If You’re Writing a Book That Has Horses, Don’t Miss These Tips!

By Katie C., Managing Editor – Pacard Editing, Published Nov 7, 2023

Human history has long been intertwined with horses, so it’s no surprise that equine characters frequently appear in books. Smithsonian Magazine states that horses were strongly represented in Stone Age cave art and have been domesticated for at least 5,500 years. Though we still have much to learn about the early origins of the horse/human relationship, molecular archaeologist Ludovic Orlando writes, “Horses are the animal that has changed history.”

Due to our extensive shared history, writers must often include horse characters in their writing—whether or not they have much knowledge about these iconic animals. In some historical periods or genres, leaving them out would be a little like writing a book set in the current day without any mention of cars or cell phones.

As an editor and a lifelong horse person, I’ve come across horse details during projects that range from mildly amusing to jarringly inaccurate. The horse world is a unique place with a language and culture of its own, and depicting it correctly can make or break your story’s credibility—especially since horse people are drawn to books with equine characters, and they are quick to spot inexperience. Here are some tips for sounding authentic when you write about horses:

Research Appropriately

Take the time to learn about horses before attempting to create believable horse characters. If you’re including war horses in a battle scene, mentioning them only minimally may feel like an oversight to readers who would expect them to be a major part of the action. Research what that particular type of horse would look like (including breed, body type, and color), what kind of relationship it would have with its rider, and how it would traditionally contribute to battle tactics and survival. That knowledge will give you a believable baseline to build from even if you plan to add more fantastical elements to your narrative.

Learn about the average lifespan of a horse, how tall they grow, what they eat, what motivates them, and any other details that might apply to your story. I once edited a manuscript that depicted a fifty-year-old man galloping through the forest on a spirited steed he’d had since before he could walk. Unfortunately, horses very rarely live to that age, and if one did, it certainly wouldn’t be that spry. A loving human companion of nearly five decades would not be risking his geriatric mount’s neck by sprinting over uneven ground.

Another story I worked on mentioned a thoroughbred mare who was twenty hands high. While I had to give the author credit for knowing that horses are measured in hands, thoroughbreds usually have a light build, and a mare of that height would be positively monstrous. I couldn’t help laughing out loud. Don’t let shoddy research pull your readers out of a scene you’ve painstakingly created.

Educate yourself about the appropriate tack and equipment involved in any equestrian disciplines or historical settings found in your narrative. If your character is traveling by horse, research the logistics involved. Such insight may not matter to you personally, but it would matter a great deal to that character, whose safety is dependent on the horse’s well-being. It might surprise you how understanding and referencing those little details will enliven your story as a whole.

Steer Clear of Stereotypes

Horse people love it when horses appear in mainstream media, but they quickly grow weary of equestrian stereotypes. Bad guys do not always need to ride black horses. Rich, mean blonde girls at horse shows are old news, and unless your goal is to write a novel for tweens, avoid sending traumatized and sullen city-slicker girls to a long-lost uncle’s ranch to tame a beast no one else can ride. While these tropes can still be used successfully with enough funding (think Free Rein and Spirit: Riding Free), even horse people who enjoy them as an occasional guilty pleasure feel irritated by them most of the time. Don’t be afraid to buck the trend and give horse lovers something they can actually relate to.

Understanding horses requires years of hard work, education, and hands-on experience. Riding and working with horses is dangerous as well as mentally and physically challenging. Progress is rarely quick. If you’re hoping to draw in a horse-loving audience with an authentic-sounding piece of fiction or nonfiction, don’t dismiss this reality—lean into it whenever you can.

Spend Time with Horses

Nothing will inform your knowledge like actually meeting a few equines and getting to know them. Like any other character in a story, horses will be likely to react in certain ways when confronted with particular situations. Understanding the basics of horse behavior will come in handy as you attempt to depict them accurately.

Similar to dogs and cats, horses have unique, dynamic personalities and express themselves through complex body language. Some are friendly and like attention, while others are more reserved and less likely to approach a stranger. Horses are herd animals. Their groups have complex social structures, and they form strong bonds with one another. They’re also highly aware of human body language and emotion, and they have an amazing sense of smell.

Learn about and use these attributes to your benefit. If you include horses in a suspenseful scene, keep in mind that your equine characters probably aren’t standing by impassively while their riders fret and stress—they’ll know that something isn’t right and will react accordingly, which is a great opportunity to add dimension to your writing.

If you don’t have a way to spend time with horses in person, online videos can be a useful resource for observing them in an unscripted environment. Additionally, many trainers and equine enthusiasts have YouTube channels dedicated to understanding horse behavior. Any knowledge you pick up through observation may come in handy as you write.

Ask a Knowledgeable Horse Person to Read Your Manuscript

Once you’ve worked to glean all of the horse facts and details you can, don’t be afraid to ask for expert help. Horse jargon and vocabulary can be as difficult to use correctly as a foreign language. The best way to ensure your equine content sounds believable is to enlist help from a knowledgeable person.

Try to find someone with experience in the specific area you need, such as racing, western disciplines, English disciplines, natural horsemanship, or equestrian history. Such a person will be able to read your manuscript and rapidly flag anything that is awkward, incorrect, or jarring. They can also help you improve your descriptions, add depth to your horse or horse-handler characters, and answer questions about behavior.

Hiring a professional editor with an equestrian background is also an excellent choice. Such an editor can help you improve and polish your manuscript as a whole and offer publishing support in addition to screening your horse material.

While adding horses to your manuscript may seem overwhelming, doing so effectively can lend great depth and authenticity to any setting that requires their inclusion. Taking the time to acquire the necessary knowledge, collect helpful reference material, and build relationships with knowledgeable people will pay dividends in the long run, and your characters will be galloping toward their next adventures in no time!

Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash