10 Great Nonfiction Horse Books
1: DK Horse and Pony Book
While this is a book written for children, it provides a good overview of horses in general, and covers everything; from a brief history, to horse care, to breeds, to tack.
2: Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage - Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill is a fantastic horse book author! While all of her books are great, this one is the cream of the crop, covering all the bases to get set up for keeping a horse (or horses) on a small amount of land.
3: Essential Horse Health - Dr. Kieran O’Brien
This book is very useful and informative, with clear photos and diagrams illustrating all the commons problems your horse may experience. On top of all that, it tells you how to treat them yourself!
4: How to Think Like a Horse – Cherry Hill
Another excellent book by Cherry Hill! This one covers horse psychology, helping you care for your horse better than ever before! Horse-lover girls should enjoy this!
5: The American Quarter Horse – Steven D. Price
While this book only focuses on one breed, the Quarter Horse, it's very thorough, and well illustrated. After reading this book you will probably never have another question about Quarter Horses again.
6: The Whole Horse Catalogue – Steven D. Price
Another great book by Steven D. Price, this one covering everything from buying to health care, to tack, to riding.
7: America's Horses: A Celebration of the Horse Breeds Born in the U.S.A. - Moira C. Harris
With its gorgeous illustrations and rich information, even though this book focuses on horse breeds developed in the U.S.A. it will be a favorite of any horse-lover.
8: The Complete Equine Emergency Bible - Karen Coumbe and Karen Bush
This book, while a little thick for the non-medicinally minded, covers everything, and is an invaluable resource for a horse owner.
9: Among Wild Horses: A Portrait of the Pryor Mountain Mustangs - Rhonda Massingham
Another U.S.A. specific book, but again the gorgeous photos inside forced me to include it on the list.
10: Horsewords: The Equine Dictionary - Maria Ann Belknap
You want to sound like you know what you're talking about? Then this book can help. If you don't know what a "hock" or a "frog" or a "running martingale" is, then this book is for you.
Marguerite Henry
And, for some bonus books, Marguerite Henry! I couldn't write an article about horse books without at least mentioning this world-class horse author.
- Justin Morgan had a Horse
- Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West
- King of the Wind
- etc.
