Patricia Leitch (13 July 1933 – 28 July 2015), was a Scottish writer, best known for her series of children's books in the pony story genre about Jinny Manders and her wild, traumatised Arabian horse Shantih, set in the Scottish Highlands.
She wrote her first book shortly after this and writing is now her full-time occupation, but she has also done all sorts of different jobs, including being a riding-school instructor, groom, teacher and librarian.
The Jinny series marks a significant departure from the traditional 'tweedy' horse and pony stories aimed at middle-class children.
Serious social justice issues are raised throughout the series, forcing Jinny to confront her own prejudices and character faults.
Jinny is portrayed as a gifted or chosen child with special and dangerous tasks to perform, guided by mysterious and sometimes frightening characters such as the Red Horse (agent of the Celtic Horse Goddess Epona) and the Walker.