Ever find yourself bombarded with images of seemingly perfect lives when trawling through your Instagram feed? Exotic holidays, beautiful homes and adorable children are the norm, but now these aspirational individuals have infiltrated the horse world.
From immaculate muck heaps and enormous arenas to dazzling grey coats and pristine plaits, these #equestriangoals can be great fun to gawp at, but they don’t always match up to reality…
#muckheapgoals
The vision: a neatly arranged muck heap that would make even the biggest perfectionist proud
The reality: when you’re running late for work, still need to muck out and your horse has done a poo in his water, perfecting the dung pile seems less of a priority
A photo posted by on
#viewgoals
The vision: Inspired by this gorgeous Miami Beach shot by Bertram Allen we set out to snap our pony looking just as elegant in the beautiful British countryside
The reality: It’s chucking it down and your grumpy mule refuses to put his ears forward
A photo posted by on
#plaitinggoals
The vision: Immaculate plaits with every hair perfectly in place
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The reality: Our plaits end up looking like scruffy birds nests or golf balls at best, half of which are rubbed out in the box
A photo posted by on
#yardgoals
The vision: We imagine one day we’ll have a yard like showjumper Jamie Gornall’s dreamy set-up, including superbly bright indoor stabling
The reality: We struggle to find our horse to bring him in during the dark winter nights and battle through endless mud in the process
#horseyweddinggoals
The vision: Our horse is immaculately clean and posing with his ears pricked for the camera, while we ooze effortless style
The reality: He wipes his grubby nose all over your white dress before treading on your toe and frightening elderly relatives
A photo posted by on
#greygoals
The vision: Your grey pony dazzles a brilliant white making all your hard work bathing him worthwhile
The reality: He stays snowy white for around two minutes before rolling in the biggest muddle patch of grass he can find
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.
