Top 10 Favorite Songs for Horse Lovers

Do you love horses and horse songs? Do you dream of galloping across open lands on a favorite horse or pony, as your horsey theme song plays in the background? Does the mere thought of a horse bring music to your ears? What are your favorite horse songs?

Try these top ten favorite songs for horse lovers, arranged alphabetically (by title). The title links lead to online music videos for these horse songs. (CTRL-click to access each horse song in a new internet browser window.)

The assortment of horse songs includes several musical genres (country music, pop, rock and even show tunes), with tunes from various eras. Following the top ten horse songs is a list of an additional 40 favorite horse songs.

"All the Pretty Little Ponies"

Catherine Rainey

(from Flicka, 2006)

"Blacks and bays
Dapples and grays,
Running in the night.
When you wake

You shall have

All the pretty little ponies."

This horse song, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 2006 motion picture Flicka (starring Tim McGraw, Maria Bello and Alison Lohman), is actually a lovely traditional children's lullaby.

Joan Baez, Charlotte Church, Kenny Loggins, Odetta and other artists have also recorded covers of "All the Pretty Little Ponies." (Often, the song is titled "All the Pretty Little Horses" or "Hushabye, All the Pretty Little Horses.")

Anyone who has ever dreamed of owning a pony will love this horse song.

"Cowgirls Don't Cry"

Brooks and Dunn (with Reba McEntire)

(from Cowboy Town, 2007)

"Cowgirls don't cry.
Ride, baby, ride.
Lessons in life are going to show you in time;
Soon enough, you're gonna know why.
It's gonna hurt every now and then.
If you fall, get back on again.
Cowgirls don't cry."

Horse lovers understand the pitfalls of horseback riding, particularly if they ride young horses. Brooks and Dunn's "Cowgirls Don't Cry," with its clear encouragement to "Cowgirl Up," applies this bold truth to horseback riding and life in general. This horse song is a popular favorite among gutsy equestrians, both English and Western.

"Fugue for Tinhorns"

Stubby Kaye, Johnny Silver and Murray Vines

(from Guys and Dolls, 1955)

"I got the horse right here.
The name is Paul Revere,
And here's a guy that says that the weather's clear.
Can do, can do, this guy says the horse can do -

If he says the horse can do, can do, can do."

This opening number from the 1955 motion picture Guys and Dolls (based on Frank Loesser's 1950 Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls), celebrates and lampoons horse racing and racetrack gambling.

"Fugue for Tinhorns" refers to the opening horn of a horse race, as the singers frolic and race for airtime throughout the horse song, even as jockeys and racehorses compete for track positions in a horse race.

"Get Off My Back"

Bryan Adams

(from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, 2002)

"Get off of my back and into my game.
Get out of my way, 'cause I'm wild and untamed.
Get out of my face, or give it your best shot.
I think it's time you better face the fact -

Get off of my back."

"Get Off My Back," from the 2002 animated motion picture Spirit, expresses a stallion's defiant stand for independence, even as cowboys attempted to train him to wear a saddle and carry a horseback rider.

Horse lovers can be a spunky sort. This horse song offers a frisky musical backdrop for fun-loving horse enthusiasts.

"The Great Adventure"

Steven Curtis Chapman

(from The Great Adventure, 1992)

"Saddle up your horses.

We've got a trail to blaze,
Through the wild blue yonder

Of God's amazing grace.
Let's follow our Leader

Into the glorious unknown.
This is a life like no other.

This is The Great Adventure."

Can horseback riding be a metaphor for life? It surely can, as Steven Curtis Chapman's 1992 horsey hit song "The Great Adventure" clearly states. What horse lover hasn't pondered the possibility of riding off into the sunset, or even the clouds?

"Happy Trails"

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Rogers

(from The Roy Rogers Show, 1951)

"Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
Happy trails to you,
Keep smilin' until then."

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Rogers sang "Happy Trails" on every episode of The Roy Rogers Show.

No horse-loving music mix is truly complete without this classic, cheery, friendly and encouraging horse song.

"Me and My Gang"

Rascal Flatts

(from Me and My Gang, 2006)

"Me and my gang -

We live to ride;
We ride to live,
Me and my gang.
Jump on that train.
Grab hold of them reins.
We're gonna rock this thang, cock this thang -

Me and my gang, yeah,
Me and my gang."

