Read Books Horses
Equestrian Life,  Writing

Read Books When You Can’t Ride Horses

CONFESSION: I read a lot of books. They help me to experience new worlds and right now they are keeping me sane when I can’t leave home.

Read Books Horses

This whole pandemic experience is surreal. I feel like I’m reading a sci-fi novel (not my ordinary genre). I tend toward reading as an escape and an entertainment. I read every single day. However, now I find my head in a book more. Where I would normally get outside and escape to the barn for quality time with Ferrous and to improve my mental health, now I don’t really have that option.

The COVID crisis is unprecedented in our lifetime and unsettling! Aside from the suffering and the loss of lives, countless horse lovers like you and me have been cut off from their horses and their daily routines have been upended. This is stressful! If you’re like me, maybe turning to books helps a little bit. 

In order to take a break from the bad news and intense headlines, here’s a list of recommended horse books to provide you with a happy distraction. This curated roundup has eight horse loving-writers who’ve just discounted their titles as a small way to serve readers like you. From memoir and cowboy romance to YA, equestrian fiction and a picture book, here’s a list of stories that just might be a temporary escape for you in the coming days. If you or someone you know is eager to read, here you go.

Many of these authors are friends and colleagues but I would recommend their books even if they weren’t. Each has a unique voice and the ability to help you spend a little time with horses even if its only in your imagination.

The Hidden Horses of New York by Natalie Keller Reinert

New grad Jenny is living her dream as a turf writer in New York City, until she uncovers a racetrack scandal which tests everything she has ever believed about the Thoroughbred life.

Meet Natalie: Because horse books should be for grown-ups, too, Natalie Keller Reinert has written more than a dozen bestselling novels about equestrian life. Discover more about Natalie at nataliekreinert.com

Where the Bluegrass Grows

Where the Bluegrass Growsis Laurie Berglie’s debut novel and the first book in her “Equestrian Romance Series.”

Meet Laurie: Laurie Berglie is the author of the “Equestrian Romance Series” which features three novels set in Maryland, Kentucky, and Virginia. Find Laurie and her work at www.laurieberglie.com 

In the Reins Carly Kade

In the Reins(In the Reins Equestrian Romance Series Book 1) by Carly Kade

Full of equine epiphanies, In the Reins is a love story sure to touch your inner cowgirl, capturing the struggle between letting life move forward and shying away from taking the reins with horses and in love. 

Meet Carly: Carly Kade is an award-winning equestrian author and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle! Keep in touch with Carly at https://www.carlykadecreative.com/.

Red Rock Ranch

Lucy’s Chance (Red Rock Ranch, Book 1)by Brittney Joy

Sixteen year old Lucy Rose is spending her first summer away from home and she has two things on her mind: an abandoned, violent horse and a blue-eyed cowboy. Only neither is hers.

Meet Brittney: Lifelong equestrian and author of sweet, young adult equestrian fiction series, Red Rock Ranch, as well as the magical YA series, OverRuled. Find Brittney at www.brittneyjoybooks.com/

Racing and Breaking (A Racing Into Romance Novella)by Cora Marie Colt

Silas Knights finds himself making an interesting parallel between the young horses he has been hired to train and the young woman who is making her way into his heart.

Meet Cora: Cora first fell in love with horses at Ak-Sar-Ben Racecourse. Their power and speed was her first romance. Now she writes it into sweet, clean novellas in the Racing Into Romance collection. Connect with Cora here https://racingintoromance.yolasite.com/  

Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman’s Unlikely Adventure in Mongoliaby Heather Wallace

Travel to Mongolia for an endurance horse race and live with the nomads through the eyes of a timid rider and mother of three determined to be bold and live life to the fullest. 

Meet Heather: Heather Wallace is a returning adult equestrian and mama writing about her own journey to be bold in the horse world and beyond. Check Heather out at www.timidrider.com

Horses Adored

Horses Adored and Men Endured: a Memoir of Falling and Getting Back Up by Susan Friedland

When Susan was 10, she thought it would be perfect if she could marry a horse; two decades later she feared she might have to marry a horse as there seemed to be no suitable human alternative! 

Meet Susan: History teacher by day and horsegirl 24/8, award-winning equestrian blogger Susan is owned by a cuddly Doberman and tall, dark and handsome bay Thoroughbred gelding. Trot along with Susan at saddleseekshorse.com

Cowgirl Lessons by Rae Rankin

Come along the adventure as a young girl heads to the barn for her weekly riding lesson on her favorite horse Duchess. But first, she must find her lost boot! Good thing mom has eyes “like a hawk!”

Meet Rae: A lifelong lover of reading, writing, and horses, Rae writes children’s books that celebrate family bonds, horses, and the people that are special in her life. Follow her journey at https://www.raerankin.com.

Do you have a favorite horse book to suggest? Comment below!

2 Comments

  • Sabine Schleese

    HI Heather – like you, I am using this time of self-isolation and quarantine to read; usually one book every 2-3 days. However, I am trying to educate myself a little while I read, so I reward myself with a ‘fun novel’ for every business or self-help or professional development book I read. Thanks for the recommendations; some of these I have already read – but thank goodness for Amazon, which is still delivering right to my doorstep so I can try some of the other ones you mentioned. Stay safe and healthy!

    • Heather Wallace

      That is a great reading system and good incentive too. This is a great opportunity to further our own education and take some time for ourselves as well. I hope you stay safe and healthy my dear!

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