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Original poster

Good books which have a horse/pony theme please?? Flambards as an example

58 replies

DarrellRivers · 09/05/2012 20:21

DD going through equine phase.

Has read some of the 'Tilly's pony Tales', dross that seems to be ubiquitous. Have only just managed to wean her off 'Rainbow Magic.

She saw 'Flambards' in Waterstones and because it had a horse on the front she insisted I bought it, and loved it.

She has read the Jinny of Finmory series which I quite enjoyed, (she read it to me at bed time) and I realised why I enjoyed it so much, I think it is set in 19702/1980s. She also enjoyed it as well.

Please tell me your recommendations for broadening her spectrum a little more.
Thanks

OP posts:
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careergirl · 03/06/2012 21:58

Dream of Fair Horses I did love that book - the pony was called Perdita

peggyblackett · 30/05/2012 15:17

kitchen I was going to say Dream of Fair Horses. It is magical.

youmeandtheoldzifferzafferzuff · 30/05/2012 15:11

Hello,
I'm going to recommend The Messenger series by Monica Dickens. I didn't see it mentioned already, possibly because the horse link is a bit tenuous. It's more time-travelling to avert tragedies with the horse as the magical link with the past.
www.amazon.co.uk/The-Messenger-Armada-Monica-Dickens/dp/0006923992
Or what about The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge?

MuddlingMackem · 30/05/2012 11:55

Darrell, you're welcome.

I'm not a pony book person at all, but I've actually enjoyed all three of those series. I'm an Usborne organiser so was reading for research and actually put off reading the Minna books because of the pony theme. Finally decided to give them a go and loved them. Was actually really disappointed that there are only three. They're actually much more about the people than the horses, but the horses are vital to the plots. You might want to read them yourself first to make sure you're okay with all of the themes in them though.

Debs75 · 30/05/2012 09:16

I have almost a full set of Heartland books which Dd1 loved pre teen but is bored by now. I enjoyed them, how about them?

Original poster
DarrellRivers · 30/05/2012 09:15

Muddling, that looks perfect.
She already is a K M Peyton fan so the Minna's Quest books look great
Thanks

OP posts:
MuddlingMackem · 29/05/2012 17:01

Usborne do a couple of pony series. Pony Mad Princess for age 7+
usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?cat=1&series=205
and Sandy Lane Stables for 8+
usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?cat=1&series=169

KM Peyton also does the Roman Pony trilogy, but they're 11+, so might still be too old for her:
usborne.com/catalogue/catalogue.aspx?cat=1&area=FF&subcat=FF9-13&id=2421

sanguinechompa · 21/05/2012 12:26

Definitely bookmarking this thread. Dd is horse-mad and there are some great recommendations on here.

Original poster
DarrellRivers · 21/05/2012 12:20

Am reporting back
She has read 'Jill's Gymkhana' and 'A wish for a pony' and enjoyed both, but I think preferred 'Jill's Gymkhana' because it had her school stuff in as well
Currently reading 'Follyfoot' and again, not a squeak.
Thanks everyone, next one will be 'Fly by night'

OP posts:
DeWe · 16/05/2012 20:12

Pat Smythe "Three Jay" books are very funny. I recommend "Three Jays lend a hand" if you can get it. I think the first book is "Jacqueline rides for a fall" and isn't as good as the others in the series, but does set the scene. The others all are called "Three Jays...."

She wrote a couple of XXX Holiday (Can't remember exact name) books that are more adventure style.

Dated, but rather nice.

PeelingmyselfofftheCeiling · 16/05/2012 15:33

Ive just found my old copy of Black Beauty and am re-reading it. Only a few pages in and already blubbing, can't believe I loved this as a 5 year old!

bingicat · 16/05/2012 13:53

Oh my goodness, all of these. I love them all!! The Jill books were dated when I read them in the 80s but it was kind of part of the charm? Makes me want to dig out all my old books:) The ones that stick in my mind unprompted are Jill, Flambards, and My Friend Flicka :)

MimsyBorogroves · 16/05/2012 13:27

I always liked The Saddle Club, Jill and Follyfoot. What about Cobbler's Dream, which I believe was the prequel to Follyfoot?

I can't wait until some of these come out on kindle.

mistlethrush · 16/05/2012 13:18

I liked the Brumby books and the Black Stallion Books, but also found a lovely book called Rosina Copper (still have it Blush)

BlueChampagne · 16/05/2012 13:09

Pat Smythe the showjumper wrote some stories too, but like the Jill books, they may have dated.

meala · 14/05/2012 20:13

Another vote here for the Monica Edwards books, I loved them as a girl (might have to look them out and reread now!)

KitchenandJumble · 14/05/2012 19:48

I would highly recommend Dream of Fair Horses by Patricia Leitch. I adored this book as a child.

Another recommendation: White Ghost Summer by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. I had to look up the author's name for that one, but the book has stayed with me since I first read it many years ago.

bruffin · 14/05/2012 18:40

There was also another set of Brumby books by Mary Elwyn Patchett which I used to read still available on amazon second hand

IndridCold · 14/05/2012 18:10

I loved Horse in the House too, you can still get it second hand on Abebooks.

I'd also recommend Ponies Plot by C Northcote Parkinson which is quite funny. Also We Couldn't Leave Dinah by Mary Treadgold which is quite an exciting adventure story as it's set on the Channel Islands during the war.

complexnumber · 13/05/2012 06:49

How about the Heartland series? There are hundreds of those.

Bonnie Bryant does the Saddle Club and Pine Hollow series.

Alyssa Brugman is an award winning Australian author who also does some pony books.

Original poster
DarrellRivers · 12/05/2012 17:17

Jane Smiley has some horse books as well so also giving those a whirl

OP posts:
careergirl · 12/05/2012 11:06

Horse Called September is now on Kindle
Second reading Fly By Night and The Team
Also the Follyfoot series

ragged · 10/05/2012 18:26

Series:
Mustang Mountain
The Pony Whisperer
Crazy Horse

Authors
Marguerite Henry

Short Story anthologies:
Saddle Up

WhippingGirl · 10/05/2012 07:12

I 3rd folly foot it's amazing. Jinny was my favourite though. Jill is a bit datesd and reminds me of famous five but its frightfully age appropriate and has string themes I reckon.

bruffin · 10/05/2012 07:08

There is also a book called
A Horse In The House by William Corbin, but that is out of print