Since I have already done a fiction review on horse books and book series, this week I am reviewing my top ten favorite nonfiction horse books. Because what horse nerd doesn’t like reading more about horses? I’ll also include links to where you can buy the book for yourself (and no, I’m not an Amazon Affiliate, I just like making your life easier :))
Note: As far as I can tell, none of these books are Christian. While they are clean they do mention evolution as a “fact”. I have yet to find a nonfiction horse book with a Creationist view of the horse world.
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#1 Horse Crazy! 1,001 Fun Facts, Craft Projects, Games, Activities, and Know-How for Horse-Loving Kids by Jessie Haas
Hands down, this is one of my favorite nonfiction horse books. Don’t let the simple look of this book fool you! This is jam-packed full of awesome stuff for any horse lover, especially one who may not be able to have access to a horse. From learning about clicker training to how to write a horse story, with reviews and breed overviews in between, this guide written by acclaimed author Jessie Haas is a must-have for any horse lover!
Link to Book: Horse Crazy!: 1,001 Fun Facts, Craft Projects, Games, Activities, and Know-How for Horse-Loving Kids: Amazon.com
#2 How to Think Like a Horse by Cherry Hill
By far my favorite of the Cherry Hill books I own, this guide is packed. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how you can understand horses better, this book is for you. It was one of the first horse books I bought as a young horse lover and I’ve read it over a dozen times since.
Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Like-Horse
#3 The Foal is the Goal by Tena Bastian
Have you ever wanted to be a horse breeder or entertained the idea? Then this book is definitely for you! I picked up a copy of this book at a library meaning to just borrow it, but as it turned out the library wanted to get rid of it. I’ve had it ever since! From taking care of a pregnant mare, to standing a stallion, and even a photographic guide to foaling, this is by far one of the favorite books on my shelf.
Content Warning: This book is about HORSE BREEDING, so there will be some terminology and photos related to the subject (e.g. several photos of horses mating, up-close pictures of equine genitalia, and photo sequences of foaling mares) that may be uncomfortable for some viewers.
Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Foal-Goal-Managing-Handling-Stallion
#4 Cherry Hill’s Horsekeeping Almanac by Cherry Hill
While this is directed towards horse owners, I’ve found it to be a really great resource if you want to learn about what keeping a horse might require (and a little bit about what managing a horse ranch is like). It’s super comprehensive and very informative.
Link to Book: Cherry Hill’s Horsekeeping Almanac: Hill, Cherry Amazon.com: Books
#5 For Horse Crazy Girls Only by Christina Wilsdon
As the first nonfiction horse book (that wasn’t a very short children’s book) I ever owned, this will always have a special place in my heart. It’s geared at a bit younger crowd, but it’s still really great if you are just starting out into the horse world. With fun reviews, quizzes, and lots of information on everything horses, this book is one of the best.
Link to Book: For Horse-Crazy Girls Only: Everything You Want to Know About HorsesAmazon.com: Books
#6 Storey’s Guide to Raising and Keeping Horses by Heather Smith Thomas
While I haven’t read this book in its entirety (I’ve only perused over it several times while shopping at Tractor Supply) I own enough of Storey’s Guides to know that this is a keeper! From breeding to nutrition to riding and grooming, this guide is stuffed to the brim with not just helpful information but excellent photos too. It’s a bit expensive at $25 bucks, but Thriftbooks sometimes has good deals on used copies.
Link to Book: Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses, 3rd Edition: Breeding, Care, Facilities: Amazon.com: Books
#7 Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage by Cherry Hill
While also directed at horse owners, this may give you ideas for designing your future horse-related home. And if you ever need to a present a case to your parents on how you can fit a horse into your life, this could also help! From barn styles to hay storage to affording a horse itself, I’d recommend this book to any horse lover who dreams of actually owning a horse.
Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Horsekeeping-Small-Acreage-Designing-Facilities
#8 Storey’s Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock by Sue Weaver
While this book isn’t strictly about horses, it is a really great guide on owning and making a business from miniature livestock– including mini horses, mules, and donkeys. If you’ve ever had an interest in minis, this book is a great starting guide for the smaller side of the livestock world.
Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Miniature-Livestock
#9 The Pony Club Manual– D Level by Susan E. Harris
While this is directed to members of the United States Pony Club, this is still an excellent read! Focused on English riding, the Level D manual focuses on the basics of horse care and English riding and competition. There are also manuals for C1-C2 levels and HB-A levels. You can even download resources from the Pony Club website to test what you learned from the book
Link to Book: https://.amazon.com Pony Club Manual
#10 International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds by Bonnie Hendricks
This is an older book, but it literally has almost every horse breed in the world, including some that are sadly extinct. With black and white illustrations and easy to read info, if you want to learn fast facts about a LOT of horse breeds, this is the book for you.
Link to Book: Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds: Hendricks: Amazon.com: Books
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And there you have it! My top ten nonfiction horse books. Is there one that I should have added? Do you have a favorite horse book that you refer back to often?