World Horse Day
Next: July 11, 2027
For our oldest working partner.
The story
Where it comes from
On 3 June 2025 the UN General Assembly declared 11 July World Horse Day. The resolution was initiated by Mongolia's President, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, as a representative of the nomadic peoples who have kept their horse cultures alive since ancient times, and Mongolia's ambassador introduced it by calling the horse 'one of the most important animals in human history'. It asks governments, schools, businesses and individuals to celebrate what horses do for people, from farming and transport to sport and tourism, and to look after their welfare.
How it's celebrated
The UN suggests simple ways to take part: visit a local rescue or therapy centre and learn the basics of horse care, choose a trail or carriage ride where horses are kindly treated, donate spare towels or tack to a rescue, or share a reliable horse fact. In Mongolia the date falls on the opening day of Naadam, the national festival of horse racing, wrestling and archery held every year from 11 to 13 July.
Did you know
- Mongolia has about 3.4 million horses for 3.3 million people.
- Around 112 million working horses, donkeys and mules support the livelihoods of some 600 million people in low- and middle-income countries.
- A horse can drink up to 50 litres of water on a hot day.
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