Patti Smith, Horses (1979)
Every girl wants a pony - I've had several. My first at age four - Rupert, my second at five - Sugarplum (I didn't name him. Him?!). Sugarplum was a white Shetland pony, tiny and so good natured I could slide down his tail instead of climbing off.
There were more - Lily, Lucy, Shimmer (again, I didn't name her). I even had a salt and pepper coloured miniature Shetland pony foal called Polly, who was the size of a large dog and copped the full flower garland decoration that nine year old girls love to give.
And then? I discovered boys and ballet, and ponies went out the window. So, it's strange that I have regained a fascination with the creatures. Last season, I bought a teeshirt with soft-focus horse print on it. Not, however, the Margiela one I would have liked - dropping $1500 on a teeshirt is beyond me, so I was happy with the Topshop offering.
(Maison Martin Margiela SS'08)
The first piece of Karen Walker I ever bought was a teeshirt with the Florence Broadhurst-esque Horses print.
Some of my favourite songs have horses in them, whether it be motif or subject. Bat for Lashes - Horse and I. Patti Smith - Horses. Q Lazarus - Goodbye Horses. Punches - Dark Horse. PJ Harvey - Horses in my Dreams. The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses. Ginuwine - Ride It (My Pony), seriously. The Kills - Alphabet Pony. Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Blonde Redhead - Equus. Cat Power - Silver Stallion (best song ever).
Horses have played a sporadic but nevertheless important role in fashion editorial. Taking cues from Bianca Jagger's infamous 27th birthday party (Studio 54, entrance on a white horse, several outfit changes), the horse has been the ultimate prop for a 70s style shoot.
Tassels, denim and long hair - pop a model on a pony and you're all set. I love this shoot from Russh by photographer Derek Henderson, featuring model Zippora.
Last time I went to the MCA was for the Biennale and the first installation I saw was a huge Clydesdale, taxidermied and hanging from the ceiling. It's by Italian artist, Marizio Cattelan.
I'm gonna steal a silver stallion
With not a mark upon his silky hide
Teach him he can trust me like a sister
One day we'll saddle up and ride
And we're gonna ride, we're gonna ride
Ride like the one eyed jack
Of diamonds with the devil close behind
We're gonna ride, we're gonna ride
I'm gonna find me a reckless man
Razor blades and dice in his eyes
Just a touch of sadness in his fingers
Thunder and lightening in his thighs
Cat Power, Silver Stallion (2008)
