Recommendations of Horse Books for Adults?

What horse books do you love that were written for adult readers? I'm really craving a good horse story, and my favorite YA books from my childhood are not cutting it for me right now. Fiction/nonfiction, new release/out-of-print, literary works/genre fiction... any recommendations would be joyously welcomed.

I really enjoyed Riding Lessons and Flying Changes by Sara Gruen, who wrote Water for Elephants. Unlike many horse stories written for adults, the horses aren't just a bit of colorful background but very important characters in the story (and realistically portrayed).

Another good one is Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley. She also wrote the non-fiction A Year at the Races which is quite good.

Oh, that's awesome! I enjoyed Gruen's Water for Elephants -- I'll have to give her other books a try first.

Is there a particular aspect about horses you want to read about? I can offer loads of non-fiction suggestions if there's a particular area you're interested in.

Horse racing:
I loved My Racing Heart by Nan Mooney. Laughing in the Hills by Bill Barich almost always comes highly recommended, but it wasn't in my personal taste. The author is a bit more literary-educated (is that even a phrase?) than most authors who focus on horses. Wild Ride, about the scandal of Calumet Farm, Ruffian: Burning from the Start, and Stud: Adventures in Breeding were nicely done as well. I second FionaCat's Horse Heaven recommendation. TD Thornton's book about Suffolk Downs racetrack, Not By a Long Shot, was another good one. Certainly not too cheery, but I love the smaller tracks.

Mysteries:
Dick Francis and Carolyn Banks write authentic horsey reads. The Carolyn Banks books are really easy to get through, but you reach the ending way before you think you should. I'm halfway through Kit Ehrman's series. All are accurate enough that you won't stop halfway though and question everything else in the book.

General:
Horse People by Michael Korda was terrific! Vicky Moon's A Sunday Horse is like a People magazine - somewhat trashy, very celebrity-oriented. If I recall correctly, the editor might have had an off-month when that one was worked, but it was still worth it.

No, I wasn't really looking for a particular aspect. I enjoy reading about all different equestrian disciplines, and I would take recommendations for anything. I have a background in hunt seat, so I particularly enjoy finding books featuring that, but then I'm equally fascinated reading about disciplines I have no experience with, like saddleseat, driving, or breeding.

I remember Ruffian! I first read that as a teen! I enjoyed Horse People too. There was another book I read a few years ago, Horseplay, about a woman learning dressage that I remember well.

Mystery books featuring horses seem to be quite popular. There's all the Dick Francis books featuring horse racing, and Rita Mae Brown has a series featuring fox hunting.

ETA: Author touchstone fail.

Well, it sounds like you've probably already read the huntseat non-fiction 'classics' like American Jumping Style, Winning with Frank Chapot, Hunter Seat Equitation and Reflections on Riding and Jumping, so there go those suggestions. :) The old editor of The Chronicle recently put out a collection of George Morris's columns, Because Every Round Counts. I really liked that one, although half of the book is decrying the terrible state of riding in America nowadays. (Yeah, yeah, George, I had to walk uphill both ways to school as well.) Tug of War has become quite a phenomenon; I was quite drawn in.

Have you read Riders by Jilly Cooper yet? I'm still waiting for my library to get a copy of that one; I haven't had a chance to read it. Another one I haven't read yet, but is on my wish list is Chestnut Mare Beware.

I just put the Rita Mae Brown books on my wishlist; thanks!

I've read bits of Riders, but not the whole thing. I came across both it and The Flambards when I was a very young teen. I wasn't old enough to enjoy the subject matter, so I set them side after a brief browse and seem to have kept them in my mental folder labeled 'not interesting'. I keep hearing good things about them, though. I'll have to visit them again.

You know, I might not even have been a teen. I think I found them browsing the adult fiction section of my public library, about the same time as I found The Valley of Horses -- this was during my 'if there is anything horsey about the cover or title, I'm reading it' stage -- but my parents dissuaded me from reading Valley on the grounds it was not the first book in Auel's series, then proceeded to describe the first book as so boring I lost interest in trying to find it, THEN distracted me by starting me off on the All Creatures Great and Small series... and all of that was long before I started high school.

...this action was actually very devious of them in hindsight.

The Horse Goddess by Morgan Llywelyn was a good fantasy/horsey book.

Kristin Britain's Green Rider series is wonderful as well. It's not completely horse-centered but there's enough.

There was a book I read a long time ago about a girl who was "called" to this place where they train horses (The way it was described reminded me much of the Lipizzaners) she was a commoner (I think) and it was very strange for her of all people to be called to it. Usually the nobility/rich/whatever would try out to be accepted into this place and she just kind of showed up.

I can't remember what it was called, or who wrote it and I've been having a hell of a time finding out. Anyone know what I'm talking about? I know my description isn't great I read it years ago...

Maybe The Mountain's Call? Although it was only published in the last ten years. Or maybe Arrows of the Queen? It's much older. Airs Beneath the Moon also has some similarities, but it's another recent publication.

Thanks for suggesting two more to add to my list!

I think it was The Mountain's Call.

Thanks a bunch!

THere were adult books listed in teh "favorites" string that are good too. 80 dollar champion of course, and the one about the Wietzel (sp) in wwII. I'm reading the great match race but I've just started it. It's a bit "flashy" in the beginning (not a lot of depth) but it will probably improve.