Saturday May 10 is Buy A Horse Book Day! Heels Down is celebrating our favorite horse-themed reads and equestrian authors everywhere on this day.
Horse books help us learn and connect with the animal in new, elevated ways. A good book lets us get lost in the passion we share through horses. In the spirit of Buy A Horse Book Day, the editors at Heels Down cobbled together our favorite book recommendations. There’s one for just about every horse person out there. Enjoy!
For Continuing Education and Insight:
“World-Class Grooming for Horses” by Cat Hill and Emma Ford. This book is a classic staple for any rider looking to compete or any horse owner wanting to expand on their grooming skills. Cat and Emma are so free and forthcoming with their knowledge, skills developed over a lifetime of grooming at the very top levels of horse sport. Any grooming or day-to-day care issue you can think of is covered thoroughly in this book.
“Flying Lead Change,” by Kelly Wendorf. In this new approach to leadership, teacher Kelly Wendorf reveals how to use seven core principles to be a leader without dominance or coercion. Her methods are rooted in the wisdom she’s learned from horses and research-based neuroscience. Horsemanship skills can help us in life beyond in the barn or under saddle, and Kelly explains how. This book is a great gift or read for the thought leader in your life (maybe that’s yourself, too).
“Book of Barn Hacks,” by Fran Severn. This tips manual is a gem for any horse person, and is packed with interesting ideas on how to make the barn routine easier, smarter and more comfortable for horses and the humans who tend to them. From organizing the feed and tack rooms, to grooming, trailering, first aid, DIY equipment and more, there’s a hack for that and it’s in this book. This read is a perfect gift for your farm-owning friend, or maybe your barn manager.
“How To Ride The Horse You Thought You Bought,” by Anne Buchanan. It’s the stuff of nightmares: to find and buy the horse of your dreams, only to get it home and realize something isn’t quite right. Is it the horse? Or is it you? In this guide, author Anne Buchanan, a retired science teacher, offers an alternative approach to learning the fundamental skills needed to ride and keep your horse’s training tuned up by offering critical thinking exercises and attention to detail that can influence any hack or ride around the arena. The goal is to help the rider understand when to do what when riding, and on any horse.
For Good Storytelling:
“Ambition” by Natalie Keller Reinert. In this debut novel of an eight-part Eventing series, Jules Thornton, an aspiring eventing trainer grapples with the horses “she loves more than anything,” and her relationship with fellow eventer, Peter Morrison. “She’s an anti-heroine when the story begins, but watching Jules turn it around and become a respected horsewoman is a fascinating journey,” reads Reinert’s synopsis of the book. If you’re looking for a horse girl beach read that will last a while (eight parts, remember) this is it!
“Starting In the Middle,” by Tik Maynard. Perhaps you’ve already read his debut memoir, “In The Middle Are The Horsemen.” Well Tik is back with a follow up, this time focusing on his journey to win The Road of the Horse in 2024. Tik focuses on his connection with the colt he was paired with in the competition, and how that experience changed his life in more ways than one. Spoiler alert: Tik would go on to win the Road to the Horse again in 2025, and if you want to relieve those incredible moments of the competition, you’ll want to start right here with this book.
“Distant Skies,” by Melissa A. Priblo Chapman. Imagine riding a horse 2,600 miles from New York to California all by yourself, except for the company of your horse and a dog. That is the journey “Missy” took – it’s one of reflection and beauty, of taking it all in and believing in yourself. This coming-of-age tale is one that any horse girl could relate to.
For Gifts and Sharing:
“Horse Lovers,” by Karin Winegar. Why are women so obsessed with horses? It’s a question as old as time, and author Karin Winegar explores this deep fascination so many of us have with horses and why. This book explores the why and how we identify with a passion so all-consuming as loving horses, and how it becomes part of the beating heart of all we do. Karin does a beautiful job putting down in words how horse women cherish this bond like no other. It truly is a unique form of love. This book is a great read for anyone who is horse crazy, but might be a good gift for any significant other who is trying to understand what it means to fall in love with a horse girl.
“Keeping Horses Outdoors,“ by Iveta Jebáčková-Lažanská. Looking for safe, affordable ways to allow your horses to live as naturally as possible through all seasons of the year? This book explores the many natural ways of horsekeeping, which allows horses to maintain herd-based, healthy living options that are designed with the animals’ natural instincts and comfort in mind. This illustrated guidebook explains a variety of stable systems, how to handle all types of weather and environmental challenges, how to manage pastures and footing, pest control and more.
“The Illustrated Guide To Saddle Fitting,” by Beverly Harrison. Is it just me or is fitting a saddle one of the more mysterious things in life? In this colorful guide, SMS saddle fitter Beverly Harrison explains why saddle fit is important to the health of the horse in easy to understand visual references meant to help the reader and rider make good, educated decisions for their own horse and equipment. By riding in properly fitted tack, riders are ensuring horses will perform comfortably and willingly for more yars of their lives. This book explores the basic anatomy of horses and offers a step-by-step guide on how to evaluate saddle fit, plus it offers instructions on how to assess saddle pads, girths and more.
Looking for more good book recommendations? Don’t miss last year’s top picks here. And 2023 here, 2022 here.
Join us by sharing your favorite books and writers by using the #BuyAHorseBookDay hashtag. Feeling generous? Consider making a donation to Saddle up and Read.
To participate in Buy A Horse Book Day on May 10, share your favorite horsey reads and why you love them on social media using the #BuyAHorseBookDay hashtag [you can also tag @heelsdownhappyhour and @horseandriderbooks on social media]. Heels Down and Trafalgar Square will be offering giveaways and discount codes all weekend long in honor of Buy A Horse Book Day – check out our promotions on social media.