'World Horse Day' š“ 1st March
- Simon O'Donovan
- Feb 23, 2024
- 9 min read
"Horses lend us the wings we lack."
Pam Brown
"A horse gallops with his lungs, Perseveres with his heart, And wins with his character."
Tesio
Begin the session by asking members who has ridden a horse, or owned one?
Who has been pony trekking?
What about riding a donkey on the beach as a child?
Who places a bet on āThe Grand Nationalā? Has anyone had a win?
What are the best things about horses - their grace, speed, intelligence etc.
Think about working horses - war horses, cavalry horses, pit ponies, racing horses etc.
What kind of a life do or did they have, compared to say a Dartmoor pony?
IDIOMS
Next, complete these well known phrases together ā¦
You can lead a horse to water, but you canāt make it DRINK
Back in the saddle AGAIN
Champing at the BIT
Like flogging a dead HORSE
Donāt look a gift horse in the MOUTH
Donāt shut the stable door after the horse has BOLTED
As stubborn as a MULE
Getting a leg UP
Get off your high HORSE
Horses for COURSES
Jump on the BANDWAGON
Sowing wild OATS
Donāt put the cart before the HORSE
A nod is as good as a wink to a BLIND HORSE
Hold your HORSES
Put out to PASTURE
Well GROOMED
Back the wrong HORSE
Donkey's YEARS
On the home STRETCH
Wild horses couldn't drag me AWAY
One trick PONY
Talk the hind legs off a DONKEY
Complete the rhyme ...
"Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross ... "
REMINISCENCE
Enjoy this first song together ā¦
āOn White Horsesā, Jacky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtCNbERKvMs
Who remembers watching this TV show?
Which region lends its name to white horses (because there are thirteen carved into the hills there)?
Lyrics
On white horses let me ride away
To my world of dreams so far away
Let me run
To the sun
To a world my heart can understand
It's a gentle warm and wonderland
Far away
Stars away
Where the clouds are made of candyfloss
As the day is born
When the stars are gone
We'll race to meet the dawn
So when I can only see the grey
Of a sad and very lonely day
That's when I
Softly sigh
On white horses
Snowy white horses
Let me ride away
This is one of the chalk horses in Wiltshire.
QUIZ
ROUND 1. General Knowledge
ā  | ā What are a male horse, female horse and baby horse called? |
 | What is a 'Stallion'? What is a 'Gelding'? |
ā  | āWhat is a cross between a horse and a donkey called? |
ā  | ā Name this African horse? Why is it striped? |
 | ā How do you measure the height of a horse? How big is the biggest horse? |
ā  | ā What do you call a person who makes and fits horseshoes? What are horseshoes also associated with? |
ā  | ā Where are horses sheltered? |
ā  | ā What do you call horse riding or racing events? |
ā  | ā What is the sport of 'horse ballet' called? |
ā  | ā What can you tell by looking at a horse's teeth? How old do horses live? |
ā  | What noises does a horse make? (Bonus point if you can make them.) |
 | What are the smallest and biggest horses in the UK? |
Name these types of horses ...
- Name this national animal of Scotland (maybe? Or is it a Shetland pony?))
- Name this sea creature? Can it change gender?
- A mythical flying horse? Which country's mythology is it associated with?
- A Greek wooden horse? How many warriors could fit it in, according to the legend?
Song break ... 'The Lightning Tree', The Settlers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqwJoEGyGMY
Name the actors?
ROUND 2. Famous Horses
ā  | ā What was the name of this talking American TV horse? |
 | Name the mule & name the lady? Here is the TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fud_pQdIgg |
 | ā
What was the name of Gene Audrey's horse?
Here is the TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMdVuiac27U
|
ā  | ā
What was the name of Roy Rogers's horse?
|
ā  | ā What was the name of The Lone Ranger's horse? Name his American Indian friend? TV intro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9lf76xOA5k
|
ā  | āWhat was the name of Zorro's horse? Who is this playing him in the 1998 movie 'The Mask Of Zorro'? TV intro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnle_3KuOE&t=15s |
ā  | ā What was the name of Dick Turpin's horse? Who starred as him in the 1970s TV series? |
ā  | ā
What was the name of Robin Hood's horse? (Trick question)
Which actor is playing him here?
Here is the TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbyYr6L5xQM
|
 | ā What was the name of the horse in the 1944 movie 'National Velvet'? Name the child actress? |
ā  | ā Name this 'Grand National' winning horse, who was kidnapped in 1983? Where is he buried?
|
ā  | ā What was the name of the Queen's pony, who bowed her head when her master's hearse passed? |
'Black Beauty' TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u5NgC4lZ8s&t=8s
Who wrote the 1877 novel?
