There are many sayings that involve horses and wings and nearly all of them speak of flying, whether it is flying over a fence toward your dreams (or your goals) or flying without wings, or the customary meaning of horses in religious iconography which tends to center around sovereignty. If we think about what having a horse meant in days before combustion engine transportation, it meant an ability to cross vast distances far quicker than you could by foot. It meant an ability to haul goods, to plow your fields, and to make a living for yourself. Is it any wonder that humans have always been fascinated by a sleek and spirited horse?

Though I am very fond of the quote “throw your heart over the fence and the horse will follow”, meaning jump up and forward, not looking down at where you are or the ground, I found this one “Horses give us the wings we lack” by Pam Brown to be a simple truth. Riding a horse, especially at a faster gait, is like flying, and there’s a moment when jumping, even the smallest and safest of logs, where you feel yourself suspended in air. It’s a magical feeling, not one I can easily describe.

Shakespere wrote about a winged horse as did C.S. Lewis. I don’t wish to ever think that I might be in their company, but I, too, write about winged horses and unicorns and well regular ol’ horses too. 

I don’t need to chug an energy drink to get wings. I just have to step outside and put my arms around a horse and imagine for a moment that we are flying together.

Saddle up! Grab the latest equestrian book.

Love horses? Want to visit a barn where everyone is welcome and the only requirement is that you love horses? Visit Heart Compass stable and enjoy the stories of friendship, found family, and most importantly horses!