Horse lovers are going to love this awesome list of horse books for 3rd graders! There is a wide range of reading levels on this list making it perfect for kids ages 8-10!
Add these books to your bookshelf to be picked up by your animal-loving readers. You can read them aloud or let kids read them independently.
They’ll make the perfect addition to your horse activities for kids or your lessons that focus on the Kentucky Derby.
Horse Books for 3rd Graders
Below, I’ve featured just a handful of chapter books that your third graders are going to love!
You should be able to find them at your local library or bookstore. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.
The Black Stallion – From Alec Ramsay and the Black’s first meeting on an ill-fated ship to their adventures on a desert island and their eventual rescue, this beloved story will hold the rapt attention of readers new and old.
Misty of Chincoteague – On the island of Chincoteague, off the coasts of Virginia and Maryland, lives a centuries-old band of wild ponies.
Among them is the most mysterious of all, Phantom, a rarely-seen mare that eludes all efforts to capture her—that is, until a young boy and girl lay eyes on her and determine that they can’t live without her.
The frenzied roundup that follows on the next Pony Penning Day does indeed bring Phantom into their lives, in a way they never would have suspected.
Phantom would forever be a creature of the wild. But her gentle, loyal colt Misty is another story altogether…
Night Mare – A class assignment―to blog―gets Ellie’s horse Dream noticed. Ellie and her family believed that the Pinto was a “runaway” horse without a home.
But now the owners want him back. How will Ellie deal with losing her beloved backyard horse?
Penny and Pepper – Penny is visiting her grandparents out in the country for the summer. They have a surprise for her–a pony named Pepper!
Along with their new friends, Tom and Tina, Penny and Pepper solve mysteries in the neighborhood, and rescue a frightened kitten!
Winter Pony – Ginny finally has the pony she has always dreamed of, and now she and Mokey are looking forward to a winter full of new adventures.
Together, they explore the snow-filled woods and even learn to drive a sleigh. As usual, Mokey has plenty of surprises in store, including one that Ginny can’t believe: Mokey is expecting a foal!
Pocket Genius: Facts at Your Fingertips – From the biggest Shire horse to the smallest pony, horses have been invaluable to people in work, sports, and leisure for centuries.
Featuring more than 125 individual breeds of horses, ponies, and their cousins — zebras, mules, and donkeys — Pocket Genius: Horses looks at the anatomy and behavior of these beautiful animals at work and play.
Young readers can learn about their color, markings, and evolution, plus read up on mythical horses, horses in literature, and famous stud farms around the world in this pocket-size encyclopedia.
Who Was Seabiscuit? – In the middle of the worst depression in U.S. history, one young racehorse lifted a nation’s spirits. Seabiscuit was born in 1933 on a farm in Kentucky. Though bred for racing, he was weak and undersized. He slept too long and ate too much.
Against the odds, he began to win local races. He was given a new coach who trained him to race in larger circuits. Soon enough, this scrappy horse began beating the best racehorses in the country.
He became a media darling and won national competitions. In 1938 he was voted U.S. Horse of the Year. Seabiscuit’s undying spirit and come-from-behind story made him a celebrity and hero for millions.
Riding Lessons – Eleven-year-old Ellen is a spunky—and occasionally misbehaving—young riding student.
Her teacher, Abby Lovitt, is a high school student who introduces her to jumping, dressage techniques, and most importantly, Ned.
Gallop! 100 Fun Facts About Horses – Packed with weird-but-true facts and tons of equestrian animal info, this Level 3 Reader gallops right into the world of horses–from wild ponies to superstar racers to the shared history of humans and horses.
Stallion by Starlight – Hold your horses! Jack and Annie must find four secrets of greatness for Merlin the magician. To start, they travel back in time to meet Alexander the Great. He should know all about greatness, right?
But young Alexander is bossy, vain, and not great at all! How can they learn from him? It’s going to take a wild black stallion, magic from Merlin, and a lot of bravery to succeed.
Are Jack and Annie clever and bold enough to complete their mission?
Horse Gentler in Training – Winnie is the star of the bestselling Winnie the Horse Gentler series that sold more than half a million copies and taught kids around the world about faith, kindness, and horse training. Winnie could ride horses before she could walk, but training them is another story.
ROUND OUT YOUR UNIT WITH THESE ACTIVITIES
Add a wooden hobby horse to your imaginative play area, and your toddlers can pretend they’re riding a horse of their very own.
Toys with wheels have always been beloved among kids because there is a motion that is always interesting! This gorgeous wooden horse pull toy is no exception!
More Horse Posts to Explore
If you are looking for more horse-themed activities to round out your lesson plan, you are going to love the following posts!