The best books if you love horses

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been horse-obsessed since before I can remember. I begged my parents for lessons and read every horse book I could, starting with Misty of Chincoteague and the Black Stallion series. I let life lead me away from horses, but I came back after almost two decades away. Now, I write about horses for a living and work with them daily–the main theme of my life in both books and business is connection. I write nonfiction and fiction books and have a hilariously honest and fun podcast called Adulting with Horses, where we talk about our favorite topic. Want to guess what it is? 


I wrote...

Back Door Horse

By Heather Wallace,

Book cover of Back Door Horse

What is my book about?

For Imogen Grey, a born and bred Jersey Girl, Vermont may as well be a different world. When she travels to her aunt’s mountain home to help her recover from injury on her small farm, she’s still in search of a purpose in life.

A small mountain town surprises her with an escape artist horse, a vet she avoids falling for, and a rekindled passion. Suddenly, Imogen questions everything she thought she wanted. The Green Mountains are calling, but is she listening?

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Grabbing Mane

Heather Wallace Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it was so relatable to me as a returning adult equestrian.

The story follows Casey, a woman who left horses behind as a teenager but is called back after meeting someone who reminds her to chase her passions. I honestly felt like the author was describing me!

The struggle for balance between work, family, and horses is never-ending, yet totally worth it in the end. 

By Natalie Keller Reinert,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Grabbing Mane as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Buy a horse, they said. It will be fun, they said."


Casey Halbach's life was perfectly on track. She had it all: good friends, loving boyfriend, decent job with her very own cubicle.

Then, she met Sky. Riding instructor, barn manager, and whirlwind of energy, Sky effortlessly launches Casey back into the saddle. After fifteen years behind a desk, Casey was a little rusty... but the more time she spends at the stable, the more she never wants to leave.


Friends are confused, the boyfriend is concerned, and Casey is conflicted -- but when she decides to take the plunge…


Book cover of Horses Adored and Men Endured: A Memoir of Falling and Getting Back Up

Heather Wallace Why did I love this book?

I laughed my way through this book, which is like Bridget Jones’ Diary if written by a horsewoman.

The author's honest, personal account of dating in the modern world makes me happy to choose horses over men every day of the week! It’s hilarious, honest, and raw. 

By Susan Friedland,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Horses Adored and Men Endured as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When a single woman searches for her knight in shining armor, sometimes the horse is the better option. When Susan was a girl of 10, she thought it would be perfect if only she could marry a horse. Two decades later, she sometimes feared she might have to marry a horse as there seemed to be no suitable human alternative. Trot through Horses Adored and Men Endured, and you’ll sneak a neighbor’s Palomino to a horse show, buy a green gelding as a first horse against all conventional advice, and trek across the Irish countryside on a sassy chestnut. Tag…


Book cover of Distant Skies: An American Journey on Horseback

Heather Wallace Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it is a memoir of one woman’s journey across the United States on horseback.

This is a true story of courage, connection, and fortitude. Descriptive and emotional, I felt like I was on the journey with the author, experiencing everything as she did and being completely in awe of the strength and determination she had to complete such a life-changing journey. 

By Melissa A. Priblo Chapman,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Distant Skies as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Part American road trip, part coming-of-age adventure, and part uncommon love story—a remarkable memoir that explores the evolution of the human-animal relationship, along with the raw beauty of a life lived outdoors.

Melissa Chapman was 23 years old and part of a happy, loving family. She had a decent job, a boyfriend she cared about, and friends she enjoyed. Yet she said goodbye to all of it. Carrying a puppy named Gypsy, she climbed aboard a horse and rode away from everything, heading west.

With no cell phone, no GPS, no support team or truck following with supplies, Chapman quickly…


Book cover of Suffering in Silence: The Saddle-Fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses

Heather Wallace Why did I love this book?

Prior to reading this book, I had no idea how important saddle fit and tack were for the horse or how much damage they could do.

This book was the reason I decided to learn how to become a saddle fit evaluator and took the author's certification course. He is a huge inspiration and has changed my life and my horses' lives for the better. 

By Jochen Schleese,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Suffering in Silence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Humans and horses have been joined for thousands of years, and for much of that time, one thing has served as the primary point of physical contact between them: the saddle.

However, for many horses and many riders, the saddle has been no less than a refined means of torture. Horses have long suffered from tree points impeding the movement of their shoulder blades; too narrow gullet channels damaging the muscles and nerves along the vertebrae; and too long panels putting harmful pressure on the reflex point in the loin area. Male riders saddle up despite riding-related pain and the…


Book cover of In The Reins

Heather Wallace Why did I love this book?

This is one of my favorite books, and anyone who loves horses should read it.

I love a good slow-burn romance, which occurs throughout this book and the next, but ultimately, it is how relatable a character the FMC is and how much I felt like the author was describing me.

The relationship between Devon and her Paint mare is incredibly vivid and realistic, and there is a lot of tension with the MMC!

By Carly Kade,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked In The Reins as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

McKennon Kelly is a handsome horse trainer who knows the cure for wannabe cowgirl Devon Brooke's horse troubles. Can he train her without revealing his secret? He's not so sure ...

Devon Brooke is a city girl gone country who desperately needs a certain Romeo in Wranglers' help with her new horse. People say she's a cowboy crazy cowgirl with horse problems. They may be right ...

Meet McKennon and Devon in the In the Reins series.
A city-girl-gone-country, a handsome cowboy and a horse meet by fate on a southern farm. She's looking for a fresh start and unexpectedly…


You might also like...

The Sailor Without a Sweetheart

By Katherine Grant,

Book cover of The Sailor Without a Sweetheart

Katherine Grant Author Of The Viscount Without Virtue

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Novelist History nerd Amateur dancer Reader New Yorker

Katherine's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Enjoy this Persuasion-inspired historical romance!

Six years ago, Amy decided *not* to elope with Captain Nate Preston. Now, he is back in the neighborhood, and he is shocked to discover that Amy is unmarried. Even more surprising, she is clearly battling some unnamed illness. Thrown together by circumstances outside their control, Nate and Amy try to be friends. Soon, it becomes clear that their feelings for each other never died. Has anything changed, or are they destined for heartbreak once more?

The Sailor Without a Sweetheart

By Katherine Grant,

What is this book about?

Is love worth giving a second chance?

Six years ago, Amy Lamplugh decided not to elope with Nate Preston. Ever since, she has been working hard to convince herself she was right to choose her family over Nate.

Now, Nate is back. After an illustrious career as a naval captain, he faces a court martial for disobeying orders while fighting the slave trade. He accepts an invitation to await the trial at a country estate outside of Portsmouth - and discovers he is suddenly neighbors with Amy.

Nate is shocked to find that Amy didn’t end up marrying someone rich…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in horses, equestrianism, and Christianity?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about horses, equestrianism, and Christianity.

Horses Explore 117 books about horses
Equestrianism Explore 33 books about equestrianism
Christianity Explore 610 books about Christianity