Ask any equestrian what their favorite horse books are and you will immediately get a mini list of their favorite classics, books that cover all things about horses, training books, and many more. So which one should you read first? Well that is really a personal preference based on what it is your looking to learn or gain from reading a particular book. Check out the list of our 25 best horse books every equestrian and horse riding lover should read.

The books listed below are in random order. Each book listed is just as good as the one before and the one after, happy reading!

List of the Best Horse Books Each Equestrian Should Read

1. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Black Beauty was written in 1877 and teaches empathy for the working horse. This book is written from the horse's point of view and is a book loved by readers of all ages.

2. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

Misty of Chincoteague is the most famous book of the writer and has been read by generations of horse lovers.

3. National Velvet by Enid Bagnold

This is the story of a young girl, Velvet, who wins a spirited gelding, The Pie, in a raffle and decides to train him for the Grand National Steeplechase.

4. Hunter Seat Equitation by George Morris

Hunter Seat Equitation is a horseback rider's bible. Written by the master of hunter seat equitation. If you want to ride like the pros, this is a must read book regardless of discipline.

5. Centered Riding by Sally Swift

Connect with your horse and create better partnership by using your body spirit and mind to establish a more clear line of communication.

6. Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners by Captain Hayes

Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners covers everything from the symptoms and treatment of diseases and injuries, horse medicine, and surgery. This book should be owned by all horse owners!

7. Hackamore Reinsman by Ed Connell

Hackamore Reinsman is a wonderful reference book for horse trainers as well as amateur riders. This is the first ever written documenting the training of the California Reined Cow Horse.

8. Happy Horsemanship by Dorothy Henderson Pinch

Happy Horsemanship is the perfect child's guide to equitation. A wonderful book written from a horse’s point of view, and is accompanied by humorous illustrations.

9. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

This is a great story about a young Native American girl and her love for wild horses.

10. My First Horse and Pony Book by Judith Draper, Mathew Roberts, Elwyn Hartley Edwards

This book is ideal for young horse lovers. A great book for those who just got their first pony and for those who hope to own one someday. This book is full of pony facts, care, riding, and beautiful photos.

11. The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

A terrible riding accident leaves a young girl and her horse with serious physical and emotional scars. Robert Redford plays the Horse Whisperer in the movie. Read the book, and watch the movie. They are both great, and don’t forget to bring the tissues too!

12. The Faraway Horses by Buck Brannaman

Buck Brannaman shares his training methods and how to develop a solid relationship between horse and rider. The Faraway Horses  also gives you the inside scoop on Robert Redford’s movie The Horse Whisperer, based on the novel my Nicholas Evans. Buck Brannaman was the technical adviser for the movies and heappearence lped Robert Redford get the perfect shots for the movie. This was not Buck's only appearance to movie world as he was the main character of the documentary "Buck" which was released in 2011.

13. Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbran

This is a biography of the Thoroughbred racehorse Seabiscuit, possibly the most famous American racehorse of all time and one of the most famous horse books in history.

14. 101 Ways to Die with a Horse or Live Happily Ever After

This book provides simple to follow advice and safety tips for both horse and human of any age while spending time at the barn, on the ground, or in the saddle. This is a no nonsense, simple, and a bit of sarcastic humor approach to everyday life with horses.

15. The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners/D Level by Susan E. Harris, Ruth Ring Harvie (editor)

This book has set a standard in the horse world for safety, proper car, and responsible use of horses. Although this book was written with the young rider in mind it is a great book for both youth and adult horse lovers, riders, and owners.

16. Anne Kursinski’s Riding and Jumping Clinic by Anne Kursinsi with Mirand Lorraine

This teaches the fundamentals of maintaining balance while in the saddle and emphasizes the importance of flat work and how it improves your jumping. Great step by step instruction you can take to the barn with you.

