My Favourite Barn Music: Songs About Horses

I don’t know about you, but I really love listening to music with my horse. And it probably makes sense that a lot of the time we’ll be listening to songs about horses!

Martina has mentioned in previous posts that listening to music with your horse can be a great way to bond with them. There are lots of great opportunities to put some music on – when you’re grooming or hanging out in the barn, when you’re doing groundwork, even when you’re out riding.

That last one is probably most significant for me. Don’t get me wrong, I do love listening to the sounds of nature when I’m out on a trail. But sometimes when I really want to get in the zone, I like to have some background music. It makes me feel almost like the main character in a movie.

And when the music is context appropriate (i.e. when I’m listening to songs about horses) it’s all the better!

So, without further ado, in no particular order, here are five of my favourite songs about horses.

America: Horse With No Name

“I rode through the desert on a horse with no name…”

This is a real ambience song: perfect for a trail ride.

Extra points if you can ride through a desert!

I also really like that this song is upbeat, but chill. I feel like it’s pretty soothing for my horse, and for me too. And even if you don’t know the words, there are plenty of options to just “la la la” along with the band!

KT Tunstall: Black Horse & The Cherry Tree

“I came across a place in the middle of nowhere with a big black horse and a cherry tree…”

Songs about horses: Black Horse & The Cherry Tree

Okay before I start raving about this song, I’m just gonna say – I thought it was called Black Horse & A Cherry Tree. Maybe that’s because that’s how the lyrics go? Weird. Anyway!

This song came out in 2004, just as I was starting to develop my own taste in music. KT Tunstall was so cool: she had a cooler, abbreviated version of my name (Katie), she came from Scotland (which I was obsessed with) and she had a mildly edgy vibe. A formula for success in my books.

Now, sixteen years later, if you ask me what this song is about, exactly, I still can’t tell you. I’m not even sure it qualifies as one of these songs about horses. I think it’s about her giving up her heart, because her heart wants to be with the black horse? That seems about right to me anyway. All I know is it’s catchy as hell!

The Rolling Stones: Wild Horses

“Wild horses, couldn’t drag me away…”

Okay so if KT Tunstall is me developing my own music taste, the Stones are the sweet nostalgia of my early childhood. My Dad is a massive Stones fan, and this would play in our house on at least a weekly basis.

Which is why I’m sneaking this in – even though it’s probably one of the most recognisable (and most covered!) songs about horses, Wild Horses is really more about how unwavering he is in his love for the subject of the song.

Which is adorable anyway.

And like I say – this song has been covered so many times. I think my favourite cover is by Alicia Keys and Adam Levine – give it a listen!

Belinda Carlisle: Runaway Horses

“Whoa runaway horses take us through the night…”

This song is absolutely packed with horse metaphors. I’m not sure if Belinda Carlisle was a rider herself, but she certainly sounds like one in this song! And authenticity is key in songs about horses, if you ask me.

Lil’ Nas X: Old Town Road

“I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road, I’m gonna ride til’ I can’t no more…”

Songs about horses: old town road

I’m sorry, alright? I know a lot of people hate this song. I wanted to hate this song. But unfortunately I love this song.

It’s too catchy! I can’t help it!

And the lyrics (the non-explicit ones that is, watch out!) are surprisingly on point. I suppose it is partly a country song, right? Speaking of which, I love that Billy Ray is on this record. Just amazing.

What are your favourite songs about horses?

Those are just five of my favourites, but I know there are so many more great songs about horses out there.

What are some of your favourites? Does your horse have a favourite song, that they get excited when they hear it? I’ve definitely heard of that happening.

Let me know in the comments below!

Katie 🙂

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