By Li Robbins

Horses have played a crucial role in shaping human history, from their use in agriculture and transportation to their significance in warfare, sport, and culture. Across the world, museums dedicated to these majestic animals showcase not only their historical importance but also the people who have worked alongside them, fostering deep and enduring bonds. Whether you're interested in the iconic cowgirls of the American West, the noble breeds of Kentucky, or the royal cavalry of England, these horse-themed museums offer fascinating insights into the diverse ways horses have influenced societies throughout time. Here’s a look at some of the top equestrian museums around the globe, each telling a unique story of horses and their human companions.

The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame

(1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas, US) 

The National Cowgirl Museum celebrates cowgirls and aims to “lift women from the shadows” of history. Photo: Dreamstime/David Pillow

“Cool museum!” is one of the frequent reactions visitors have to The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. It’s a sleek, contemporary museum where interactive displays include a hologram of sharpshooter Annie Oakley telling her story. There are both permanent collections (e.g., “It’s Never Just a Horse,” focussed on the partnership between women and horses) and traveling, for instance “Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras” (running until December 31, 2024), where a team of eight women equestrians gallop their way through intricate patterns. The museum champions cowgirls of all backgrounds with an aim to “lift women from the shadows” of history. 

Photo (above) courtesy of National Cowgirl Museum

Exhibits at the National Cowgirl Museum champion cowgirls of all backgrounds. Photo (above) courtesy of National Cowgirl Museum; Photo (below): Shutterstock/Kit Leong

Bonus: It’s located in Fort Worth’s cultural district alongside art, science, and history museums as well as the Will Rogers Memorial Center, home to major equestrian events.

Related: The History of the Horse-Drawn Carriage

International Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park

(4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, Kentucky, US)

Tang Dynasty horse exhibit. Origin: Tang Dynasty, 618-906 A.D. Reproduction courtesy of National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Flickr/Don Sniegowski

The Kentucky Horse Park is simultaneously a popular tourist destination, a working horse farm, and a competition facility. The International Museum of the Horse is described as “the largest and most comprehensive museum in the world dedicated to exploring the important history of all horses and their impact on human civilization.” You’ll find exhibitions ranging from the history of the horse, to the African-American contribution to Thoroughbred racing, to the history of the Arabian breed.

Above: Arabian Horse exhibit. Photo: Flickr/Don Sniegowski

Above: Carriage exhibit. Photo: Alamy/Pat & Chuck Blackley

In summer the horse population swells to 70-some horses of 40 or so breeds — this year’s cross-section includes Marsh Tackys, Old Kentucky Saddlers, Akhal-Tekes, and Lipizzans among others. Note: The Kentucky Horse Park is also where you’ll find the American Saddlebred Museum, an “ode to the horse American made” in the heart of bluegrass country.

Household Cavalry Museum

(Whitehall, London, England)

Above: Soldier on Horseback exhibit. Alamy/Steve Vidler

When it comes to horses and museums, many a visitor hopes to see not just artifacts but the real thing, and the Household Cavalry Museum obliges. Described as a “living museum about real people doing a real job in a real place,” the Household Cavalry Museum is located within the Horse Guards complex in Whitehall in central London — in one of the city’s most historic buildings.

Above: Display of Household Cavalry Regalia. Photo: Alamy/Mauritius Images GmbH

Above: Horse Guards Regiment, Household Cavalry Museum. Photo: Wiki/PRA

Watch troopers as they work with horses in the 18th century stables and explore the history of the Household Cavalry, formed in 1661 under the direct order of King Charles II. The museum includes personal stories from troopers speaking about their demanding training, as well as exhibitions including treasures related to the cavalry, from fancy epaulettes, swords, and cocked hats to the famed Zetland Trophy, a solid silver regimental table centrepiece for the Officer’s Mess commissioned in 1874. 

Related: Saddlery - Old Profession, New Innovations

Related: Iceland's Unique Breed: The Icelandic Horse

Outside the museum witness firsthand one of the enduring symbols of the Royal family: the daily changing of the mounted King’s Life Guard.

The National Museum of the Morgan Horse 

(15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester, Maine, US)

In addition to exhibits and art at The National Museum of the Morgan Horse, visitors enjoy live horse demonstrations thanks to the museum’s location at Pineland Farms Equestrian Center. Photos (above/below) courtesy of the National Museum of the Morgan Horse

The National Museum of the Morgan Horse is located at Pineland Farms Equestrian Centre and is owned by the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA). Its goal is to “maintain and preserve the history of the Morgan breed while educating and sharing the history of them through the collection.” 

