Caroline Akrill
Excellent author who mainly writes for older teenagers to adults. There is usually a sub-plot of romance in most of her books, and most are also very funny!

Teenager upwards:

THE EVENTING TRILOGY

FLYING CHANGES

THE SILVER BRIDLE / STAR TRILOGY Read a review

CAROLINE TRILOGY

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Gillian Baxter
Many of her books, if not adult novels, are aimed at an older children. In these her heroines are just about grown up or have left school and romance usually forms part of her stories

Teenager upwards:

THE BOBBY AND SHELTA SERIES

THE STABLES FROM HAMPTON

RIBBONS AND RINGS

TAN AND TARMAC

BARGAIN HORSES  Read a review

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Joanna Cannan
As well as a pony book writer the mother of the P-T sisters was also an acclaimed author of adult crime fiction, at least one of which had a horsy background.

Adult:

MURDER INCLUDED
Whodunnit set against the backdrop of a hunting stables. Investigations begin when a hard woman to hounds is found bumped off.

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Monica Dickens
The author wrote adult novels first and most of her childrens novels are excellent reads for adults too, especially the Follyfoot series.

Teenager upwards:

FOLLYFOOT SERIES/COBBLER'S DREAM
Many of the characters are adults and so there are many adult themes in these brilliant books.

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Dick Francis/Racing Thrillers
For some reason horses and crime seem to go together in the world of books. Mainly, it must be said, in the world of horse-racing, possibly because of the reputation (be it real or perceived!) that racing is a shady game. Of course the archetypal author in the racing-crime genre is Dick Francis but there are a number of others, mainly ex-jockeys or trainers.
Although these are primarily crime novels they are all set against horsy backdrops, mainly in the world of racing. Some have quite a lot of horse content, others just a passing mention. Standard varies quite a lot between the books, most are of a superior quality in the genre (in particular the first 3 in the Sid Halley series), although a few of the later ones don't come quite up to scratch IMHO! Most of them are however excellent reads especially for those who like racing.

SID HALLEY SERIES:
The best Dick Francis books are arguably those about Sid Halley ex-champion jockey turned private investigator. (Two have won awards), although the last is IMO not as good.
Sid is devastated when he has to give up riding due to injury but in his subsequent career he learns more about life and himself than he ever did when racing! The third book was written quite a while after the first two and the fourth after another longish gap - although in the fictional world not many years have passed between the first and last book!
Click here for more info about the series.

ODDS AGAINST

WHIP HAND

COME TO GRIEF

UNDER ORDERS

There was also a TV show called The Racing Game, based on the characters of Sid and his sidekick Chico.

Space and time permits me listing all their books at the minute, however other authors in this genre include:

Mark Daniel  John Francome  Richard Pitman  Jenny Pitman  Graeme Roe  Lyndon Stacey Michael Maguire

Also click here for an interesting witty article on racing thrillers

Hazel M. Peel
All her books are suitable for older teenagers and adults. The Ann and Jim Leysham stud series have almost all adult characters. Jago and Fury are uncompromising accounts of horses in the wild and may be unsuitable for younger readers.

Teenager upwards:

ANN AND JIM LEYSHAM STUD SERIES  Read a review

FURY SON OF THE WILDS

JAGO

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Patricia Leitch
Although most of the books have quite young heroines and are not particularly aimed at older readers the quality of writing makes them a pleasure to read for any age. However there is really only one of her books aimed specifically at an older teenager readership.

Teenager upwards:

JANET YOUNG RIDER aka A HORSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The main character has left school and is working with horses

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Elyne Mitchell

Adult:

THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER

Teenager upwards:

ALL OTHER BOOKS
All her books are aimed at teenagers and above and will probably be appreciated more by the older reader.

Click here for more info on the author and her books

K. M. Peyton
Brilliant author, most of her books can be enjoyed by older readers, but she is one of the few writers who have written horsy novels specifically aimed at adults:

Adult:

LATE TO SMILE

THE SOUND OF DISTANT CHEERING

Teenager upwards:

FLAMBARDS SERIES

THE TEAM

FREE REIN aka LAST DITCH

DEAR FRED

DARKLING

BLIND BEAUTY

SMALL GAINS

GREATER GAINS

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Christine Pullein Thompson

Adult:

FAIR GIRLS AND GREY HORSES
Not fiction. An autobiography of her and her two sisters

Teenager upwards:

THE DAVID & PAT SERIES (THE SECOND MOUNT & THREE TO RIDE)
The characters are quite young in the first book in series but in the second two they are grown up and working with horses.

THE IMPOSSIBLE HORSE
Aimed at an older readership than many of her books. Possibly could be the reason it was first written under a psuedonym?

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Diana Pullein Thompson

Adult:

FAIR GIRLS AND GREY HORSES
Not fiction. An autobiography of her and her two sisters

Teenager upwards:

JANET MUST RIDE
Janet has left school and is working as a groom.

