What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blind Colt #1
The blind colt
The enduring story of a spirited wild colt. Illus. by the author.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1941
6 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Glen Rounds
152 books11 followersGlen Harold Rounds was a distinguished American writer and illustrator whose career spanned over six decades, during which he wrote and illustrated more than 100 books. Known for his vivid storytelling and masterful illustrations, Rounds garnered over 25 literary awards, cementing his legacy as one of the prominent children's authors and illustrators of his time.
Born in a sod house near Wall, South Dakota, Rounds had a rugged childhood that involved various jobs such as baker, cook, and ranch hand, alongside adventures in the carnival and logging industries. His early years on a Montana ranch provided a rich foundation for the characters and landscapes that would appear in his later works. Rounds was drawn to art from a young age, and after studying painting and drawing at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Art Students League of New York, he spent time touring the Western U.S. with fellow student Jackson Pollock and their teacher, Thomas Hart Benton. It was during this period that Rounds began his lifelong pursuit of illustrating stories.
Rounds’ breakthrough came with Ol' Paul, the Mighty Logger (1936), a collection of Paul Bunyan stories he largely created himself. The book's success launched his career, and he went on to write and illustrate numerous titles, including The Blind Colt (1941) and the Whitey series, which featured a young Montana cowboy. His works often explored themes of the American West, wildlife, and the natural world, with a unique ability to convey both humor and pathos through his illustrations and writing.
Throughout his career, Rounds introduced a variety of beloved characters, including Mr. Yowder, the itinerant sign painter, and his books continued to win critical acclaim. Even in his later years, after arthritis forced him to switch to drawing with his left hand, Rounds remained a prolific creator. His last book, Beavers (1999), was lauded for its informative and succinct prose, paired with illustrations that demonstrated his enduring skill and patience.
Rounds received numerous accolades, including the Kerlan Award (1980) and the North Carolina Award for Literature (1981). He was also inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2002, shortly before his death. His works continue to be celebrated for their captivating illustrations and stories that bring the American landscape and its characters to life.
Born in a sod house near Wall, South Dakota, Rounds had a rugged childhood that involved various jobs such as baker, cook, and ranch hand, alongside adventures in the carnival and logging industries. His early years on a Montana ranch provided a rich foundation for the characters and landscapes that would appear in his later works. Rounds was drawn to art from a young age, and after studying painting and drawing at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Art Students League of New York, he spent time touring the Western U.S. with fellow student Jackson Pollock and their teacher, Thomas Hart Benton. It was during this period that Rounds began his lifelong pursuit of illustrating stories.
Rounds’ breakthrough came with Ol' Paul, the Mighty Logger (1936), a collection of Paul Bunyan stories he largely created himself. The book's success launched his career, and he went on to write and illustrate numerous titles, including The Blind Colt (1941) and the Whitey series, which featured a young Montana cowboy. His works often explored themes of the American West, wildlife, and the natural world, with a unique ability to convey both humor and pathos through his illustrations and writing.
Throughout his career, Rounds introduced a variety of beloved characters, including Mr. Yowder, the itinerant sign painter, and his books continued to win critical acclaim. Even in his later years, after arthritis forced him to switch to drawing with his left hand, Rounds remained a prolific creator. His last book, Beavers (1999), was lauded for its informative and succinct prose, paired with illustrations that demonstrated his enduring skill and patience.
Rounds received numerous accolades, including the Kerlan Award (1980) and the North Carolina Award for Literature (1981). He was also inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2002, shortly before his death. His works continue to be celebrated for their captivating illustrations and stories that bring the American landscape and its characters to life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 23, 2021
Having grown up on a Montana ranch, Glen Rounds had the insight to write about the cowboy lifestyle. He did so for more than sixty years, crafting original stories about life on the open range. A fair number of his novels feature Whitey, a young boy who shows all the signs of growing up to be a cowboy, and The Blind Colt (1941) is Whitey's first appearance on the printed page. Whitey is more impulsive than his uncle Torwal, a self-assured rancher with a limp red mustache. When Whitey sees the new blue-gray colt on their range, he's captivated by its physical beauty. The colt looks perfect to him, but Uncle Torwal picks up on details that Whitey hasn't learned to. The colt's pure white eyes mean he's blind, and Uncle Torwal thinks the humane thing to do is shoot him. It pains Whitey that his uncle would consider putting down this fine animal.
