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Horses and Ponies Booklist

a list of recommended children's books about horses and ponies

Best Children’s Books About Horses and Ponies

Updated 2026

This list of the best children’s books about horses and ponies offers something for everyone – whether they read at a trot or a gallop!

This horses and ponies booklist showcases a range of richly illustrated picturebooks alongside fact-packed non-fiction titles. The list includes beautifully illustrated picturebooks like Hello Horse, classic children’s horse stories like Black Beauty, popular pony-themed chapter book series like Spellbound Ponies and informative non-fiction books about horses like Horses Wild and Tame.

Both shorter and longer chapter books are also included, featuring tales of adventure, courage, magic and mystery to delight young readers of all ages and abilities.

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Horse Picture Books (Ages 3-7)

Picturebook
When Polonius the pit pony escapes from the coal mine he's worked in all his life, he joins a family of Travellers. Although he enjoys the freedom and the fresh air that their lifestyle offers, he wishes he could give something back to the family in return. When the chance arrives for him to do something to help, he rises to the challenge, and uses his intelligence and skills to save the day. Based on true events and retold by a master of the oral tradition, this story bears witness to the Traveller values of independence, initiative, courage and hard work.
Picturebook

Merrylegs is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book about a riding school pony who yearns to have a more exciting life. He doesn’t realise that all the children love him as he is, despite his friend Feathers telling him so, and wishes he could be like the tall beautiful racehorses that he sees from his paddock. Day in and day out he gives rides to children, plodding and clomping around the riding school, and even though he makes so many children very happy, he is not happy at all as his life isn’t as exciting as the racehorses.

Then a fair comes to town and in the middle is a beautiful carousel with the most beautiful painted horses. Feathers and Merrylegs visit the fair and all Merrylegs wants to do is be a carousel horse, and be surrounded by laughing and smiling children. That night as he falls asleep he dreams that one of the carousel horses comes to take him away on a magical adventure, flying through the night and dancing among the stars. The next day he is the happiest he has ever been because now he has hope, and with that hope he has learned to love himself as he is, changing Merrylegs’ view of himself forever, his stumble clop turning into a clippetty trip.

This is an uplifting, satisfying story of friendship and self-belief, told through Pam Smy’s illustrations and gentle text, with the aim of showing that you can achieve your dreams. The illustration style is clear and accurate with many details to spot. The nostalgic palette colours almost everything apart from the appearance of the carousel horses, which enhances their magical properties. The rhythm of Merrylegs’ strides, repeated often in the text, will encourage young children to read along.

Picturebook
A beautifully produced Nature Storybook about horses, by Vivian French with pictures by Kate Greenaway medallist Catherine Rayner.From much-loved author Vivian French and award-winning illustrator Catherine Rayner comes a charming new Nature Storybook about horses. Hello, Horse! gently introduces young children to Shannon, a friendly chestnut mare, and offers encouragement to children unfamiliar with or a little nervous of these large, beautiful creatures. The subtext is packed with practical tips, such as the right way to offer an apple, and also covers their behaviour – horses' need for company, for example – and life cycle. Tender words and art combine to create a warm and witty introduction to horses ... from the safety of the page!
Picturebook
Follow the adventures of Sugarlump the rocking horse and a magical unicorn in this delightful rhyming story from the stellar picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, creators of What the Ladybird Heard.When Sugarlump the rocking horse longs to see the world, a magical unicorn with a silver horn and sparkling blue eyes grants his wish and turns him into a real horse. But after trotting around the farm, galloping around a racetrack and even dancing at the circus, Sugarlump learns to be careful what he wishes for. Luckily the unicorn has one more wish to grant . . .With brilliant rhyming verse and bright and distinctive illustrations, Sugarlump and the Unicorn is a perfect story for reading together.Enjoy all the stories from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks: Sharing a Shell, The Princess and the Wizard, The Rhyming Rabbit, The Singing Mermaid, Sugarlump and the Unicorn, Princess Mirror-Belle and the Dragon Pox, What the Ladybird Heard, What the Ladybird Heard Next and What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday.
Picturebook

A Horse Called Now is a delightful book perfect for primary school classrooms. This heartwarming story beautifully illustrates the importance of living in the present moment and the power of friendship in overcoming worries. The gorgeous illustrations engage young readers, making the story come alive as they follow Now on a journey to help his friends.

