Every year on July 15th, equestrians, animal lovers, and dreamers alike come together to celebrate National I Love Horses Day — a heartfelt occasion that honors the enduring relationship between humans and horses. Whether you’ve spent time in the saddle, admired these majestic creatures from afar, or simply connected with the emotional power they carry in stories, films, and dreams, this day offers a reason to slow down and reflect.
But beyond ribbons, saddles, and fields, what makes horses so special? Why do they inspire such a deep emotional pull across cultures and generations? In this article, we’ll explore the cultural significance of horses, their impact on human wellbeing, and how their essence can be beautifully captured in moments of stillness — including with the help of luxury soy candles that evoke the serenity of pastoral settings and magical trails.
Let’s gallop into the history, symbolism, and soulful appreciation that defines National I Love Horses Day, and discover how we can celebrate it with intention, aroma, and nostalgia.
The History and Origin of National I Love Horses Day
National I Love Horses Day may be relatively new compared to long-established holidays, but its sentiment is timeless. First officially recognized in the United States, this day was created by horse lovers to pay tribute to the animals that have worked beside us, carried us into battles and new worlds, and taught us compassion through connection.
From the wild mustangs of the American West to the elegant Lipizzaner horses of Austria, and from the spirited ponies of children’s stories to the thoroughbreds of racetracks, horses have always had a story to tell.
While not officially designated by government legislation, National I Love Horses Day has grown organically through social media, advocacy groups, and horse enthusiasts who share their stories, photos, and celebrations each year on July 15th. It is a reminder not only to love horses for their beauty and strength but also to support the humane treatment and welfare of these noble animals.
Why We Love Horses: Symbolism, Psychology, and Spirit
1. Horses as Symbols of Freedom and Power
For centuries, horses have symbolized freedom, grace, and nobility. In mythology, they’ve been depicted as sacred creatures — from Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek legend, to Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged steed in Norse mythology. Their presence often signals strength, endurance, and a journey — physical or spiritual.
When we celebrate horses, we are often celebrating a deeper yearning for freedom and connection to nature. Horses carry us physically and emotionally — a power that is hard to replicate in any other relationship.
2. Therapeutic Bonds and Emotional Intelligence
Scientific studies have shown the therapeutic benefits of spending time with horses. Equine-assisted therapy is now a widely respected practice for individuals coping with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and developmental challenges. Horses are nonjudgmental, highly intuitive animals that reflect our emotions — offering healing simply through presence.
For many, the idea of sitting quietly near a horse, brushing its coat, or watching it graze offers a mindfulness practice not unlike lighting a candle and sinking into the soft warmth of a memory. A moment of peace and grounding.
Creating Atmosphere: Bringing the Equine Spirit Into Your Space
You don’t need to live on a ranch or ride competitively to appreciate the presence of horses. Their spirit can be invited into your home in subtle, meaningful ways — through scent, storytelling, music, and ambiance.
That’s where aromatic rituals come in. Lighting a candle that conjures the scent of fresh grass, warm hay, or enchanted woods can evoke the emotional calm that horses bring. Whether you’re journaling about your favorite childhood pony, flipping through an equestrian-themed novel, or reminiscing about horseback rides under open skies, the right fragrance completes the experience.
Here are a few candles from Aarka Origins that are especially suited to this day of equine appreciation.
A Scented Celebration: Candles That Capture the Spirit of Horses
Witch’s Journal Soy Candle
Witch’s Journal Soy Candle blends wild sage, chamomile, and citrus to create a fragrance that feels like wandering through an ancient forest trail — a place where horses might trot freely under moonlight. It’s earthy, mysterious, and grounding — perfect for a quiet tribute to nature and animal guides.
This candle is ideal for those who see horses as mystical companions and connect with the spirituality of animals.
Strawberry Picking Soy Candle
With notes of juicy strawberries and whimsical magic, the Strawberry Picking Soy Candle feels like a pony ride through an orchard in summer. It’s playful and nostalgic, perfect for those who associate horses with childhood joy and outdoor adventures.
Lighting this candle on National I Love Horses Day can be a sweet tribute to the innocence and wonder horses bring to our lives.
Persephone Soy Candle
For those who resonate with deeper mythological themes, the Persephone Soy Candle captures the bold, dramatic beauty of horses in stories of gods and goddesses. With notes of pomegranate, dark cherry, blood orange, and honey, it’s rich and evocative.
This candle matches well with the intensity of the horse’s spirit — fearless, wise, and steeped in legend.
Forest Witch Soy Candle
The Forest Witch Soy Candle smells like apple orchards and bark-lined trails, echoing the scents of a forest where horses roam freely. This candle is perfect for a meditative space, especially if you imagine galloping through foggy woods or stabling horses near a log cabin.
