Horse Illustrated Magazine

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 first reason why I am thankful for horses this Thanksgiving is when I sit down to think of specific things about horses that I’m grateful for, their voices are the first thing that comes to mind. Is there any sound in the animal kingdom more joyful than that of horses nickering when you come into the barn or out to the pasture? Or the happy, delighted cheers that erupt when you rustle a grain bucket? Those whinnies and nickers never fail to make me smile.

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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