In 1915 the total population of horses and mules in the United States was estimated at 26,493,000. In 2007 the United States Census of Agriculture estimated 9,500,000 horses and 283,806 mules and burros were in existence representing a decline of over 63%. The point of this statistic is not to analyze why this decline has occurred; there are many sensible conclusions available. Rather, with such a drop in shear numbers, how has this creature managed to retain a deep-rooted hold in our language?
When you want to obtain accurate and credible information it is suggested you go straight to the horse’s mouth. Reportedly, in 1896 in the Reynolds Newspaper from London the following was written, “As the great British nation takes far more interest in horse racing than in politics, the exchange of rulers would be delightful, because look you, we’d get all our tips straight from the horse’s mouths, instead of being deluded and swindled every day by their lordly owners.” Seems right.
The advice given in the don’t look a gift horse in the mouth proverb is when receiving a gift be grateful for what it is; don’t imply you wished for more by assessing its value. However, as prices for horses seem to be rebounding, another bit of fiscally responsible advice is if you are given a horse, take it. You never know, this free horse may become the dark horse (A dark horse is someone, who was previously little known, emerges to prominence in a competition.) we’re all looking for. If you’ve never read the book or seen the movie The $80 Dollar Champion, it’s worth a look.
Get off your high horse could take on a new meaning in this era of marijuana legalization, but the original intent was to be a criticism of an individual’s haughtiness. High is a synonym for powerful, or to be separate from a common person, and ancient rulers mounted horses to be above the people they ruled. In fact, original references to a high horse were literal as kings and knights typically rode taller, more muscular breeds which proved more effective in battle.
There are many horse-related phrases and proverbs holding strong in our everyday language. Just remember to use your horse sense when making decisions. Try never to put the cart before the horse to avoid losing your common sense. Don’t be afraid to call nonsense for what it is with the words: horse feathers; if nothing else it will stun your combatant long enough to give you a sense of victory. Remember to hold your horses and be patient if someone you’re dealing with has been taken to the water, but they refuse to drink. You won’t have to pony up for this free advice: when travelling the trail be sure to avoid the road apples.