Celebs Who Love Horses
Almost every little kid dreams of someday owning a pony, but this childhood fantasy doesn't always come to fruition. Luckily for celebrities, they've been gifted with the financial stability and freedom to have a pony of their own. With the Kentucky Derby right around the corner, we think it’s a good time to take a look at which celebs love horsing around with their equine friends.
Elizabeth TaylorThe film "National Velvet" made 12-year-old Taylor a star and also brought her close with her four-legged costar, King Charles the horse. Taylor, who had been riding horses since the age of 4, did her own riding for the film and became so close to the horse that she adopted him after shooting wrapped.
MadonnaGetting bucked off a horse doesn't faze Madge's lover for her equine friends. The pop singer suffered broken bones after a horse-riding accident in 2005, but she continues to ride. She owns two horses and has taken private lessons with British trainer Daisy Trayford in the past.
Johnny DeppDid you notice an uncanny connection between Depp and the horse in "Sleepy Hollow"? That wasn't imaginary. Depp became so attached to Goldeneye that he adopted the horse when filming ended.
La Toya JacksonWe all know La Toya is a chimpanzee lover ("Bubbles? Is that you?"), but who knew she also has a thing for horses? Here she is having a ball at the International Horse Fair in Seville, Spain.
Selma BlairBeing mega pregnant doesn't stop Selma Blair from spending lots of time and energy with her beloved horse, Taffy.
Gisele BundchenSupermodel Gisele first learned to ride a horse in Brazil when she was just 9 years old. Though she regularly jet-sets around the world, she has been quoted as saying that all she really wants to do is "live in the countryside, ride on horses and live among cows, chickens and dogs."
Christie BrinkleyFormer supermodel Brinkley is more than just a leisurely horseback rider. She is also an award-winning rider in cutting horse exercises, in which a rider must separate one cow from the rest of the herd. Though she has largely retired from this often dangerous sport since having her kids, Brinkley still considers herself an equestrian.
Jennifer GarnerWith two little kids, a famous husband and a film career on her plate, Garner might not get much time to indulge her love of horses. But even with a busy schedule, she seems to want her kids to grow up having respect for the human-loving animals.
Viggo MortensenYou could say that horses are one of Mortensen's major passions in life. The actor got so close to Uraeus and Kenny, the two horses he rode in "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," that he purchased them at the end of filming. He also bought T.J., the horse he rode in the film "Hidalgo." His love of horses inspired him to publish a photography book, "The Horse Is Good," partially shot from his time working on "Hidalgo."
Bo DerekDerek has been a horse enthusiast for decades and is especially fond of the Andalusian breed. She's a spokesperson for Animal Welfare Institute's campaign against horse slaughter. Even her autobiography, Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned From Horses, makes it pretty clear that horses are a major
part of Derek's personal life.
Joe PerryAerosmith guitarist Perry may live the fast-paced life of a rock star, but on his down time he spends his days on a sprawling horse ranch in Vermont. He and his wife breed and raise Fresians, a rare breed of horse.
Robert RedfordRedford credits Roy Rogers's horse, Trigger, for inspiring his love of the Palomino horse breed. His immense love for the animals was also a major motivator for Redford's work on the 1998 film "The Horse Whisperer," the first film in which he both starred and directed.
Nicole KidmanKidman did most of her own horseback riding for the film "Australia," for which both she and costar Hugh Jackman had weeks of riding lessons before filming. While most actresses woud be wary of hopping on a galloping steed, Kidman remarked that she didn't think about it. "I feel confident on a horse," she said.
JewelGrowing up on a farm is a good way to solidify a girl's love for horses from a young age. Jewel grew up riding in her native Alaska and had a horse named Clearwater in her youth. Horses continue to be a big part of her life, especially now that she and rodeo star husband Ty Murray live on a horse farm in Dallas, Texas.
Lucy LiuSvelte actress Liu loves to be outdoors, and one of her favorite hobbies is horseback riding. She even got to take lessons from an instructor in preparation for her role in "Charlie's Angels" in 2002.
Amy WinehouseBeing one with horses might not be the first conception of Amy Winehouse that comes to mind, but the singer became quite close to the animals while she was on vacation in St. Lucia in 2009. She was seen numerous times riding bareback on the beach and seemed to be enjoying her life away from the spotlight.
