The Best Books About Horses: Reviewed and Ranked

Highly intelligent and with lightning-fast reflexes, horses are magnificent creatures. There’s so much to learn about them! This is especially true when you work with them, as you must know a lot, including anatomy, routines, and behaviors. If you are learning how to ride, information from books can help make you a better rider and show how to relate and connect with your horse. If these majestic animals fascinate and you wish to learn more, literature can help you become better acquainted with everything related to horses. Some books are incredibly informative, breaking down all aspects of horses and teaching you about different breeds. Other books are more about the experience of being around a horse and how that can beautifully impact your life.

Still, other books are written for children and filled with lessons and inspiring messages specifically for young, impressionable minds. Whatever you’re interested in discovering, you’ll find something in this list that suits you. We give a brief synopsis of each book and a peek into what people who have already read them have to say. If you’re still unsure about which book to pick, we offer tips on how to choose the right one. We also go over how to begin exploring horses in your real life (if that’s something you are interested in doing). Finally, we end this article by answering your most frequently asked questions. You’ll walk away from this article feeling much more informed and confident about your next horse book purchase.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Books About Horses

#1 Best Overall: The Horse Encyclopedia by Elwyn Hartley Edwards

The best overall book about horses is The Horse Encyclopedia by Elwyn Hartley Edwards.

This book takes a look into the stunning equine world. It lists over 150 different types of horses and delivers an incredible visual guide of both horses and ponies. The best part is that this fantastic book is not for any specific age. Grandparents can enjoy this with their grandchildren and each person will get a beautiful look into the ever-intriguing world of horses. You’ll find three main pieces of information in this course encyclopedia. They include a horse compendium; expert horse care advice (with a focus on general care, feeding, and grooming); and panels on famous breeds, owners, and breeders.

This comprehensive book explores everything related to horses from their place in history and art to their anatomy. You can learn about the tiniest ponies and the largest horses. Corresponding photography of different horse breeds throughout the world is also included. Each photograph is accompanied by text that spills knowledge over to you and makes you even richer with information about horses from their origins to their defining characteristics. If you own a horse or plan to, this is also a great resource because you get advice on how to care for your horse from keeping to feeding and grooming and keeping them in good health.

However, some reviewers commented that this book focuses more on the horse breeds than on factual information.

Pros and Cons of The Horse Encyclopedia by Elwyn Hartley Edwards

Best Overall

The Horse Encyclopedia

• Offers a detailed guide to more than 150 breeds.
• It provides expert advice on horse care, feeding, and grooming.
• Includes a range of stunning photographs.

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2. Best on a Budget: The Book of Horses: The Ultimate Guide to Horses Around the World by Mortimer Children’s Books

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that still gives you plenty of information to explore about horses then we recommend checking out The Book of Horses: The Ultimate Guide to Horses Around the World by Mortimer Children’s Books.

This book breaks down the need-to-know information about horses. You’ll learn everything within its pages, and you’ll also get to enjoy vibrant photographs of these incredibly majestic creatures. It discusses equestrian sports, riding tips, and you can even learn about the record-breaking horses of the world. You’ll learn the difference between a horse and a pony, all of the different parts of the horses’ anatomy, and get a visual representation of all the different coat colors possible for horses.

Each horse has a unique set of markings, and you will learn about these different patterns, ranging from the blaze to the snip. You’ll also learn the difference between a coronet and a stocking when it comes to leg markings. The book packs fun facts and informative paragraphs that identify different horse breeds and give you a short history of each type. In addition to all of that, the book spotlights horse health, including what to watch for when your horse needs care. Keeping horses in top condition requires immense love for the animal and learning to recognize when a horse is displaying symptoms of an illness.

Customers have reported that they find this book is easy to read and engaging, especially for children. In fact, some customers say the contents may be a little bit too simple for anyone older than 10 years old. So, it makes sense to pick up this book and gift it to a child who may have just started horse riding lessons.

Pros and Cons of The Book of Horses: The Ultimate Guide to Horses Around the World by Mortimer Children’s Books

Best on a Budget

The Book of Horses: The Ultimate Guide to Horses Around the World

• 72 pages.
• Recommended for horse enthusiasts ages 8 through 12.
• Features informative pictures to teach readers.

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3. Best Inspirational Book: Horses Speak of God: How Horses Can Teach Us to Listen and Be Transformed by Laurie M. Brock

If you’re looking for an inspirational book then you should definitely check out Horses Speak of God: How Horses Can Teach Us to Listen and Be Transformed by Laurie M. Brock.

This book covers how horses can teach you to listen and to transform. It was written by Laurie M. Brock who is a writer and preacher and who loves words. She finds horses to be the wisest theologians, and this book starts with her first impressions when encountering horses. At first, it was an argument. She felt they couldn’t possibly know about life and God but as she engages further and opens her ears, mind, and heart to the wisdom of horses, she realizes that they express themselves thoroughly. She realizes that if she just allows the communication to come through, her faith increases and she is able to dive further into her emotions, her body, and her soul.

The book is written with lots of humor and honesty. She’s written this book as an invitation for anyone who has been looking for a closer encounter with God. She explains what she means when she says that horses speak of God and delves further to help you understand what those messages are and how they come through the experience of being close to horses. If you have stagnated on your spiritual path or if doubt has crept into your experience of faith, this is a great book to lean on that will help you get in touch with yourself and with your creator via the lessons horses teach.

Unfortunately, some customers reported that they received a damaged book which had loose bindings and missing pages.

Pros and Cons of Horses Speak of God: How Horses Can Teach Us to Listen and Be Transformed by Laurie M. Brock

Best Inspirational Book

Horses Speak of God: How Horses Can Teach Us to Listen and Be Transformed

• It covers how horses can teach you to listen to the world around you.
• Written by an equestrian and preacher.
• It is written as a way to help you on your spiritual path.

