#VALENTINE’S DAY
SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: 3 Valentine’s Day Sets That Will Make Your Heart Skip a Beat
It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, Horse Nation. What better way to celebrate the holiday (?) than with some matchy-match sets that will make your heart skip a beat? Knowing that tack and riding apparel are what our readers really want, we’ve got these suggestions for you: (more…)
12 Valentine’s Day Gifts Your Equestrian Actually Wants
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re one of the lucky few to be the significant other of an equestrian, you know that shopping can be a bit… daunting. So here are 12 things your equestrian really wants. (more…)
SmartPak Valentine’s Day Feed: Homemade Valentine’s Day Horse Hearts
It’s Valentine’s Day. Show your horses how much you love them with these homemade heart treats. (more…)
True Love: 14 Ways Equestrians Show Their Horses They Care
It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, which means it’s time to show those you love how much you care. For equestrians, it’s just another day of putting our horses first. (more…)
Gibson and the Apocalypse: Love in the Air
…Or maybe that’s just the sulfur.
Why Not Fall In Love With Your Riding Instructor?
A NON-romantic Valentine’s Day love letter.
Candy Hearts From Your Horse
Straight from the horse’s mouth… to yours.
The Idea of Order: Relationship Goals
…because we’re NEVER that hard to decipher.
The Idea of Order: Happy Valentine’s Day
If you have a horse you’ve got a Valentine.
4 Valentine’s Day Gifts For the Equestrian Who Has Everything (And Doesn’t Want Anything)
Well-meaning significant others might be showering their equestrians today with hoof picks and lead ropes and new saddle pads… but if you’re intimidated by tack catalogs or your equestrian already seems to have it all, here a few alternative suggestions.
10 Scary Things I Have Said to My Horse Show Husband
As listed by the man himself…
The Idea of Order: Pony Poetry?
Not exactly Shakespeare… (more…)
Equestrian Destinations for a Valentine’s Get-Away
A holiday of love can’t possibly not include horses.
Checklist: Is Your Horse Your Valentine?
Run down this checklist to confirm the inevitable.
Flickr/S. Carter/CC
- Do you plan on spending February the 14th at the barn?
- Do you not have time for a significant other because your horse takes up all your time?
- Would you rather binge-eat ice cream and watch Netflix at the barn than go out for a nice romantic dinner with another human being?
- Did you buy your horse a Valentine’s day treat?
- Does your heart already belong to your horse?
- Could you not imagine one day away from your horse?
- Do you kiss your horse on his/her nose/face more than once a day?
If you catch yourself doing any/all of these, your horse is your one true love this Valentine’s Day. Go riding!
A Valentine For My Riding Instructor
Candace Wade takes a moment to honor a special person in her horsey life.
#ThrowbackThursday: 10 More Valentines from Sexy Horse
Sexy Horse is back with all new sweet nothings to whisper in your ear.
A Valentine’s Day Kick-Off Comic
Kellie Lewis has a special Valentine’s Day comic to “kick” off your Sunday!
Courtesy Kellie Lewis
KickyBrand.com is an online horse lovers site currently selling clothing, greeting cards and stickers. It also routinely publishes a cartoon strip by Kellie Lewis that has a little bit of kick to it.
A Valentine For ‘My’ Horse’s Actual Owner
Kristen Kovatch takes a moment to honor a special person in her horsey life.
HN Staff Poll: Our Favorite ‘Stud’ Muffins
If your childhood bedroom had more posters of stallions than boy bands, you know what we’re talking about.
A Valentine To My Number One
Haley Ruffner, the Academic Equestrian, has a special message for the important guy in her life.
From left to right: Haley’s friend Elena, Cricket and Haley, ready for prom. Photo by Maria Hurd.
Dear Valentine,
Thank you for spoiling me this year—you didn’t buck me off once, and you only went through two winter blankets. I very much appreciate your loving personality (even if it’s only for the peppermints), and your winter coat is wonderful for cuddling on chilly evenings when I come to the barn.
Even though we’ve been together for five years now, every year you grow more handsome and muscular. You’ve matured so much, and even through your gangly and rebellious stages, I have never regretted choosing you.
I cherish our time together, but when we’re apart it still seems as though you’re with me. Your scent lingers on my skin, in my hair, and on my clothes, and everyone around me knows we’ve been together by the tell-tale snot and hair that blankets my jacket.
Not everyone understands our relationship, but that’s okay. Sometimes my friends will ask why I spend more time with you than with them, and my family rolls their eyes when I come to dinner late and smelling like the barn. The truth of the matter is that I like spending time with you because you make me the happiest.
You’re honest, smart, snuggly, and mostly well-behaved. You don’t argue with me (little disagreements over whether or not there are monsters in the corner of the arena don’t count as arguments, really) and you’re always happy to see me. Honestly, your personal hygiene isn’t even that bad compared to a lot of people.
It seems to be a growing trend to refer to one’s significant other as “bae,” but you’ve been bay for years and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
Love,
Haley
Haley is the author of Horse Nation’s “Academic Equestrian” series, following her collegiate experience as she balances her studies with participation on the varsity equestrian team and time with her own horse. Catch up on past columns by clicking the #ACADEMIC EQUESTRIAN tag at the top of the page!
Haley Ruffner is attending Alfred University, majoring in English and minoring in Business and Equestrian Studies. She has a green Quarter Horse, At Last an Invitation “Cricket,” and he is also “enrolled” at Alfred. She rides western and hunt seat and also loves to rein and trail ride.
Photo by Maria Hurd.
Horsenista: Equestrian Valentine’s Gifts
Here are Horsenista’s top picks to say, “I love you, equestrian.”
(more…)
This Guy Proposes to His Girlfriend Using Her Horse
…and it’s adorable.
Happy Valentine’s Day hangover! First comes love, then comes… this time lapse video of a perfectly orchestrated horsey marriage proposal.
From the romantic lighting and red carpet leading to a (very tolerant) horse, this guy’s romantic marriage proposal is the embodiment of horse-loving perfection.
From the video’s description:
“This is a compilation of the two hours leading up to and including my proposal to my now fiancée, condensed down into a short 10 minute video. Because Megan has grown up around horses all her life, I knew she would absolutely LOVE if her own horse was involved in this special moment. Here is my proposal to her in the barn where her horse, Jackson, lives… And yes, Jackson, played a huge role in this surprise marriage proposal! Thank you to everyone that helped make this special moment possible!”
Go Riding.
22 Lovey-dovey Horses
Do horses experience the emotion of love? Recent studies suggest that the answer is “yes” (check out this great article in Wired magazine). We present these photos as further evidence that horse love is for real. (more…)
And You Thought a Dozen Roses Were Expensive?
It takes mad cash to get your mare knocked up by a quality Thoroughbred racing stallion. Check out the pricetags on these stud fees. (more…)