Horse on the Loose - Children's Literature by Leslie McDonald: Gallop Into Summer Reading, Free Summer Reading Program for Kids

 

Award-Winning Author & Equestrian, Leslie McDonald
Find Leslie's book Horse on the Loose in the
FREE Gallop Into Summer Reading Program

Free Summer Reading Program for Kids

Kicking off June 1, 2025 Sign up today for your kids to participate in the Free 2025 Gallop into Summer Reading Program! We are just weeks from kicking off the 2025 program and are welcoming new authors and some great new books! It's Easy! 1. Register your child's participation on the website and download the Summer Reading Trail Map or get one from a participating author - join any time between June 1 and Sept 1, 2025. 2. Have your child read and complete activities on the Summer Reading Trail Map! Can't download one? Don't worry, create your own! 3. Submit completed reading logs by Sept 1, 2025 to be entered into a random drawing for prizes from participating authors. Sign Up Now

Looking for great books? Check out our online bookstore connecting you and your kids to the horse books they are looking for! Above is just a sample of what's available. Buy book links will take you to the author’s website to purchase books directly or to another online bookstore. Find Books

Meet our authors Our authors make this program possible. Our authors specialize in books from illustrated children's books, middle-grade novels, young adult, fiction, non-fiction, and STEM. Meet the Authors

Join us on Facebook Meet participating authors, get great horse book recommendations, connect with other parents, get summer reading activities, and more. Follow the conversation

Why summer reading?

Summer reading is an important bridge between school years! Over the summer months, kids can lose valuable skills and knowledge. Studies show participating in a summer reading program increases reading skills, motivation, confidence, and enjoyment.

Anna Elizabeth Judd, Western Novelist

Anna Elizabeth Judd

Western Novelist

 

Anna Elizabeth Judd

About the Author

Anna provides it all as if you are in the saddle along for the journey. Her rare books bring the readers joy from nearly every genre they can appreciate. She exuberantly brings the image and sentiments of the west to full life throughout the storyline. Yet, at the core of Judd’s work is a black stallion who engages life into every aspect of the book. Haystack fills children’s mind with wonder as he interacts with Marshal Spur and the Outrider Gang, to the mild minored young steed who brings Adam to new levels of learning in his life. Then he is brilliantly portrayed as a beautiful Appaloosa stallion in the Broncobuster as Cash.

Anna Elizabeth Judd includes a vast trove of Western Novels depicting the “Cowboy Way,” Horse Whispers, Gunslingers, and the Wild West, but very few scratch the surface relative to the vibrant depictions through which Anna takes this storyline in The Hourglass of el Diablo.

In her newest edition, The Handbook of Horsemanship Ann shows her extended knowledge in the art of horse training. As she originally wrote the book for her clients, so after the training with her was complete they would have a guide to take home. It ensured their continued success in the world of horsemanship.

Anna has many other books planned in the future, so stay tuned for the next adventure of Marshal Spur and the Outlaw coming winter 2020. But…… don’t think she has left us longing…. Dive into her new music album for all the young cowboys and girls in the world. Spur Up! Marshal Spur and the Outlaw.

Websites:

thewesternnovelist.com

annaelizabethjudd.com  

Amazon Author Page

Reverb Nation Music Album 

https://www.reverbnation.com/annaelizabethjudd/song/31976038-the-hourglass

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/thewesternnovelist/

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/westernsbyjudd/

Twitter:  twitter.com/westernsbyjudd

Anna Elizabeth Judd, Western Novelist

Anna Elizabeth Judd

Western Novelist

Anna Elizabeth Judd

About the Author

Anna provides it all as if you are in the saddle along for the journey. Her rare books bring the readers joy from nearly every genre they can appreciate. She exuberantly brings the image and sentiments of the west to full life throughout the storyline. Yet, at the core of Judd’s work is a black stallion who engages life into every aspect of the book. Haystack fills children’s mind with wonder as he interacts with Marshal Spur and the Outrider Gang, to the mild minored young steed who brings Adam to new levels of learning in his life. Then he is brilliantly portrayed as a beautiful Appaloosa stallion in the Broncobuster as Cash.