This book provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to discuss themes of friendship, anxiety and empathy with their students. It also encourages children to appreciate the beauty of each moment and to support one another through challenges. A Horse Called Now is sure to captivate young children while imparting meaningful life lessons.


Picturebook

This is a captivating story of a fairground merry-go-round horse that longs for adventure, secretly dreaming of something more than going round and round.

When the people all leave, he gazes at the moon, wishing he could fly to the moon. Suddenly a fairy princess appears and helps him break free of the carousel. They soar above the Earth and look down at it from the moon, before embarking on a grand journey to explore all the wonders of the world.

However, despite the exciting adventure, the horse still feels the need to have a sense of purpose- so he returns to the carousel, to carry on providing all the visitors fun and exhilaration, knowing that at full moon he can be reunited with the princess and go on another magical journey.

Told in lyrical rhyme by Tony Mitton, this is a tale of wish fulfilment and finding where you truly belong. Children will love to find out that the painted scenes around the carousel and the animals below that provide the rides: rabbit, dolphin, squirrel, swan, frog, are all encountered in the dream time journeys so wonderfully illustrated in Penny Neville-Lee’s scenes.

A delight to read aloud with younger readers- totally enchanting.

Picturebook

This classroom classic by award-winning Michael Morpurgo is an animal story set in World War 1. We love this new abridged edition of Morpurgo’s classic text, with colour illustrations by Tom Clohosy Cole.

This moving story explores the themes of military animals, conflict, peace and friendship. Some readers may be surprised to discover how horses were used in the war, and the mirrored experiences of the human and the animal reflect the consequences of conflict for both humanity and the wider natural world.

Older readers might like to use this as a companion to the original, longer text, or to explore it as a standalone. The combination of words and pictures is brilliantly brought together, with the use of light and dark in the illustrations bringing the story to life in an almost cinematic way.

Horse & Pony Shorter Chapter Book Stories (Ages 7-9)

Chapter book Dyslexia-friendly
Meg treasures every moment that she gets to spend riding, and she has always longed for a pony of her own.She knows Mum and Dad can’t afford a pony – they can’t even afford her weekly riding lessons any more. But on the morning of her tenth birthday, Meg looks out the window to an unbelievable sight … a pony standing in the front garden. Have all of Meg’s wishes come true?Award-winning author Tanya Landman brings a fresh perspective to horse-riding stories with a heart-warming new series about friendship and dreaming big.
Chapter book
A charming village story about a little girl, a dare gone wrong and one crazy horse! From bestselling author Gillian Cross. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+A charming village story about a little girl, a dare gone wrong and one crazy animal! When Alice Brett moves from the city to a little village school, she's never seen a real live horse before. And famous village resident Mozart's Banana is not just any old horse – he's crazy! The children are banned from riding him, but when Sammy Foster dares Alice to get on Mozart's Banana's back, she takes it very seriously…just what does she have up her sleeve?
Chapter book
Book three in a series of heart-warming pony tales for 8+ packed with expert advice from three-times Olympic Medallist and Grand Slam winner, Pippa Funnell, on everything you wanted to know about horses.Every waking moment is about horses for pony-mad Tilly. She lives and breathes pony books and magazines and at night she dreams of ponies. At Silver Shoe Farm she is getting to know Magic Spirit better and better and growing in confidence with him. She's also enjoying making new friends both human and, with the arrival of Rosie, the perfect pony, animal ones too.Collect all 18 titles in this series of irresistible, uplifting pony adventures, packed with expert, up-to-date advice from the author as well as a helpful glossary and black and white illustrations. For 8+
Chapter book

Spellbound Ponies: Rainbows and Ribbons is a delightful story, perfect for bedtime or independent reading for children aged 7 and above.