17. 50 Best Arena Exercises and Patterns: Essential Schooling for English and Western Riders by Ann Katrin Querbach

50 Best Arena Exercises and Patterns: Essential Schooling for English and Western Riders is a book full of well designed lesson plans for both horse and rider with the goal of keeping horse and rider interested in what they are doing together and advancing their fitness and ability level.

18. How Good Riders Get Good: Daily Chores That Lead to Success in Any Equestrian Sport by Denny Emerson and Sandra Cooke

This book is what you need to become a better rider. This is a smart, honest, on target, kick-in-the-pants, guide guide guaranteed to change your average ride into a GOOD one.

19. The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts

This is a story of a man and his horse. A very unlikely pair that rose to the top in the sport of show jumping that captivated the nation.

20. The Ultimate Book of Horse Bits: What They Are, What They Do, and How They Work by Emily Esterson

The Ultimate Book of Horse Bits: What They Are, What They Do, and How They Work should be owned by every equestrian. Learn how bits are constructed and how they function. Different bits offer different results, learn which bit is best for your riding discipline and so much more!

21. The Black Stallion by Walter Farley

Written in 1941, The Black Stallion is still a hit with horse lovers. The story of a young boy who is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild Arabian Stallion whom he befriends.

22. A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color: Tales of Training Through Communication and Trust By Mark Rashid

After writing the first book “Considering the Horse” Mark Rashid had much more to share. Rashid’s gift for using communication, not force, during horse handling, His techniques are shared through heart-warming and humorous stories and his philosophy of teaching horses by understanding their view of the world.

23. Horses Never Lie: The Heart of Passive Leadership by Mark Rashid

Another fantastic book by Mark Rashid. This book challenges the age-old belief that one must be the “alpha leader” to be able to work with horses, instead Rashid teaches you how to become a “passive leader. This book is perfect for all horse owners who care about their hoses and the relationship you create with them.

24. Secretariat by William Nack

A wonderful biography of the remarkable Thoroughbred racehorse named Secretariat.

25. The Greatest Horse Stories Ever Told: Thirty Unforgettable Horse Tales by Steven Price

Throughout history horses have been a part of human life. This book holds thirty of the best equestrian stores and articles. You will enjoy the heartwarming, adventurous, profound, and funny tales inside of this book.

Bonus: SAVING SNOW DRAGON: A Horse's Perilous Journey of Survival Against Man and Nature (Mystery Horse Lover's Book 2)

SNOW DRAGON, a prized white horse, escapes into the inhospitable mountains of Wyoming, where she faces one peril after another.

"If you dream of owning your own horse, hold your dreams in your heart, and one day it will happen.Immerse yourself in ACE the Black Stallion, Saving Snow Dragon and other wonderful horse stories, and keep your dreams alive." says the author of the book, Ann Feifel.

Take a look at this interesting story here.

Bonus 2: THE TRUTH ABOUT HORSES by Christy Cashman

"Fourteen-year-old Reese dreams of her family winning the Black Elk race. But their beloved horse, Trusted Treasure, falls at the last jump. Reese witnesses the family's finances, hopes, and happiness go up in smoke. While still reeling from the loss, the family suffers a second tragedy, resulting in the sale of Trusted Treasure that irreparably damages Reese's relationship with her father. Heartbroken, Reese searches everywhere to find Trusted Treasure in the hopes she can bring him home and heal the rift with her father.During an unexpected turn of events, Reese meets Wes, a Lakota Indian, whose way of training horses is unlike anything she's ever seen. If anyone can win the Black Elk, it's Wes, but he's struggling with his troubled past, and having a teenage girl hanging around his barn isn't exactly what he'd planned. Reese must prove her worth, against all odds, if she wants to heal her family, help Wes, and show them all that some dreams are worth fighting for." Read more here.

From the classics to more recent there are many horse books on this list for various types of horse lovers. Some of the books have also were also later turned into movies like National Velvet, Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, Secretariat, Sea Biscuit, All The Far Away Horses (Buck is the Movie) and The Horse Whisperer. We suggest reading the book first and then to watch the movie and we hope you enjoy these books as much as we have!