Anna Elizabeth Judd includes a vast trove of Western Novels depicting the “Cowboy Way,” Horse Whispers, Gunslingers, and the Wild West, but very few scratch the surface relative to the vibrant depictions through which Anna takes this storyline in The Hourglass of el Diablo.

In her newest edition, The Handbook of Horsemanship Ann shows her extended knowledge in the art of horse training. As she originally wrote the book for her clients, so after the training with her was complete they would have a guide to take home. It ensured their continued success in the world of horsemanship.

Anna has many other books planned in the future, so stay tuned for the next adventure of Marshal Spur and the Outlaw coming winter 2020. But…… don’t think she has left us longing…. Dive into her new music album for all the young cowboys and girls in the world. Spur Up! Marshal Spur and the Outlaw.

Websites:

thewesternnovelist.com

annaelizabethjudd.com  

Amazon Author Page

Reverb Nation Music Album 

https://www.reverbnation.com/annaelizabethjudd/song/31976038-the-hourglass

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/thewesternnovelist/

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/westernsbyjudd/

Twitter:  twitter.com/westernsbyjudd

Journeys: Finding Joy on Horseback by Joy S. MillerUpton

New!

Available in paperback from Amazon.com

With two horses, a dog and a used Gibson guitar a young woman set out in 1973 for a month-long adventure, following trails and back roads deep in Appalachia in southeastern Ohio. A few weeks before, Joy MillerUpton had been a journalism student at Ohio University, but now, with a BS degree in hand, she was taking time off before beginning her writing and photography career. At first riding with her 12-year-old son for a week, then by herself, Joy had time to contemplate the first 31 years of her life.

That journey was the first in a series of horseback adventures Joy and her horses took over the next three decades. You will read about living on the road traveling with horses—sleeping under the stars and sometimes thunderclouds, riding through Bigfoot country, tracing parts of John Hunt Morgan’s ride through Ohio, and riding portions of Underground Railroad routes.

This is a story about a woman raised when becoming a homemaker was the end-game. But Joy pointed her horse in a different direction, and, by her 26th birthday started college and began a journey full of rich experiences.

Read Joy's Interview Here!

Monday Creek Publishing LLC
www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Anna Elizabeth Judd, Western Novelist

 Anna Elizabeth Judd

About the Author

Anna provides it all as if you are in the saddle along for the journey. Her rare books bring the readers joy from nearly every genre they can appreciate. She exuberantly brings the image and sentiments of the west to full life throughout the storyline. Yet, at the core of Judd’s work is a black stallion who engages life into every aspect of the book. Haystack fills children’s mind with wonder as he interacts with Marshal Spur and the Outrider Gang, to the mild minored young steed who brings Adam to new levels of learning in his life. Then he is brilliantly portrayed as a beautiful Appaloosa stallion in the Broncobuster as Cash.

Anna Elizabeth Judd includes a vast trove of Western Novels depicting the “Cowboy Way,” Horse Whispers, Gunslingers, and the Wild West, but very few scratch the surface relative to the vibrant depictions through which Anna takes this storyline in The Hourglass of el Diablo.

In her newest edition, The Handbook of Horsemanship Ann shows her extended knowledge in the art of horse training. As she originally wrote the book for her clients, so after the training with her was complete they would have a guide to take home. It ensured their continued success in the world of horsemanship.

Anna has many other books planned in the future, so stay tuned for the next adventure of Marshal Spur and the Outlaw coming winter 2020. But…… don’t think she has left us longing…. Dive into her new music album for all the young cowboys and girls in the world. Spur Up! Marshal Spur and the Outlaw.

Websites:

thewesternnovelist.com

annaelizabethjudd.com  

Amazon Author Page

Reverb Nation Music Album 

https://www.reverbnation.com/annaelizabethjudd/song/31976038-the-hourglass

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/thewesternnovelist/

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/westernsbyjudd/

Twitter:  twitter.com/westernsbyjudd

Hard Way to Go: The Horse of a Lifetime Book Review by Becky Mushko

 

Hard Way to Go: The Horse of a Lifetime

by NC Matheny

www.ncmatheny.com

Read Becky Mushko’s Book Review HERE!