Whitey dissuades Uncle Torwal from going for his gun just yet; if the colt's mother can keep the wolves away from her unsighted son, he deserve a chance to survive winter. If he breaks a leg or gets mired in mud, they can shoot him then. Thus the mare begins teaching her colt the hundreds of lessons a blind horse needs to survive the open range. The colt and his mother run with a herd of other wild horses, but not all of them are committed to helping the colt, and he must absorb the lessons of experience rapidly to keep up. Soon he's without the mare to guide him, and all the responsibility of survival falls to him.
The odds don't favor the blind colt living through winter, but when he stumbles through a savage blizzard into the horse stables on Uncle Torwal's property, Whitey is elated. Fate must be on the blue-gray colt's side, but he mustn't let his uncle know the colt is on his land, eating food that could go to a fitter horse. Whitey can keep it a secret for now, but by the time Uncle Torwal finds out, he'll need to have built a compelling case for the colt's usefulness. Whitey embarks on weeks of patient yet urgent training, vying for the trust of a wild colt he's grown to love. Will his work with the colt convince Uncle Torwal the animal deserves to live, or has the handicapped horse's luck run out?
I've read more scintillating horse novels, but I respect The Blind Colt because it's based on actual events. The story is only mildly interesting, but somewhat impressive because the author borrowed the odyssey of a real blind colt on his own land. I like the tiny drawings at the bottom of most pages to illustrate the action; Glen Rounds isn't as adept a horse artist as Wesley Dennis, but his work has its charm. I'd rate The Blind Colt at least one and a half stars, and I'd consider the full two. If you like hopeful stories, you'll get something out of this book.
Whitey dissuades Uncle Torwal from going for his gun just yet; if the colt's mother can keep the wolves away from her unsighted son, he deserve a chance to survive winter. If he breaks a leg or gets mired in mud, they can shoot him then. Thus the mare begins teaching her colt the hundreds of lessons a blind horse needs to survive the open range. The colt and his mother run with a herd of other wild horses, but not all of them are committed to helping the colt, and he must absorb the lessons of experience rapidly to keep up. Soon he's without the mare to guide him, and all the responsibility of survival falls to him.
The odds don't favor the blind colt living through winter, but when he stumbles through a savage blizzard into the horse stables on Uncle Torwal's property, Whitey is elated. Fate must be on the blue-gray colt's side, but he mustn't let his uncle know the colt is on his land, eating food that could go to a fitter horse. Whitey can keep it a secret for now, but by the time Uncle Torwal finds out, he'll need to have built a compelling case for the colt's usefulness. Whitey embarks on weeks of patient yet urgent training, vying for the trust of a wild colt he's grown to love. Will his work with the colt convince Uncle Torwal the animal deserves to live, or has the handicapped horse's luck run out?
I've read more scintillating horse novels, but I respect The Blind Colt because it's based on actual events. The story is only mildly interesting, but somewhat impressive because the author borrowed the odyssey of a real blind colt on his own land. I like the tiny drawings at the bottom of most pages to illustrate the action; Glen Rounds isn't as adept a horse artist as Wesley Dennis, but his work has its charm. I'd rate The Blind Colt at least one and a half stars, and I'd consider the full two. If you like hopeful stories, you'll get something out of this book.
December 23, 2011
Very inspiring story of a blind colt over coming the odds to survive out in the wild.
June 8, 2020
This is a terrific , simply told tale about a little mustang colt born blind . It's set in Montana in wild country about 100 years ago. When an ole seasoned cowboy wants to 'put it down 'to spare it being et by wolves or maimed keeping up with the herd, his nephew pleads for the colt to have a chance to survive. Plus ,it's the prettiest colt that would be a dandy Sunday horse . The troubles the colt runs into are so plausible. The horse behaviors ring true. And the nephew's patient horse handling so exactly the way of a horse lover! Each page has a charming line drawing to illustrate each part of the story.What is the best part is that this story was inspired by a real little blind mustang colt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2010
this book is really sad.But super good.It is about a horse that has a baby that is blind.So the owners of the horse think they should make it die.Why they want it to die is because it keeps on stepping into more trouble each day.Will they kill it or let it live ? If you want to know you have to read the book.
Read
March 8, 2012A easy read horse book that I go back to whenever I want to read an older book that I have.
December 19, 2025
Very lovely little read aloud with my kids. Sweet story, good supplement for learning about horses and the Badlands.
April 2, 2014
What ages would I recommend it too? Five and up.
Length? A couple of hours.
Characters? Memorable, several characters.
Setting? Real world, southwest US pre-1900.
Written approximately? 1940.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: A colt is born bind, and a pre-teen rancher wants to keep him alive, and not kill him out of mercy.