ROUND 3. TV & Movies
ā  | ā Name the 1937 movie & the brothers? |
ā  | |
ā  | ā Name the 1967 movie & the actor? Song link - 'If I Could Talk To The Animals' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOvlKgoeP4s&t=100s |
 | ā Name the 1969 movie & the actor? Clue: "Get off your horse and drink your milk." |
ā  | ā Name this sheriff actor? What genre of movies did he star in? |
ā  | ā Name the TV show & the horse? What business were they in? TV intro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkjjti0SNn8 |
ā  | ā What was the name of the family in 'Only Fools And Horses'? How much is a 'pony'? TV intro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnF5GgcDRsI |
ā  | ā Which book, written by James Herriot, was this TV series based on? What was the name of the main character? TV intro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2rsFhAHAS4 |
ā  | āName this 1998 movie about a horse doctor & the actor? |
ā  | ā Name this 'Cowboy & Indian' actor & the 1990 movie? |
 | Name the horse and cowboy in the 1995 movie 'Toy Story'? |
SONG. 'Deadwood Stage', 'Calamity Jane' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_xmujSyxkU
Who starred in this 1953 movie? Who was Calamity Jane's boyfriend?
Lyrics
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-rolling on over the plains
With the curtains flappin' and the driver a-snappin' the reins
A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
Whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-headin' on over the hills
Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
Dangerous land, no time to delay
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
We're headin' straight for town, loaded down with a fancy cargo
Care of Wells & Fargo, Illinois, boy
Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-comin' on over the crest
Like a homing-pigeon that's a-hankerin' after its nest
Twenty-three miles we've covered today
So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
The wheels go turning round, homeward-bound
Can't you hear them hummin'
Happy times are comin' for to stay, hey
We'll be home tonight by the light of the silvery moon And my heart's a-thumpin' like a mandolin a-plunkin' a tune When I get home, I'm fixin' to stay So, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away Whip-crack away, whip-crack-away, whip-crack-away
ROUND 4. Famous 'Horsey' People
Name these famous 'horsey' people?
- Name this jockey, about whom a movie was made in 1984 about his recovery from cancer?
- Name this tax avoiding jockey?
- Name the cigarette brand being advertised here?
- Name this pundit, who infamously picked his nose on 'Big Brother' in 2007?
- Name this Olympian royal?
- Name her daughter? - Name this famous Polo player? - Name his late grandfather? - Name his late grandmother?
SONG. 'Rhinestone Cowboy', Glen Campbell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kAU3B9Pi_U
What was the name of his other big hit, about him working for the county?
Lyrics
I've been walkin' these streets so long
Singin' the same old song
I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway
Where hustle's the name of the game
And nice guys get washed away like the snow in the rain
There's been a load of compromising
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Getting cards and letters from people I don't even know
And offers comin' over the phone
Well, I really don't mind the rain
And the smile can hide all the pain
But you're down when you're ridin' the train that's takin' the long way
And I dream of the things I'll do
With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe
There'll be a load of compromisin'
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me
Like a rhinestone cowboy Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo Rhinestone cowboy Gettin' cards and letters from people I don't even know And offers comin' over the phone
ROUND 5. Horsey Bits & Bobs
Name the foot hold and the metal disk?
Name the rope?
Name the headgear?
Name these seats? Name these bits of metal?
Name these prizes?
Name these different kinds of horsing events?
- Riding a wild horse / What is a wild horse called?
- A competition based on time and errors
- The biggest horse race on the calendar (think 'Beechers Brook')
- An assault course for horses
What are these 'horses' called & where would you find them?
Video break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22skcR1XD54
Name the 1964 movie?
Name the horsing event where there is a 'Ladies Day'?
What was her character's name in the movie?
Final singalong ...
Lyrics
Three wheels on my wagon And I'm still rolling along The Cherokees are chasing me Arrows fly Right on by But I'm singing a happy song
I'm singing a higgity, haggity, hoggety, high Pioneers, they never say die A mile up the road there's a hidden cave And we can watch those Cherokees Go galloping by
"George, they're catching up to us!" "Get back in the wagon woman!"
Two wheels on my wagon And I'm still rolling along Them Cherokees are after me Flaming spears Burn my ears But I'm singing a happy song
I'm singing a higgity, haggity hoggety, high Pioneers, they never say die Half a mile up the road there's a hidden cave And we can watch those Cherokees Go galloping by
"Duh, Paw? Are you sure this is the right road?" "Will you hush up? You and your maps!"
One wheel on my wagon And I'm still rolling along Them Cherokees after me I'm all in flames At the reins But I'm singing a happy song
I'm singing a higgity, haggity hoggety, high Pioneers, they never say die Right around that turn there's a hidden cave And we can watch those Cherokees Go galloping by
"George? Should I get the bag of beads and trinkets?" "Woman, I know what I'm doing!"
No wheels on my wagon So I'm not rolling along The Cherokees captured me They look mad Things look bad But I'm singing a happy song
"C'mon all you Cherokees, sing along with me!"
Higgity, haggity hoggety, high Pioneers, they never say die Higgity, haggity hoggety, high Pioneers, they never say die Higgity, haggity hoggety, high
FACTOID. Did anyone get to see the stage production 'War Horse' (or the movie)?