Peevish Pen: Author Becky Mushko

"If you know someone who dreams about owning a horse but knows little about about how hard it can be to care for a horse, you might give them this book. It is certainly an eye-opener about some of the problems a horse might encounter—and the time, effort, and expense a horse owner will need to deal with those problems."

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com 

New! Hard Way to Go: The Horse of a Lifetime by NC Matheny

www.ncmatheny.com

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Coherent Horsemanship: Combining the Quantum and the Classical by Adrienne N. Neary

 

New! eBook

Recommended Reading

Certified Reiki practitioner and classical dressage trainer Adrienne Neary is pleased to announce the release of her e-book Coherent Horsemanship. This practical hands-on guide brings art and science together to teach readers how to communicate with confidence in all things Equus related.
 
Neary’s narrative challenges the rider to think differently about how they experience interactions with their horse. Through simple exercises horse owners from all riding disciplines are encouraged to discover and develop their own inherent abilities; to engage with their horses utilizing energy scan techniques, to realize their own potential and aptness, and to tune into a harmonious frequency with their horse. 
 
This thought provoking, intelligently written book delves into the science of quantum physics in an approachable manner. It cleverly combines time-tested Reiki style energy practices to access the horse’s mind like never before with time-tested classical dressage training basics, to successfully engage both horse and rider on another level.
 
Universai, quantum physics, paradigms, polyvagal theory, chi and chakras are discussed in this accessible text that carries the rider through theory to practical. Neary’s certification as a Reiki Practitioner, having learned directly from the esteemed Dr. John Harvey Gray in the USUI Tradition, provides expert guidance for the reader in the importance of mindfulness and energy awareness. 
 
The book additionally encompasses the A,B,C’s of building blocks for the basic training of any horse, with flat-work exercises in the saddle based on Neary’s extensive experience in dressage classicism through her training with the renowned Dr. H.L.M. van Schaik, thus furnishing the reader with a ‘masterplan’ for training where the trainer is indeed, not the master.
 
Neary explains her philosophy on training horses using Coherent Horsemanship:
 
“We need to fill an important gap and need to be a dependable, empathetic partner. We need to be steadfast, consistent, wise, accurate and grounded. Horses are much more likely to accept and ‘believe’ in our friendship and leadership, if we embody these aspects both internally and externally. 
 
Coherence is an exceptionally efficient physiological state. The nervous, cardiovascular, hormonal and immune systems, all work harmoniously. It is the highest level of function for our bodies, and can be thought of as an optimal performance level. Accessed primarily through conscious breathing, coherence allows your heart the freedom to function without the influence of defense mechanisms. It is a state characterized by ‘least effort and maximum benefit.”
 
Neary’s talent to access horse and rider through smart science and tested traditions make this title unique. Many horse owners have experienced those sometimes elusive and transitory moments of complete harmony and connection with their horses. This book facilitates a better understanding as to how and why those moments occur, how to better access them, and how to transcend to a permanent new level of coherence in their horse/human relationship.
 
“I wrote Coherent Horsemanship in an attempt to provide a voice for many, many horses, and many, many people. Like many others, I thought my destiny would unfold in the competitive arena of Dressage. It just didn’t turn out that way. My horses seemed to conspire with my students, steering me into uncharted territory; challenging me to help in ways I was mostly unprepared for. They constantly informed me with their vast, invaluable and unspoken experiences. For many years, I delved into the ubiquitous harm/stress/behavior paradigm and came to a new understanding of pain’s purpose. It led me into an entirely new practice and instruction platform. I truly believe that we can collectively improve countless lives from now on. In the spirit the Horse and Human Masters who taught me, I felt it the best honor I can bestow,” states Neary.

