Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:
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Copyright Dodd, Mead, & Company New York
Ruby Ferguson’s A Horse of
Her Own remains one of the most charming standalone pony novels of the mid‑twentieth
century, a book that continues to resonate with readers who grew up dreaming of
a horse to call their own. The novel captures Ferguson’s signature blend of
humor, heart, and the everyday realities of equestrian life. Though best known
for her Jill’s Ponies series, Ferguson wrote more than thirty books
across genres, including children’s literature, adult fiction, and mysteries.
Born Ruby Constance Annie Ferguson in 1899 in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, she
studied at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, and later published under both her own
name and the pen name R.C. Ashby. Her work helped define the golden era of
British pony books, giving young riders stories that honored their passion and
imagination.
A Horse of Her Own follows
a young heroine whose longing for a horse becomes a journey toward
responsibility, independence, and the deep emotional bond that forms between a
girl and her mount. Ferguson’s writing shines in her ability to portray horses
not merely as animals but as characters with presence and personality. Her
stories feel lived‑in, shaped by the rhythms of stable life and the quiet
triumphs of growing up. Even decades later, the book’s themes remain timeless
for equestrians and nostalgic readers alike.
Because the novel is
copyrighted, only a short fair‑use excerpt can be shared here. Early in the
story, Ferguson captures the heart of her heroine’s longing in a simple,
resonant line:
“She had always dreamed of a
horse of her own, but dreaming and having were two very different things.”
That sentence alone reflects
the emotional core of the novel—the difference between wishing for something
and stepping into the responsibility of truly having it. For many readers, that
distinction mirrors their own childhood dreams, making the book feel both
personal and universal.
Today, A Horse of Her Own
remains a beloved classic among pony‑book collectors and equestrian literature
enthusiasts. Its gentle storytelling, vivid characters, and authentic horse‑world
details continue to inspire new generations of readers who understand what it
means to want a horse with their whole heart.
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