Musicians Riding Horses: Let’s Go!

With many people opting to enjoy a Western aesthetic in 2024, from fringed jackets to cowboy hats to shimmering boots — and a plethora of artists offering up country-influenced music — it’s no surprise that all things equestrian have re-entered the spotlight as of late. Plus, there is the longtail, massive influence of the hit television series Yellowstone over the past half-decade in inspiring many to kick up their boots and trade the city for the country for a while.

Horses have long represented grace and strength, and have featured prominently in artists’ creative scopes, including on the covers of Beyoncé’s Renaissance and Cowboy Carter, as well as Missy Elliott’s Respect M.E., Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s Against the Wind, and Bruce Springsteen’s Western Stars. Of course, numerous country albums have featured horses, such as Shania Twain’s Queen of Me and Willie Nelson’s A Horse Called Music.

Given artists’ hectic and on-the-go touring schedules, often spending hours upon hours in buses, aboard planes and inside music venues, it’s no surprise that horses and the open spaces of the outdoors would be a timeless draw for musicians. Their four-legged equine friends make no demands for new music, endless social media content or various event appearances, representing a slower-paced companionship.

Beyond the expected cascade of country artists who have long professed their love for horses, we rounded up photos of several artists — including purveyors of pop, country, rap and more — to highlight stars’ passion for horses.

This collection features artists including Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Andrea Bocelli and more.

• Shania Twain

  

  Shania Twain rides up the Las Vegas Strip on horseback to greet fans on to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Nov. 14, 2012, in Las Vegas.

• Carole King

  

  Carole King rode a horse on a beach for the ‘Thoroughbred’ album cover in 1976.

• Migos

  

  Migos photographed Feb. 13 at Sunset Ranch Hollywood in Los Angeles.

• Madonna

  

  Madonna smiles as she rides a horse outside the ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ studio Oct. 20, 2005, in New York City.

• Bad Bunny

  

  Bad Bunny during his 2024 Most Wanted Tour in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• George Strait

  

  Isabel Glasser and George Strait in “Pure Country” in 1992.

• Billy Idol

  

  Billy Idol proves that he is still a class act even on a horse at the circus event held at the LA Sports Arena on July 21, 1999, in Los Angeles.

• Kesha

  

  Kesha photographed Sept. 13, 2019, at Malibu Canyon Ranch in Calabasas, Calif.

• Olivia Newton-John

  

  Olivia Newton-John films her first music video for her 1975 pop single “Follow Me” from the album ‘Have You Never Been Mellow’ in England circa 1975.

• Paul & Linda McCartney

  

  Paul & Linda McCartney, atop her appoloosa horse, pose in front of a castle near Dover in 1979.

• Andrea Bocelli

  

  Andrea Bocelli arrives in New York City on horseback to celebrate Trinity Broadcasting Networks’ premiere of THE JOURNEY: A Music Special on March 23, 2023, in New York City.

• Lemmy Kilmister

  

  Lemmy Kilmister on horseback on May 10, 1974.

• Kenny Loggins

  

  Kenny Loggins rides his horse at the beach circa 1985 in Los Angeles.

• Johnny Cash

  

  Johnny Cash rides a horse circa 1975.

• Joan Baez

  

  Joan Baez riding a horse in Switzerland circa 1973.

• Mick Jagger

  

  Mick Jagger on horseback on the set of ‘Ned Kelly’ in 1969.

• Ginger Baker

  

  Ginger Baker poses for a photo on his horse circa 1975.

• Tanya Tucker

  

  Tanya Tucker on horseback circa 1978.

• Robbie Williams

  

  Robbie Williams and Kaya Scodelario are seen while he’s riding a horse for his music video “Candy” on Aug. 17, 2012, in London.

 

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