Horse And Unicorn Cliparts

Proverbs About Horses


1. All Lay loads on a willing horse
In the days when horses were much used for carrying burdens on their backs, the animals that gave the least trouble were given more work to do than those which were stubborn or intractable. Today, a 'willing horse' is a person who is so good-natured and helpful that everyone takes advantage of him.

2. Don't Change horses in mid-stream
Crossing a stream on horseback is not always easy, and to transfer oneself from one horse to another during the process is inviting a ducking, if nothing worse. In the same way, if we think it necessary to make changes, we must choose the right moment to make them.

3. Don't put the cart before the horse
The horse pulls the cart, not the cart the horse. The proverb means that we should not get things back to front, but should deal with them in their right order. To invite all your relatives and friends to your wedding before you have arranged things with the vicar is to put the cart before the horse.

4. Don't ride the high horse
Don't give yourself airs. Don't be arrogant. Literally, a high horse is a war-horse or charger.

5. Every horse thinks its own pack heaviest
We all imagine that we have a greater load to carry than anybody else; that nobody works harder than we do, or has to put up with more difficulties.

6. If two men ride on a horse, one must ride behind
There cannot be two leaders in any enterprise. The man riding behind must leave it to the man in front to guide the horse. Similarly, on a tandem the man in front steers the machine and applies the brakes.

7. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
This means the same as if "ifs" and "ans" were pots and pans...: meaning if we could achieve our aims by merely wishing, life would be very easy.

8. It is too late to lock the stable when the horse has been stolen
It is useless to take precautions after something has happened that could have been foreseen and guarded against.

9. Never look a gift horse in the mouth
Never be too critical of anything you have received as a gift. The condition of a horse's teeth is a good guide to its age. If a man needs a horse and is offered one for nothing, he should not examine its teeth too closely before accepting it.

10. Never spur a willing horse
A 'willing horse' is a person who works well and without complaint. Don't urge him on to work harder and faster, for he may tend do less, or not be quite so willing.

11. A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse
It is no use giving a hint to a person who is determined not to take it.

12. Put the saddle on the right horse
Blame those who deserve it, not those who don't.



13. You may lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink
You may be acting in the best interests of the horse by taking him to the trough, but if he doesn't want to drink he's not going to -- and that's that. Similarly, you can do your utmost to make a person share your views, yet there is a point beyond which he will not go.

14. Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse
Zeal is defined as 'earnestness or fervour in advancing a cause or rendering service; hearty and persistent endeavour'. But zeal must go hand in hand with experience. The enthusiasm of an inexperienced person may do more harm than good.