History on Horseback: The Early Years 1493 – 1866

When teaching children history, it helps to introduce them to books that you know they will love. History on Horseback by Sonrise Stable Books is a horse lover’s dream. History on Horseback: The Early Years: 1493-1866 begins with the arrival of horses in America. This fascinating look at the history of horses in America enables the reader to find out more about horses, but also about the history of our country.

This book is number one in a series. The remainder of the books is slated to be printed in 2020 and 2021. History on Horseback 1 Study Guide and History on Horseback 2 Book and Study guide are due out this year, while History on Horseback 3 Book and Study Guide are scheduled for next year.

Homeschool Study History of Horses: History of Horseback

Find a way to teach history that will spark your child’s interest, and you will have life-long learning on your hands. If you only present information to children with traditional textbooks, many children walk away from school with just a cursory knowledge of history. However, if you find a way to delight your child through a passion or interest of theirs, they will want to learn more about the time period or other horses.

Using this non-fiction book, the child or adult reads a short chapter such as Arrival in America, Fighting for Independence (my favorite chapter about the horses of my favorite president), Brighty of Grand Canyon, or Stagecoach Travel. Each chapter tells the history of horses, but you are also learning American History through the delightful stories of the horses that lived, fought, worked and made American great.

How We are Studying the History of Horses

I originally wanted this book to use with my 15-year-old son with autism because he does like horses. However, I realized this was not a good fit for him. The recommended age by Sonrise Stable Books is 12 and up. I decided to use it with my son who is a junior and is interested in history. Although, he doesn’t have a great interest in horses, the history behind each horse is fascinating. We are using this to supplement his history curriculum.

I am reading the book myself and have my favorite stories. This is a fascinating look at these beautiful animals throughout history. It has amazing portraits. Some of the portraits/photographs are classics that everyone should recognize, and others are rare glimpses at life from 1493-1866.

History On Horseback – American History Plus More

While History on Horseback covers horses in America, it also touches on some horses in the United Kingdom. I am choosing to incorporate this as an American History supplement, but it can be read as a standalone book, used as an elective class on horses, or enjoyed as part of a unit study on horses. There are so many ways a homeschool family can utilize this excellent resource.

One such way that a family can use this book is to watch horse movies or films about the horses in the book and read books that correspond with those horses.

My Overall Recommendation

I believe this is a great book for ages 12 and up. Additionally, it is a wonderful way to supplement history education. I know that my adult daughter who is a horse-lover would have jumped at the chance to have a history curriculum that included horses. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book for my readers to use in their homeschools!