This episode was inspired by a thoughtful email from Stephanie in France, which got us reflecting on the horse books that shaped us — from childhood pony stories to the training manuals that still influence how we ride today.

We take a nostalgic trip back to the “pony book era”, chatting about classics like Black Beauty, Pony Club manuals, and those unforgettable illustrated guides that made us fall completely in love with horses (and gave us a few unrealistic expectations along the way!).

From there, we move into the books that truly shaped our horsemanship, including BHS manuals, Horse Master’s Notebook, and the work of Mark Rashid — exploring how different philosophies, training systems, and teaching styles can both guide and confuse riders.

✨ Books we mention in this episode include:
Pony Era:

• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
• The Manual of Horsemanship - Pony Club Manual.
• The Threshold Picture Guides by Tony Weber, illustrated by Carol Vinsor.

Educational:

• BHS Manuals. Official handbook - Complete manual of horse and stable management.
• Horse Masters Notebook by Mary Rose.
• Mark Rashid Books - Free on Audible. Horses Never Lie, Considering the Horse, A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Colour etc.
• Thinking Riding by Molly Sivwright.
• Celebrity Jumping Exercises by various authors.
• 101 Showjumping Exercises and The Dressage Exercises from same series by Linda L.Allen.
• Training the Young Horse by Pippa Funnell.

Other Recommendations:

• The Connemara Journey by Hillary Brandt.

• Feeding Herbs to Horses by Wendy & Terry Jennings.
• Essential Oils for Horses by Carol Faith.
• All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

Plus, a few extra recommendations for anyone looking to expand their horsey bookshelf.

Whether you’re rediscovering riding or deep in your horsey journey, this episode is a reminder that there's really nothing quite like a good book.

📩 Got a favourite horse book we should read? Email us: [email protected]
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