This small museum celebrates the versatile Morgan breed through exhibits, art, and AMHA registry volumes. Its location at Pineland Farms means visitors can also enjoy seeing Morgan horses firsthand — the farm is the home of Cabot Morgans, a nationally-known Morgan breeding operation.

Westphalian Horse Museum 

(Sentruper Strasse 311, 48161 Münster, Germany)

Above: An exhibit showcasing the history of the horse in Westphalia. Photo: Westphalian Horse Museum/Facebook

Above: A recent exhibition “Legendary! Famous Horses from Mythology, History, and Popular Culture” introduced visitors to Rosinante and Donkey, two characters from the famous 1605 novel The Ingenious Squire Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Photo: Westphalian Horse Museum/Facebook

Related: Fire-Horses – The Role of Horses in Early Firefighting

Related: Horses' Historical Hoofprints

Dedicated to showcasing the natural and cultural history of the horse in Westphalia (home of the famed German Warmblood Westphalians), at the Westphalian Horse Museum you’ll find exhibitions on subject matter ranging from horse anatomy to breeding traditions of the region. There’s also fun stuff like riding and carriage simulators (for would-be riders and drivers), and its location within the Allwetterzoo Münster, Münster’s all-weather zoo, makes it a popular destination for those travelling with children. Travellers of all ages may enjoy watching a horse show or equestrian event at the museum, since it also owns the neighbouring Arena Hippomaxx. 

Museum Of The Horse

(Market Pl, Tuxford, Newark, England)

Above: Sally Mitchell’s Museum of the Horse. Photo courtesy of Sally Mitchell’s Museum of the Horse.

Equestrian-related items from antiquity to present day are on display at Sally Mitchell’s Museum of the Horse. Photo courtesy of Sally Mitchell’s Museum of the Horse.

Above: A North African stirrup from Agadir, Morocco. Photo courtesy of Sally Mitchell’s Museum of the Horse.

Above: 17th century saddle, stirrups, spurs and bit. Photo courtesy of Sally Mitchell’s Museum of the Horse.

One of the more eclectic horse-related museums is Tuxford’s Museum of the Horse, located above an art gallery in a former 18th century coaching inn once owned by the Duke of Newcastle. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, the museum is owned by art dealer (and author of The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists) Sally Mitchell. It’s chockablock with equestrian-related objects dating from antiquity to the present day, many collected by Mitchell herself, all contributing to the story of horses in transport, industry, agriculture, warfare, and sport. As the museum’s website modestly states, its collection “is quite large.” No exaggeration — the collection fills nine rooms, not to mention “two large passageways.” The museum is just an hour and a half from London by intercity train from King's Cross.

Grandes Ècuries (Grand Stables)

(Chantilly, France)

Photo: Thibault Charpentier

The Grandes Écuries (Great Stables) in Chantilly, France, is an awe-inspiring equestrian palace, often regarded as one of the most beautiful stables in the world. Located just a 30-minute train ride from Paris, Chantilly is known for its rich equestrian heritage. The Great Stables, constructed between 1719 and 1735 for Louis-Henri de Bourbon-Condé, was designed to house 240 horses and numerous hounds. Legend has it that Louis-Henri believed he would be reincarnated as a horse, thus deserving of such lavish surroundings. The stables survived the French Revolution, unlike the nearby château, which was destroyed but later rebuilt in the 19th century.

The stables are not only a spectacular architectural feat, adorned with equine sculptures and impressive murals, but also house the Living Museum of the Horse. This museum, spread across 15 galleries, explores the deep relationship between humans and horses across cultures and history, featuring exhibits on horse domestication, racing, and tack evolution. Visitors can also witness the art of French dressage, with daily training demonstrations in the stunning domed arena, a venue that doubles as a stage for elaborate equestrian performances. These shows combine dressage with circus arts and theater, offering a magical experience for horse lovers and non-horse enthusiasts alike.

More history and photos of the Grandes Écuries (Great Stables) here: An Equestrian Palace: The Living Museum of the Horse

For more information visit:

• Grandes Écuries (Great Stables), France
• The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, Texas
• International Museum of the Horse - Kentucky Horse Park
• Household Cavalry Museum, England
• National Museum of the Morgan Horse, Maine
• Westphalian Horse Museum, Germany
• The Museum of the Horse, England

Related: The March West: The Birth of the RCMP 150 Years Ago

More by Li Robbins

Main Photo: Westphalian Horse Museum/Facebook