Notes for the reader: My book was so old, the pages crumbled.
Spoiler alert: Reading the end, you get the feeling that the old man used his horse trader senses to encourage the pre-teen to work really hard to save the colt. He likely knew all along everything the boy did. A heart warming story.
Length? A couple of hours.
Characters? Memorable, several characters.
Setting? Real world, southwest US pre-1900.
Written approximately? 1940.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? Ready to read more.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: A colt is born bind, and a pre-teen rancher wants to keep him alive, and not kill him out of mercy.
Notes for the reader: My book was so old, the pages crumbled.
Spoiler alert: Reading the end, you get the feeling that the old man used his horse trader senses to encourage the pre-teen to work really hard to save the colt. He likely knew all along everything the boy did. A heart warming story.
July 22, 2016
The Blind Colt is a great children's book, and though it was published back in 1941, the theme remains relevant. Through the eyes of a child, and the eyes of a colt, we watch the struggle of survival in wild times and wild lands. A young colt is born within a wild herd of horses, beautiful but blind. He's at the mercy of his mother, the ranchers, and the elements. This simple tale tells the story of his efforts to survive against pretty bad odds - blizzards, wolves, and rocky terrain all plot against him as he learns to rely on his senses.
My copy of this book is the 1973 edition, and it has been on my bookshelves for many years. I loved this book as a child, and I enjoyed revisiting it as an adult.
My copy of this book is the 1973 edition, and it has been on my bookshelves for many years. I loved this book as a child, and I enjoyed revisiting it as an adult.
March 25, 2012
I have fond memories of books by Glen Rounds. Or rather, for his illustrations, since I don't remember what books of his I read, specifically.
This is a charming little book. Very sweet.
This is a charming little book. Very sweet.
Read
December 28, 2013AR Quiz No. 112112 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 5.9 - AR Pts: 2.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 5.9 - AR Pts: 2.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
March 31, 2020
The first time I read this book was 35 years ago, at age 8. It was the first book I remember having "read" without paying attention. The words were going through my head, but I was day-dreaming about other things.
As I re-read it, I realized why: The book was not written for late-20th-century suburban schoolkids. At all.
It's laden with terms that I understood neither at 8 nor at 42, and now only at 43 with the help of Google and Google images. It's one thing to read the definition of a "butte", and another to actually see a picture of one. (A butte is one of the narrow mesas that you might see in the background of a Road-runner cartoon.) Other terms that I had to look up during my re-read include "hogback", "Badlands", "alkali flats", "bull bat" (not a kind of bat), "meadow lark" (I had heard the term, but couldn't point one out in a line-up of birds), "grassy hollow", "coulee", and "rimrock".
All these terms appear within the first two pages.
This time, I did a "deep read", meaning I'd look up every term I didn't understand, and reread sections if I caught my thoughts wandering from the book.
I'd say I understood about 5% of the story on my first read compared to the second read.
It's also interesting to note how my understanding has shifted even after accounting for vocabulary and not paying attention. There are only two human characters in the short book: a ten-year-old boy and his uncle, who he is being raised by. At age 8, the uncle seemed to be a cold authority figure, who basically polices the boy's actions.
For example, there is a part where .
Once you get past the obscure-for-suburban-kids terminology, The Blind Colt is a simple story, with only 6 recurring characters (the colt, the colt's mother, the boy, his uncle, the boy's horse, and a dog).
It was entertaining and maybe had some hidden lessons about overcoming adversity. I don't know if I would read it to my kids without actually going to a place like The Badlands or at least seeing pictures of it.
As I re-read it, I realized why: The book was not written for late-20th-century suburban schoolkids. At all.
It's laden with terms that I understood neither at 8 nor at 42, and now only at 43 with the help of Google and Google images. It's one thing to read the definition of a "butte", and another to actually see a picture of one. (A butte is one of the narrow mesas that you might see in the background of a Road-runner cartoon.) Other terms that I had to look up during my re-read include "hogback", "Badlands", "alkali flats", "bull bat" (not a kind of bat), "meadow lark" (I had heard the term, but couldn't point one out in a line-up of birds), "grassy hollow", "coulee", and "rimrock".
All these terms appear within the first two pages.
This time, I did a "deep read", meaning I'd look up every term I didn't understand, and reread sections if I caught my thoughts wandering from the book.
I'd say I understood about 5% of the story on my first read compared to the second read.
It's also interesting to note how my understanding has shifted even after accounting for vocabulary and not paying attention. There are only two human characters in the short book: a ten-year-old boy and his uncle, who he is being raised by. At age 8, the uncle seemed to be a cold authority figure, who basically polices the boy's actions.
