Looking for something Equestrian related to visit on your travels.  Here are some Equine museums dedicated to all things equestrian from around the world.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about specific breeds or sports, delving into equestrian history, or just admiring beautiful paintings and sculptures, there is a museum out there that will capture your interest. (We will provide a separate list for the USA as there are so many)

FRANCE

CHANTILLY HORSE MUSEUM – Chantilly France

The Living Museum of the Horse is a museum in Chantilly, France dedicated to equine art and culture. It is housed in the Great Stables of the Château de Chantilly, about 40 km north of Paris.  This museum is famous for its horse demonstrations and shows and its expertise in Haute-Ecole training and classic equestrian arts. Thirty-one rooms feature paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics, on equestrian related subjects including horsemanship, horse-drawn transport, art, history, equine health, and riding equipment. The museum is designed to promote education by encouraging visitors to interact with the horses. Dressage demonstrations are given to demonstrate the basis of horsemanship. The grounds also host horse shows.
Address: Rue du Connétable, 60500 Chantilly, France  Website: https://www.domainedechantilly.com/fr/

CADRE NOIR OF SAUMUR & FRENCH NATIONAL RIDING SCHOOL – Saumur

Guided tours are available to this unique French riding school whose instructors are the celebrated riders of the Cadre Noir, elite equestrians based in the city of Saumur in West France. The troop gets its name from the black uniforms. Visit the Grand Manège, stables and the prestige tack room and uncover the history of the Cadre Noir, dating back to 1815. You may also see performances on your visit.
Address: Ecole Nationale d’Equitation, BP 207 – Terrefort, 49411 Saumur Cedex, Fr
Website: http://www.museevivantducheval.fr/en/

BELGIUM

BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE MUSEUM – Oudstrijdersplein, Vollezele 1570

Small museum with photographs, documents, mementoes and harnesses related to Belgian Draft Horses, their history and exportation.
Address: Oudstrijdersplein, Vollezele, 1570.   Website: http://www.museumvanhetbelgischtrekpaard.be/

GERMANY

GERMAN EQUINE MUSEUM – Verden The Deutsches Pferdemuseum, or German Equine Museum

Displays all artefacts and exhibitions including artwork, documents, photographs, tack and models related to horses in Germany. (Most exhibit descriptions are in German.)
Address: Holzmarkt 9, Verden 27283 – Germany
Website: https://www.dpm-verden.info/en/dpm_welcome.html

WESTPHALIAN HORSE MUSEUM

Dedicated to the natural and cultural history of the horse in Westphalia along with an array of other subjects on the horse. Westphalia has more than 500 riding clubs and is considered to be a major centre for equestrian sports. Temporary exhibitions focus on special topics. The Arena Hippomaxx hosts horse shows and other events regularly. A Children and Horse Park is linked to the museum, where children can experience different breeds of horses and giant Poitou donkeys.
Address: Allwetterzoo, gGmbH, Sentruper Straße 311, 48161 Münster
Website: https://www.pferdemuseum.de/en.html

IRELAND

DARTFIELD HORSE MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTRE – Kilrickle, Galway

This museum offers exhibits of historic farm machinery and carriages which will give visitors an insight into the vital role played by the Irish horse throughout Irish history. Amongst the historic carriages is a brougham which once belonged to Lillie Langtry. Address: Kilrickle, Loughrea, Co. Galway      Website: http://www.dartfield.com/

IRISH NATIONAL STUD HORSE MUSEUM – Kildare

With a focus on the history of Irish Racing horses, this small, but interesting museum on the grounds of the Irish National Stud only 45 minutes from Dublin City, has on display the skeleton of Arkle, touted as the greatest steeplechaser of all times.  Artefact’s, illustrations and texts take visitors through the history of Irish horseracing and some of the beloved Irish horses from the past.
Address: Tully Kildare, Co. Kildare, Ireland   Website: https://irishnationalstud.ie/attraction/horse-museum/

JAPAN

EQUINE MUSEUM OF JAPAN – Yokohama

Adjacent to Negishi Nature Park (the former Negishi Race Course), this Japanese equine museum has a collection of horse-related artefact’s focusing on horsey history and man’s relationship with horses and information on Japanese horse racing. Open since 1977, the museum also houses noteworthy horse skeletons. Negishi Race Course was opened in December 1866.
Address: Negishi Racing Memorial Park, 1-3, Negishidai, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0853 Japan
Website: https://www.bajibunka.jrao.ne.jp/en/equinemuseumofjapan.html

