Rider Insider: Dream Horse

If you could choose one horse to have in your barn, you could do worse than to pick the great dressage stallion Totilas. Photo: Leslie Potter

Of course you love the horse you own now or the schoolie you regularly ride in lessons. But imagine that you could have any horse from the present day or some time in history, real or fictional. Which horse would you want to have in your barn?

The world of television, books and movies offer a lot of possibilities. Would you choose Roy Rogers’ loyal Palomino, Trigger? Or The Black from Walter Farley’s classic novel and the film adaptation of The Black Stallion? Maybe you could borrow Pegasus from the ancient Greek Gods for a while and ride among the clouds.

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If competitive riding is your style, you’ve probably got a few equine athletes you wouldn’t mind having in your barn. You could do a few barrel runs with Scamper, attack the nearest show jumping course with Gem Twist, or take a victory pass aboard American Saddlebred five-gaited champion Imperator.

But for some equestrians, the horse that would make a dream barn complete is a little closer to home. Would you wish to have your first pony back? Or the horse at your childhood riding stable that you always coveted, but were never allowed to ride?

Click “Submit a Comment” below and tell us what horse—besides your own—you would want to have if you could have any horse in the world. Some of the responses may be selected for a future issue of Horse Illustrated.

Throughout 2013, Noble Equine will be sponsoring the Rider Insider column in Horse Illustrated with a prize for the selected featured response. If you’d like to be considered for a prize, make sure to include your contact info in the email field of the contact form (emails will not be publicly displayed.)

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Amanda says:
March 7, 2013 at 6:28 am
Buck from Bonanza! He was a great horse but his mouth was permanently gaping. I'd love to take the bit out of his mouth and ask him to halt without pain!
Isabella says:
March 7, 2013 at 1:35 pm
My choice would be Secretariat. He was one of the most famous racing legends of all time. Even though it seemed the odds out numbered him, and even when people didn't believe in him, He won. He won not only the race but also the people's hearts, too. Imagine being the one to be up there on his back, racing the wind it's self! And seeing world flash by like a blur! It would have been awesome and truly an honor, to me. He's my hero and my inspiration! I would've loved to meet him.
Ella says:
March 7, 2013 at 2:09 pm
The horse I'd love to have in my barn wouldn't be for me, but for my friend. She'd gotten her Quarter Horse when she was around six, and he was the love of her life. It was so heartbreaking when he had to be put down. If i could have any horse back, it'd be for her. Besides, my dream horses are living at home in my pasture!
Philomena says:
March 7, 2013 at 2:28 pm
I would love to be the proud owner of Sham in "King of the Wind", a great book by Marguerite Henry! Owning an Arabian like him would be awesome, and I would give anything to be on his back galloping as fast as...The Wind!
Philomena says:
March 7, 2013 at 2:30 pm
I would love to be the proud owner of Sham in "King of the Wind", a great book by Marguerite Henry! Owning an Arabian like him would be awesome, and I would give anything to be on his back galloping as fast as...The Wind!
Hannah says:
March 7, 2013 at 3:02 pm
I would love to own Roy Roger's beautiful horse, Trigger. The palomino stallion knew over 50 tricks and wowed millions with his performances, whether on the silver screen or during live appearances. If this would not be possible, I'd go for Dale's buckskin horse, Buttermilk.
Chloe says:
March 8, 2013 at 7:59 am
If I could have any horse I would never turn down the chance to get Danny! Danny is a horse at my farm, he is a bay quarterhorse with such a big loving heart, he may not be a super athletic jumper or a super fast horse, but me and have created a bond, and every time I go to the farmers happily smiles for me!!!
Chloe says:
March 8, 2013 at 8:21 am
If I could have any horse I would never turn down the chance to get Danny! Danny is a horse at. Danny is a horse at my farm, he is a bay, guarterhorse with such a big loving heart! He may ot be an athletic jumper or a super fast horse, but me and him have created a bond, and every time I go to the farm he happily smiles for me!!!
Gail says:
March 8, 2013 at 11:55 am
Walter Farley's The Black has always been one of my favorites. And Secretariat is even more awesome. But I think I would choose Harry Deleyer's Snowman (winner of the Madison Square Garden horse show, 1958) because he was lovable, did his job as a lesson horse and as a fabulous competiter - a down home easy to get along with horse.
Ruth says:
March 8, 2013 at 7:11 pm
I have to say My Little Laila of Hamra was by far the bestest horsie EVER!! Im pretty sure if put against Tigger, she would have won hands down. And she stopped as soon as I went ass over teakettle every time...