Holiday Horse Books You Won't Want to Miss!

I LOVE HORSES and nothing jingles my spurs more than books about horses, so since we are in the thick of the holiday shopping season, I thought I'd share some holiday-themed horse books with a good dose of the warm and fuzzies along with plenty of horsey co-stars. Saddle up for some holiday horse reads to get you feeling festive! Whether you're 5 or 95, there's a holiday horse book on this list for you.

Cowgirl Christmas by Rae Rankin

​From the Amazon Page: Come along with Duchess and the Cowgirls as they share the joy and magic of Christmas! Snow is falling, the decorations are up, treats are prepared, gifts are wrapped, there is fun to be had. But not before the chores get done! In this charming story celebrates the meaning of Christmas as friends and family come together to bring cheer to their community.

I bought Rae's first book Cowgirl Lessons for my nieces last Christmas because they are horse crazy. I was so happy to learn about Cowgirl Christmas which I will be gifting them this year. The story is sweet and the illustrations are too cute. Rae's books are great gifts for little horse lovers! Stay tuned for an interview with Rae in 2019. She has given me the gift of her time for my Equestrian Author Spotlight series.

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The Horses of Winter: A Short Christmas Novella by Genevieve Mckay

​From the Amazon Page: Sarah Lawson has given up making Christmas wishes for herself. When her parents died in an accident she had to push all her dreams of a family and horses aside. Her only goal this holiday season is to find a permanent place for her baby sister Amy. Their latest foster home has everything Sarah could hope for; a farm in the country, a nice foster-mom, and the kind of stability that creative, scatter-brained Amy needs. The only problem; it’s temporary.

​When imaginative Amy finds a lost horse she’s convinced is a unicorn, Sarah is dragged on an adventure she’ll never forget. 

This could be the Christmas that changes everything. But is Sarah ready to take a leap of faith?

In my 29th Equestrian Author Spotlight, I talked with Genevieve Mckay about the inspiration behind her Defining Gravity horse book series. As a fellow horse lover, I love that her current horse is her DREAM HORSE and really enjoyed the message she hopes to deliver to readers through her novels. Hint ... It's about partnering with our horses. Read Genevieve's interview by clicking here.

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Deck the Stalls: Horse Stories for the Holidays by Various Authors

From the Amazon Page: Get in the holiday spirit with this Christmas-themed set of short stories from some of your favorite equestrian writers! Some of the top authors in the genre have banded together to share Christmas stories from the heart. Look for best-selling authors Maggie Dana, Mary Pagones, Mara Dabrishus, Brittney Joy, Kim Ablon Whitney, Kate Lattey, and Natalie Keller Reinert -- plus an all-new Canterwood Crest holiday short story from Jessica Burkhart! And in the true spirit of the holidays, all proceeds will go to benefit Old Friends, a Thoroughbred retirement home providing life-long homes for former racehorses.

Inside, you'll find stories from some favorite characters and new ones:

• Jessica Burkhart returns to Canterwood Crest with an all-new holiday story.
• Mara Dabrishus takes us back to Saratoga with July from "Stay the Distance."
• Natalie Keller Reinert visits her best-selling Eventing Series with a peek into Jules' early days as a working student.
• Brittney Joy offers a warm-hearted holiday tale with characters from her Red Rock Ranch series. (Psst ... Read Brittney Joy's Equestrian Author Spotlight interview with me by clicking here.)
• Mary Pagones contributes the prequel to "The Horse is Never Wrong" and "Fortune's Fool."
• Kate Lattey revisits Pip from "Flying Changes," along with a new friend.
• Maggie Dana, author of Timber Ridge Riders, writes an all-new holiday story, "The Ticket."
• Kim Ablon Whitney, author of hunter/jumper series The Circuit, shares a Christmas story in "The Barn Party."

With prequels, new stories of old friends, and brand new characters to fall in love with, Deck the Stalls is a Christmas gift from your favorite authors that you'll want to read again and again.

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The Horse That Ate Christmas by Debbie Brady Shellady

From the Amazon Page: The Horse That Ate Christmas is a true story about Zsir, a dancing horse, who opened his stall door on a snowy Christmas Eve and ate all the apples, candy canes, carrots and pears in his eleven stablemates’ Christmas stockings. Zsir goes to bed with a tummy ache. Can Dr. McNutt come to the rescue? Can Auntie Amy and Zsir save Christmas for the other horses? 

This story is written for prekindergarten through third grade students. It is filled with colorful, realistic illustrations of the Christmas Eve adventure of Zsir and his horse friends.

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A Pony for Christmas by Bev Pettersen

From the Amazon Page: A Heartwarming Holiday Novella by Award-Winning Author Bev Pettersen. Six-year-old Suzy Jenkins desperately wants a pony for Christmas. And she’s certain Santa will deliver. After all, she’s been on her best behavior for months—not tattling on the bullies and even sharing her only candy cane.

