Have a favorite horse song that didn’t make the list? Click “Submit a Comment” below and tell us about it!
Here are 30 great horse songs.
Appaloosa By Gino Vanelli ’70s Canadian crooner sings: “Appaloosa, runnin’ wild in the dead of the night Appaloosa, you’re the message of love and light.” |
| Crazy Horses By Osmonds Bros. Rock out in early ’70s with wild equines. |
| One Trick Pony By Paul Simon “He’s got one trick to last a lifetime, but that’s all a pony needs.” |
| Pony By Kasey Chambers “When I grow up I want a pony I’m gonna ride her from dusk til dawn.” |
| Mr. Ed theme song “A horse is a horse |
Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses By U2 Not really about horses, but cool nonetheless. |
| Live Like Horses By Elton John “Someday we’ll live like horses Free reign from your old iron fences.” |
| Pullin’ Back the Reins Like closing the barn door after the horse is already out, pulling back on the reins does no good when what you’re looking for—in this case lost love—is already gone. |
| A Horse in the Country By The Cowboy Junkies Equestrian escapism at its finest, longing for the freedom to ride off into the sunset. “Someday we’ll saddle up, and the two of us will ride away.” |
| Let That Pony Run By Pam Tillis “She got a divorce and a chestnut horse.” It goes to show you can ride out heartbreak. |
| Back in the Saddle Again By Gene Autry Anyone who’s ever taken a fall knows this one all too well. |
| Pony Boy By Bruce Springsteen Who wouldn’t want to be the Boss’ hoss? “O’er the hills and through the trees/We’ll go ridin’ you and me.” |
| Strawberry Roan By Marty Robbins Country great sings: “I know there are ponies that I cannot ride/There’s some of them left, they haven’t all died.” |
| Wild Horses By The Rolling Stones While horses drag Garth, the Stones can’t be budged. |
| Wildfire By Michael Martin Murphey “She ran calling Wiiiiiiiiild -fire …” Dare you not to get this one stuck in your head. |
Bring on the Dancing Horses By Echo & the Bunnymen Liverpool pop group tells us: “Bring on the dancing horses/Wherever they may roam.” |
| Beer for my Horses By Toby Keith and Willie Nelson Not what we’d recommend personally, but the guys say: “whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.” |
| Black Horse and the Cherry Tree By KT Tunstall The new theme song for frustrated horse shoppers? “I said no, no, you’re not the one for me.” |
| Run for the Roses By Dan Fogelberg As much a Derby Day classic as My Old Kentucky Home |
| Chestnut Mare By The Byrds Hard to catch? An elusive red-headed mare is “always alone, never with the herd”—one man’s yearning for a beautiful wild mare. |
| Heavy Horses By Jethro Tull Heavy Horses by Jethro Tull. A tribute to working draft horses, their “iron-clad feather-feet pounding the dust.” |
| Tennessee Stud By Johnny Cash “The Tennessee Stud was long and lean The color of the sun and his eyes were green.” |
| Rider in the Rain By Randy Newman |
| Wild Horses By Prefab Sprout Northern England pop group uses metaphors, “through the rails, I spied your pony tail …” |
| Three Horses |
| The Old Gray Mare Traditional |
| I Ride an Old Paint By Arlo Guthrie A cowboy classic: “Tie my bones to the saddle and turn our faces to the west And we’ll ride the prairie we love best.” |
| Wild Horses By Garth Brooks “Wild horses just stay wild, and her heart is all I break Wild horses keep dragging me away.” |
| Commanche The Brave Horse By Johnny Horton Ode to the only survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn. |
| Horse With No Name |
We’ve also compiled 30 great horse books and 30 great horse movies.
This article about the best horse songs is a web exclusive originally published in December 2006 for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!
i think the best horse song is wild horses by Natasha Beddingfield its so pretty.
Beer for my horses kicks but(ha ha), in my opion. I think that it should have had a better place, plus I have never heard of some of the songs.
thnaks for making a list of GREAT horse songs now i can listen to them i was always looking for good horse songs and could never find them! well thanks agian!
cool i never heard of soem of these songs …and now i almost own all of them! thanks!
One great horse song is a song I believe is entitled “Cheyenee” – Roy Rogers did a rendition of it where the chorus is : “Cheyenne, Cheyenne, I’m a leaving Cheyenne” and then the first verse begins: “My foot in the stirrup, my rein in my hand, goodbye old Paint, I’m a leaving Cheyenne”. While the song talks about leaving Cheyenne so much – the words also convey that the reason he will be missing Cheyenne is because of the horse he is leaving behind. I enjoy it because it provides an inspiring glimpse into the close relationship a man can have with his trusted friend, and co-worker.