This charming tale of friendship and magic follows Olivia and her best friend Eliza as they encounter a new Spellbound Pony at Pemberley Stables. The story quickly pulls readers into a world where magic is real, and friendship is the key to solving mysteries. Their relatable and endearing characters make it easy for young readers to connect with them and understand the importance of teamwork and empathy. The ending is particularly satisfying, leaving readers eager for more adventures with Olivia, Eliza, and the Spellbound Ponies.

Chapter book

Poppy is desperate to ride the beautiful grey pony she visits every day after school, and she’s certain she’ll get the chance at Pony Camp during the school holidays, even though she doesn’t have much riding experience. Gorgeous Misty is assigned to the snooty, dressed-to-the-nines Izzy, and Poppy gets lumpen, hairy Henry. As often happens in reality as well as in pony books, though, the prettiest pony also turns out to be the most highly strung, and the friendly, steady, Henry is a far better riding teacher – and friend. With a dramatic rescue and a happy ending for Poppy and Henry, this is a sweet little novel which will please plenty of readers, not just the ones happiest in the stable!

The reading age sits around Year 3-4 (ages 7-9) and could be enjoyed as a parent-read chapter book for a younger child too. Poppy and the Perfect Pony is a great story and I’ll be looking to add a few more of this series to our collection as we have some thoroughly horse-mad children! I am assured (by my own horse-loving reader) that the technical details stand up well, which is very important when you’re writing about someone’s passion – you don’t want your readers to pop out of the story in outrage at a misplaced bit of equipment!


Chapter book
Jasmine's dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and keeping them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means she gets into hot water herself... A perfect animal story for younger readers by Waterstones Children's Book Prize-shortlisted author Helen Peters, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Ellie Snowdon.When Jasmine finds a lost foal in her father's field, she can't believe her eyes. Who would abandon such a beautiful creature, especially as it's hurt its leg? With the race on to reunite Storm with his mother, Jasmine is determined to solve the mystery and bring the culprits to justice!Brilliant storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation.
Chapter book
For the first time ever Daisy isn’t looking forward to the school holidays. She's worried about her best friend Mara, who's ill in hospital. But then, walking her dog in the wood, Daisy spots a group of wild ponies quietly grazing. She is especially drawn to a young silvery-white pony and, as she spends time watching the pony, she starts to feel less alone.Visiting the pony one day, Daisy runs into James from school. She’s worried he’ll tease her but instead he has some terrible news. The pony actually belongs to his dad and it’s James’ job to help look after her. Is Daisy about to lose her new friend?A heart-warming story about unlikely friendships from best-selling author Holly Webb.
Natalie has had enough of her mum’s boyfriend, but what’s the best way to get him out of their lives for good? Perhaps going away with Mum and best friend Ashlin to the Own Your Own Pony week will persuade Mum that Natalie and horse riding are all they need.

Longer Horse Novels (Ages 9-12)

Chapter book
"Welcome to Paddock Grove, a boarding school for the best, providing equestrians of tomorrow with state-of-the-art facilities and world-class tuition in everything from stable management to competitive riding..."A scholarship to Paddock Grove is a dream come true for George, but when her local riding school shuts down and the horse she hoped to borrow is sold, it seems her dreams are over before they've begun – until her parents surprise her with a pony of her own. Unfortunately, that pony is Bear, a scruffy cob with tangles in his mane, feathers around his hooves and a mischievous streak a mile wide. He's the complete opposite of the well-bred show horses her classmates are riding.Between George's new-school nerves and Bear's naughty tricks, everything goes from bad to worse. If George and Bear can't learn how to work together, they might lose their place at Paddock Grove for good...The first of four titles in a brand new pony series set in an elite equestrian boarding school from rising star J. P. Rose.
Chapter book
The first Pony Club Secrets mystery adventure by bestselling author of The Princess and the Foal.Issie loves horses more than anything! And she especially loves her pony Mystic at Chevalier Point Pony Club. So when the unthinkable happens, Issie is devastated.Then her instructor asks her to care for Blaze, an abandoned pony, and Issie’s riding skills are really put to the test. Will she tame the spirited new horse Blaze? And can Mystic somehow return to help her…Find out in the first Pony Club Secrets mystery adventure from the bestselling author of ‘The Princess and the Foal’.
Chapter book