​Besides, this year she has everything ready, including a cracked water bucket and several wizened carrots. Suzy’s mother struggles just to put food on the table. Life has been challenging since her husband died, and any pet—most especially a pony—is impossible.

​However Suzy’s unflagging belief in the importance of being kind serves as a catalyst, sending ripples throughout her snowy Montana town and bringing love and happiness to more than just a big-hearted little girl.

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Fergus and The Night Before Christmas by Jean Abernethy

From the Amazon Page: Fergus, the world's most popular cartoon horse, shares an epic holiday adventure inspired by the classic tale ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. With colorful, light-hearted comedy on every page, Fergus and his motley group of equine teammates bravely take to the skies to give St. Nick the sleigh ride of his life. Can Santa manage his ungainly hitch and deliver the perfect gift on the most magical night of the year? Fasten your seatbelt! Recommended for ages 5 to 95.

Horse book authors Jean Abernethy and Carly Kade

I had the pleasure of meeting Jean in person at last year's American Horse Publications Conference. Isn't the picture she made for me with Fergus peeking over my shoulder so spur jingling? Read my Equestrian Author Spotlight interview with Jean and check out the cute Fergus the Horse comic strips she sent to me by clicking here.

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One Frosty Christmas by Laura Hesse

From the Amazon Page: Eleven-year-old Hannah Storey has lots of friends, but not in River Bend. Folks in River Bend don't like newcomers, especially ones like Hannah. Hannah doesn't fit into the community any better than the old mustang the locals call "Frostbite". Will the old pony ever trust a human again? Will Hannah be able to save him from his nasty owner, Ole Man Levy? Before long, Hannah learns a startling truth about small towns:  small towns have no secrets. A heartwarming Christmas classic similar to "Black Beauty" in nature. Suitable ages 8 - 98.

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A Snow Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller

If cute cowboys are your thing, then you'll want to get swept away by Linda Lael Miller's A Snow Country Christmas. I have fallen in love with her The Carsons of Mustang Creek series. A holiday book featuring the characters from this series was like the trimming on my Christmas tree — a must!

From the Amazon Page: It’s a Christmas affair to remember as a Hollywood mogul discovers his inner cowboy—and the woman of his dreams—amid the rugged beauty of Wyoming

Raine McCall would take snow-covered mountains over a star-studded premiere any day. But when hotshot movie executive Mick Branson arranges dinner on Christmas Eve to discuss a work opportunity, she’s intrigued—by the offer and the man. She’s a no-makeup, no-frills single mom who’s happy with her quiet life. Sharing chili cheeseburgers and sizzling kisses with Mick is sure heating up her holiday, but country girl and power player don’t mix…

It’s not just work that’s brought Mick back to Mustang Creek. Since he first visited to oversee a documentary, free-spirited graphic designer Raine has been in his head. Their attraction is undeniable—and so are their differences. Putting down roots in the Wild West wasn’t in the script. But there are some Christmas gifts you can’t walk away from, even when they turn your whole world upside down…

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Have you read any good horse books lately? 

If I missed any great horse holiday books let me know! Also, if you've read any terrific horse books that you think horse lovers should be checking out, drop me a quick email. I'd love to get your recommendations for my Equestrian Author Spotlight blog series where I interview other horse book authors. I want to hear from you! Email me here.

Do you love horse books as much as I do?

If you're looking for a new horse book to snuggle up with this holiday season. Look no further! There are plenty of spur jingling equine authors to choose from in my Equestrian Author Spotlight series. Just click the images below to check out my interview recaps and discover your next favorite horse book. HAPPY READING.

Equine Authors 1 - 10

Equine Authors 11 -20

Equine Authors 21 - 30

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If you love horses and are anything like me, I just know that you'll enjoy the holiday horse books featured in this post. If you love equestrian romance, consider grabbing my latest book in the In the Reins series. 

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Holiday Book Trailer: Get snowed in with In the Reins!

Make a date with cowboy McKennon Kelly. He's the perfect book boyfriend to snuggle up with this holiday season. 

In the Reins is a love story for readers who enjoy all things western, horses, and handsome cowboys. Available now in eBook, Paperback & Audiobook. https://amzn.to/2zB2njz

Buy In the Reins Now

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Join my Readers' Group for spur jingling updates and information on NEW interviews with authors of horse books, In the Reins series sneak peeks, special events, discounts, updates on horsey things I love and more. My mission is to rope creativity and lasso fun for you.

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Related Horsey Holiday Posts

Wanna give your cowgirl something unique this holiday season? Here's a western gift guide for the horse lover in your life. Read the post for some creative gift ideas you'll want to tip your cowboy hat to.

OR

Would you rather celebrate the holiday season by watching some hilarious (and sweet) holiday horse commercials? My favorites are featured in the post below. I hope YULE love them, too!

Read the Gift Guide

Watch Horse Commercials

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