To Tim from Cleveland OH. That song is titled “Goodbye old Paint.” Just a different version/words by Roy Rogers. To the Editors: I guess I’ll have to buy all 30 songs now.
those are good but I like wild horses by Natasha Benningfield (sp)
I think the songs Wild horses by Natasha Bedingfield and Here I am from the movie Spirit should be on that list!!!!
Very interesting list, although I have not heard of all of these songs it makes me want to find them all just to give them a listen. Thanks for the list, add more things like this in the future.
I only know 3 songs on the list. I wish I knew more of them because some of them sound like they would be good songs. I know a bunch of other horse songs that are not on here too.
most of these songs are good
What about Big and Rich’s song “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” ? 🙂
i like the song beer for my horses
i like the song song that tim micgraw sings on the movie flicka
In the spirit of Christmas, how about the song “Jingle Bells” ! It talks about dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh.
There are so many good songs not listed, what about everything that glitters is not gold!! Thats a great horse song
Do the list ever change? There got to be more good horse songs out there?!
Don’t forget Mary Ann Kennedy
I was a little disappointed to not see the song, Wild Horses, by Natasha Bedingfield, it’s a great song about horses
would love all 30 of the songs. are they sold cd?
would love all 30 of the songs. are they sold cd?
I like “The Old Gray Mare” and Mr. Ed’s theme song.
you can’t be serious to leave out chris ledoux’ version of “old Paint”? i cry every time i play it!
what about Wild Horses by Natasha Bedingfield! It is THE best horse song EVER!
How did you leave you No Reins by Rascal Flatts and Good Day to Ride by George Canyon?
I think that Cowgirls Don’t Cry by Brooks and Dunn should be in the top 30.
I LOVE THAT SONG COWGIRLS DONT CRY IT SHOULD BE ##1!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cowgirls don’t cry sould be #####1111
you missed the contintal cowboy a story about the unlikly looking cowboy and a horse that no one could ride
Dont see any Chris ledoux in here, very dissapointed… LEGEND
Great list! I personally love Wild Horses by Natasha Beddingfield!
how come hello world by the saddle club is not there
how come white horse by taylor swift,get off of my back in the spirit movie and this is where i belong also from the movie spirit r not on there???? emma,jasmine, and poppy
where is save a horse ride a cowboy?!?!?
Why isn’t wild horses by natasha bedingfield or all the pretty little ponies up there? 🙁
I have herd like all of these songs exept 5
I haven’t heard any of them, but I know a really good horse song by Natasha Bedingfield: Wild Horses (It was also in Flicka).
I LLLLLLOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE the song wildfire!!!! i dont know if its just me but when i here that song i just have to cry!!!! i also love the song tenneessee stud. once u get those in your head, good luck gettin em out!!! 🙂
What about John Denver’s “Eagles and Horses” ?
lol Cowgirls Don’t Cry should be on that list lol JK
In the movie Flicka there was the song Wild Horses by Natasha Bedingfield. That song should be on this list
I feel that these songs are all older and this list needs to be updated a little bit. I also feel that Natasha Bedingfield’s song ‘Wild Horses’ should be included in this list.
I think it is great to have a list of horse songs! You sirtenly do not hear them that often on the radio!!!! but I also think you missed a few great ones, like “Cow Girls Dont Cry” We need more country!!!!
I think it is a good reference and great list, but i wish it had “Wild Horses” by Natasha Bettingfield
interesting
You forgot Dark Horse y Myla Mason
those are good but you need to add Rodeo Rode by holly williams
Wild horses song is hauntingly beautifully sung by of all people, Susan Boyle. I really enjoyed her range of vocals and the piano with the horse running was beautiful on utube.
Dark Horse by Mila Mason.
Hey where’s Wild Horses by Natasha Bedingfield? That song is beautiful and it’s definetly worth being in the top 30! I propose you add it 🙂
Thanks,
Dannie ?
What about Champion?
Didn’t Chris Ledoux sing “Tennesee Stud”? I have it on CD by him.
AWWW I think “Wildfire” should have been # 1 !!!
