What Horse Books Have You Read in 2020?

When you are not riding or otherwise with a horse, what is the next best thing?

Do you like to think about them, watch a horse-related video, listen to an equestrian audio book/podcast or read about horses? Or maybe talk to a friend about them?

For me, hands (or hooves!) down, the next best thing to being with a horse is equine-related reading.

Below are three quotes from three horse-books I read in 2020.

If you are interested in obtaining any of these books and your library doesn’t have them in their collection, you can order them at http://www.horseandriderbooks.com.

***UPDATE: As of December 2020, The Backyard Horse Blog now hosts an affiliate link to the HorseandRiderbooks website. When a reader clicks on the link below, the blog receives a portion of each book purchased.***

Once on their website, click on each book’s link to download a free sample of the book. I absolutely love this feature. Great way to get a sense of the book before I decide to spend my money. On a related note, I usually read a book, take copious notes and then resell the book online to further save money.

You could also inquire at your local library. I requested that the Linda Tellington-Jones book be obtained by my county library, and they actually added the book to their collection! Doesn’t always work, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Great way to save a bit of cash and build your local library’s horse collection too.

The Ultimate Guide to Horses in Need: Care, Training, and Rehabilitation for Rescues, Adoptions, and Horses in Transition By Stacie G. Boswell, DVM, DACVS

“To be consistent and fair, you work to maintain an even keel, matter-of-fact approach. You are confident your horse can do what you ask, and he will develop confidence in himself as he progressively succeeds in the task set before him. You don’t exaggerate your excitement, nor act angry in your corrections to him. You are steady, with your emotions under control and balanced. It takes practice to achieve and maintain this balanced emotional state.”- Stacie G. Bosell, DVM, DACVS

What Horses Really Want: Unlocking the Secrets to Trust, Cooperation and Reliability By Lynn Acton

“Preparing for ordinary situations is not glamorous work. Success means events are boringly uneventful. We do not win ribbons, score points, or make the news. But good safe manners grounded in confidence helps horses make friends wherever they go. It helps them find and keep good homes, and raises their chances of a nice retirement when they can no longer work. Teaching them good manners is one of the kindest things we can do for our animals. It is a way of giving them our protection even when we are not with them.”- Lynn Acton

From Training and Retraining Horses The Tellington Way- Starting Right or Starting Over with Enlightened Methods and Hands-On Techniques By Linda Tellington-Jones

“Practice Positive Intention and Visualization: What does the ideal horse look like? How does he behave? How would the perfect connection between you feel? Imagine your horse exactly how you want him to be every day in all you do together. Do this even when you are not with your horse.”- Linda Tellington-Jones

Feel free to share in the comments section a favorite horse book that you have read in 2020. I am always looking for new reading material and would love to hear what book strikes a cord with you.