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Josephine Pullein Thompson
Like her mother (Joanna Cannan) Josephine also wrote some adult crime novels which have a horse-related theme. Her pony books don't tend to have many adult themes however with the exception of A Job With Horses

Adult:

FAIR GIRLS AND GREY HORSES
Autobiog of her and her two sisters

GIN AND MURDER
Crime novel with horsy backdrop

MURDER STRIKES PINK
Crime novel with hunting backdrop

THEY DIED IN THE SPRING
Crime novel with horsy backdrop

Teenager upwards:

A JOB WITH HORSES

Click here for more info on the author and her books

Vian Smith
Excellent author, most of whose books are aimed at an older readership from older teenager to adult.

Teenager upwards:

GREEN HEART

COME DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

THE HORSES OF PETROCK

THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW

MINSTREL BOY

KING SAM aka TALL AND PROUD

Click here for more on the author and his books

Joyce Stranger
One of the few authors who wrote adult horse stories. Excellent stories which are suitable for teenagers and older.

Adult:

ZARA

BREED OF GIANTS

STRANGER THAN FICTION

THE JANUARY QUEEN

THE HOUNDS OF HADES

THE STALLION

Teenager upwards:

KHAZAN THE HORSE FROM THE SEA

Click here for more on the author and her books

Judith Tarr
US writer of historical/fantasy type novels, some of which have a horsy theme. The author is knowledgeable about horses, which shows through in her books. She also writes under the name of Caitlin Brennan.
She is also involved with Lipizzaners, and owns Dancing Horse Farm, where she breeds them, gives lessons, and talks on both horses and writing. If you would like to know more about her books or her horses, please visit her website and the Caitlin Brennan website

Adult:

A WIND IN CAIRO by JUDITH TARR
Unusual fantasy/historical novel set in Egypt during the time of the Crusades. Wealthy wastrel Hassan angers a magician who punishes him by turning him into an Arab stallion. As he lives as a horse he learns to change his ways. Lots of detail of horse training (author has background of classical dressage).

THE SHEPHERD KINGS
Story about the horse goddess of ancient Egypt.

THE EPONA TRILOGY:
WHITE MARE'S DAUGHTER
LADY OF HORSES
DAUGHTER'S OF LIR
Historical series set in ancient times where humans first interact with horses and the great horse goddess Epona.

As Caitlin Brennan:

VALERIA SERIES:
THE MOUNTAIN'S CALL
SONG OF UNMAKING
SHATTERED DANCE
Historical fantasy series about a woman who has a magical connection to horses and the horse gods. (The mythical horse deities are based on the author's beloved Lipizzaners)

Dorian Williams
Famous commentator of horsy events. Also wrote some excellent pony books. Best known for the 'Wendy' series but wrote two horse themed books for older readers with adult characters.

Adult:

PANCHO THE STORY OF A HORSE

KINGDOM FOR A HORSE

Click here for more on the author and his books

Books by other authors...

Adult:

NIGHTMARE by PIERS ANTHONY
This is actually part of a fantasy series (the Xanth series) but the main character is a horse (or a nightmare to be exact!) who has been kicked out of nightmare land for not being scary enough. In the 'real' world she meets a wonderful stallion but then finds out a terrible truth about him. Can she control her instincts and save her friends?
A good story but for fantasy fans only.

RIDE FOR A FALL by DONNA BAKER
Romance set in the racing world.

FLY AWAY HOME by KIMBERLY CATES
Romance. Eve is unhappy as her teenage daughter is estranged from her. To cheer herself up she takes a trip to Ireland where she meets horse trainer Michael.

HAMILTON by CATHERINE COOKSON
First of a trilogy, the others are less horse-orientated. Maisie invents an imaginary horse in order to help her overcome her dreadful life. Click here for more info.

RIDERS & POLO by JILLY COOPER
Haven't read these as yet but I am assured they do contain a lot of horsy content (as well as quite a lot of naughty goings on!)

BLUEGRASS by BORDEN DEAL
Story about breeding and racing horses in Kentucky, USA.

COLD BURN by KIT EHRMAN
USA mystery novel set against a backdrop of a TB breeding farm in Virginia. Plenty of horse detail.

DEAD MAN'S TOUCH by KIT EHRMAN
USA mystery set in the racing world

AT RISK by KIT EHRMAN
USA Mystery set in the racing world

THE HORSE-WHISPERER by NICHOLAS EVANS
A very high profile book which was made into a film of the same name. After a horrific accident a mother tries to save her injured daughter by curing her traumatized horse. She sets out in search of a famous 'horse whisperer' who can supposedly cure all equine problems.

COLLECTIVE MARKS by NANCY FELDMAN
Novel set in the world of dressage. A troubled teenage boy always in trouble with the law, finds that his affinity with horses may be his last chance at redemption.

THE DARK HORSE by RUMER GODDEN
Historical book about racing set in India

RIDING LESSONS by RITA GRUEN
20 years after a tragic accident destroyed a promising Olympic riding career along with her beloved horse, Annmarie returns to her dying father's horse farm. Everything changes when she glimpses a horse which bears a remarkable resemblance to the one she lost all those years ago.

FLYING CHANGES by RITA GRUEN
Follow up to the above book. Annmarie watches as her teenage daughter attempts to follow in her footsteps as a top rider.