Connect with Adrienne:

coherenthorsemanship.com

Download the eBook Here
 
About Beech Tree Arts: Beech Tree Arts supports horse people with empowering horse products and specializes in artistically educating horse people with products such as insightful horse books, beautifully designed equine anatomy charts, and thoughtful blog entries. Coherent Horsemanship can be purchased directly from https://beechtreearts.com/ 

Author Adrienne N. Neary

Monday Creek Publishing Digest July 2020: Featured Author Franklin Levinson

Franklin Levinson, Founder, President at Horse Whisperer Seminars, Ltd.

Franklin Levinson has been a professional horseman for nearly 50 years. At 13 years of age, he was the youngest registered polo player in the US. In his early 20s, he created and ran equestrian programs at large summer camps in North Michigan. He has always taught success with horses to be a life-enriching process for both horse and human and that horses are never naughty or bad. In his teaching, he states, “All unwanted behavior from a horse is a symptom of the animal’s fear and never deserves punishment.” He is adamant about humans not merely ‘using’ horses for selfish enjoyment. Franklin’s goal is that the horse and human become partners through the inspired and excellent leadership of the human.

Trust ‘n Horses

A Guide to Successful Trust-Based Horsemanship and Life

Available from Amazon.com

www.wayofthehorse.org

www.thenewhorse.co.uk

 www.acourseinhorse.com

www.horseconscious.com

Franklin Levinson: Twitter +LinkedIn 

YouTube Channel: Franklin Levinson

 Film History: September Dawn (2007)

Franklin Levinson as Captain Baker

Facebook:

Franklin & Ilona Fan Page

Horse Whisperer Seminars, Ltd.

Beyond Natural Horsemanship Australia

The Franklin Levinson Appreciation Group Ireland

 

Come Along For the Ride

Podcast: Franklin Levinson A Course in Horse

 

True Cowboy Magazine (2015)

Horse Whisperer & Author

  

Florida Equine Athlete Magazine (2018)

Beyond Natural Horsemanship

  

Poetry: Sea Song by Franklin Levinson

Article: Horsemanship and Equine Assisted Programs and Therapies by Franklin Levinson

 Awakening Channel YouTube (2012)

Franklin Levinson returns for his second visit of the year (2012) to New Horse, Bittles Brook Farm where he conducted a three day Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) Seminar. The weekend began with this demonstration of natural horsemanship where Franklin discussed his approaches, techniques and philosophy towards partnership with horses. This was a chance for Franklin to share his wealth of knowledge and insight into the world of horses with a new group of people.

COSTA RICA: My View from the Saddle by Linda Gray

Costa Rica: My View from the Saddle: Misadventures with a Modicum of Modest Gringa Snark

by Linda Gray  

"I had a farm in Costa Rica," I liked to say, in Meryl Streep's accent from the movie Out of Africa. Back in 2004, I came to Costa Rica to explore living here and ended up buying a 200-acre piece of farmland on my first trip to the country. OK, I have been called impetuous, but I couldn't help myself -- I fell in love with the Diamante Valley, the cool breezes, and the acres and acres of pasture, where I could envision hundreds of happy ponies munching grass.  But first I needed to build a farm on this land...after I built a road to get out to it. Seriously, and I didn't even speak a lick of Spanish.  Trouble, right? It was just the opposite -- I was welcomed into the village and invited to all the local events. The Tico villagers taught me Spanish, offered me advice about the farm, helped me out of sticky situations, and stole my heart.

Horses were my passion and my dream, and once I began living on the farm, they seemed to keep finding their way to my barn. Eight fat and happy ponies later, I started a horseback tour business called "Rancho Tranquilo." For about nine years I spent my days on horseback, taking guests to the beautiful waterfalls in my valley.    

As I got older, I reluctantly sold the farm and moved up the coast to a house by the beach. I brought just my one special horse, my Palomino Ares, but a horrific tragedy at the barn and a near-death accident changed everything for me. 

The book details my life in both a small Costa Rican mountain village and a more "gringo-ized" beach community. I describe local traditions and events as I experienced them -- a true version of living in Costa Rica not provided by the tour books or real estate people. You'll learn about the culture, what to expect, and how to adapt. There is no sugar coating here.  My story is authentic and riddled with hilarity...worthy of your time even if the idea of a move to Costa Rica isn't in your future.”

