| Teenagers love horses. They love to ride horses, | | | | reader, or have a story that is too hokey. They |
| they love to groom horses, and they love to read | | | | aren't going to read it, not unless it's a homework |
| about horses. The horse books I read as a teen | | | | assignment perhaps. And if it's going to have |
| are still some of my favorites today. Horses have | | | | horses in it, then it had better sound especially |
| personalities and there are no two alike. It is the | | | | true. Young Adult Equestrian Fiction is a genre in |
| horse's personality that speaks to the young | | | | itself. These readers know the horse life. A lot of |
| reader. The author can describe the horse | | | | them are living it, dream about it, and aspire to it. |
| perfectly, and it can be the most beautiful horse | | | | Be creative with your plot. The teenage character |
| on earth. But unless that horse's personality | | | | and/or characters in the story need to have |
| engages the characters in the story, and thus the | | | | issues, because issues are the way of life for |
| reader, it might just as well be a picture book. | | | | most teenagers, and it's even better if the horses |
| If the horse has adversity to overcome, who | | | | have issues, too. They develop a partnership with |
| better to relate than a teenager? Perhaps the | | | | their horse, a friendship, they listen to one |
| horse is smaller than the other horses in the barn, | | | | another. Be cautious about introducing a horse |
| or large and awkward, lacking grace. Maybe the | | | | that's a rogue. Stories such as this were |
| horse is shy, scared. With practice and schooling, a | | | | extremely popular years ago, but have a |
| horse can develop presence, confidence. With | | | | downside. While a rogue horse can be |
| hard work, an equestrian and his or her horse can | | | | rehabilitated, it is rare that it will come at the |
| excel. | | | | hands of a novice. The teen might just end up |
| Don't think you can talk down to any teen fiction | | | | getting hurt. |