National Day of the Horse is observed annually on December 13th. It’s a day that encourages people across the U.S. to think about horses and how they have contributed to the country’s national character. Horses were not only important to Native American culture but also to ranchers, cowboys, and settlers during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Even today, the horse is a majestic animal that epitomizes the American spirit and is symbolic of freedom, independence, confidence, and heroism. It’s for these reasons that we celebrate this holiday and encourage everyone else to do the same.

The History of National Day of the Horse

This holiday was originally created by U.S. Senate Resolution 452 on November 18, 2004. This resolution designated December 13, 2004, as the National Day of the Horse and encouraged all Americans to be mindful of the horse’s contribution to the history, character, and economy of the United States. Although this was a one-off holiday, many people have been celebrating this day ever since.

Interesting Facts About Horses

How much do you know about horses? If you’re like most Americans, you probably think that you know more about horses than you actually do, so we decided to rectify that by doing a little bit of research and listing some of the facts we’ve discovered. We think the following facts will prove to be quite educational, and maybe even a little bit entertaining as well.

• Horses can’t burp. They also can’t vomit or breathe through their mouths as humans can.
• A horse’s age can be determined by its teeth.
• Horses can live for over 30 years.
• Horses are herbivores.
• Humans domesticated horses more than 6,000 years ago.
• Horses are not native to North America.
• The original horse species of the Americas disappeared over 11,000 years ago.

Observing National Day of the Horse

This day can be observed by learning more about horses or by riding them. It can also be observed by reading books and watching films about horses. There are a ton of them out there just waiting for someone to discover them. People can also spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalDayOfTheHorse on social media.