It honors the natural habitat of horses and the wild serenity they embody.
How to Celebrate National I Love Horses Day
Now that we’ve explored the meaning and atmosphere behind this unique celebration, here are some soulful ways to mark the day with intention and joy.
1. Spend Time with Horses
If you have access to a stable, sanctuary, or riding school, consider volunteering or spending quiet time with the animals. Grooming, feeding, or simply observing their movements is a beautiful way to honor their presence.
2. Read Horse-Themed Books
From Black Beauty to The Horse Whisperer, literature has long celebrated the depth of horse-human bonds. Spend part of the day reading your favorite horse-themed novel — maybe paired with a cozy corner and the comforting scent of your chosen Aarka Origins candle.
3. Watch a Classic Horse Movie
Films like Seabiscuit, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, or War Horse are excellent for diving into the emotional power of horses on screen. These movies capture the endurance, loyalty, and emotional intelligence of horses in cinematic form.
Light a candle that mirrors the mood — perhaps Scars Like Stars Soy Candle, with its grounding notes of green leaves, pear, and cinnamon woods — a warm, reflective backdrop to your movie night.
Horses and Healing: Creating a Wellness Ritual
Horses naturally slow our pace. Their calm energy invites us to breathe deeper, listen more, and connect without words. To celebrate that gift, create a ritual of healing on National I Love Horses Day.
- Find a quiet space, free of distractions.
- Light a candle — perhaps the Winds Will Change Soy Candle, which evokes fresh rain, wild florals, and damp earth — just like a dewy morning ride through meadows.
- Journal about your experiences with horses or what they represent to you.
- Meditate or visualize riding along an open field, wind in your hair, heart full of peace.
This kind of self-care aligns beautifully with Aarka Origins’ mission of enchanting your space and grounding your soul through meaningful fragrances and mindful moments.
Horses in Culture: Legends, Literature, and Global Symbolism
Throughout human history, horses have not only worked beside us but also trotted through our legends, folklore, and literature. Their physical presence is matched only by their mythic resonance, making them timeless figures in cultural memory.
Horses in Mythology
In nearly every ancient culture, horses were seen as more than animals — they were symbols of divine energy or emissaries of the gods.
- In Greek mythology, Pegasus, the winged horse, was born from the blood of Medusa and became a symbol of poetic inspiration and heroic journeys.
- In Hindu tradition, the Ashvins are twin horsemen who are divine physicians — associated with sunrise and healing.
- The Kelpie of Scottish folklore was a mysterious water horse that lured travelers — a symbol of both beauty and danger.
- Native American cultures revered the horse as a spirit guide and a sacred being representing power, stamina, and partnership.
This worldwide reverence speaks to a collective human admiration — the horse not only carried our burdens but inspired our imaginations.
Horses in Classic Literature
No other animal has been featured so frequently in novels and poetry as the horse. From children’s tales to epic dramas, horses often act as companions, metaphors, and even central characters.
- Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is perhaps the most famous example — told from the perspective of a horse, this novel revealed the cruelty of animal mistreatment and encouraged more ethical treatment in Victorian England.
- War Horse by Michael Morpurgo explores the bonds formed during WWI between a young man and his beloved steed.
- In fantasy, horses are often paired with warriors and witches — such as Gandalf’s Shadowfax in The Lord of the Rings, or the Thestrals in Harry Potter, seen only by those who’ve witnessed death.
Reading horse literature on National I Love Horses Day allows us to reconnect with those emotional, moral, and magical layers that horses have represented across generations.
Horses and Feminine Archetypes: A Powerful Parallel
Interestingly, horses have also long been linked with feminine energy, particularly in the archetypal sense. Where masculinity in history often valued control over nature, the feminine relationship with horses was about trust, cooperation, and shared intuition.
This is why the horse has become a symbol of inner strength and wild grace — especially for women on a path of empowerment, creativity, or healing. Whether it’s a young girl bonding with her first pony or a witch astride a mythical steed in folklore, the emotional landscape between woman and horse is often one of mutual liberation.
Evoking the Feminine Energy with Candlelight
Aarka Origins’ candle collection — with its deep roots in literature, mysticism, and sensory storytelling — naturally complements this archetype.
The Witch’s Journal Soy Candle, for example, speaks directly to the inner mystic — someone who understands the symbolic weight of nature, scent, and ritual. Lighting it during journaling or intention-setting rituals on National I Love Horses Day enhances the connection to both the feminine archetype and the horse’s sacred symbolism.
