A Horse's Tale is a 1906 novel written by American author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), written partially in the voice of Soldier Boy, who is Buffalo Bill's favorite horse, at a fictional frontier outpost with the U.S. 7th Cavalry.

Harper's Magazine originally published the story in two installments in August and September 1906.

[2] Clemens wrote the story after receiving a request from actress Minnie Maddern Fiske to assist in her drive against bullfighting.

[2] Clemens's daughter Susy Clemens, who died in 1896 at age 24 of spinal meningitis, is understood to be the inspiration for lead character Cathy Alison.

[2][3] When Clemens provided the story to Harper's, he included a photograph of Susy for the illustrator to use for Cathy.