A UN-designated day honoring the historic bond between humans and horses and their role across cultures and civilizations worldwide.
Date11 July
TopicCulture & Heritage
Established2025
Ways to observe this day
Visit a horse farm or attend an equestrian show
Learn about equestrian heritage in your local culture
Support horse welfare and protection organizations
Watch films or read stories about the human-horse bond
On 3 June 2025, the UN General Assembly, at Mongolia's initiative, adopted a resolution designating 11 July as World Horse Day, recognizing the historic, cultural, and economic role horses have played in human development for thousands of years — from transport and labor to symbols of freedom and horsemanship across many cultures, particularly Mongolia's, where horses remain central to daily life and heritage.
The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and caring for horses and preserving the cultural heritage connected to them, such as traditional horsemanship, folk games, and art depicting the human-horse bond. Many countries mark the occasion with equestrian shows, heritage festivals, and educational activities about horse welfare and protecting rare breeds from extinction, alongside highlighting modern therapeutic and sporting uses of horses.