HI Spy: Do you have any horse-related superstitions?

Plenty of otherwise-rational people find themselves
being extra cautious on Friday the 13th or averting their path after
a black cat has crossed it. Even pragmatic horse people may find themselves
holding on to some seemingly silly superstitions. In fact, horses are at the
center of many superstitions.

For example, there is the classic good-luck charm,
the horse shoe. Superstition dictates that when you hang a horse shoe, you must
put it with the rounded part facing down to prevent the good luck from spilling
out.

In some cultures, white or gray horses were considered a bad omen and were
avoided at all costs. Dreaming of one meant your death was close at hand. But
then, in other cultures, a white horse was good luck and making a wish when you
see one was a sure way to make it come true.Tradition is similarly fickle about black horses, so it’s hard to know which is your better bet.

And then there’s this folkloric bit of horse-shopping
advice.

“One white foot, buy him;
Two white feet, try him;
Three white feet, look well about him;
Four white feet, do without him.”

Of course, these days, horse people are far more
logical about their horse buying. Or are they? Have you ever been warned
against a chestnut mare, or a horse with double whorls?

Even if you are a logical judge of horseflesh
without resorting to superstition, do you have a favorite pair of boot socks
that you are sure to wear during important shows? Did you consider renaming
your horse after you brought him home, but thought better of it because you’d heard it
was bad luck to do so? Is there a routine you feel compelled to follow before or after
every ride?

‘Fess up. Click submit a comment below and tell us
about your horse-related superstitions.Some of the responses may be published in a future issue of Horse Illustrated!

One selected response may be selected by the editors to win a monthly prize! If you would like to be eligible for the prize, please include your email address in the comment form (email addresses are not publicly displayed.)

See all HI Spy Questions >>