The Gift Horse in Past and Present
The gifting of horses is an ancient practice in many cultures that continues today. Historically, offering a horse is a sign of respect or allegiance and is done to seal relationships whether they be public, political, and personal. It has been a way of bonding...
The Great Horse of the Middle Ages
A heavy horse galloping with swinging mane and flowing tail, in ceremonial barding or armour, is a magnificent sight and one that reminds many of us of the drama and romance of the ‘great’ horse of the Middle Ages (476 AD – 1453). The ‘Medieval’ horse is a vision...
Little Riders and Cute Ponies: The World of Horse Book Illustration
Today we’re exploring pony stories and humorous cartoons. Pony stories feed our obsessions and provide insight into the skills and ethics of horsemanship and horse care. Beautifully illustrated pony stories also stimulate an appreciation of art and an interest in...
Dressed for the Ride: The history of rider wear
Rider wear is an area of sports clothing where history, function and symbolism are uniquely interwoven. Simultaneously, the very essence of riding wear is to underscore the nobility of the horse itself, not exceed it, or draw attention away from it.1 Therefore, riding...
My Journey Into the Unique Gypsy Cob
Sometimes, we have no idea where a road will lead us. We follow it because opportunities present themselves and it’s easier to move with the doors that open rather than fight with the doors that close. After a nasty horse accident, I was getting my confidence back by...
Legacies of Strength: Aboriginal Stockwomen
Legacies of strength: Aboriginal Stockwomen. From the point of first contact with European explorers and pastoralists, Indigenous Australians used art to better understand the strange new animals that were appearing on their country. The first horses they saw would...
The Unicorn’s Appeal
…And “the Loveliest of All” was the Unicorn! In this article, we explore the unicorn; from its distinctly not-so-cute past in myth, art and history to its sparkly, commodified image today. One characteristic of the unicorn that rings true for today’s horse people lies...
Legends of the Bush
The horse in Australia has played a central role in the formation of our national identity. The distinctive Australian values of mateship, toughness, anti-authoritarianism, and concern for the ‘battler’ were carved out in the presence of horses. From the ponies who...
Yvette Frahn: In Pursuit of Perfection
Equine Artist Yvette Frahn “I challenge you to do a painting a day.” Yvette Frahn had been working part-time as an equine artist for some time when her friend set the challenge to her - to create one new work a day. Yvette was momentarily at a loss - where would she...
