July 15 is National I Love Horses Day

Lis Hartel was only 23 years old in 1944 when polio left her paralyzed from the knees down. Determined to still compete as an equestrian, Lis taught herself to ride again. In 1952, she earned a silver medal in dressage at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki – the very first year women were welcome to compete at the Olympic Games, and eight years before the first Paralympics (the largest international sports competition for athletes with disabilities) was held in 1960.

Celebrate National I Love Horses Day with these great nonfiction books about horses and riders, including Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream!

Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream by K.T. Johnston

Why Can't Horses Burp?: Curious Questions about Your Favorite Pets by Nick Crumpton

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons: A Toon Graphic by James Otis Smith

Beautiful Jim: The World's Smartest Horse (Animalographies) by Jodie Parachini

The Everything Book of Horses and Ponies (DK: Everything About Pets) by DK

The Wild Mustang: Horses of the American West (History Comics) by Chris Duffy

Trot, Pony! (National Geographic Kids: Pre-Reader) by Shira Evans

All about Horses: A Kid's Guide to Breeds, Care, Riding, and More! by Kelly Milner Halls

Horse Life: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Riding Horses for Kids by Robyn Smith

The Eighty-Dollar Champion: The True Story of a Horse, a Man, and an Unstoppable Dream by Elizabeth Letts

Who Was Seabiscuit? (Who Was?) by James Buckley

Horses & Ponies by DK

Horseback Riding (Spot Outdoor Fun) by Nessa Black

Hello, Horse (Read and Wonder) by Vivian French

Horses (Steam & Me) by Ben Grossblatt