JRA RACING MUSEUM – Tokyo

JRA Racing Museum is Japan Racing Association’s museum, aiming to attract visiting racing fans at Tokyo Racecourse. It was started in 1991. There’s a Memorial Hall to honour the Hall of Fame Horses and Horsemen and the Exhibition Room, which provides a comprehensive history of racing.
Address: Tokyo Racecourse 1-1, Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-8550, Japan
Website: https://www.bajibunka.jrao.ne.jp/en/jraracingmuseum.html

PORTUGAL

NATIONAL COACH MUSEUM – Lisbon
Housed in the old Horse Riding Arena of the Belém Palace, formerly a Royal Palace which is now the official residence of the President of Portugal, this is one of the most visited museums in Portugal. It features an extensive collection of carriages, including 16th and 17th-century travelling coaches, pompous Baroque 18th-century carriages decorated with paintings, ceremonial coaches and more.
Address: India Avenue 136, 1300-004, Lisbon and Royal Ring, Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, 1300-044 Lisbon, Portugal
Website: https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/places/national-coach-museum

SOUTH AFRICA

RICHMOND HORSE MUSEUM

The Horse Museum of Richmond is dedicated to the saddle horse and focuses on Trekboers (early Afrikaans farmers) who had spent a nomadic life on horseback in the arid Karoo in the Northern Cape. There are also old carts and displays of horse stamps from around the world.  Contact one of the curators to arrange a guided tour on Tel: +27 (0)53 693-0176
Address: Loop Street, Richmond, Northern Cape, South Africa
Website: https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/northerncape/visit-the-richmond-horse-museum/

SPAIN

ROYAL ANDALUSIAN SCHOOL OF EQUESTRIAN ART HORSE & CARRIAGE  & MUSEUM OF EQUESTRIAN ARTS 

At the Horse Carriage Museum at Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, carriages and equine equipment used quite frequently in Andalusia are on display with interactive multimedia systems in four languages (Spanish, English, German and French) so visitors may actively learn about the carriage, its tack, types of harness, its history, its anecdotes and uses and even the very carriage itself in virtual reality. The Sociable, hunting Break, Milord and Phaeton are surrounded by glass display units filled with harness ribbons and bells. The Equestrian Art Museum is a living museum, multimedia and interactive, focusing on the origins and evolution of equestrian art in Andalusia and the rest of the world. Visit to see “How the Andalusians Horses Dance,” a show of the classical traditions of Spanish baroque horsemanship.
Address: Avda. Duque de Abrantes, S/N.Palacio Recreo de las Cadenas, 11407 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
Website: https://www.realescuela.org/en/museos.cfm

UNITED KINGDOM

TUXFORD HORSE MUSEUM – Tuxford, UK

The Collection includes anything of interest that was in some way functional and connected with horses. The earliest pieces date from 600 BC and include antique saddles, antique bridles, antique bits, antique stirrups, old horseshoes, harness, working horse equipment, pit pony equipment and antique veterinary equipment. There is also an antique clothing department including antique riding boots over two hundred years old.
Address: Newcastle Arms, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire NG22 0LA   Website: https://www.sallymitchell.com/the-museum-of-the-horse-28-w.asp

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MUSEUM – London

A living museum in the heart of Horse Guards, Whitehall, London, this military museum offers a unique “behind-the-scenes” look at the work that goes into the ceremonial and operational role of the Household Cavalry Regiment. See troopers working with horses in the original 18th-century stables. There is a mounted regiment (on horseback) to guard Her Majesty the Queen on ceremonial occasions in London and across the UK. The Household Cavalry are also a key part of the Royal pageantry.
Address: Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX, England
Website: http://www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk/

NEWMARKET NATIONAL HORSE RACING MUSEUM – Newmarket

The National Heritage Centre is situated in the remains of Charles II’s sporting palace and stables and spans five acres in the heart of Newmarket. It comprises three complementary attractions; the new National Horseracing Museum, a National Art Gallery of British Sporting Art, and a chance to meet former racehorses, in the flagship yard of Retraining of Racehorses.
Address: Palace House, Palace Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EP

If you know of other Museums anywhere in the world that are equestrian focused please let us know at Snaffle Travel. (Note: We have not listed the USA Museums). We have personally visited the Horse Museum in Verden, Germany and the National Stud Horse Museum in County Kildare, Ireland and found them both very interesting.  It would be great to construct a list of various equestrian places worthwhile visiting to help fellow travellers. Send us an email to info@snaffletravel.com.au  if you know of any other Museums or have any other suggestions.