It is estimated 18 million horses, mules and donkeys died in the First World War, many of them from the extreme conditions they were kept in!
FACTOID. In 1878 the RSPCA calculated that there were over 200,000 horses at work in British mines.
FACTOID. The number of horses in training to race in the UK is 23,500 in any year.
SINGALONG. 'I Know An Old Lady', Burl Ives - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZnLxqUyFK8
Lyrics
I know an old lady who swallowed a fly I don't know why she swallowed the fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her She swallowed the spider to catch the fly But I don't know why she swallowed the fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a bird How absurd to swallow a bird She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her She swallowed the spider to catch the fly But I don't know why she swallowed the fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a cat Imagine that. She swallowed a cat. She swallowed the cat to catch the bird She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her She swallowed the spider to catch the fly But I don't know why she swallowed that fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a dog What a hog to swallow a dog! She swallowed the dog to catch the cat She swallowed the cat to catch the bird She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her She swallowed the spider to catch the fly But I don't know why she swallowed that fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a goat Opened her throat and down went the goat! She swallowed the goat to catch the dog She swallowed the dog to catch the cat She swallowed the cat to catch the bird She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her She swallowed the spider to catch the fly But I don't know why she swallowed that fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a cow I don't know how she swallowed the cow She swallowed the cow to catch the goat She swallowed the goat to catch the dog She swallowed the dog to catch the cat She swallowed the cat to catch the bird She swallowed the bird to catch the spider That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her She swallowed the spider to catch the fly But I don't know why she swallowed that fly Perhaps she'll die
I know an old lady who swallowed a horse She's dead of course!
SINGALONG. 'Ernie', Benny Hill' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwa0vaR7slQ
What was the horse's name?
Lyrics
You could hear the hoof beats pound as they raced across the ground
And the clatter of the wheels as they spun 'round and 'round
Now Ernie loved a widow, a lady known as Sue
She lived all alone in Lindley Lane at number 22
They said she was too good for him, she was haughty, proud and chic
They called him Ernie, (Ernieeeeeeeeeee)
She said she'd like to bathe in milk, he said, "All right, sweetheart,"
And when he'd finished work one night he loaded up his cart
That tickled old Ernie, (Ernieeeeeeeeeee)
Now Ernie had a rival, an evil-looking man
Called Two-Ton Ted from Teddington and he drove the baker's van
SOME FINAL SONGS
PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
You could play a game of 'Buckaroo'.
Or ... You could have a go at drawing or modelling horses?
Or ... You could make Origami horses. There are some good guides on YouTube.
Here's one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiQnNIIIDbc
Better still, you could make arrangements to pet some horses or donkeys at your local community farm.
TIME FOR SOME ANSWERS
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady upon a white horse;
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
And she shall have music wherever she goes.
Stallion, Mare & Foal
Uncastrated male horse & castrated male horse
Mule
Zebra / The shimmering effect wards off biting flies
In 'Hands' / The tallest horse alive as of 2021 is Big Jake, who measures over 22 hands tall (7ft 4ins)
Farrier / Good luck
Livery Stables
Equestrian
Dressage
Their age / 25 years
Whinney or Neigh Shetland Pony & Shire Horse
The Unicorn / Yes it is the national animal of Scotland
Sea Horse / It can't change gender, but the male does raise the baby seahorses Pegasus / Greek
Trojan Horse / 40
Gillian Blake & Steve Hodson
Muffin The Mule / Ann Hogarth
Champion "The Wonderhorse"
Mr Ed
Trigger
Silver / Tonto
Tornado / Antonio Banderas
Black Bess / Richard O'Sullivan
"Through The Glen" / Errol Flynn
Pie / Elizabeth Taylor
Red Rum / Aintree
Emma
Lloyds/TSB
'A Day At The Races' / Marx Brothers (Harpo, Groucho & Chico pictured)
'Ben Hur' / Charlton Heston
'Dr Doolittle' / Rex Harrison
'True Grit' / John Wayne
Clint Eastwood / Spaghetti Western
'Steptoe And Son' / Hercules / Rag & Bone
Del Boy & Rodney Trotter / Ā£25
'It Shouldn't Happen To A Vet' / Tristan Farnham
'The Horse Whisperer' / Robert Redford
'Dances With Wolves' / Kevin Costner
Woody & Bullseye
Doris Day / Wild Bill Hickok
Bob Champion, Lester Pigott, Marlboro Man,
John McKirrick, Princess Anne, Zara Phillips
Prince William, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth11
'Wichita Linesman'
Stirrups & Spurs, Lassoo
Bridle, Saddle
Horse Brass, Rosettes
Rodeo/Mustang, 'Horse Of The Year Show'
'Grand National', Eventing
'The Kelpies' / Forth & Clyde Canal
'My Fair Lady' / 'Royal Ascot' / Eliza Doolittle
Trigger
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