I think Templeton Thompson’s “Girls and Horses” should be on this list! The song is actually about horses and the bond we girls have with them…horses aren’t just referred to metaphorically in this great song!
Templeton Thompson’s “Girls & Horses” really needs to be added to this list… it tops them all!
I agree that Templeton Thompson’s song is really great. If I can’t vote for her song, then I will have to chose “Wildfire”
Templeton Thompson’s song Girls and Horses makes me cry every time—100 times later!! Definitely the best!
Peter, Paul and Mary’s rendition of the traditional lullaby “All the Pretty Little Horses” is one of my all-time favorites.
Marie-Lynn Hammond’s “The Canadian (P’tit Cheval de Fer)” might be the best horse song I’ve ever heard. The traditional “Jackson and Jane” is right up there, ideally as sung by James Keelaghan. Trouble with many of these “top 30” is that they aren’t really about horses.
For a few most will have never heard before, go to diamond-run-farm.com, click on music studio, and then look for the songs and their history, which will take you to my song files. The horse ones are on top. enjoy!
Here is a fantastic horse song by the Charlie Daniels Band. It is an old one that you never here, but it is a good one…about a Black Stallion. The title is Caballo Diablo
Did everyone forget about Daryl Braithwaite???
I personally believe ‘Comanche The Brave Horse’ should be number 1, But I’m chuffed JH and Comanche made at least number 3 🙂
What about chris la’dukes “he rides the wild horses” or “The Ride” or Where Do Cowboys Go When They Die.
happy traila
save a horse ride a cowboy
theres more
Very good, however I am looking for a song that sounds like “Here Comes Papelone”, not sure of spelling, title etc,. I would appreciate it if you have any info or where there might be somewhere we could look.
Thank you
there was a song in the early 70s about a bred mare named Velvet who was bitten by a snake. I remember the song somewhat but not the band. The beginning went “Velvet was a very young mother mare to be…” HELP!! this is making me nuts. Can anyone else remember this song?
Debbie from WV. The song is called Velvet by Blood, Sweat and Tears
Run for the Roses by John Fogelberg!
What about “Stewball” by Joan Baez. Love it!
how about Wild Horses by Natasha Beddingfield? Love that song…
I love all country music, and will listen to nothing else, “Beer For My Horses” is a great one!
All The Wild Horses – Ray LaMontagne.
I definitely think run with the wild horses by Natasha bedingfield should have madE the list!!
Woah woah!! What!? Why isn’t wild horses by natasha beddingfield (or how Ever u spell it) is the the anthem for horses. You can’t go on YouTube, search “horses” and NOT fine that song with some clips of running horses. I mean really! I still love the list.
Pony by erin mccarley is really good.
ya, natash b. wrote a good horse song….
I was very disappointed not to see any songs from the albums of Wiley Gustafsen [Wiley and the Wild West]. He has one entire album dedicated to horses. What a shame; this is a present day person who truly loves horses and all they represent to all of us. How did you decide what songs to place on your list?
One of the best you missed is John Denver’s Eagles and Horses!!
How about “Ride On” by Celtic Thunder, “”A Horse Called Music” by Randy Travis. “Wild Horses” by Garth Brooks, and a few more by Chris Le Doux and Johnny Cash’s “Tennesee Stud”? OH! And MOST of the songs of Templeton Thomas, especially, “Girls and Horses”!!
Michael Martin Marphey! 3 of his songs were on here. There should have been more though!
You forgot one of the best horse songs. “Stewball”
Stewball was a race horse
He wore a high head
And the mane on his foretop
Was as soft as silk thread etc 5 more good verses
I like the songs #s, 22, Mr. Ed., 03,Comanche,#06, Strawberry Roan, #10, Back In The Saddle Again. I grew up with some of the songs. I use to have Strawberry Roan on record, Back in the Saddle on tape. I had some Johnny Horton songs but I’m not sure if Comanche was one of them.
One other one was by Jim Reeves, Old Dan, story/song of a cowboy and his horse.
I think the song Beer For My Horses, was a cute song, I had a horse that liked beer and daiquris.
She was my trick horse, a pretty neat horse.
Janet
WHY CAN’T WE HEAR THE SONGS??? I like Arlo Guthrie’s work, but Arthur Sutherland collected I RIDE AN OLD PAINT. See THE AMERICAN SONGBAG, by Carl Sandberg.
Janet likes to comment.
