Inside Homes, Horses Make Unexpected Appearances
Horses in Homes: A Treasured English Eccentricity
In a charming throwback to English eccentrics of the past, horses have found their way into homes and gardens across the country. This unusual practice, often seen as a whim or a character trait of the horse, has become a cherished tradition for many families.
One such family is the Vaughan-Jones household, where four-star event rider India Vaughan-Jones believes that riding a circuit around the house bareback helps build a unique relationship with her pony. This tradition has been passed down from Jenny Parsons, who started the practice with the Pony Club children, and continues today under Alison Eveleigh's guidance.
Another horse that made a home out of a house was Horace, a winning point-to-pointer, who lived in the house in his old age as he hated being stabled. Similarly, in the Oxfordshire estate of Faringdon House, Lord Berners was said to be delighted by Moti's 'perfect manners.'
Candida Lycett Green, a figure known for making everything magical, was another horse lover who brought her ponies into her home. Scenes of her taking her grey Arab, Moti, to tea with their neighbor, the 14th Baron Berners, are featured in her documentary, "The Englishwoman and the Horse."
Not all horses are as well-behaved as Moti, however. Sam, a gentle and placid horse, was allowed into Celia Knight's drawing room once a week after lunch. Yet, to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, Sam was banished from the armory if he ever soiled himself in the apartment.
The youngest children at the Taunton Vale Harriers' branch of the Pony Club also ride through the ground floor of their hosts' home on the last day of camp. Clover Stroud's children have even become accustomed to Shetland ponies wandering inside their house. One of these ponies, Ollie, regularly joins family mealtimes and has been known to raid the fruit bowl when the room is left unattended.
Rosie, another miniature Shetland, has learned to open the bin and bangs on the window to be let in. Callie Coles' boys' delight in Sparky's frequent incursions into her home is infectious.
Henrietta Knight, Celia's sister, also took her Connemara stallion, Castle Nero, through her house during her training years. Despite the occasional concern about potential accidents, as expressed by Miss Knight, the practice continues to be a cherished tradition for many horse-loving families.
For those interested in learning more about this unique aspect of English horse culture, the documentary "The Englishwoman and the Horse," featuring various horse-owning women, can be viewed at www.vimeo.com.