Available in Paperback and Kindle

Thoroughly enjoyed this book as an ex-pat living in Costa Rica. 

Well written and very entertaining even for a non horse person. - JH

About the Author

Linda Gray grew up in Massachusetts and discovered horses at age 12, being a nuisance at a nearby stable until they let her be a tour guide. She graduated from University of Massachusetts, summa cum laude, and holds a graduate certificate in technical writing from Northeastern University. During her career, she worked as a free-lance technical writer and instructional designer for several large companies, the states of Georgia and Michigan, and the government of Canada. She was finally able to return to her life-long passion for horses when she moved to Costa Rica in 2004. Buying 200 acres of land on her first visit, she ended up building a successful horseback tour business and a development of small farms. Eventually she moved up the coast, where she still lives in a little house by the beach.

Follow Linda's Amazon Authors Page!

Wonder Horse Books: Arabian Horse Adventures!

Adventure and Suspense with Arabian Horses

Book One in the Wonder Horse Series: Prince Ali

Prince Ali had everything: talent, charisma, and a devoted best friend, Becky Howard. He won every time he set a hoof in a show ring. He garnered more fans from personal and TV appearances. Becky was with him every step of the way, even riding him in the Swallows Day Parade in their hometown, San Juan Capistrano. Disaster struck when two thugs put Becky in a coma, drugged him and dragged Prince Ali off to sell for diabolical purposes. When their buyer realized who Ali was, he nixed the deal. That landed the pampered show horse high in the mountains in late March. One night, a week later, he discovered the corral gate unlatched. Prince Ali mustered every ounce of strength, courage, and stamina he had to walk into the wilderness searching for the best friend he couldn’t live without.

See the entire series…

www.wonderhorsebooks.com

A Note from Author Hardesty...

I'm a published author of 5 books in a series about Arabian horses and the people who love them. Our stories are fiction, but we've pulled a lot of our material from my 35 years of owning Arabians, our time of owning a training/show barn, and my involvement in the industry as a whole. I've been a writer all my life in one form or another. I wrote my first "book" as an assignment in third grade. I've been a reader since age three when my mother taught me so I could read my first book, ff. I have been a horse lover since I was a year and a half old and infected by "Eau de Equine" from the pony rides I could talk my grandfathers into at the local park. I am currently working on the sixth book in the series and planning the seventh. I hope to continue writing until I can't. 

Our stories are about the connection young people form with their "heart horses" and are filled with emotion. Readers report they've laughed, cried, and cheered while reading them.

Writing the series began as a team effort with me and my best friend of 55 years. Nancy Shaffer Perez and I met in high school French class and have been close friends since. Nancy has written for herself since she learned to put words together and has been an avid reader since childhood. A few years ago, her doctors diagnosed Nancy with Auto-Immune Hepatitis. They listed her on the national transplant list while they struggled with medications and dosages to bring her to a stable condition at which time they took her off the list. Six months later my doctors diagnosed me with Stage 3 Cancer. I went through the full treatment of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.  While I was taking the chemotherapy treatments, Nancy called and suggested we write a book together. 

Nancy and I live 100 miles apart. When we began writing, we discussed plot, characters, motivation, and setting in lengthy phone calls or Skype meetings. I had more time than her, so I took responsibility for writing our thoughts down. I emailed her chapters which we discussed, corrected, adjusted, and rewrote until we were happy with them. We found two trusted friends who became our BETA readers and we listened to them and their input. It took several years to put the polish on our first novel and we were lucky to find a publisher that works directly with authors. He reviewed our manuscript and put us under contract. The first book released on December 1, 2017. During 2018, we released three more books.

PRINCE ALI – WONDER HORSE BOOK ONE

Prince Ali had everything. He was perfection for his Arabian breed, talented, charismatic and had a devoted best friend, Becky Howard. Every time he set a hoof in a show ring, he won. He garnered more fans from personal and TV appearances. Becky was with him every step of the way, even riding him in the Swallows Day Parade in their hometown, San Juan Capistrano. Disaster struck when two thugs put Becky in a coma, drugged him and dragged him off to sell for diabolical purposes. When their buyer realized who Ali was, he nixed the deal. That landed the pampered show horse high in the mountains in late March. One night a week later he discovered the corral gate unlatched. Prince Ali had to muster every ounce of strength, courage and stamina he had to walk into the wilderness searching for the best friend he couldn’t live without.

