Data from recent years indicates that more people than ever are playing video games these days. According to USA Today, about 227 million Americans were playing video games as of the middle of 2021. That’s about two-thirds of people in the U.S., with many seeking out games specifically for stress relief and escapism amidst the pandemic.
With that many people now involved in gaming, we’re betting that a lot of people from the equestrian world have made the leap as well –– and that many are likely seeking out games that tap into their horse-related interests. So, to support this fun little hobby, we thought we’d take a look at some of the best and most convenient horse-related video games you can play right at your computer.
My Riding Stables: Life With Horses
If you’re passionate about horse care in a broad sense, and you want a game through which you can simulate it, My Riding Stables: Life With Horses is the title for you. Available on major consoles now for a few years, the game can also be accessed via Steam online and played right in your browser window. And once you’re in, you’ll be tasked with running a stud farm –– raising horses, training them to ride, and setting up a sort of stables-slash-school. Plus, as a review at Go Nintendo points out, there are some extras enjoy –– like horse races and mini games (such as hoof cleaning and massage).
Horse World
This is another Steam game, and one in which you can ultimately do many of the same things you can in My Riding Stables. However, it’s a different experience. While My Riding Stables strives to present a realistic experience, Horse World takes a more playful approach. You can still raise, groom, dress, and train horses, but it’s all done within a more casual, almost retro world. It’s a lighthearted game, but one in which you’ll have a lot of fun training new horses, trying new courses, and generally improving your talents.
Wild Horses Slot
This is a different sort of horse game entirely –– an online slot machine built around the chance to more or less collect beautiful horses as they turn up on the reels. It’s actually one of a number of fairly similar slot games you can find across internet casino sites, but it’s certainly one of our favorites. The animal graphics are beautifully drawn, the “wild” theme provides a sense of adventure, and occasionally a herd thunders across the screen. Sure, gameplay is simple, but it’s a nice casual entertainment experience for any horse lover.
Slingo Racing
This is another game from the casino category, though one that works differently from your average slot arcade. Slingo Racing can be found at the Gala Spins Slingo section, which features a collection of titles combining bingo and slot machine gameplay. Within Slingo games, you spin a slot reel and the results you turn up fill in corresponding squares on a bingo fun. In this Slingo game though, there’s a terrific twist for horse racing fans. The bingo and slot action takes place within a racing ring, and horses progress around the perimeter according to results. This makes for a surprisingly engaging casino arcade game, and a great time for horse fanatics.
Star Stable
Star Stable is a browser-based open-world game, and possibly our favorite on this list. Presenting you with more than 300 unique horses you can collect and ride, the game ultimately challenges you to do three things: explore, interact with other players, and complete “quests and mysteries” (of which there are thousands). There’s a fantasy element to the game as well; horses can be wild colors, the environment is often vaguely magical, and some quests involve bizarre creatures. Despite its unrealistic approach though, this game is a dream come true for horse lovers, and really a joyous adventure for any gamer.
Thanks for reading, and we hope we've given you some fun ideas to try! For even more horse-related gaming options, take a look back at our "Mobile Apps" write-up, in which we highlighted a number of apps in this space.
There are more interesting articles in our sections on Mobile Apps and Recreation & Lifestyle.