A thoroughly up-to-date modern horse novel, exploring the clash of a very traditional sporting world with modern concerns about animal welfare, compounded by the knife-edge of living your life in the spotlight of social media.

The personalities of the different horses shine off the page as much as main character Hannah does. However, Hannah’s at that age where she’s starting to find out that adults are not always truthful or honest, even her own family – a coming-of-age which is painful to say the least. Hannah takes some real risks to unpick the mystery she’s uncovered, to stand her ground against adults, and there’s a great deal to admire about her. She’s extremely persistent in her concern for horse welfare and willing to sacrifice a competition – maybe her future showjumping career – to save a horse and put a stop to cruelty.

Chapter book

Introducing Summer… a horse-mad girl whose best friend is a horse, she sees in a field on her way to school.

Summer leads a lonely life, having moved home and school, she is struggling to find friends. Until she meets Jessie, who just happens to ride at the riding stables where her favourite horse is. Together Summer and Jessie set about the jobs at the stable but something strange is bubbling under the surface of stable life and it’s the Starlight Stables Gang who are determined to solve the mystery of the missing horse…

The perfect book for a horse-mad child who prefers books with a more mature theme.

Chapter book
The perfect children's book to curl up with and begin the new year.A beautiful and heart-wrenching middle grade debut for kids aged 9 to 11, full of love, healing, friendship and hope. Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Cathy Cassidy, Pax and Gill Lewis.When eleven-year-old Addie goes to stay with a foster family on a remote Exmoor farm in the midst of a very cold winter, she is full of hurt, anger and a deep mistrust of everyone around her. Until one day, when she rescues a tiny wild foal from the moorland snow and Addie discovers that perhaps she’s not so alone after all.And as adventure and unexpected friendship blossom, Addie is determined that both of them will know what is to be home again soon …A beautifully written, warm read for anyone looking for a gorgeous family book to read together and to capture the imagination of young horse fans too.

Chapter book
Circus Maximus, the greatest sporting stage of the ancient Roman world, where the best horses and charioteers compete in a race to the death, and one girl dreams of glory. Ben Hur meets National Velvet in the ultimate 9-12 adventure story by debut children's author, Annelise Gray.Twelve-year-old Dido dreams of becoming the first female charioteer at the great Circus Maximus. She's lost her heart to Porcellus, a wild, tempestuous horse she longs to train and race. But such ambitions are forbidden to girls and she must be content with helping her father Antonius – the trainer of Rome's most popular racing team, The Greens – and teaching the rules of racing to Justus, the handsome young nephew of the Greens' wealthy owner. When her father is brutally murdered, she is forced to seek refuge with an unlikely ally. But what of her dream of Circus triumphs and being reunited with the beloved horse she left behind in Rome? And the threat to her life isn't over as she faces a powerful and terrifying new enemy... the emperor Caligula.
Chapter book

Ruby Thorn, Roo to all who know her well, thought her world had collapsed when her Mum died two years ago. Roo’s Dad hadn’t taken it well, losing his job and sleeping through the day on the sofa, Roo tried her best to run the house and evade the scrutiny of school and her social worker, always trying to catch her out as her school attendance was patchy at best.