I’d like to be able to hear the songs too. I had a retired race horse that liked to drink Corona beer. Gave it to him only as a special treat and not much of it either. Too funny.
horse with no name the best!!! why dont they have the zenyatta song on there?
like to hear the songs if possible
id wnt to hear the songs, and i think wildfire the best
1)A horse that can fly and 2)Girls & Horses…. both by Templeton Thompson, 2 of the best songs to listen and ride! I cant believe they are not mentioned in the 30!!!!
The greatest race horse song I ever heard was played on a local radio station about 25 years ago. I’ve tried all my life to locate the song (I’m almost 70)… artist unknown. The recurring line in the chorus was, “Alongside Upset and the Great Man Of War.” any info would be appreciated if someone remembers the song. thanx, moze@ptd.net
There is an awesome song by rod stewart about a wild horse. This should be on there for sure!
Yes, I love the song “Wildfire.” Named my first born foal after that song. He is 24 years old in June!
Just a few to add on, Stewball by Peter, Paul and Mary Tom T Halls, Pinto the Wonder Horse and a Great song i found on Youtube Called The Parson and Dan Patch.
I’m down here in N’awlins, LA and one of our local singers…Lee Dorsey…had a good hit with his song,
“Ride Your Pony”. Also the old instrumental which has become a standard for High School Marching bands to play in Mardi Gras parades, “The Horse”.
Lastly, Chubby Checker’s song, “Pony Time”.
“Palomino”, traditional! Gotta be there…it’s often used with kids and what, but it’s a great song.
Another great song about riding a horse—- “The Ride” by Raco!!!! Inspiring….
Small Victory by Garnet Rogers
Wild horses by natascha bedingfield!!!!
Ohh! Corb Lund he wrights tons of songs about horses
1. like a paint
2. my saddle horse has died
ARE MY FAVS!
No horse song list is complete without “There’s a Golden Sun a’Settin’ Where the Mountains Meet the Sky” Doesn’t anyone know that song?
COWGIRLS DONT CRY IS MY FAVE!!! <33
Dad wants a old country song about trying to shoe a horse, and by the time it was said and done the horse ended up under the car where the two men were able to finally shoe the horse. He heard it ONCE ON XM RADIO, he said it was funny. Does any one know the song and the artist? If so, where can I get dad a copy from?
Hi could be “Good Bye Horses” too.
i LOVE the song Apaloosa and i can’t find it here
so will you please help me find it!!!!
I have NEVER heard this song before or the name but i love other different songs but my friend has heard this song before and she can’t find it so HELP HER OR ELSE!!!! JK JK JK JK JK
No Reins-by Rascal Flatts is a really good one too.
The Bucking Song (forget who wrote it) and Wild Horses by Natasha Bedingfield are great too!
ur horsez songz wear da best i haev evar ceen on teh inertnet. i thnx u gladly 4 ur contributon 2 me….
Wild Horses by Natasha Bedingfield should be added to the top 30
Runaway Horses by Belinda Carisle
Ride Em Cowboy by Beccy Cole
should totally be on this network
What a joke, switch #1 with #29 and it will be more believable.
Faster Horses by Tom T. Hall should be on this list.
There should be at least 1 song by Chris Ledoux on this list.
We think Wildfire is number 1 for sure! The Stones Wild Horses and good second, then it’s a great list! Thanks! Adie
What about Wild Horses By Natasha Bedingfield?
I only knew two of these songs: “Beer for my horses”, and “Black Horse In The Cherry Tree”.
“Wild Horses” by Natasha Bedingfield is another great horse song
70 years old – been looking all my life for a race-horse song I once heard… only line I recall is: “Alongside Upset and the Great Man of War.”… anyone have info on that song e-mail moze@ptd.net… thanx
I love the Tim Spencer song, Two-Seated Saddle and a One Gaited Horse, sung by Dale Evans. But basically every song the Sons of the Pioneers sang about horses were awesome. I’m just a teenager and I love their music!!!
NO REINS by Rascal Flatts is a good song
“When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune and we’ll all met back at the local saloon. We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces singin wiskey for my man, beer for my horses.”
I always considered the little ditty at the end of “The Roy Rogers Show” a horse song, though short. “Happy Trails to You” Don’t forget the heartfelt Jim Reeves song,”The Blizzard”, all about he and his pony Dan; “Cowboy Man” by Lyle Lovett, rodeo life, “Which Way Does That Old Pony Run” also by Lyle Lovett. There are more, but I’d have to look up the artist. Anyway, good list.
