What is National Horse Day?
National Horse Day is celebrated every December 13. It’s a day to remember the economic, historic, and cultural contributions that horses have made. Equine enthusiasts across the country will get together on December 13 to show their appreciation for these majestic creatures. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or have never been on a horse in your life, check out some ways you can recognize the day!
History of National Horse Day
In 2004, Congress designated December 13 as National Horse Day and, since then, Americans have been taking the day to celebrate and appreciate the role of the horse in not only helping our country become what it is today, but also its current role in the modern era.
Horses, in general, contribute roughly $9.2 billion to the US economy. Whether they’re helping plow fields; move food and supplies into rural areas; move livestock in ranches; or just provide sweet, thoughtful equine therapy; horses have woven themselves into the fabric of life in America.
While the horse may have arrived in America through colonialism, they’ve flourished in the great plains and mountainous west, where wild herds’ thunderous hooves are still heard to this day. Rodeos are still a vibrant and celebrated part of the culture of the American west, and, in many rugged and rural areas, horses are still necessary for getting work done.
While the history of horse day may be new to the millennium, horses themselves have always been intrinsic to the lives of many Americans.
National Horse Day Statistics
$9.2 billion
How much horses contribute to the United States economy. And they don’t even get paid!
9.2 million
Conveniently and coincidentally, there’s 9.2 million horses in the United States. That means each horse contributes roughly one thousand dollars to the American economy every year and all they ask for are carrots and apples.
600
Roughly 600 feral horses combined live on sparsely populated islands off the coast of Georgia and on North Carolina’s Outer Banks islands. Left centuries ago by settlers, these horses have flourished in these desolate lands.