Rascal Flatts' "Me and My Gang" has been claimed as a horse song, a motorcyclist's song and more. Still, it certainly fits here.

Horse lovers tend to band together, sharing their common passion for horses. "Me and My Gang" offers a call to saddle up and ride together.

"Run for the Roses"

Dan Fogelberg

(from The Innocent Age, 1981)

"Run for the roses

As fast as you can.

Your fate is delivered;

Your moment's at hand

It's the chance of a lifetime

In a lifetime of chance.

And it's high time

You joined in the dance."

"My Old Kentucky Home" may be the official anthem of the annual Kentucky Derby thoroughbred horse race, but Dan Fogelberg's "Run for the Roses" is certainly the unofficial theme song of the event.

Dan Fogelberg's horse song has been a popular ballad for decade, a favorite tune for horse lovers, horse racing enthusiasts and others.

"Wildfire"

Michael Martin Murphey

(from Blue Sky - Night Thunder, 1975)

"On Wildfire we're gonna ride -

Gonna leave sodbustin' behind.
Get these hard times right on out of our minds,
Riding Wildfire."

Michael Martin Murphey is known as the cowboy minstrel, having released a long series of cowboy song albums. "Wildfire" is the hands-down (hooves-down?) favorite for horse song lovers.

"Wild Horses"

Natasha Beningfield

(from Pocketful of Sunshine, 2008)

"All I want is the wind in my hair,
To face the fear but, not feel scared.
Wild horses, I wanna be like you,
Throwing caution to the wind.
I'll run free too.
Wish I could recklessly love, like I'm longing to.
I wanna run with the wild horses, run with the wild horses."

Natasha Beningfield may be the newcomer on this list of horse songs, but this beautiful tune exquisitely portrays the passion of horse lovers. Those who enjoy horseback riding know the carefree release of a great gallop.

40 Favorite Horse Songs

In an unofficial survey of horse-loving folks in the know, the following horse-related songs also received honorable mentions. (Although not all of these songs are specifically about horses, the ideas may apply and make them favorites among horsey folks.)

Again, these 40 favorite horse songs are listed alphabetically (by title):

"Appaloosa," by Gino Vanelli

"Back in the Saddle Again," by Gene Autry

"Beer for My Horses," by Toby Keith and Willie Nelson

"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," by K. T. Tunstall

"Bring on the Dancing Horses," by Echo and the Bunnymen

"Caballo Diablo," by Chris LeDoux, with Charlie Daniels

"Chestnut Mare," by The Byrds

"Crazy Horses," by The Osmonds

"Dark Horse," by George Harrison

"Good Ride, Cowboy," by Garth Brooks

"Heavy Horses," by Jethro Tull

"Horse with No Name," by America

"The Horse Song," by Iggy Pop

"How 'bout Them Cowgirls," by George Strait

"I Ride an Old Paint," by Arlo Guthrie

"Let That Pony Run," by Pam Tillis

"Live Like Horses," by Elton John

"My Rifle, My Pony and Me," by Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson

"No Reins," by Rascal Flatts

"The Old Grey Mare (Just Ain't What She Used to Be)"

"One Tin Soldier," by Coven

"One Trick Pony," by Paul Simon

"Pony Boy," by Bruce Springsteen

"Ride," by Martina McBride

"Rider in the Rain," by Randy Newman

"Riders on the Storm," by The Doors

"Ridin' Dirty," by Chamillionaire

"Rodeo," by Garth Brooks

"Run for the Roses," by Jerry Garcia

"Strawberry Roan," by Marty Robbins

"Taking the Inside Rail," by Sting (from Racing Stripes)

"Theme Song from Lonesome Dove,"

"Theme Song from Mr. Ed"

"Theme Song from My Little Pony"

"Theme Song from Rawhide" (or The Blues Brothers' version of "Rawhide),

"Three Horses," by Joan Baez

"Watercolor Ponies," by Wayne Watson

"White Horse," by Taylor Swift

"Wild Horses," by Garth Brooks

"Wild Horses," by The Rolling Stones

Yea or neigh?

How would you rate these horse songs? What trotting tunes would you add? What great galloping melodies may be missing?

Harmonious Hint for Horse Lovers

Truly devoted horse lovers may enjoy Michael Martin Murphey's equine- and cowboy-themed albums, such as Cowboy Songs I, Cowboy Songs II, Cowboy Songs III, Cowboy Songs IV and Horse Legends.

What's your favorite horse song?