I heard a song on a country station by a female singer and it goes like this: “What is it? What is it about girls and horses.” Really sweet song.
wild horses by natasha benefield is the best :3
Save a horse ride a cowboy by Big and Rich <3 it should be on the list... AWESOME song!!
You could include : “The Horse Told Me” sung by Bing Crosby from the movie “Ridin’ High” from the early fifties.
#7 I ride and old pain. Really? It’s PAINT not pain.
“Seven horses in the sky” by The Pebbles is a nice one too
Spike Jones – Beetle Bomb (William Tell Overture)
Storm – the Saddle Club
Any really by the Saddle Club. They’re a pretty babyish TV show (though I still love it at 12) but they have some really good songs about horses.
Horse Thief by KitchenWinos
http://www.kitchenwinos.bandcamp.com
Galloping Gourmet……:)
I love horses but I can’t say I particularly love horse songs.
We need a horse poem list!
what about Old Stewball ? and fetalbaum or Beetle Bomb — what was that song about the dead last horse ?
Wildfire! My art teacher selected that song for me for our current project. He said he thought I’d like a song where I could draw horses.
“When I get this pony rode”
The Triffids – Red Pony
Lyle Lovett
If I had a boat, I’d go out on the ocean. And if I had a pony, I’d ride him on my boat. And we could, all together, go out on the ocean. Me up on my pony on my boat.
And he has excellent reining horses so he knows of what he speaks.
My friend made a chant that says ” I said we’re tough and strong, and mighty like a horse” you say that a few times
What about “eagles an horses” by John Denver? And most of the songs from Spirit?
Wild horses by Paul Taylor
horses by Darrel Brathwait
The Blizzard by Jim Reeves
“Take It Easy Horse Rockers” by Horse Rock.
“She Could Run” By Lacy J. Dalton.
The ride of the Walkyries (Hojotoho! Heiaha!) by Richard Wagner
Girls and horses (Templeton Thompson)
Dark Horse (Katy Perry)
TWO LEGENDARY HORSE SONGS, MISSED BY ME.
Q LAZZARUS – GOODBYE HORSES
GINUWINE – PONY
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy (Big & Rich?)
Horse by Eddie From Ohio.
Looking for the name of a song and the artist.
The lirics go something like this.
Beneath his was a firey black stallion and loping was a bay. It is a song about a cowboy ho lost his wife.
The Byrds – Chestnut Mare
Pony Man – Gordon Lightfoot
Looking for a song shot on racing horses, and with lyrics like’ like a tiger in a cage, like a mystery’s final page’. Great if I could get the song and the singer.
Ponies—-by Michael Martin Murphy
how about “mister would you please help my pony” by Ween
What about the super weird but talented Finnish grime rap group called Horse Attack Sqwad and their song about cleaning horses?
H.A.S. – Putsaa hevoo (wash the horse):
https://youtu.be/eBHe4FwGxLM
Horses – Daryl Braithwaite (Aussie classic)
If I Had A Pony by Lyle Lovette
I love this list! I noticed you are missing two great songs Cyclone and The Horse Nobody Could Ride by Joey and Rory
Here’s an astounding story song that will leave a lump in your throat by the end: John Stewart “Mother Country” “It’s E.A. Stuart and the Old Campaigner”
The song “Galloping Galloping” is very descriptive of horses and riding and I think could be considered for a list of best horse songs.
Please – what do you think?
https://soundcloud.com/david-howse/galloping-galloping-sung-by-yohanna-ekky-take-3
Last Trip Home by The Battlefield Band. A song about the Clydesdale horses and how they’re no longer needed to work the farm
My favorite children’s horse song is I love my horse. You can hear it on itunes… Miss Gina’s Rompin Stompin Roundup. It is a really good CD of cowboy songs for the youngins. Here is a link!
https://www.amazon.com/I-Love-My-Horse/dp/B0091JCH20/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=miss+ginas+rompin+stompin+roundup&qid=1601395125&sr=8-13
Ol’ Stewball by Peter Paul and Mary
“Ride Forever” by Paul Gross (from the TV series Due South)
I think horses in my dreams,and a girl and her horse and wild horses should be on here!!!
Molly and Tenbrooks (different spellings), about a real horse race in 1876 between a horse from Kentucky (Tenbrooks) and one from California (Molly). Covered by a lot of artists, my favorite is Townes Van Zandt, Live from the Whole Coffee House and on YouTube