Giddy Up, Readers! The Best Horse Books for Kids Ages 8 – 12
by Laura Lambert
When I was in elementary school, I rode a black, swayback Arabian named Charlie. Later, in middle school, it was a warm, chestnut American Standardbred called Tommy, a retired harness racer turned fat and lazy. And for a short time when I turned 13, it was Teardrop, an uppity Appaloosa who regularly slammed my leg against the rail when we practiced in the arena, just to let me know who, really, was boss.
None of these horses were mine — I never did get the proverbial pony — but I loved them all the same. At 8, 10, and 12 years old, I rarely felt more free and at one with myself than on the back of a horse, galloping alongside one of my best friends. They kept me grounded. They kept me busy. And they kept me more or less out of trouble.
For the horse-loving kid in your life, the next best thing to riding one of these magnificent creatures is reading about them in books. Here are a few well-loved horse books to get them started.
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Magic Ponies Series
Available from:Horse-loving kids will adore this series about a magical pony who befriends a girl in the real world. Each story in the series features a different girl who meets the pony at a time when she needs it most. These sweet books are filled with realistic scenarios of friends, family, and growing up.
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The Black Stallion
Available from:The Black Stallion is a classic and for good reason. First published in 1941, the story is timelessly engaging. As a boy, Alec Ramsey is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild horse. Alec and the Black Stallion come to build a singular bond that lasts for the ages — and for countless sequels.
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Horse Girl
Available from:Wills is so excited to start her horse riding training at the prestigious Oakwood Riding Academy. But Amara and her friends don’t make it easy for Wills. Luckily with her horse Clyde at her side, she can tackle anything; mean girls, family problems, and even boys.
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Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel
Available from:Nora is less than thrilled to leave her suburban neighborhood and move to a poor, rural area for her mom’s new job. But as Nora and her horse settle into their new lives at a new barn, they are pleasantly surprised. Soon, Nora makes friends and learns how to be a leader in the ways that matter most.
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Pony on the Twelfth Floor
Available from:Kizzy has always wanted a pony, but she lives in the city. Then, one day, she finds a pony happily gobbling up all the donuts in the supermarket. This is the opportunity Kizzy has been dreaming of, but can she keep the pony hidden in her twelfth-floor apartment without anyone finding out?
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Horse Diaries Series
Available from:Fans of the Dear America series will love these books on horses and history. Written from the horse’s point of view, these stories cover a wide range of history and geography, tracking horses in Iceland circa 1000 AD, 16th century Spain, 9th century Arabia, and more.
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City of Horses
Available from:Kids who fantasize about wild horses will love this heartfelt middle grade novel. Misty’s family moves to the other side of town when her dad loses his job. At first, Misty tries to hide her family’s circumstances from her old friends, but it doesn’t take long before she finds a new passion: The free-roaming horses around her home. Along with a new friend, Misty does everything in her power to help the animals and keep them safe from a rising threat.
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Black Beauty
Available from:Another classic, this one written and set in 19th century London and told from the horse's point of view. When I read it, I didn’t fully understand this book as a treatise against animal cruelty — though kids know injustice when they see it (or read about it). While various versions of Black Beauty are out there, strive to find Sewell’s original, which helps teach children the true meaning of kindness.
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Pony
Available from:Prepare to have your heart broken and put back together again with this novel from the bestselling author of Wonder. This extraordinary story is about a boy searching for his kidnapped father, the ghost accompanying him, and the pony acting as his guide. It’s the can’t-miss book for horse lovers.
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Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood
Available from:From the bestselling author of the Serafina and Willa of the Wood series comes a new adventure about a horse-loving girl and a mysterious flood. A devastating storm causes widespread destruction and flooding, ushering in a collection of magical and mysterious objects, including a boy. This timely and poignant novel is set in the North Carolina mountains, where Sylvia searches for a way to save the home and animals she loves.
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Riding Lessons (An Ellen & Ned Book)
Available from:In this wonderful series from bestselling author Jane Smiley, readers follow spunky Ellen as she begins taking riding lessons and forms an instant bond with a colt named Ned. Occasionally Ellen’s feisty character gets her into trouble, and she isn’t allowed to go to the ranch. But when Ellen’s life gets turned upside down, it's her friend Ned that she needs to turn to the most.
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The Secret Horses of Briar Hill
Available from:There is something magical happening up at Briar Hill hospital. Winged horses live in the mirrors, but only Emmaline can see them. While exploring the gardens, she finds Foxfire, a white horse with a broken wing. Only Emmaline can save him from the Black Horse, an evil creature who hunts in darkness. This remarkable book is sure to find its place among the classics.
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The Dust Bowl
Available from:This book is part of the American Horse Tales series that highlights the unique relationships between young girls and their horses. The Dust Bowl takes place in Oklahoma in the 1930s and follows a young girl named Ginny, her horse Thimble, and her family who are all dealing with the hardships of the Great Depression. In order to survive, Ginny’s dad decides that they must sell their horse, but Ginny makes the brave decision to stay by her horse’s side and follow Thimble to California.
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Pocket Genius: Horses
Available from:If fiction isn’t your child’s thing, not to worry — there are plenty of fact-based, encyclopedic guides through the equine world, including this handy (har har) pocket-sized book, which features more than 125 breeds.
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The Perfect Horse
Available from:This remarkable young readers' adaptation tells the story of a small group of American troops during World War II. Against all odds, these soldiers went behind enemy lines to rescue the world’s finest purebred horses from Hitler's grasp. It's a riveting story of courage and bravery that animal lovers and history buffs will enjoy.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2025.