Horse Around
Our family owned a couple of horses for a brief time. We did not race them, show them, or make money from them. We simply enjoyed them. Dad bought horses for us to horse around.
To horse around means to play or waste time.
The activity has no purpose. We often horse around while we avoid work we need to do. Goofing off feels like more fun than work.
Sometimes we horse around in a rough way.
We get rowdy or aggravate others. Occasionally we hurt them. Sometimes we mean to cause their pain. Other times, our rough play causes accidents.
We can all use a little horseplay, if we don’t get too rough.
It allows us to rest our minds and have a fun time. However, when we get too rowdy, we need to hold our horses.
Enjoy life but allow others the same privilege.
Let’s keep our priorities in order.
Responsibilities come first. Then time to relax. We don’t want to put the cart before the horse.
God gives us a few years on earth. Whether working or horsing around, let’s make the most of the time we have to serve God and help one another.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” (Psalm 37:3 NIV).
Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.
12 thoughts on “Horse Around”
Oh my, how I’ve always loved to ride. Don’t any longer (well, I might again one day before God calls me home) because I don’t bounce as well as I used to. 🙂 But horsing around a little, especially with my ranch hand Mr. John while we’re working (throwing a fart egg at him while he’s got his hands full is the latest), helps to make the day go a bit better. Smiles and laughter beats grumbling and cursing every time! So yes, we need to horse around a bit more, especially us “responsible adults”. I think it important that young people recognize that getting old doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying life. God’s blessings ma’am, and I hope you find several reasons to smile too today.
J. D., I imagine you and Mr. John have a grand time horsing around. A little fun energizes and breaks the burden of busy days. Enjoy!
I wonder where the expression originated. It’s not often you see horses “horsing around.”
Tracy, it’s such an old expression, I did not find an origin. Horses occasionally kick up their heels and run for no reason. Maybe that has something to do with it. Who knows?
Sometimes I think we need more horsing around. More laughter, more play. It makes the heart merry. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength” (Proverbs 17:22, NLT).
I agree, Joanne. We often focus so much on our to-do lists that we forget to enjoy the moment. I love Proverbs, and that verse is a great one.
I’ve always thought about rowdy play when I hear the phrase “Horsing Around.” We need to do the work God has given us to do here on earth, but we know He approves those playful times, too.
Blessings, Diana!
Your response made me smile, Martha. I’m so grateful God provides us with opportunities for work and for play. I hope your day offers fun-filled moments.
Negative connotation associated with a beautiful animal. I’ve always wondered why. I see horses frolicking in the field with joy and it doesn’t seem a bad thing. But I guess too much of anything can be a bad thing.
Have you ever written about the theater phrase “break a leg?”
Great insight, Candyce. I can easily overdo a few favorite activities.
I have not written on “break a leg.” Thanks for the suggestion!
I know horses can be rough sometimes, but I’ve never really understood how this saying became so commonly used. Seems like “kids play” would be more apt when discussing people because horses don’t really “play” that often. However, I enjoyed your message, especially the picture.
Good point, Katherine. Thank you. I enjoyed writing this one and finding that old picture.