Horses are one of the world’s most beloved animals, and evoke all kinds of inspiration around the world. From watching a horse and their rider win the olympic gold medal to a brand new 4-year-old barrel racer and their first pony’s rodeo debut, the bond between humans and horses can make even the most stoic person tear up.
More than that, horses on their own are incredibly beautiful and majestic animals, and for centuries have been the subject of paintings, films, and stories. Being around horses invokes a sense of inspiration in many people, making them creative in ways they never would have discovered otherwise. You never know how a horse is going to impact you, but you just might find your spark back through that bond. Creativity is not only an incredibly beneficial tool for healing, but is an important part of being human in everyday life. If you’re a creative person, and have a deep love for horses, here are some creative ways to appreciate them that you might not have considered.
Equine Photography
If you’re someone with a knack for both technology and animals, then equine photography could be a great creative outlet for you. Maybe you’re hoping to build a career in wildlife photography or action films, or simply want to capture the beauty of these majestic animals. Whatever your goals are either as a professional or a hobbyist photographer, horses remain one of the best and most exciting subjects to focus on. With constant movement and never-ending shenanigans, you never know what you’ll be able to capture a horse doing.
Some ideas could be attending local horse shows or rodeos and filming or photographing the participants. This is a great way for beginners to get some practice at action shots in a friendly environment, and many participants that you capture welcome the footage if you’re willing to share! Many people make a career out of this, travelling all over the country or further to capture the world of horse competition. If you’re into more still environments, your local horse riding barn may be interested in letting you come and practice taking pictures of their horses in a more natural habitat. Whatever your style is, you can find it in the equine photography world.
Painting a Horse
While I’m sure any horse would welcome a little spa day, most would probably not appreciate being actually painted on. But painting a picture of a horse on a canvas is a fantastic way to express your creativity, and has been done for thousands of years in hundreds of different styles. From caveman drawings to renaissance paintings, horses have remained a central focus of human history captured by artists. Given their majestic nature and unwavering beauty, it’s really not surprising.
With that said, they haven’t yet been painted by you. You will have your own vision and unique way of expressing your appreciation for these animals through your paintings, whether you’re a novice or already a professional. Painting is also a very calming activity to participate in, and combining this with such a beautiful subject to capture can be a great way to spend a peaceful afternoon.
Creating Horse Figurines
There are not many children in the western world who have not owned or at least played with a horse figurine at least once in their young lives. With multitudes of designs and forms to hold them in, there are no limits to the creativity in making your own horse figurines. From horses made of toothpicks to welding a masterpiece, you could make a horse figurine to admire or play with in a variety of ways.
Some ideas for horse figurines include crocheting a horse to cuddle with, which many people already have the skills for! Imagine having a stuffed toy version of your horse or of a friend’s horse as a gift to them, what an amazing way to express your creative side and love for horses all in one. It’s also not uncommon to see horses materialized as felt figurines, textile products for homes, clay figurines, etc. The only limit is your imagination.
Writing Stories About Horses
Last, but certainly not least, horse stories have carried humans through exciting tales of adventure and heroic victories transcending centuries. Black Beauty? Secretariat? These stories, both of fictional originals and creative historical re-tellings of real life accomplishments, reignite the horse lovers of the world in their passion for these animals. Reading about all that horses and humans have done together since our partnership started thousands of years ago is even inspiring for those not as keen on horses.
However, for every Secretariat out there, there are dozens of lesser known horses of equal significance whose stories haven’t yet been told in an impactful way. For every Black Beauty retelling, there are endless possibilities of new fictional horses for children and adults alike to fall in love with. Maybe you’ve got a special horse in your life to tell the world about. Writing is an incredibly therapeutic exercise, and horses, especially those that you love, are a great inspiration to get those creative juices flowing.
Horseshoe Art
An up and coming business endeavor, especially with the welders among us, is horseshoe art. It’s essentially what it sounds like, you take the old horseshoes that are no longer in use and create art out of them. Some people weld multiple shoes together to make spectacular forms of art and creative expression, including bottle holders or names from welded horse shoes. Others add a canvas in the middle of the shoe and create a picture with decorations on the shoe itself.
Many people have even combined the painting idea from above and transferred their skills to painting on horseshoes, with some really amazing scenes worthy of a museum. There are plenty of ways to recycle a horseshoe into something creative, it’s certain that they haven’t all been thought of. What will you come up with?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do horses inspire creativity?
Horses inspire creativity through their beauty, movement, and emotional connection with humans. Their presence often sparks artistic expression in photography, painting, writing, and crafts, helping people explore new creative outlets and reconnect with their imagination.
2. How do you start equine photography?
You can start equine photography by practicing at local barns, horse shows, or rodeos, learning how to capture movement and lighting while working safely around horses.
3. Is equine photography a good career option?
Yes, equine photography can become a professional career, especially for those interested in sports, wildlife, or event photography within the horse industry.
4. What are horse figurines?
Horse figurines are small sculptures or models of horses made from materials like clay, fabric, wood, or metal, often used for decoration or play.
