{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

The Pony Whisperer by Esme Higgs: ‘Gritty yet heartwarming’

Martha Terry Martha Terry

  • Horse & Hound is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Learn more

    • The Pony Whisperer

    Score

    9/10

    Price as reviewed:

    £7.99 Paperback

    Author: Esme Higgs and Jo Cotterill
    Illustrator: Hannah George
    Published: 2025

    Available as paperback or Kindle

    About The Pony Whisperer by Esme Higgs

    This is the fourth book in The Starlight Stables Gang (SSG) series, written by superstar equestrian influencer and YouTuber Esme Higgs in collaboration with award-winning author Jo Cotterill. It’s a fun adventure series, “for animal-mad eight- to 12-year-olds”.

    The central themes are ponies, fun and friendship, but this tale has a hard twist of reality with the central character, Daniel, having a tricky time juggling his chaotic home life, poverty, school and his love for the ponies at the riding school. Inclusivity and diversity are always key within Esme’s SSG tales, and this one is no exception. 

    Christmas is coming but while most of the SSG are excited about the annual seasonal party at the stables, Daniel isn’t feeling very festive. His mum isn’t well and he’s struggling to manage caring for her and helping at home, alongside school work and finding time to go to Starlight Stables – the place he loves the most.

    Then Daniel finds an abandoned horse in need of his help and suddenly he’s got another thing to worry about. . . But will it prove one thing too many? Or will Daniel finally trust his friends enough to open up and ask for help when he needs it the most?

    Review

    This is a heartwarming story of a 13-year-old boy growing up in a large and chaotic household, living on the breadline. For Daniel, horses – and the friendships he makes at the stables – are his oasis of calm. While most pony literature is aimed at girls, this seems like a brave and much-needed departure, with the central character being male.

    The Pony Whisperer captures the thrill and emotion of a young teenager who knows the unfathomable rewards that horses can bring to a troubled soul, and wants to reciprocate that gift. Unlike many “pony books” which centre around yard bitchiness, competition fever and pretty ponies, this is a gritty read.

    Without wanting to give away spoilers, Daniel is the oldest child with a lot of siblings, and with his dad in prison he shoulders a lot of responsibility for the household at a young age. He wants to throw himself headlong into helping at the yard, but he’s torn with the weight of challenges back home.

    Despite the tough setting, The Pony Whisperer is an enjoyable read which races along, yet makes you think and get into the main characters’ minds. The people are likeable; I found myself really rooting for Daniel and sympathising with his tough lot in life. More than once, I felt my eyes prick with tears when he finds solace in the company of a horse and quite what it means to him. And wow, what wonderful friends he has made at the yard! Crucially, there are also some equines to fall in love with – or despise: Toffee and her toffee-nosed owner being cases in point!

    As with previous SSG stories, the inclusivity threads are strong. Virtually every character has some diverse side to them, teaching young readers never to judge – unless, of course, it involves anyone being mean to a horse or pony.

    Verdict

    A gritty yet heartwarming adventure story for pony-mad kids with a strong message of inclusivity, friendship and kindness. With its festive theme, it makes an ideal Christmas gift and could give you some ideas for the yard come December!

    You might also be interested in:

    Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

    Martha Terry
    Martha Terry

    H&H features editor
    Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
    Martha Terry

    You may like...