10 Popular Horse Quotes and What They Mean

No hoof, no horse.

No hoof, no horse. Damaged, weak, or overgrown hooves can result in lameness, rendering your horse unfit to ride or drive. This saying remains as true today as it ever was, highlighting the importance of good hoof care.

Without healthy hooves, your horse won't be very useful or happy.

Horse Quotation: A golden bit does not make the horse any better.

Even in ancient times, experienced horsemen understood that a good horse isn't determined by the cost of equipment, but by patient training and consistent handling. We've all encountered 'golden bits' advertised as solutions to problems, but switching bits often won't resolve issues.

When problems arise, the first question should be, why? Similar quotes include, "You cannot judge a horse by the harness," nor a rider by their clothes. Good horses and horsemanship rely little on outward appearances.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

The approximate age of a horse can be determined by the condition and growth of its teeth. While we now value horses as companions, they were once valued as modes of transport. A young, useful horse wasn't likely to be given away. An old horse, unable to pull or carry loads, held little value. Checking a horse's teeth look at its teeth, which would reveal its age.

Don't inspect a 'gift horse's' mouth, as it might reveal it's old and devalue the gift, not appreciating the thought behind it. Pity the poor horse whose new owner followed this saying.

One white foot, buy him; two white feet, try him...

One white foot, buy him; two white feet, try him... Are white feet weaker than black? Yes, according to this old saying. ...three white feet, look well about him; four white feet, go without him. Variations include four white feet and white on his nose, take off his hide and feed him to the crows, a harsh version, or one, buy me, two, try me, three, shy me, four, fly me. This saying likely stems from the belief that white hooves are weaker than dark and your white-footed horse is prone to unsoundness due to wear and cracks. 

Another version reverses the advice: One white foot, keep him not a day, two white feet, send him far away, three white feet, sell him to a friend, four white feet, keep him to the end. Over time, we've learned that hoof color is not as critical as once thought.

Who wishes to travel far spares his steed.

Who wishes to travel far spares his steed. This saying by Jean Baptiste Racine resembles the tortoise and the hare story and the saying, "slow and steady wins the race." It isn't about racing, but preserving energy so both horse and rider maintain a slow, steady pace over long distances. If you start a long journey at a rapid gallop, you may exhaust your horse before reaching your destination.

The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller not one.

Many horse dealers are honest and rely on word-of-mouth to stay in business, taking time to match riders with the perfect horse. However, horse traders once had a reputation for sharp dealing and unscrupulous practices. Some dishonest sellers still exist, but they are in the minority and news about them spreads quickly online. It's always up to the buyer to make the final decision, hence the saying "the buyer needs a hundred eyes" to detect possible faults in a horse. An unscrupulous seller wouldn't notice or disclose those problems.

You’re not a rider unless you’ve fallen off seven times.

This is similar to another saying,  ‘fall seven times, get up eight’, which is to say, learn from experience and get back on the horse. Often you're told to get right back on the horse after you fall, which is a good idea (after you've checked yourself over for damage), so you don't have time to think about the fall.

Seven is probably significant because seven is regarded in many cultures as a lucky number. You’ll probably want to avoid falling off and shouldn’t make seven a goal. But it’s wise to be prepared, so here’s how you may minimize the impact of your fall with an emergency dismount.

A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor...

...a perfect horse, never made a horseman

As a beginner, you want to find the perfect horse. However, horse traders once had a reputation for sharp dealing and unscrupulous practices. Some dishonest sellers still exist, but they are in the minority and news about them spreads quickly online. It's always up to the buyer to make the final decision, hence the saying "the buyer needs a hundred eyes" to detect possible faults in a horse. An unscrupulous seller wouldn't notice or disclose those problems.

Or, you might choose a horse with a specific problem that you can safely work through. Beginners have a lot to learn from those perfect first horses, but later on, ‘imperfect’ horses have a lot to teach us too. It's probably best to learn to sail on calm waters too.

A good horse is never a bad color.

A good horse is never a bad color. Some people prefer dark-colored horses and particularly love bays, while others dislike grays because they are challenging to keep clean. Certain horse colors also carry associated temperament stereotypes, such as chestnut mares being moody.

However, choosing a horse solely based on color is unwise, as temperament varies within any color. It's important not to choose a horse simply because you like its color if it's unsuitable for your needs. Select the horse you can enjoy riding now, and you'll grow to appreciate the whole horse, not just its coat.

Hang a horseshoe over the door for good luck

Hang a horseshoe over the door for good luck. This superstition likely stems from various beliefs. Horseshoes often have seven holes, and seven is considered a lucky number. Made of iron, horseshoes symbolize strength and have historic associations with revered animals like horses and donkeys.

There's a medieval legend about a blacksmith named Dunstan, who was visited by the devil seeking shoes. Dunstan refused and prevailed over the devil, who then pledged never to enter a place with a horseshoe over the door. While some believe the horseshoe should hang toe down to retain luck, in some cultures, it's thought it should hang toe-up.