Then one night, with a hammering of the police at the door of their flat, her world, or what remained of it, collapsed entirely. Orphaned and thrust upon her Aunt Joni, a stranger by all accounts, Roo has never felt more alone or unlucky, but even then bad things kept on happening. Suddenly homeless, the unlikely pair make a midnight flit in Joni’s battered camper, only to escape just in time as the camper explodes in a ball of flames, leaving them stranded in the middle of the countryside as the worse snowstorm in recent history sets in. What has the future left in store for them, if there even is one…?

Lauren St John has an impressive back catalogue of children’s fiction and her knowledge of the horses is unquestionable. St John has an impressive ability to weave a mystery adventure, dropping in clues and plot twists along the way, while building a love for Roo and Joni. Her passion for horses is clear, her description of what it feels like to lose yourself in riding is captivating. A real page turner and one that I am already enjoying reading for a second time (this time with my daughter) recognising just how many little clues are cleverly interwoven along the way. Sure to prove a popular class read.

Chapter book
When a mystery horse gallops on to a London housing estate in the middle of a storm, it will change four kids' lives for ever ... A heart-warming tale that celebrates neurodiversity and the power of alternative thinking from an author known for her honest, heartfelt and inclusive stories. Perfect for fans of Hannah Gold's The Last Bear and Carlie Sorosiak's I, Cosmo.For Daniel Margate, life is muddled because everything moves: letters, numbers, even classrooms sometimes. Daniel is dyslexic and most of the time, school just doesn't make sense. He's in the bottom reading group at school with other kids who are trying to make sense of it all. There's Akin who can't sit still for more than two minutes and is almost always getting into trouble, sports star Ste is recovering from a car accident that left him learning how to walk again and Molly-May's school uniform never fits and is a regular at the local foodbank.But when a mystery horse gallops into their lives one stormy evening, it changes everything. Desperate to keep him safe they form the Secret Horse Society and vow to protect this amazing creature. Inspired by stories of the great racehorse Seabiscuit, they name him Jammie Dodger and find they when they work together, nothing seems impossible. Even the Big Read Off at school. They just need to keep their new horse friend a secret.How hard can it be to hide a horse, anyway?
Chapter book
'Yes,' she said, 'he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet good-tempered face and such a fine intelligent eye - what do you say to calling him Black Beauty?Black Beauty is a handsome, sweet-tempered but strong-spirited young horse, used to galloping free in the fresh green meadows with his beloved mother, Duchess, and their kind master. But when his owners are forced to sell him, Black Beauty goes from a life of comfort and kindness to one of hard labour and cruelty. He bravely works as hard as he can, enduring hardships and fostering loyal friendships along the way.Charming and timeless, Black Beauty is an uplifting story of strength, survival and empathy in the face of adversity. The original horse story that inspired a thousand pony books, Black Beauty sparked a new wave of animal cruelty awareness and remains a must-read for any animal lover!
Chapter book

A moving and heartfelt story about the relationship between an orphan and a pit pony in 1950s Yorkshire.

Reminiscent of classics like Black Beauty and Goodnight Mr Tom, Birdie is both a heart-warming animal story and a powerful exploration of belonging and bravery. A must-read for young readers, teachers and anyone who cherishes stories about finding hope in the face of adversity. Timeless, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting, Birdie is destined to become a classic.

Tender, gripping, touching, memorable and nail-biting!

Chapter book

This highly recommendable book would be a very worthwhile addition to the school library alongside Olivia Wakeford’s first novel, My Dog.  It could be used as a class read, too, in Year 5 or 6, if not considered too long.  There are links to history and mining, for schools where the curriculum covers these topics, and the links to Wales will make it particularly popular in Welsh schools.

The lives of quite a disparate group of characters intertwine with imagination and skill, focused around main character Evan, his family, school friends and dog. Evan’s Grandad has dementia (the word isn’t used, but ‘sundowning’ is and it’s clear he lives with this condition) and he does not like to talk about his memory of being a miner along with pit ponies who were put to work in the mines.

