Let’s be honest –is there anything about horses that we aren’t thankful for? We could probably spend a good portion of time just trying to name all of the things we appreciate about the amazing animal known as Equus caballus, but for now, here are four things about horses that I’m thankful for—and believe me, I had a hard time narrowing down the list. Read on to know more on why I am thankful for horses this Thanksgiving.
The Voices
The Seniors
The second reason why I am thankful for horses this Thanksgiving is with every passing year, I’m thankful for my senior horses; those steady, dependable, gray-faced equines. They keep their pasture buddies in line, can be trusted with even the youngest riders, and can find invisible scary things to get excited about even though they’ve seen everything. On Thanksgiving Day, say an extra thanks for the senior horses in your barn. They deserve it.
The Health Benefits
The third reason why I am thankful for horses this Thanksgiving is that besides their other manifold virtues, horses are extremely beneficial to our health and physical condition. Think of all the miles you’ve walked leading horses out to their fields or paddocks and back, and all the weight-lifting you’ve done carrying buckets, hay bales, saddles, and other impressively hefty items of equine paraphernalia.
Even beyond the physical advantages, the company of horses has been proven to improve your mental and emotional state as well—something we all know from firsthand experience! Many programs have proven the benefit that horse companionship provides to countless individuals.
The Friendships
The fourth reason why I am thankful for horses this Thanksgiving is with horses come horse lovers, and if you’re a horse lover, you have friends who are horse lovers. It’s an unwritten law—kind of a “birds of a feather” thing. So when it comes time to give thanks, be sure to acknowledge the friendships you’ve made in the barn, on the trail, at the shows, and along the way. Remember your canine pals, too, because that’s the other unwritten law: horse people love dogs.
Happy Thanksgiving! Tell us what you’re thankful for in the comments below.
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Very true. I am so thankful for the horses in my life.
Getting a horse again after 35yrs away from them is the best thing I’ve done for myself. It has filled a huge hole in my soul and benefitted me in all the ways mentioned in the article and then some. My guy is keeping me young, healthier and happy!
It is so true and ‘spot on’ as an old friend of mine would say. Non horsey people just do not know the joys they are missing.
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I love to see their breath on a cold winter morning as they nicker a greeting. Love the sound of tiny wind chimes when ice crystals form in their tails and clink against each other as they move. Love the way my Arab gelding puts on a rodeo show when I drive in the driveway. Just love everything about them I guess!
My mare was my best listener, when I was down she never disagreed with me after a ride together I would return hom with a refreshed mind and love in my heart.Thank you my beautiful mare.
I would have to agree that the knickers are awesome. I also love to bury my nose into my horses’ necks and smell that horsey smell. To me it is the best smell in the world. And on a cold day, the area under their manes is a great hand warmer. Their eyes are so kind and gentle. There really is nothing that I don’t love about my horses. They are truly amazing animals. On a side note, I find it appalling that horses are still slaughtered for food, and abused by things like soring, and the wild ones are losing their homes on the public lands ranges at an alarming rate. These horrific abuses need to STOP!
Very true! I’m thankful for the joy that they give me at the end of the day, and that good old horsey smell that everyone loves.