Creating a Horse-Inspired Home Ambiance
If you don’t have access to horses directly, you can still celebrate by transforming your home into a space that reflects their spirit. Consider designing a horse-themed sanctuary using art, colors, textures, and of course — scent.
Sensory Decor Tips:
- Natural Elements: Use materials like wood, linen, leather, and soft wool to evoke the feeling of stables, pastures, and open trails.
- Horse Artwork: Hang framed prints or illustrations of horses in motion — their beauty frozen mid-gallop.
- Color Palettes: Earthy tones — browns, mossy greens, dusty grays — capture the serenity of equestrian settings.
- Aromatic Accents: Burn candles with notes of fresh forest, wild florals, or soft spices to simulate the natural environments horses roam.
The Forest Witch Soy Candle offers that perfect grounding scent — crisp forest air blended with cinnamon bark and apples. It’s ideal for invoking the magic of woodland rides and morning fog rising off hidden trails.
More Ways to Celebrate National I Love Horses Day
1. Support Equine Nonprofits
Numerous organizations work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses. On this day, consider donating to or volunteering with groups like:
- The American Wild Horse Campaign
- Equine Advocates
- Local horse rescues or therapeutic riding centers
Even a small act can make a big difference — and aligns perfectly with the kindness and empathy horses teach us.
2. Create a Horse-Inspired Soundscape
Horses move to rhythm — from the beat of hooves to the swish of tails. Curate a calming playlist of instrumental folk, Celtic harp, ambient field recordings, or even soundtracks from films like Spirit or The Horse Whisperer. Use this music to unwind or meditate, candle lit beside you, perhaps the Scars Like Stars Soy Candle filling the room with an earthy sweetness.
3. Host a Horse-Themed Gathering
Invite friends who also love horses and host a casual gathering — with themed snacks, a candlelit ambiance, and maybe a screening of an equestrian film. You can serve berry tarts or apple crisps while burning the Strawberry Picking Soy Candle for a bright, festive scent.
The Candle-Horse Connection: Why Fragrance Matters
Much like horses, scents trigger emotion, memory, and grounded presence. Just as a single moment brushing a horse’s mane can stay with you forever, a specific aroma can evoke a time, place, or feeling deeply etched into your heart.
That’s why scented candles are more than decor — they are emotional anchors. Lighting a fragrance that reminds you of summer barns, pine-lined trails, or sweet pasture blooms allows you to carry the spirit of the horse with you, even in the quiet of your living room.
For a more airy and refreshing mood — akin to galloping across open fields after a storm — light the Winds Will Change Soy Candle. Its blend of fresh rain, wild florals, and wet earth mirrors the sensory profile of a spring morning spent near the stables.
Final Reflection: Why Horses Still Matter
In today’s fast-paced digital world, horses remind us of something slower, deeper, and more connected. They bring us back to our bodies, to nature, and to nonverbal wisdom. They ask us to listen — to them and to ourselves.
When we honor them — through story, presence, scent, and celebration — we’re really honoring a part of our own untamed soul.
National I Love Horses Day is more than a quirky holiday. It’s a call to remember the bond, to relive the magic, and to ride (even metaphorically) into a world that values intuition, loyalty, and gentle power.
Aarka Origins: Where Fragrance Meets Emotion
At the heart of this celebration is the idea that certain places, animals, and memories deserve to be remembered and reawakened.
That’s the mission of Aarka Origins — where literature, nostalgia, and sensory enchantment merge into every flickering flame.
Welcome to Aarka Origins – Where Literature Meets Magic in Every Scent.
Our natural, sustainable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic luxury soy candles are crafted to create a cozy home ambiance, evoking cherished memories of:
- Beloved books
- Dreamy travel destinations
- Enchanting gardens
- Cinematic nostalgia
- Cozy cafés with bakery warmth
Designed for those who seek serenity and mindfulness, Aarka Origins candles enhance your:
- Self-care rituals
- Aromatherapy sessions
- Yoga practice
- Cozy reading corners
Whether you long for the scent of an ancient library, the floral breeze of a hidden pasture, or the magical warmth of a moonlit trail, our fragrances transport you to a world of your own making.
This National I Love Horses Day, light a candle from Aarka Origins and let your memories gallop free.
Final Thoughts: Let the Scents Carry You
Horses are powerful not only in muscle but in meaning. They remind us to:
- Breathe with intention.
- Move with grace.
- Trust the path ahead — even when it’s unknown.
Whether through direct interaction, literature, or something as subtle and sublime as fragrance, honoring horses is a way to honor the parts of ourselves we often forget in the noise of life.
So this July 15th, celebrate National I Love Horses Day by lighting a candle, reading a tale, and remembering the quiet magic of hooves in the distance and wind in your hair.
