series is also a great series that does deal with a really big fire and the loss of a girl’s consciousness and the skin on her hands along with her hair. It’s very sad and I cried a lot, when she does therapy she screams. It is Christian based and she has to overcome a lot of obstacles, but overall it’s a great series.
Try reading, The Christmas I’ll Never Forget, by author David C. Reyes. It has a great storyline and is a very easy read. (Not sure what RL I would place it at). It has a sound biblically based message, along with some great characters. It’s heartwarming and keeps you guessing until the very end as to what is going to happen. It’s a great book for children and family of all ages. It’s available on Amazon, B&N, or most online outlets. Also can be obtained through the author’s website at http://www.dcreyesauthor.com
I enjoyed this so much! I was a horse crazy girl who raised a horse crazy daughter. “Misty of Chincoteague” helped me get through a rough childhood and made me want to write like Marguerite Henry. And so I pursued that goal.
Over 25 years ago my first book, “Patches” came out with Avon Books. It is the story of a boy and the Chincoteague Pony foal who helps him heal. Since then I have had 27 books published, and most of them are horse books for kids.
Harper Collins released my “Charming Ponies” series many years ago. Then it went out of print, but I am bringing it back in the e-book format. The first book is a re-release of Patches! http://www.amazon.com/Pony-Named-Patches-Lois-Szymanski-ebook/dp/B00TAASQIY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425178359&sr=8-1&keywords=a+pony+named+patches
I also helped create a charity that helps deserving children purchase Chincoteague Pony foals at Pony Penning. This year we (www.featherfund.org) gave away our 31st foal!
Thank you for keeping horse books in front of the kids who love them!
Warm Regards,
Lois
I will be looking for your book. I have an 8 yr old grandson who loves his horse and all things about horses . Patches is the only book I’ve found about a boy and his horse. All the rest seem to be only about girls. Do you have others in your oks with boys as the main character? Thank you!
Fun list! Did you ever run across my Bramble and Maggie series? For younger, beginning readers. I have many horse books for older readers as well, including a large backlist out as e-books.
Hi! What a great idea for a post! I have one to add to the list.
The Free Rein series I am writing and it is aimed at 8 – 12 year olds. It focuses on horse care, horse riding and the Christian faith.
Kind regards,
Christine
Are all the main characters girls.? I’m having a hard time finding a book for an 8-9 yr old boy and his horse.
Most of these will probably have main female characters as they were chosen by a girl 🙂
Suzanne@Not Consumed
I’ve recently published the first book from the Shade Break Farm series. Aimed at 9-12 years old, the books follow Sarah and her rescue horse Flynn as they learn about the world of eventing. The first book is a short introduction to all the characters, the next books are longer. The books will have age appropriate themes, no adult situations. There’s a special running on the book tomorrow, you can get it free for 24 hours if you’re interested!
https://www.amazon.com/New-Beginning-Short-Story-Shade-ebook/dp/B01G4YMEF4?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_sw_su_dp
Do you know anything about Canterwood Academy being appropriate for 9 year olds?
I’m not familiar with that one. Sorry!
Canterwood Crest Academy talks about dating and shunning, the characters kiss and they might get into some fights that last for a while. I’m 12 years old, but I read them when I was 11 years old, so you might want to wait a few years but they are really enjoyable. I’ve read the series probably 8 times, I love them. There is an accident in the 12th book where the stable teacher breaks his leg from his horse landing on his leg in the middle of the road. I love the books, and I don’t even ride horses.
I’ve been on a no luck search for a while for a book. I read it in the 90’s. It was about a young girl forced to move to live with either her aunt or a friend of her mom’s. The lady has horses and lives in kind of a run down farm/ranch. The girl ends up loving horses and loves riding this certain horse. She ends up making friends with a boy but he is a trouble maker. She follows him on her horse on a trail to this abandoned house where him and older guys have been stashing stolen stuff. Please help! I’m dying to find this book.
Happily after all by laura Stevenson. I have this book and love it. She moves in with her mom in Vermont from California.
What about horse fiction for teens? Anything good out there? It can be realistic or fantasy (unicorns, pegasus, etc). TIA
You look at Miralee Ferrell’s Horses and Friends series. It is great! Very similar in style to Susan Marlow’s.
What about the Saddle Club?
Hi,
My 76 year old mum is trying to find a horse story book from her childhood.
She can’t remember the name of it but it was about a Hunter named ‘Major’ a thoroughbred named ‘Windrush’ and a Shetland named ‘Bear’.
I would love to find her this book. I wonder if anyone knows of it? I would be delighted to hear from anyone who knows of it.
Best Wishes
Kathryn x
I’m trying to figure out the title of a book series that I remember reading growing up. It was a 4 book series about a girl that moved to Pennsylvania (i think) and she got a horse and in one of the books she went on a mission trip to Haiti with her grandmother. I believe it would have been published in the late 80s early 90s. Does this ring any bells for anyone????
Readers looking for a true-story horse book will enjoy the 2-book Darken series. “Darken: The Scaredy Cat Champion” and “Darken: In Good Company”. The books journal the ups and downs of living with a most unusual horse. An inspirational story with a message about being happy with what you have and making the best of it. Follow the 10-year journey of how a challenged colt turned into a champion, and the amazing way he found his path to helping others. Family-friendly, lots of photos, and suitable for all ages.
Thank you, Kim, for all of the great horse book recommendations! We have one more series to highly recommend. My 11-year-old daughter recently finished reading the Morgan horse series by Ellen M. Feld (Willow Bend Publishing), which begins with Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse. It is usually difficult to get my daughter to read a book on her own as she much prefers to listen to audiobooks, but since there were no audios of these available, she began reading them on her own and could not put them down. There are 7 books in this wonderful series.
Note: Author’s name is Ellen F. Feld.
Note: Author’s name is Ellen F. Feld.