If you're searching for the best songs about horses to add to your playlist, you're in luck!
There is a playlist for just about anything these days.
There are songs about things like cars, food and wolves.
Well, there are also several songs about horses or at least closely horse-related.
Take a look at our favorites!
Best Songs About Horses
- A Horse Called Music
Written by Wayne Carson, country singer Willie Nelson released the song on his 1989 album- A Horse Called Music.
The song was also released on his 2012 album- Heroes, but this time his son, Lukas and country great, Merle Haggard, were also featured on the track.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGpNJKtUS8o
- All the Pretty Little Horses
A traditional lullaby with unclear origins.
One of the most popular recording was done by rocker, Kenny Loggins, as All The Pretty Little Ponies, which was released on his 1994 album- Return to Pooh Corner.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
- Ballad of a Runaway Horse
First recorded by Canadian folk singer, Leonard Cohen, titled “Ballad of the Absent Mare,” on his 1979 album- Recent Songs.
Country singer, Emmylou Harris, released the song on her 1993 album- Cowgirl’s Prayer.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLnncuskFhc
- Chestnut Mare
Based on the 1867 five-act Norwegian play, Peer Gynt, the song was written by Roger McGuinn and Jacques Levy in 1969, originally for a musical that was never released.
The song was released by McGuinn’s rock band, The Byrds, on their 1970 album- Untitled.
A chestnut mare is an adult female horse with a coat color that is a reddish shade of brown, with the mane and the tail being lighter in color.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
CHECK: 5 Best Kids Horse Songs
- Comanche (The Brave Horse)
The song was written and recorded by country singer, Johnny Horton, and released on his 1960 album- Johnny Horton Makes History.
The song is about Comanche, a mixed-breed horse who was the sole survivor of the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, AKA Custer’s Last Stand. This is truly one of the inspirational horse songs ever.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkIlxZxeK1s
For other country songs about horses, check out this video below.
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="pu5zOxMM" upload-date="2022-03-23T08:39:55.000Z" name="7 Amazing Country Songs About Riding a Horse " description="Crazy for country songs about riding a horse and need a few new ideas for your playlist? Check out 7 amazing tunes that capture the joy of horseback riding!" player-type="static"]
- Ghost Riders in the Sky
First written by Stan Jones in 1948, the song has been recorded by an array of artists since that time.
One of the most notable recordings was done by country singer, Johnny Cash, who released it on his 1979 album- Silver.
The song peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.
Also, the song was listed as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time by the Western Writers of America.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
- He Rides the Wild Horses
The song was recorded by country singer/rodeo champion, Chris LeDoux.
It was released on his 1981 album- He Rides the Wild Horses.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
Check other Wild Horse Songs
- Heavy Horses
The song was written by Ian Anderson, the lead singer of the British rock band, Jethro Tull.
It was released on the band’s 1978 album- Heavy Horses.
The song showcases a disappointment in the way that England was favoring the use of machinery rather than the use of England’s heavy horses.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVsmKNpEFQ
- If I Had a Boat
The song was written and recorded by country singer, Lyle Lovett. It was released on his 1987 album- Pontiac.
Lovett said, in an interview, that he wrote the song after he tried crossing a somewhat shallow river, with his pony, and he wished he’d had a boat instead.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
- Molly and Tenbrooks
This traditional late-19th century song was recorded by bluegrass artist, Bill Monroe, and his band, the Blue Grass Boys.
The song was featured on their 1958 album- Knee Deep in Bluegrass.
The song is a fictional account of the July 4, 1878 match race between Ten Broeck, a stallion from Kentucky and Mollie McCarty, a mare from California at what is now known as Churchill Downs.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pK3kfq4y6Q
- My Rifle, My Pony and Me
Sung by Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, from the 1959 western movie- Rio Bravo.
The song was listed as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time by the Western Writers of America.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
- Old Town Road
The original horse rap song was recorded and released, independently, by rapper Lil Nas X in December of 2018.
He then collaborated with country singer, Billy Ray Cyrus, to do a remix of the song, which was released in April of 2019.
Both the original and the remix were released on Lil Nas X’s 2019 debut EP (extended play)- 7.
The Remix has won 10 awards, so far, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4xPahDjY6k
- Run for the Roses
The song was written and recorded by rock musician, Dan Fogelberg and was released on his 1981 album- The Innocent Age.
However, the song actually debuted on May 2, 1980 on the ABC television special- Friday Night Live From the Kentucky Derby.
Since the Kentucky Derby is also known as “The Run for the Roses,” the song has been used as Derby’s unofficial theme since 1980.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
Check: Funny Horse Songs for Kids
- Silver Stallion
Written by Lee Clayton in 1978, country music supergroup, The Highwaymen, old songs about horses, released the song on their 1990 album- Highwayman 2.
The Highwaymen, who produced music from 1985 to 1995, featured four of country music’s biggest artists- Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4caMqKssg
- Stewball
The song was recorded by the folk music trio- Peter, Paul and Mary, comprised of Peter Yarrow (tenor), Paul Stookey (baritone) and Mary Travers (contralto).
It was released on their 1963 album- In the Wind. Stewball, or Skewball (his original name), was a racehorse who won numerous races in both England and Ireland.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
- Tennessee Stud
Originally written, recorded and released by folk musician, Jimmy Driftwood in 1959, there have been several cover versions since then.
One of the more notable recordings is from country singer, Chris LeDoux. He was also a rodeo competitor.
Tennessee Stud was released on his 1978 album- Cowboys Ain’t Easy to Love.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLTR1meCRk
- The Horse Nobody Could Ride
With the help of songwriters David Banning and Jenny Yates, Rory Feek wrote this song for his wife, Joey.
The husband and wife team, known as Joey and Rory, were a country, bluegrass duo, until her death on March 4, 2016.
The song appears on their 2010 album- Album Number Two.
Rory wrote the song because his wife loved horses and because she also reminded him of the mustang horse in the song.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
- The Race Is On
Written by Don Rollins, the song was released by country singer, George Jones, on his 1964 album- I Get Lonely in a Hurry.
The song reached #3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
Check: 7 Amazing Country Songs About Riding Horses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=barJEZmjSJY
- The Strawberry Roan
Written by Curly Fletcher in 1915, the song was released by country singer, horse songs country, Marty Robbins, on his 1959 album- Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.
Strawberry Roan is a horse coat color pattern on a chestnut or sorrel horse.
This classic cowboy song was listed as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time by the Western Writers of America.
Lyrics and song clip at Genius.com.
- Wildfire
Written and recorded by Western singer, Michael Martin Murphey, the song was released on his 1975 album- Blue Sky, Night Thunder.
The platinum-certified song reached #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and #1 on Billboard’s Easy Listening Singles Chart.
The song was listed as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time by the Western Writers of America.
Lyrics and song clip from Genius.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc3OnSQc48s
These 20 songs about horses for your playlist should keep you busy for a while!
It's hard to choose a favorite because they're all so terrific!
Share your favorite songs about horses below!