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4. Best for Children: Sally Loves Horses! by Jody Mackey

If you’re looking for a great fiction book for children then consider Sally Loves Horses! by Jody Mackey which is suitable for children between the ages of six and 10.

Sally Loves Horses is written by Jody Mackey who has focused on empowering young women through her different children’s books. This storybook is about a western horse adventure that any young girl can easily relate to. It features Sally and Cheza, who are two best friends that are so well connected that they can even finish each other’s sentences. They are constantly encouraging one another as they sort their way through their young lives. Your young reader will find these two characters easy to relate to. This story is also very well illustrated and it’s all about these active young girls who are harboring a dream of competing in a western barrel race. Sally’s adventure is intriguing and will draw your young reader in as she goes through the process of getting to know horses and learning how to ride.

The way this book unfolds doesn’t just deliver lessons about getting to know horses and learning how to ride, rather, it also helps to instill lessons that help young readers learn how to follow their dreams. There is a lot of emphasis on how determination results in plenty of rewards and how encouragement from friends and family leads to success. Ultimately, this book is about inspiring young girls to explore their talents and seek out different activities in sports so that they can recognize that after true attempts come massive rewards. This book is for children between the ages of six and 10 and is a hardcover book with 60 pages.

This book is a picture book and a storybook that provides a great balance for young, learning minds. The point of the book is to inspire and empower and it does exactly that. It shows young women that they can do anything they set their minds to so long as they have the opportunity and the mindset to follow through.

Pros and Cons of Sally Loves Horses! by Jody Mackey

Best for Children

Sally Loves Horses!

• 60 pages.
• Recommended for ages 7 through 9.
• Part of the Sally Loves... children's book series.

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5. Best Educational Book: The Original Horse Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Horse (Second Edition) by Moira Reeve and Sharon Biggs

In our opinion, the best educational book is The Original Horse Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Horse (Second Edition) by Moira Reeve and Sharon Biggs.

This horse bible provides you with an incredible source of information for everything horse related. It covers 210 breed profiles, tips for training your horse, insights on riding, information on competitive activities, and of course a focus on grooming and the health of your horse. If you are building or would like to deepen your relationship with your horse, this is the type of guide you need. Two well-known and respected horsewomen, Moira C. Allen and Sharon Biggs, wrote the book. This book contains 480 pages that cover all the different topics you could ever ponder when it comes to horses, including how they became domesticated, how they evolved, and how you can raise these magnificent creatures yourself.

There are several detailed sections that include the history of horses from adaptation to migration and finally to domestication. You’ll learn about the reason they became domesticated and how important they have been for the evolution of humanity as well. Also, you’ll explore how horses have functioned in society throughout the years and throughout the world and learn about such specific details about their gate/movement, color patterns, intelligence, and what their natural instincts dictate. If you’re looking to explore horse riding, you’ll find several amazing sections in this book that cover everything from competitive trail riding to polo and other horse sports. You’ll also get insight into ensuring safety and improving your riding skills.

This book has earned 4.6 out of five stars. Customers believe that this book is well-written and packed with useful information. However, one buyer noted that because she is already a knowledgeable owner with horses, this book might not have been the best choice. If you’re not an expert, you will find that the information in this book enriches your understanding of horses overall.

Pros and Cons of The Original Horse Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Horse (Second Edition) by Moira Reeve and Sharon Biggs

Best Educational Book

The Original Horse Bible, 2nd Edition: The Definitive Source for All Things Horse

• 480 pages.
• A comprehensive guide covering 210 horse breed profiles.
• Features 100 training and behavior tips.

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Choosing the right book depends on for whom you’re purchasing the book and what experience you’d like them to have. If it’s for you, read the different options we’ve highlighted above to understand which book might best suit you. Are you looking for something that is more of a coffee table piece that can double as a conversation piece? If that’s the case, you may want to purchase the best overall horse book on this list. It features incredible images of horses and displays beautifully on a coffee table.

If the book is for children between six and 10, look for stories highlighting horses’ beauty while offering inspiring messages. We only highlighted one children’s book in this list, but there are plenty of others for you to explore. There are children’s books that are fiction and, of course, others that are informative. If you have a young horse rider, you’ll likely want to pick up something that is informative. If you have a young child who has shown interest in horses, a fiction book may help stoke their imagination.

The right horse book also depends on your existing level of understanding. Choosing the right horse book should help you build on what you already know about horses. If you’re completely new to horses, any of the books listed above will deliver a wealth of information. You’ll need something else if you currently have a solid understanding of horses and want to improve it. This might be an inspirational novel that discusses the sacred bond between humans and horses. It might be a book that delves further into specifics about horse health. There are many options available.

How to Begin Exploring Horses in Real Life

There are several different ways you can begin exploring horses in real life. Some horse sanctuaries offer tours for visitors. You can find a local one, call them, and ask if they offer any tours or are open for visitors. A visit may cost a small fee, but that helps to support the sanctuary, which is a great cause. You might also search for tours of wild horses. In these settings, you won’t get close to horses, but you’ll be able to view them in their natural habitat. You can appreciate their different markings, gait, and movements.

A way to get really up close and connect with a horse is to take up horse riding lessons. You can look up locations that offer riding lessons, pick a spot that feels comfortable, and begin your journey! Horse riding is the most personal way to get to know horses. It allows you to learn about the horse, riding, and the relationship you can build with them. It’s a beautiful experience that almost anyone can try. Whether you go for a few weeks or make it a part of your life, horse riding can be impactful.