We begin to inhabit their world; the world of school museum visits and classroom bullies; of Welsh mining history, auras and ghostly apparitions; of grown-ups struggling to balance work and family; of arguments and reconciliations. There lives are sometimes disturbing, sometimes mundane, sometimes difficult and sometimes puzzling. This is fiction at its best; storytelling which deals sensitively with pertinent issues while still being enjoyable. The inclusion of a ghost pony introduces a magical element.

This is an engrossing read: eye-opening, heart-warming and memorable.

Non-Fiction Horse Fact Books (All Ages)

Non-fiction

Calling all horse lovers! Have you ever wondered why horses can’t burp? Why horses wear shoes? Whether horses and humans can be friends? Well look no further! This child-friendly, non-fiction text is an informative and fun way to learn everything you need to know about our lovable horsey friends.

Each double-page spread starts with an intriguing question about horses. From diet, exercise, breeds and winning Olympic medals, there is a breadth of information to interest any young equestrian-lover. The illustrations are bright and playful and are surrounded by short bursts of text, making it easy to read and enjoy.

I would highly recommend this information book for anyone who wants to become an equine expert, or any person, young or old, with a thirst for animal knowledge.

Non-fiction
Set over a 24-hour period, meet fighting stallions, cute foals, and nosy donkeys in this kids’ non-fiction book about the coolest wild horses in the world.Race across prairies to follow the lives of horses and ponies as they whinny, neigh, and play their way through their day. Biology professor and horse owner Carly Anne York tells the story of the wild horses in the style of a nature documentary, including gentle science explanations perfect for future biologists. Witness incredible moments including:• A brumby searching for a drink in the Australian outback • Przewalski's horses exploring an abandoned city • Zebras avoiding predators in the African savannahBeautifully illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat and packed with animal facts, Horses (A Day in the Life) is a perfect book for horse-mad kids.
DK
Non-fiction
With more than 33 million copies sold globally, introduce kids to the world of horses with the groundbreaking Eyewitness series.The iconic eyewitness is back in a new and improved format to be passed down through the generations, with a fresh new look, the latest photography, information and a collectible poster with facts and photographs from the book. Sold in 88 countries and 36 languages, Eyewitness consists of more than 170 titles across a diverse range of topics.Throughout the pages of this newly revised book on horses you can find:- An essential guide to horses, including the different breeds and their evolution and roles throughout history. - Photographs and facts about horses on every page. - A fresh new look; new photographs, updated information, and a new “eyewitness” accounts from experts in the field.Become the next equestrian with this picture-led encyclopedia and meet different horse breeds, from the tiny Shetland pony to the towering Percheron, as well as wild asses and zebras. Eyewitness Horse is essential reading to appreciate how majestic our biggest companions really are. Kids can understand how horses evolved from their ancient ancestors to be domesticated and occupy a unique place alongside humans throughout history.
Non-fiction

Horses Wild and Tame by Iris Volant is a truly captivating resource for KS2 children. The book offers such a lot of information on the topic, starting from an introduction into animal and continuing to investigate how humans have built a relationship with these magnificent beasts over thousands of years. From the wild horses of Asia and Europe to legendary horses in fiction, there is so much to inspire further research and discussion. Did you know that, during the Battle of Haldghati, Mughal soldiers fitted fake trunks to their war horses? This was done to confuse the rival soldiers who came into battle riding enormous elephants.

The illustration style gives the book a timeless feel and engages children who may not usually have an interest in these fascinating animals as well as appealing to horse lovers. The double-page spread on ‘Seabiscuit’ is particularly beautiful and would be an amazing hook for some creative writing or PSHE sessions on hope and perseverance.

As a non-fiction text, the style of writing is easy to access and offers a really clear model for scaffolding further independent classroom writing. With links to horses in art, science, sport and mythology, the book truly is a high-quality cross-curricular resource.


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