Why do girls love horses?

On the surface, it seems like a simple question: Why do girls love horses? I’ve often wondered this throughout my life, but few people have stopped to consider this cultural phenomenon beyond simple established gender norms. Reading Horse Crazy was refreshing because I felt as if someone was finally taking my questions seriously. Often, issues related to women (including women writers and women’s interest) are overlooked.

Halley begins with a history of the horse starting all the way back in prehistoric times. Then, she provides a cultural survey of horses and horse literature. She also explores how writing about horses, as well as a love of horses in general, has helped to forge a space where women are able to express themselves free from the male gaze.

According to Halley, defining oneself as “horse crazy,” allows a third option for girls who may not normally within the confines of society. While modern feminism often argues that women find fulfillment in the workforce and modern conservatism argues that women should find fulfillment through raising children and homemaking, being horse crazy, provides a third option. In this option, women are able to find fulfillment simply from the enjoyment of life through the experience of riding and forging a relationship with another creature.

My mother taught me to love horses.

Growing up, I have vivid memories of my mother’s deep and passionate love for horses. Some of my mother’s fondest memories of her own childhood were the many hours that she spent on horseback. For a variety of reasons, I was not able to have my own horse when I was young. Instead, I had a tiny wooden stable (made by my grandfather) where my Breyer horses lived in stalls along side My Little Ponies.

I learned to love horses because my mother loved horses. Then, years later, when I was in seventh grade, my mother was able to afford for me to take horseback riding lessons. The minute I saw the beautiful and majestic animals up close, I was in love. As my own story shows, the love of horses can be a bond that helps to hold multiple generations together.

But why are so many girls horse crazy?

As an adult, I’ve worked with children in an educational environment. Without fail, there are always young girls who are infatuated with horses. I became even more curious because I slowly realized that many of these young girls who loved horses and unicorns had never even had the opportunity to ride an actual horse.

Reading Halley’s book was refreshing because it felt as if I finally had the opportunity to sit down with a well spoken and very well educated friend and talk through these questions. She uses stories from her own personal history with horses (some of which made me cry) as well as different sociological and psychological frameworks. She also shares results from an interview she conducted with self-identified “horse crazy,” women. The results, especially the way “horse crazy,” impacts members of the disability community, were fascinating.

I recommend Horse Crazy for any animal lover who enjoys reading college level text books. If you’re a giant nerd like me who also happens to love horses, this book will be perfect for you!



Note: I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and options are my own.