Why Horses Will Always Be a Part of My Homestead

There’s a lot of talk in the homestead community about what animals to keep. Chickens, cattle, and pigs tend to dominate that discussion, and for good reason. I have the first two of these species as a part of my furry and feathered herd. I love collecting colored eggs and incorporating them into my meals, and I look forward to when the little Dexter cows are ready to get milked. (Very soon!) I hope to incorporate pigs into the herd one day as well.

But when you mention horses, it tends to draw a dividing line. I’ve often heard that horses don’t belong in a true homestead. What do they have to offer? You don’t eat them. You can’t milk them. (Technically you can. All mammals are milkable, but I wouldn’t recommend horse milk. It’s pretty bitter and quite the workout to get!) They just eat hay and offer nothing in return.

I can appreciate the sentiment. Technically, those who say that are correct. Horses don’t really provide anything for the homestead. You can use their manure as fertilizer, though it’s not as ideal as some, but they’re still big eaters and stack up quite the hay bill, even if you have pasture for part of the year.

In truth, my horses do cost me money. Not as much as some; thankfully mine aren’t too high maintenance. But there’s still vet bills. There’s feed to buy. I provide supplements for my boys to help them as they age. I’m learning to trim their feet myself, so paying the farrier will hopefully not be a part of the equation. But still, all up, my horses eat up a lot of money.

But for me, they’re worth it!

After all, it was Jet who started me on this journey. One grullo paint gelding reached out, and our souls connected. Life forever changed. The times I spent flying through fields and exploring woods on his back were the best times. He gave me freedom and shared his strength with me. There’s nothing like it.

My herd is aging, and most of them now are retired. My old man Jet is 29 this year and loving his retirement. He wanders the fields during the day, grazing and visiting the neighbor horses. He’s worked hard in his life, and he’s earned his golden years of rest.

Mac, in his early twenties, is still fairly sound, but has enough physical problems that riding isn’t a great option for him. He’s bucked me off more times than I could count, but I later suspected that scar tissue from an improper gelding as an eight-year-old may have contributed to that. Still, he taught me so much about calming my mind and actions to work with him and pushing through the frustrations. We had some great rides, and after all the trauma he has gone through, he, too, has earned a rest.

Scotty isn’t so old, and he’s still pretty sound, but my family got him when we were still pretty naive about horses. I’m so thankful Jet was so easy, because Scotty is as stubborn and unmotivated as they come. Bombproof as can be - you can shove a plastic bag over his face, and he won’t care one bit. I hop on him bareback all the time, and he’s happy to have me up there. Just don’t ask him to move, ‘cause he likely won’t unless there’s food to be had elsewhere or one of the other horses pushes him aside. I wish I’d known more when we got him, but I can’t fix those mistakes. Still, he has his place in the herd as Mac’s true friend. He just kinda brings stability for everyone else.

Luka is the youngster of the group at 16. And boy is he a looker. A 16 hand black KWPN gelding with four white socks, he really stands out from the others. I got him from the barn where I work. In spite of our initial mutual distaste for each other, we fell in love. He’s a retired competitive driving horse, and he came with a fair bit of baggage. He had lots of fear, and his physical problems are stacking up. His progressing kissing spines and osteoarthritis in his neck have severely limited our rides recently, but I won’t throw him away just because he’s broken.

Each of my boys has given me so much. When the toughest days come, they’re the reason I get out of bed in the morning. There’s nothing quite as peaceful as sitting with them as they eat. The gentle chewing of the hay soothes the soul. I can rest my head on the backs and close my eyes as I just listen and feel them breathing. They are quick to offer snuffles and cuddles, and they love following me around the pasture for fence work. Each of them provides a quiet yet powerful presence that I find so reassuring.

They don’t only bless me, but others as well. We often have friends or family come over, and a favorite activity is taking carrots, watermelon, or cookies to the horses. My sister’s minis are the biggest hit, but my boys spark their share of smiles too. Luka smiles for his cookies. Mac gives hugs, and Jet offers a stately bow. (Scotty just mooches.)

There’s something about being in the presence of a horse. They have such a strength and nobility, it’s no wonder they play such a prominent role in both nonfiction history and the best fictional stories. They inspire wonder wherever they go. Few can pass by a field of running horses; they’re mesmerizing to watch. I am also quick to point out that Jesus Himself will make His return on a white horse.

So you’re free to think that horses don’t belong on the homestead. If they’re not for you, I’m not going to argue. Having horses isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But the Lord has given me a passion and a deep connection with these animals, and I never want to be without them.