Recently on Facebook I read about a free kid’s summer reading program featuring horses. A horse summer reading program. Now this really appeals to me! Not that I need any excuse to read a horse book!

Whilst it is winter here in the southern hemisphere, it’s still appealing to snuggle up with a good book! And horse books tend to have a lot of appeal.

With a focus on bridging school years with summer reading, this reading program highlights various horse authors from around the world.

It states:

Summer reading is an important bridge between school years! Over the summer months, kids can lose valuable skills and knowledge. By participating in a summer reading program, studies show increased reading skills, motivation, confidence, and enjoyment. We have gathered some great international horse authors to promote literacy at all levels and have fun!

Horse Summer Reading

Curious to find out more and possibly take part? You can read more at Rae Rankin’s site.

Whether you’re looking to read fiction or non fiction, a book for young horse fans or older, I encourage you to check out the horse book reviews here on Equus Education. Many different authors have been covered!

And if you’re an author looking for more reviews – please get in touch! I love to read horse books and discover new equine authors. And if you have a young horse fan, perhaps they would be up for some summer (or winter) reading!

“He’s of the colour of the nutmeg. And of the heat of the ginger…. he is pure air and fire; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him, but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him; he is indeed a horse, and all other jades you may call beasts.” – William Shakespeare

I recently got a free copy of The Double R by Teresa Van Bryce to download and read after joining her email list. The cover of the book appealed to me. It has the rumps of two horses and the backs of two people sitting on them.

I thought, well, this is bound to be a horse story to read, and I was right! The story focuses around Clayton Ross, and Lucy Reynolds.

It starts out with Clay looking over his deceased wife. He is remembering the many, many years they had together through marriage. He’s pondering this at her funeral memorial service. It then goes back to his memories of when they were in their early 20s as young adults and having first met.

The Double R flicks between the budding romance of these two young people and their establishing relationship, and also Clayton as a recently widowed gentleman. This is after 40 odd years of marriage to the love of his life.

It’s not until about a third of the way through the book that horses are actually introduced into this story. Then they feature quite heavily.

The Double R by Teresa Van Bryce

The Double R was a lovely look at love at first sight and growing and developing a relationship, as well as getting past barriers of an unimpressed father of young Lucy. It also explores Clay, going from being a city slicker to a country lad, working with horses and other stock, loving the outdoor farm life.

This novel is a beautiful read. It looks at the importance of working to keep a relationship, whilst establishing and keeping boundaries. It also explores following and respecting the desires of parental figures and ultimately sticking by each other through thick and thin. The story was a really enjoyable read. It was also one that had horsy information that rang true and was well explained throughout the book. Highly recommended.

Author: Teresa Van Bryce
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.

Prince Ali is the first in the Wonder Horse Books by Nancy Perez and Victoria Hardesty. I was recently given a copy to read and review. This book explores the life of an Arabian colt from his birth through to becoming a champion performance horse.

Ali is named by eight-year-old girl, Becky Howard. Her parents bred the colt. Becky is convinced his dam will have a colt and chooses a name before he is even born.

As Becky grows older, she grows up alongside this beautiful gray Arabian colt. He is her closest friend. Becky enjoys training the young horse and spending time with him. She cleans out his box and in time she also goes along to his competitions. Although he is a colt, Prince Ali is very gentle with Becky. He treats her in a way that is surprising to her parents and his trainer.

Prince Ali by Nancy Perez and Victoria Hardesty

Becky’s Arabian colt goes on an incredible journey as a young horse: competing, winning and ultimately representing horses and the Arabian breed. He does this in America and around the world.

The first in the Wonder Horse Series, Prince Ali is an entertaining book. It is also one that is bound to be enjoyed by horse fans. Ultimately it is an educational read that provides so much information about the Arabian breed. It also covers the horse industry and possible competitions in America and around the world. Highly recommended.

Author: Nancy Perez and Victoria Hardesty
Fiction – teen/young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.

I really enjoy reading Tudor Robins novels. Her horse fiction features unique characters and a whole lot of horse information. Stolen Saddles, her latest release is no different!

Stolen Saddles is a very entertaining read, and full of factual horse information. The protagonist is a delightful teenage girl named Emmy. She obviously loves horses and is a dedicated rider.

Emmy has a unique outlook on life. Her character and take on things is at times laugh out loud funny. Emmy wants a horse of her own. She also desires a place to call home.

Emmy is able to improve her riding skills with the help of her Aunt Jewel. Unfortunately for Emmy, the visits at her Aunt’s place are too short and not very often.

Emmy’s mother loves travel and also adventure. Emmy is an only child. She is taken around the world with her mother for various adventures. They live in a van and never stay long in one place or another.

During her (too short) stay at Aunt Jewel’s boarding property and riding school this time round, Emmy stumbles across a mystery. Expensive saddles are disappearing.

As the fourteen year old goes on a journey to discover the culprit behind these stolen saddles, she also discovers true friends and a place to call home. Stolen Saddles is another great read by equine author Tudor Robins.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.

“When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid; I figure it’s a sure sign that the animal has somehow outfoxed them” ― Tom Dorrance

The third book in the Stonegate Series comes from a fresh angle. Whilst Em was the protagonist in After Lucas, there is a new lead in Throw Your Heart Over. We are introduced to Ellie earlier in the series and it was lovely to get to know her in this novel.

Ellie is not a horse person; not at all. She has just started university and is learning to find herself after a devastating break up. She also happens to be dealing with a bridezilla older sister and trying to help with the wedding planning in which she is to be a bridesmaid.

Throw Your Heart Over provides a delightful look into the horse world from the point of view of someone who is initially intimidated by horses. On top of this, Ellie knows nothing about them. And yet, as she starts the journey of learning to ride, this young adult discovers there may just be something to horses that is compelling, even addictive.

The story largely revolves around Ellie’s university life, battling insecurity over now healed hideous acne, developing new friends and exploring the possibility of a future relationship. The horse aspects as Ellie learns to ride Em’s horse whilst she is away for university, are educational and at times laugh out loud funny.

I really, really enjoyed this third book the in the series. I would recommend it to those who are horse fans or know nothing about them – they’re bound to learn a thing or two! Throw Your Heart Over is a well named title and a great follow on for this series. Highly recommended.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.