The Horse & Idioms

There have been posts scattered throughout my blog with horse photos taken of these amazing animals.  Some folks object to the horse being referred to as an animal as many have formed an intuitive friendship that goes beyond the boundary of human experience with the noble horse.  I know some of these people who trust a four legged equine over a two legged humankind in the experience of friendship.  I love to take pictures of the horse but I am not a rider.  I appreciate their beauty from afar. I realized long ago that my trust factor was broken when I first got on a horse and immediately found myself laying in the dirt trying to catch my breath.  It not only knocked out my breath but any desire in perseverance to try to become a horse rider.  You either have it or you don't and a horse is smart enough to tell the difference.  

I thought about all the references to a horse through the use of idioms. The definition of an idiom are words, phrases or expressions that cannot be taken literally.  In other words, when used in everyday language, each has a meaning other than the basic one you would find in the dictionary.  There are many idioms mentioning the horse -  here are just a few examples, both in word and in photos....

- You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.  How true this is!  In other words, you can give someone the opportunity to do something but you cannot force him or her to do it if they do not want to.  This phrase dates from the 12th century and was in John Heywood's proverb collection of 1546. 

... depends on the thirst

- Straight from the horses' mouth.  Something heard directly from the person who said it and is regarded as trustworthy.  It is derived from the 1920's meaning in getting information directly from a person or place, direct from the source or origin.

... I'm telling you the way it is

- Horse sense.  Common sense, practical thinking to everyday problems in life situations.  People with horse sense are smart and practical and can be counted on to make good decisions.   It is a familiar phrase from the late 1800's and still often used today.

... I can help you with some advice

 - Lock the barn door after the horse is gone. Trying to prevent something that has already happened.  Precautions to do the right thing after it is too late.  This popular proverb was first used by the French in the 1100's and later appeared in English.

... you'll have to catch me first

- Horsing around.  Just playing and being active in a silly way.  This kind of play tends to be improvised and spontaneous and may be engaged in by people of all ages, from young children to mischievous adults.  The term "horseplay" was first used in the late 1500's and linked to the concept of young horses at play.

... I can jump higher than you

- Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.  (Even if he does have icicle whiskers!)  To complain if a gift is not perfect.  It means that you should appreciate the thought and feeling behind it - don't judge a gift by the value of the item or the money put into it.  It is the thought that counts!  This idiom dates back to at least the 16th Century.

...I'm thinking of spring

These are just a few of the idioms regarding the horse.  I looked for a corresponding phrase that would fit the below photograph, but could not find a suitable idiom.  However, the essence of this picture speaks of peace, harmony and love - or a group hug as only horses can do!  I had to conclude today's post with this picture that reflects God's attitude on love, which brings about satisfaction and contentment.

... to know is to be

I wrote a post in April of 2013 entitled "Horse Magic, a Camera & Ray Hunt".  It has more information about horses and those who love them....
Link: http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-magic-of-horse-camera-ray-hunt.html


You are invited to come back and visit The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, July 7th.  See you then!