LA DUQUESA – WONDER HORSE BOOK TWO

Maryann Wilcox dreamed about riding a silvery mare bareback across a meadow in the moonlight since she could remember. La Duquesa wanted her “one and only human” for as long as she could remember. A tragedy introduced them to each other, but circumstances kept them apart. Maryann’s riding instructor, Ginny Hartley, could see the connection between the rescued horse and the young girl who lived in poverty. Ginny began pulling strings trying to unite a broken family so she could unite that special girl with her special horse.

DESPERADO – WONDER HORSE BOOK THREE

Desperado was something of a wild child. He explored the territory around his birthplace because there was no lock he couldn’t pick to escape his stall or paddock. That exploration would save lives. Desperado had two loves in his life, one was his 80-year-old owner, Hilda, and the other was his rider, 14-year-old Todd. Because of his show-ring successes with Todd, his biggest fear was being sold to a sworn enemy. Desperado faced danger head-on to save Todd and Hilda when all other creatures were running away. He ran through fire to protect those he loved. He hoped that would be enough to ensure his place with Todd on the land he called home.

DESERT ROSE – WONDER HORSE BOOK FOUR

Desert Rose had an idyllic life boarded on Hartley Ranch with her mother. She and the Hartley’s son Brody formed a special lasting attachment. Brody was devastated when he came home from school and discovered Rosie and her mother were gone, taken home by their owner.  A despicable crime occurred that left Rosie, her mother, and three additional horses at risk of starvation and the life of a special and very valuable stallion owned by Rosie’s owner in more dire straits. Brody’s friend, Marianne was the only one who knew how Brody felt about Rosie. She instigated a chain of events to reunite them. When the truth about the missing stallion became known, Marianne and Brody got their friends together to search for him in the vast Mojave Desert where blistering heat, enduring monsoon rains, lightning, thunder, and treacherous flash floods couldn’t stop them. Their hope was if they could find that special stallion, the owner would recognize the deep bond between Rosie and Brody and allow them to be together forever.

FREEDOM – WONDER HORSE BOOK FIVE

Freedom was abused and betrayed by every human he came in contact with as a young horse. Despite his promise to his mother to grow up and become a “good horse,” he distrusted all humans while harboring the hope he would find his “Heart Human” someday. Nathan was born with Autism. He was brilliant but lacked the skill to communicate. His parents tried many forms of therapy to help their son and couldn’t find one that worked for him. He grew up isolated, passing his time on a computer learning about things he’d never be able to do.  Freedom’s owner donated him to a therapeutic riding center. Nathan’s mother got an invitation to a fundraiser for that center and investigated equine therapy for her son. Something finally worked for Nathan. Then Nathan met Freedom and magic happened. Nathan wanted to ride the Tevis Cup Ride, the toughest 100 miles in one day ride in the world. Freedom’s previous owner conditioned Freedom for that ride before she donated him. Four new friends stepped up to help join the horse with the boy and help them make their dreams come true.

About the Authors

Victoria Hardesty has bred, owned and shown Arabian horses for more than 30 years. She and her husband operated their own training facility serving many young people that loved and showed their own horses. She is the author of numerous articles in horse magazines, was the editor of two Arabian Horse Club newsletters, one of which was given the Communications Award of the Year by the Arabian Horse Association at their national convention. An avid reader from childhood, she read every horse story she could get her hands on.

Nancy Perez spent 30 years in advertising writing, creating and editing advertising content. She's a passionate reader, wrote for herself, and decided it was time to step up into a novel. As Victoria's best friend, she was frequently exposed to the Arabian horse and showing world. Best friends for more than 50 years, they teamed up to write a series of books about kids and their Arabian horses.

See the entire series…

www.wonderhorsebooks.com