Book recommendations for seven-and-a-half-year-old DD, please

[SeventeenTwoChestnutMare]

DD has just started riding and I'm planning to start again after a very long, don't ask! break.

I've still got all my old books packed away (some are late-1980s/1990s, some are out of the ark since they were already vintage back then) but I'd like to buy DD an up-to-date riding and pony care book of her own. Her reading age is higher than her age but obviously she's totally new to the subject.

Is there a generally well regarded book aimed at the younger beginner?

I'd also be interested in recommended reading for myself, so I can refresh my memory and fill in the gaps.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[tootsietoo]

The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship! Also mine loved Tilly's Pony Tails by Pippa Funnell. They are stories, but include lots of information about stable management, training etc. I'm sure they read them when they were around 7/8.

As for refreshing your memory - the stable management articles in H&H and Horse and Rider are useful.

[SeventeenTwoChestnutMare]

Fab, thanks tootsie! Seeing as we're halfway through September already I'll get that for DD for Christmas, along with some boots. (The hat will need fitting so not such a surprise present!)

I haven't bought a horsey magazine since Pony, way back when. I'll have a look for Horse and Rider, though I may have to get a subscription because I'm in London so I'd be surprised if it's regularly on the local newsagents shelves.

[Tigersteeth]

My nearly 7 year old loves Pony, and the Usborne books are good. She also loves a book she got as a presenteam, called something like the Pony Lover's Guide... lots of lift the flap facts and things.

[SeventeenTwoChestnutMare]

Thanks for the extra recommendations, Tigersteeth; The Pony-lover's Handbook sounds exactly the sort of thing DD would enjoy.

The Pony Club Manual arrived last week so I've been dipping into that. It's probably a little advanced for DD because she's so new to horses, but it's an excellent refresher for me.

[noitsnotteatimeyet]

We got dd a subscription to Pony magazine when she was little - it's perfect for your dd's age and has lots of info amongst the cute pony pics. Dd's now graduated to Horse & Rider which is also v god but would be too grownup for your dd at the moment

[SeventeenTwoChestnutMare]

If DD is still keen on her lessons come December, a subscription to Pony would be a great Christmas present, good idea.

[Butkin1]

I think the PC Manual is a great book to have on your shelf as reference but very dry for youngsters getting into ponies.

Our DD started off with the Dorling Kindersley book on horse and Ponies and it was her bible - she loved it.

We also recommend the Pony Club Secrets books by Stacy Gregg. A brilliantly written series - I recommend you start at the first one (Mystic and the Midnight Ride) and let her grow up with the characters..