It’s the Year of the Fire Horse! 10 equine-inspired books to help you celebrate
For some people, horses may spark fond memories of a childhood passion—where are my horse girls? For others, horses represent a logistical force that has shaped humanity through transportation, agriculture, and the expansion of civilization. Horses can even evoke a sense of fantasy as one of the most majestic creatures that we humans can interact with in our regular lives. They bridge the very wide gap between intimate human-animal connection, historical significance, and almost otherworldly power. They can also serve as symbols for many things—change and action, independence and resilience, and strength and victory—all of which represent the perfect energy to carry into a new year!
This month, saddle up for the start of the Year of the Horse, which emphasizes energy and action. Even better, the 2026 Lunar New Year marks the year of the Fire Horse, a rare sign back for the first time in 60 years.
Whether you’re a lifelong horse fan or are just looking to kick the Lunar New Year off right, here are 10 books on the Libby app about horses with something for every reading taste.
Giddy up!
The Eighty-Dollar Champion
by Elizabeth Letts
When most people think of America’s great equine victories, stories of Seabiscuit or Secretariat come to mind, but have you heard of Snowman? Snowman was a discarded plow horse bought off a slaughter truck for $80 by Harry de Leyer, a Dutch immigrant who saw something special in the abandoned animal. The unlikely duo went on to take the show jumping world by storm and capture the heart of the nation during the Cold War-era. This heartwarming tale of hope really highlights the meaning of “adopt, don’t shop.” The author Elizabeth Letts has plenty of great horse books to choose from, so if you like this one be sure to check out The Ride of Her Life or The Perfect Horse too!
The Horse
by Willy Vlautin
Willy Vlautin’s literary fiction is known for its representation of sympathetic, down-on-their-luck characters through a gritty yet poignant style. The Horse follows a musician named Al who is struggling to carry on through insomnia and anxiety, only to find a blind and injured horse on his doorstep. Navigating this new arrival, and the question of what is real or imagined, Al’s thoughts are interspersed with memories of his life on the road. The Horse is a beautiful and thought-provoking story of addiction, heartbreak, and redemption.
Girls and Their Horses
by Eliza Jane Brazier
If you think dance moms bring the drama, horse moms are on another level altogether. The glamorous world of competitive showjumping shows its dark side in this novel about girls and their cutthroat mothers navigating a suspicious death at a horse show. This intense, fast-paced story is a fun and riveting read full of secrets and suspense.
Behooved
by M. Stevenson
Plenty of fairy tales and princess stories have horses, but what if the horse is also a cursed prince? When Bianca becomes betrothed to Prince Aric to form an alignment with a neighboring kingdom, she knows she’s sacrificing love for duty. But when an assassination attempt gone wrong leaves Aric magically transformed into a horse, Bianca realizes she's been saddled with more than she bargained for. Now with a husband who is horse by day, human by night, Bianca will have to work to unravel the curse while navigating unexpected romance along the way. Behooved has the feel of a classic fairy-tale adventure that's sure to satisfy romantasy readers.
The Horse
by Timothy C. Winegard
What would human civilization look like today if one person hadn’t tamed one horse thousands of years ago? Horses have been instrumental to life as we’ve come to know it, from transportation and farming to companionship and even as weapons of war. This book presents an epic history of our world through the focus of horses and how they’ve shaped us.
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Pony is fed up with being passed from owner to owner. The only person he ever really loved was Penny, his 12-year-old owner from 25 years ago. When Penny is accused of murder, Pony will have to use his smarts and his cuteness to find the real killer. This offbeat cozy mystery is equally humorous and heartfelt.
Horse
by Geraldine Brooks
The Horse is a critically acclaimed saga spanning three centuries of American history, based on the true story of a famous 19th-century racehorse. An enslaved groom in 1850s Kentucky, a New York gallery owner in the 1950s, and a Smithsonian scientist and art historian in 2019 are all connected by a record-breaking racing thoroughbred. Drawing on art, science, and human-animal connection, along with a reckoning of racism, this cinematic story is a perfect book club pick to spark a thought-provoking discussion.
Love, Canter, Action
by Katie Gilbert
Nora is a small-town horse wrangler in Georgia who has been admitted to a prestigious equine training program in Montana. To help raise money to cover the costs, she takes on a job wrangling horses on a movie set. The movie stars teen heartthrob Alexander Mathis, who is fresh from a scandal and looking to rehabilitate his image. When Nora and Alexander get into an argument, the paparazzi photos misread the situation for a passionate affair, and the Internet is hooked on the new couple. Excited by the prospect of resuscitating his reputation, Alexander offers Nora a deal: if she goes on three fake dates with him, he’ll cover her ticket to Montana. This charming YA enemies-to-lovers romance is full of wit, snark, heart, and of course, horses.
Creaky Acres
by Calista Brill
Creaky Acres is a perfect pick for both young readers and grown-up readers with a nostalgic place in their hearts for the horse books of their youth. Ten-year old Nora is a prize-winning horseback rider from the burbs with a close circle of best friends, but when her mom gets a new job in a poor, rural area, her whole life changes. Being the only Black girl in a new school and settling into a new barn called Creaky Acres is a lot to adjust to. But with her beloved horse, Hay Fever, by her side, Nora will meet a new group of friends, a ragtag team of equestrians who help her learn to see beyond first impressions. This heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel is a feel-good story for readers of all ages.
Black Beauty
by Anna Sewell
Listen, some classics are classics for a reason. Black Beauty was revolutionary for its time, bringing awareness to the harsh realities of animal welfare during the Victorian era and teaching generations of young readers to treat animals with kindness. Written from the perspective of a horse as our main character, this moving tale still packs a punch and sparks nostalgia for anyone’s inner horse girl.
*Title availability may vary.
Get ready to ride off into a new story on the Libby app with one of these great horse books. Yeehaw, readers!
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Published Feb 18, 2026
Claire Weibel
Claire Weibel has worked in publicity for the arts, public libraries, and archives. At Libby, she helps public libraries manage their collections. When she isn’t reading, she loves to run, try new recipes (while listening to an audiobook), plan her next road trip, or hang out with her pets. Claire is always excited to talk about a good mystery or spooky books!