Whinny of the Wild Horses

by Amy C. Laundrie, Amy C. Laundrie

A curious, spirited wild colt learns the dangers of the harsh but beautiful Wyoming range, including an unscrupulous rancher intent on driving the mustangs out of their valley and claiming it as his own

Genres: Horses, Childrens

120 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Stephanie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an impossible to forget title, this was one of my all-time favorite books in elementary school, and one of the first I checked out of the library. I was so enchanted by this book that at age 7 or so, I very proudly wrote my "own" wild horse story that was basically a copy of Part I. To this day I think of it as the definitive "mustang story."

It has all the best classic horse names and a few unique ones: Goldie, Shadow, Starfire, Whinny himself. It built the foundation of my understanding of Mustangs: how equine births and herd hierarchy work and what kind of human dangers they faced in the past. I read it so many times that lines ended up imprinted on my memory and still "pop" with startling clarity when reread.

Reading through it for the first time in years, there is a surprising amount of violence and horse death for a kid, but since it clearly didn't scar me for life this serves as a good reminder that kids don't have to be completely sheltered from unpleasant things.

[Rachel Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a child. I must have read it a dozen times at least.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this told the story from the horse's point of view (like Black Beauty) and also how it exposed the abuse rodeo horses undergo.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it shows how one little wild horse becomes tamed by a not so nice owner. I thought the owner was a little harsh the way he thought like with the wire and the glass bottle.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the very first chapter book I ever read!! I was in the 3rd grade and just starting several years of horse-obsession. I'd love to find a copy and read it again.

[Sarah Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my 7 year old daughter. It made her happy, sad, mad, and happy again. She really enjoyed reading this together