Closing Out January with a Kick: Why We're Still Obsessed with Horse Power

Is it just me, or has this January lasted approximately three years?

We’re finally at the finish line of the longest month ever. And as we cross into February, we’re also fully settling into 2026: The Year of the Horse.

Even if you don't follow the zodiac closely, you have to admit the timing is solid. We could all use a little of that energetic, "let's-get-moving" horse energy right now after the post-holiday slump.

But honestly, our obsession with horse vibes goes way deeper than a calendar year. At Spot Studio, we love the aesthetic because it feels classic, a little bit academic, and very free.

But history shows us that we’ve been weirdly obsessed with projecting our own personalities onto these animals for centuries.

The Original Social Media Bio

We tend to think we invented "oversharing" or curating our public image with Instagram bios. Nope. The Victorians beat us to it, and they used horses to do it.

Back in the 1800s, if you saw someone riding down the street, you’d look at their "horse brasses." These were shiny metal plaques used to decorate the harness. But they weren't just for sparkle; they were basically a rider’s LinkedIn profile strapped to a 1,000-pound animal.

They were a secret language. A specific type of sun design might mean the rider was a farmer praying for good harvest weather. A crescent moon could indicate they were single and looking. Other symbols showed off their trade, their hometown, or even their superstitions.

You could read a person's entire vibe just by glancing at their horse’s chest before they even said hello.

Galloping into February

I love that bit of history because it shows we’ve always looked for ways to wear our hearts (or our job descriptions) on our sleeves. We use accessories to tell people who we are and what we’re about before we even open our mouths.

Horses have always symbolized freedom, forward momentum, and just getting things done. As we finally shut the door on January, that’s exactly the energy I want to tap into. Let's ride.

P.S. Speaking of leaving your mark without saying too much... if you need to drop a hint to a coworker (or just remember your grocery list) in style, I made these Equestrian Sticky Notepads just for that.