Chinese Year of the Horse

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In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse. The Chinese Lunar New Year begins February 17, 2026. I haven’t ever had more than a passing awareness of the Chinese zodiac, but with this one being the Year of the Horse, I was curious to learn more. Then I heard that each zodiac sign is paired with an element from the Five Elements Theory to create a sixty-year cycle. 2026, then, is the Year of the Fire Horse. My curiosity increased.

My assumption about the meaning of the Fire Horse was of fiery energy, speed, hot emotions, and elevated activity. While I very occasionally see these qualities in Fell Ponies, it isn’t a regular part of my life with them. I wondered if further research would reveal anything relevant to my experience with Fells.

My interpretation of the Year of the Fire Horse, Fell POny style!

An article in Vogue had this description of the Year of the Fire Horse: “In Eastern culture, the horse represents action, freedom, speed and breakthrough. It reflects a stage of life that moves boldly forward without the fear of obstacles, placing emphasis on being in motion rather than standing still.” (1) This description doesn’t match my experience of Fells any better than the initial assumptions I made. I consider Fells more thoughtful than the average equine, going forward when there’s good reason and then only for as long as there’s also good reason. Yes, they like freedom, but I also think they like interacting with their people.

Dr. Scott McFarlane, a doctor of Chinese medicine, has this take on the Year of the Fire Horse: “The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac and represents movement, independence, endurance, and purposeful momentum. Historically essential for transportation, agriculture, and communication, the Horse became associated with achievement through effort and the ability to move forward despite obstacles….” (2) This description is much more aligned with my experience of Fells. I like “purposeful momentum” (again thoughtful about expending energy) and “achievement through effort,” (their working heritage comes to mind), and “move forward despite obstacles” brings to mind living out on the fells.

McFarlane continues, “The Year of the Fire Horse combines two highly yang forces: Fire and Horse. This pairing amplifies intensity, speed, and transformation. Historically, Fire Horse years were misunderstood as disruptive. In modern interpretation, they are better understood as periods that demand clarity, self-regulation, and intentional action.” Again, I can relate to this description with regard to Fells because they do like clarity in communication, are self-regulating, and are very intentional about their activity.

In 2025, I took a course about the Chinese Five Element Theory. I was motivated by the benefits for my own health, and indeed it has been transformative. I had no idea last year that this year I would also be using what I learned to better understand the Year of the Fire Horse!

One of the Five Elements is ‘Fire,’ and I learned in my course work an interpretation of the Fire Element that is much more attractive to me going into the Chinese New Year with my ponies. Fire is associated with the heart, among other organs. Characteristics of love, joy, connection, compassion, community, and forgiveness are associated with the element. For me, a focus on these characteristics will be very helpful moving through this coming year as a source of the clarity that any intensity will require.

So for the coming year, I look forward to a purposeful focus on love for my ponies, experiencing the connection they offer, and appreciation for the community they have made me part of. Together we will live into the Year of the Fire Horse in Fell Pony fashion!

  1. Fargo, Morgan. “This Is What the Year of the Fire Horse Means for You.” Vogue, January 12, 2026. https://www.vogue.com/article/year-of-the-fire-horse-2026.

  2. McFarlane, Dr. Scott. “The Year of the Fire Horse 2026: What It Means for Health, Energy, and Wellbeing.” December 24, 2025. https://www.saffronsageliving.com/blog/the-year-of-the-fire-horse-2026-what-it-means-for-health-energy-and-wellbeing-san-diego.

    © Jenifer Morrissey, 2026