It’s World Horse Appreciation Day, apparently, although I only discovered this a few minutes ago (cheers to the Burghley Instagram page for enlightening me; I feel like a sufficiently dreadful equestrian journalist). Anyway, it made me feel a bit better about the full twenty minutes I spent in the feed shop earlier, debating whether or not it might be a bit much to buy my horse her own advent calendar this year. I’m just appreciating my horse, while she appreciates the (presumably) agonisingly long wait for Santa Claus, and also extra treats.
There’s plenty of reasons to appreciate the horses in our lives: they put up with us attempting to school them, after all, and they often take a hell of a lot of jokes where choosing a stride is concerned. On bad days, they’re a sweet-smelling and nonjudgmental shoulder to cry on, and on good days, they’re our very best partners in crime. Most of all, they teach us something — about riding, or about ourselves, or, at the very least, about failing graciously.
But enough with all the serious stuff. Today, I vote we appreciate horses for their rather more individualised sets of skills. Skills such as…
Weeing elegantly
Offering convenient dismounting options
One Way To Dismount 😂😂
Posted by Renault Master Horsebox on Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Accepting others, despite their differences
I forgot to post this picture from the Swedish Warmblood Inspection, in Colts Neck, NJ. Foals are presented with their…
Posted by Hope Hill Tack Shop on Thursday, October 4, 2018
Artistic jumping
Teamwork
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Funniest. Thing. Ever. 😂
#catridingaponyPosted by Becky Yank on Saturday, December 30, 2017
Early education
Today: My first trot up 😍
Posted by Arville Sporthorses on Monday, October 16, 2017
Roof
First snow ⛄️ President & Mini Cooper ⛄️ #capitalweather #capitalhorses #af1 #minicooperpony
Posted by Kama Godek LLC on Thursday, November 15, 2018
Has your horse got any, um, unique skills that you’re feeling extra appreciative of today? Drop the story — or, even better, a pic or video — in the comments, and let’s all appreciate these ridiculous creatures together. Go weird horses, and Go Eventing!