SWEET WILLIAM by JOHN HAWKES
'Pony point of view' novel for older readers. The memoirs of an old and not so nice racehorse. (Black Beauty, he ain't!)

BRED TO WIN by WILLIAM KINSOLVING
Set in the USA racing world. Follows the fortunes of Annie who from humble and unhappy beginnings works her way up through the racing world to become a top owner and breeder.

CATCH RIDES by SARA McAULAY
Set in the USA racing world. Annie escapes the expectations of her mother and leaves to become an assistant trainer.

BLACK HORSES FOR THE KING by ANNE McCAFFREY
Short historical novel in which a horse-loving boy sets off with King Arthur and his warriors on a quest to find horses which will make superb battle chargers.

RING OF FEAR by ANNE McCAFFREY
Mystery/romance set on the US hunter/jumper circuit.

THE LADY by ANNE McCAFFREY
Romance set in Ireland where Catriona is the daughter of an Irish horse trainer.

THE RUNAWAY NATIONAL by ENID MICHAEL

CHANCE MEETING by LAURA MOORE
Romance type novel set in the US horse world. Can wealthy Ty prove herself to her old equestrian idol Steve.

RIDE A DARK HORSE by LAURA MOORE
Romance set in the US horse world where a woman finds herself the guardian of her orphaned niece and nephew. She abandons the career as a top rider she was embarking upon,takes a job as a trainer to support them and meets both an intriguing man and an exciting horse.

INS AND OUTS by BARBARA MOSS
Jilly Cooper-type book set in the world of show jumping

SILVER DREAMS by SONDRA RICE NEWMAN
US novel. When her boyfriend dumps her, Leigh gives up her wealthy city lifestyle and retreats to the Virginian countryside. There she becomes involved with a one-eyed Thoroughbred and falls in love with horses once again.

LEGENDS LAKE by JOANN ROSS
Romance type novel set in the USA and Ireland, in which two people fall in love while trying to cure a promising race-horse's mysterious fits of terror.

TROPHIES by AINSLEE SHERIDAN
Horsy potboiler set in the world of US jumping. Along the lines of Jilly Cooper.

BARN BLIND by JANE SMILEY
Well written gritty novel set in the American horse world. A trainer pushes her children into horse-orientated lives, ignoring their own interests and aspirations...

HORSE HEAVEN by JANE SMILEY
An excellent realistic novel set in the world of American racing.

A YEAR AT THE RACES by JANE SMILEY
Although a non-fiction book full of anecdotes about the author's life with horses and the Californian training circuit, I have included it here as it provides some of the real life events which were translated into fiction in her novel Horse Heaven.

AIRS ABOVE THE GROUND by MARY STEWART
Mystery story set against the backdrop of the Spanish Riding School in Austria. A woman sets of to Austria to track down an errant husband but finds herself involved in dangerous goings on which centre round a Lipizzaner stallion.

GRAND NATIONAL by JOHN WELCOME
Fictionalised account of a group of people and horses preparing for the National

Teenager upwards:

JOCKEY SCHOOL by MICHAEL FEENEY CALLAN
UK novel set in the world of racing and apprentice jockeys.

INTERNATIONAL VELVET by BRYAN FORBES
Follow up to National Velvet. Velvet is now grown up. The story is seen from the point of view of both her and her teenage niece who is training to become an eventer.

FLYING CHANGES by LYNN HALL
US novel about a teenage girl training her horse.

RIDE A DARK HORSE by LYNN HALL
A girl sets out to solve the mystery of two similar looking stallions after her father's death. But things get more dangerous than she had bargained for...

BOLD VENTURE (UK title BLUEBIRD) by D.V. S.JACKSON
The magnificent silver horse was responsible for the death of her Uncle Pat but still Johanna couldn't help losing her heart to him.

JUMPER by NICHOLAS KALASHNIKOFF
Historical novel set in Russia

AGAINST THE ODDS by SUSAN MILLARD
A girl working in the racing world finds her life turned upside down by two jockeys.

LAST JUNIOR YEAR by BARBARA MORGENROTH
US novel which centres around a 17 year old's life on the American show circuit.

RIDE A PROUD HORSE by BARBARA MORGENROTH

DANCER by SHELLEY PETERSON
Set in Canada. Sixteen year old Mousie achieves jumping success with her horse Dancer, but others are willing to go to any lengths to get their hands on the talented jumper.

ABBY MALONE by SHELLEY PETERSON
Follow up to Dancer.

STAGESTRUCK by SHELLEY PETERSON
When Mousie is at university, she loans Dancer to Abby. Abby is thrilled to be able to train the brilliant horse for a prestigious event, but then becomes involved in a mystery centred around a strange theatre in an old barn.

SUNDANCER by SHELLEY PETERSON

THE HORSEMASTERS by DON STANFORD
Two girls study for their BHS exams

THE HEAVENLY HORSE FROM THE OUTERMOST WEST by MARY STANTON
Unusual fantasy novel in which the main characters are all horses and ponies at a breeding farm who find themselves mixed up in a world of horse gods and demons. A bit scary for youngsters but good read for teenagers and adults.

PIPER AT THE GATE by MARY STANTON
Follow up to the above book.