Horse museums are a thing.
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As someone who’s slightly afraid of horses, I can’t think of anything more terrifying. But for a fan of the equestrian arts, I can’t think of a better day trip or tour experience to add to an itinerary.
I’m not just talking about museums that celebrate horses, the history of horses, and their impact on human civilization. I’m talking about museums with live horses in stables, categorized and lined up according to some equestrian Dewey decimal system.
Personally, as already alluded, I wouldn’t survive a night at these museums—but I imagine they’re unbelievably cool for anyone who appreciates Clydesdales, Appaloosas, and Missouri Fox Trotters. And, given the ubiquitousness of horses, you can find horse museums in many countries around the world, meaning you might be able to tack on a visit to one of these locations on your next trip.
Here’s where you can find some of the coolest horse museums in the world.
6 horse museums around the world that have real-life horses
Given its proximity to Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby is held annually, Lexington, Kentucky, has a long and storied history of equestrianism. The city is home to the world-famous and Smithsonian-affiliated International Museum of the Horse, which is located adjacent to the Kentucky Horse Park.
The International Museum of the Horse is the world’s largest equestrian museum with dozens of exhibits showcasing the horse’s impact on human development, information on different breeds, and more. But only the Kentucky Horse Park has live horses. It’s set on 1,200 acres where dozens of breeds live and work. You can check out the horses on a tour of the park, which offers many different ways to learn and interact with horses.
Heilan Horse Culture Museum (Jiangyin, China)
Just outside Shanghai is the small town of Jiangyin, home to the Heilan Horse Culture Museum. It’s an absolutely massive museum that spans over 2.7 million square feet, much of which is marble-plated. Here’s where things get interesting: the museum’s 47 high-end, pure-bred horses are on display like actual artifacts in a museum. (There are also zebras.)
One part of the museum, the Heilan International Equestrian Club, is home to dozens of marble-plated stables. Inside are horses that mill around for the public. Don’t worry—horses only spend an hour or so inside one of the stables at a time before being led back out to their usual pastures. The museum also includes other activities like taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, horseback riding for children, and more.
The Living Horse Museum (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Known as Levend Paardenmuseum, this museum lets you get up-close to horses right in the heart of the Dutch capital. Located in Amsterdam West, this historic riding school lets you beat the hustle and bustle for a little equestrian downtime. You can pet friendly horses as they relax in their stable, watch others ride horses, and maybe even catch a show. Best of all, there’s a café on the grounds and a place to watch the action from above.
The Living Museum of the Horse (Chantilly, France)
Considered one of the best equestrian museums in the world when it comes to horse art, horse ethnology, and horse history, Chantilly’s Living Museum of the Horse is a must for any horse-lover. It’s got some of the most comprehensive exhibits in the world, letting you learn about human-equine relationships across millennia.
Similar to the International Museum of the Horse in Kentucky, Chantilly’s Musee Vivant Du Cheval also has stables. You can visit the Great Stables to get closer to real-life horses. Best of all, Chantilly Chateau, where the museum is located, also puts on horse shows and demonstrations from pro riders and trainers.
Household Cavalry Museum (London, UK)
Don’t just get up-close to horses in London—immerse yourself in the country’s royal history by learning more about its mounted cavalry. The museum includes exhibits that showcase the history of Britain’s mounted cavalry, but the real magic is in the stables and during the changing of the guard.
At the stables, you can try on uniforms and check out the actual working stables of the cavalry. When it’s time, you can also watch the King’s Life Guard perform their daily duties as part of the Horse Guards Parade.
Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Jerez, Spain)
If you want to be a voyeur into the life and training of some of the world’s most celebrated purebreds, look no further. What Chantilly Chateau offers when it comes to educational exhibits, the Royal Andalusian School delivers in actual demonstrations. Every day, the grounds hosts a guided tour that lets you learn more about every facet of operations.
From the stables to the training grounds to the tack room, you can get a glimpse of how some of the world’s fanciest horses learn the ropes. For example, you might catch a dressage lesson one day, then a riding lesson the next. As a perk, some parts of the school are set inside historic buildings dating back to the 18th century.