For example, there is a part where .
Once you get past the obscure-for-suburban-kids terminology, The Blind Colt is a simple story, with only 6 recurring characters (the colt, the colt's mother, the boy, his uncle, the boy's horse, and a dog).
It was entertaining and maybe had some hidden lessons about overcoming adversity. I don't know if I would read it to my kids without actually going to a place like The Badlands or at least seeing pictures of it.
May 16, 2021
When a children's book has been around for 80 years, it can certainly be considered a classic and well worth a read just for historical value but perhaps also to gain perspective on the changes in children's literature over the past few decades. I found this gentle tale of a blind colt born in the Badlands well worth the time I spent reading it. Drawing from his own experiences on a ranch in Montana, author Glen Rounds follows the birth of the colt and its first tentative steps to a surprising happy ending. When Whitey spots the colt, he sees its beauty, intelligence, and resilience as well as its possibilities while Uncle Torwal doubts that the animal has a chance of surviving, what with all the challenges it will face due to weather, the terrain, and predators. He thinks the kindest thing to do is to shoot the colt, but Whitey begs him to let the colt be. The colt manages to survive a fierce winter, wolves, and various threats. He has a caring mother who runs interference for him and guides him, and he also is smart and adaptable. Still, it's a tough, tough winter, and Whitey is thrilled when he spots the colt again. He hides the horse from his uncle and begins working hard to break him in and train him. Eventually, the blind colt comes to trust Whitey and even allows the family dog, Confusion, to ride on its back. The exchanges between Whitey and Uncle Torwal seem authentic, and I had to wonder just how much Whitey was actually getting away with when he thought that his uncle knew nothing about the colt being on their land. Tiny pen-and-ink illustrations at the bottom of several pages depict the action. While some modern readers may lack the patience to read the descriptive passages of the seasons and the colt's survival, the gentle story demonstrates the resilience and determination of more than one species. Reading it made me smile even though I also recognize that it's a part of Americana that may not meet with current tastes.
March 5, 2024
This was a pretty good book but I didn't like the ending. This book is mostly about a blind mustang colt. When he is discovered by the land owners they don't expect him to survive but even though he goes through everything another mustang colt would go through and maybe more he gets through it. Read this book to discover his life.
December 20, 2025
Love letter written by a real cowboy to a real wild, blind mustang.
The older cowboys believed the blind colt wouldn’t survive in the wild, and would die slowly and painfully, so the humane thing to do was put it Down to save it the pain.
Whitey believes in the colt, and they allow it to take its chances.
Happy ending!
The older cowboys believed the blind colt wouldn’t survive in the wild, and would die slowly and painfully, so the humane thing to do was put it Down to save it the pain.
Whitey believes in the colt, and they allow it to take its chances.
Happy ending!
December 14, 2016
This book isn't very plot-driven, and is very, very descriptive. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids did. They are still young enough that they need more of a plot to keep them engaged. Still a good read and lots of discussion about looking out for others and helping those who need our help.
November 6, 2018
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
A cute, middle grade read about a young colt who is born blind and the trials and tribulations associated with it. I'll be giving this to my younger sister so she can enjoy it!
A cute, middle grade read about a young colt who is born blind and the trials and tribulations associated with it. I'll be giving this to my younger sister so she can enjoy it!
November 20, 2022
This was a fun little book following the life of the blind colt and it was very interesting. I liked hearing about the badlands and the farm and the two humans were interesting too. I think if you like animal stories, horses, or nature you will enjoy this book.
February 5, 2018
Loved it!
October 19, 2018
Scrappy and smart, the blind colt survives a variety of challenges. Super cute story!
September 20, 2020
Nice story based on a true events. I like books and movies based on real life.
August 23, 2021
What a treat! Horse and boy…..
June 21, 2024
I read this book as a kid, and I loved it just as much as an adult.
September 28, 2024
It was a really cute novel to read.
November 7, 2024
Great kids book for the horse loving boy or girl at about 1st or 2nd grade level
July 4, 2025
Inspiring? Survival story of a blind Colt in the wild based on any actual blind Colt found on the Authors land.
August 28, 2025
A nice horse story that felt cozy. Good for those that love horses in elementary school.
June 21, 2009
I really liked the ending. The second half of the book was good.
October 11, 2013
I read this to the Lemmon girls at the Beach. Great book for all kids.
July 5, 2014
charming pen illustrations in my copy, good non-sentimental story, enjoyed the dialogue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews