Do Puddles Eat Ponies?

by Sarah-Katrin Bourdeaux

A humorous look at the world through the eyes of a horse, peppered with satirical observations about the equestrian world.

Sharif, an easily spooked Arabian, is trying to find his life’s calling, but between the truly terrifying dangers of everyday life and the strange hoofless beings that wave their tiny tentacles at his nose, it is proving a challenge! Barely do his newborn hooves touch the ground for the first time and already he’s in mortal danger—and the hoofless beings really aren’t helping anything. The world is full of monsters and mysteries as far as the eye can see!As he ventures out beyond the paddock he shared with his mom, Sharif gets dragged into all manner of dark worlds and questionable jobs, and is constantly surrounded by unusual characters he’s not sure he can trust, including The Chicken, The Fat Boss, and Dumb-as-Rocks. But even when the threats behind every bush grow more menacing, he doesn’t lose sight of his ultimate goal: to be the most famous and beautiful show horse under the sun.

Then, just before his greatest triumph, the hoofless betray Sharif to cold-blooded criminals, and everything—evenreally, this time, his life—seems to be at stake. Can one little Arabian horse stretch his courage and reach his dream?This hilarious, unusual, superbly imagined illustrated novel for “grownups who like horses” is destined to be a hit with anyone who enjoys a little bit of ridiculous and a slightly cynical take on the subcultures that bind us.

216 pages, Hardcover

Published July 29, 2025

About the author

Sarah-Katrin Bourdeaux lives near Munich in the south of Germany. After completing a degree in art history and archaeology, she first worked in event management before moving into freelance marketing. The idea to write her first book, which turned into a bestseller, came after years of writing a blog about her two horses. Humor, creativity, and an eye for detail set her work apart, making it unique and authentic.

Reviews

[Amélie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Do Puddles Eat Ponies" is a must-read for all horse lovers. You just have to love Sharif!
It's beautiful illustrated, really funny and a perfect mix of chaos and heartwarming.
My absolute recommendation ☺️

[Jade Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think anyone who has grown up with horses will find this amusing. Even more so if you’ve ever owned an Arabian.

I loved hearing Sharif’s inner monologue. There were a few moments that spoiled the immersion for me, such as Sharif referencing The Lion King. And I’ve had liked to see more about Sharif’s relationships with other horses, as my own Arabian used to be adoring of his field mate. We saw the odd mention of new field mates and their behaviours but no long lasting bonds.

But id recommend this for anyone horsey who wants an easy fun read!

[Tammy Hornbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a girl who loves horses and grew up with them...this book intrigued with just the title. I was pleased that it was a hardback; anticipating I would read it multiple times. It started out really well; but about half-way through the personality of the horse became unrealistic based on what I know of horses. I tried to keep reading; but I just couldn't finish this book. I was disappointed.