--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no secret so close as that…" description: "\"There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.\" — Robert Smith Surtees" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png" --- # There is no secret so close as that between a rider and… ![“There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.” quote by Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png) > “There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.” [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The bond between rider and horse is uniquely close, a secret intimacy. **In simple terms:** Rider and horse share a special, secret closeness. Key Takeaway Value deep connections. Themes bond trust human-animal Mood affectionate reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - riding - horse care - teamwork Key Concepts Equine studies relationship dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you nurture trust with a partner? - What makes a bond feel secret? A Different Perspective Such closeness can be idealized, overlooking practical challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Equine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equine/) [Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) ## Related quotes > [“There is no secret so close as that between a rider and her horse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith/there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-between-a-rider-and-her-horse/) [Robert Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith/) > [“A horse can lend its rider the speed and strength he or she lacks, but the rider who is wise remembers it is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/a-horse-can-lend-its-rider-the-speed-and-strength-he-or-she-lacks-but/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [I am in Ghost Rider but I'm not sure when it's coming out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donal-logue/i-am-in-ghost-rider-but-i-m-not-sure-when-it-s-coming-out/) [Donal Logue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donal-logue/) > [I'm a big tandem bike rider... I've had a tandem bike since I was 12, and I wanna be a competitive tandem bike rider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-cosgrove/i-m-a-big-tandem-bike-rider-i-ve-had-a-tandem-bike-since-i-was-12-and/) [Miranda Cosgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-cosgrove/) > [Many people have compared me to the Victorian adventure writer, Rider Haggard. I accept that as a compliment. As a boy growing up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-people-have-compared-me-to-the-victorian-adventure-writer-rider/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There ain't never a horse that never been rode; there ain't never a rider that can't be thrown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cooper/there-ain-t-never-a-horse-that-never-been-rode-there-ain-t-never-a/) [Gary Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cooper/) > [You try to do a technical feature: in front of me I had a strong rider who brakes hard and it's difficult to pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valentino-rossi/you-try-to-do-a-technical-feature-in-front-of-me-i-had-a-strong-rider/) [Valentino Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valentino-rossi/) > [The rider evolved to serve to the elephant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-haidt/the-rider-evolved-to-serve-to-the-elephant/) [Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/) > [Time is the rider that breaks youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/time-is-the-rider-that-breaks-youth/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [What is this place? Hogwarts? -- Alex Rider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/what-is-this-place-hogwarts-alex-rider/) [Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/) > [I'm the worst rider. I'm a terrible rider. Me and horses are not a good mix. For some reason, people are always trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-delany/i-m-the-worst-rider-i-m-a-terrible-rider-me-and-horses-are-not-a-good/) [Dana Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-delany/) > [And woman is the same as horses: two wills act in opposition inside her. With one will she wants to subject herself utterly. With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-woman-is-the-same-as-horses-two-wills-act-in-opposition-inside/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I saw myself as an electronic joy rider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mitnick/i-saw-myself-as-an-electronic-joy-rider/) [Kevin Mitnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mitnick/) > [I don't have a crazy rider clause saying I have to stay at fancy hotels. I don't have a problem with staying at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ronson/i-don-t-have-a-crazy-rider-clause-saying-i-have-to-stay-at-fancy/) [Mark Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ronson/) > [You may believe you're an excellent rider," he called, "but there are a score of Temujai back there who actually are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-may-believe-you-re-an-excellent-rider-he-called-but-there-are-a/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## More by Robert Smith Surtees > [Some think that people come to a ball to do nothing but dance; whereas everyone knows that the real business of a ball is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/some-think-that-people-come-to-a-ball-to-do-nothing-but-dance-whereas/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [There is no secret closer than what passes between a man and his horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/there-is-no-secret-closer-than-what-passes-between-a-man-and-his-horse/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [More people are flattered into virtue than bullied out of vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/more-people-are-flattered-into-virtue-than-bullied-out-of-vice/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [Three things I never lends - my 'oss, my wife, and my name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/three-things-i-never-lends-my-oss-my-wife-and-my-name/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [The horse loves the hound, and I loves both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/the-horse-loves-the-hound-and-i-loves-both/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [No one knows how ungentlemanly he can look, until he has seen himself in a shocking bad hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/no-one-knows-how-ungentlemanly-he-can-look-until-he-has-seen-himself/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [No man rides harder than my Lord Scamperdale - always goes as if he had a spare neck in his pocket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/no-man-rides-harder-than-my-lord-scamperdale-always-goes-as-if-he-had/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [Better be killed than frightened to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/better-be-killed-than-frightened-to-death/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [The country has its charms-cheapness for one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/the-country-has-its-charms-cheapness-for-one/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [Life would be very pleasant if it were not for its enjoyments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/life-would-be-very-pleasant-if-it-were-not-for-its-enjoyments/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [Women never look so well as when one comes in wet and dirty from hunting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/women-never-look-so-well-as-when-one-comes-in-wet-and-dirty-from/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [The supply of good fellows is by no means in excess of the demand. A man has only to hoist the flag of hospitality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/the-supply-of-good-fellows-is-by-no-means-in-excess-of-the-demand-a/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [It ar'n't that I loves the fox less, but that I loves the 'ound more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/it-ar-n-t-that-i-loves-the-fox-less-but-that-i-loves-the-ound-more/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [It is an inwariable rule with the dealers to praise the bad points and let the good 'uns speak for themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/it-is-an-inwariable-rule-with-the-dealers-to-praise-the-bad-points/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) > [There are three sorts of lawyers - able, unable and lamentable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/there-are-three-sorts-of-lawyers-able-unable-and-lamentable/) [Robert Smith Surtees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) [Explore all 17 Robert Smith Surtees quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/) ## More Equine quotes > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [You and your horse. His strength and beauty. Your knowledge and patience and determination and understanding and love. That's what fuses the two of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-dickens/you-and-your-horse-his-strength-and-beauty-your-knowledge-and/) [Monica Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-dickens/) > [A pony is a childhood dream. A horse is an adulthood treasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-carroll/a-pony-is-a-childhood-dream-a-horse-is-an-adulthood-treasure/) Rebecca Carroll > [Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bantu-holomisa/where-in-this-wide-world-can-man-find-nobility-without-pride/) Bantu Holomisa > [No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/no-hour-of-life-is-wasted-that-is-spent-in-the-saddle/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [To place your horse's need for you to let him leave his failing body above your need to keep him with you - that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-garrett/to-place-your-horse-s-need-for-you-to-let-him-leave-his-failing-body/) [Cynthia Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-garrett/) > [...Wild to hold, though I seem tame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wyatt/wild-to-hold-though-i-seem-tame/) [Thomas Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wyatt/) > [“A horse can lend its rider the speed and strength he or she lacks, but the rider who is wise remembers it is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/a-horse-can-lend-its-rider-the-speed-and-strength-he-or-she-lacks-but/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [Be wary of the horse with a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/be-wary-of-the-horse-with-a-sense-of-humor/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [If in another world there is any riding — and God forbid that I should go to any heaven in which there are no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bontine-cunninghame-graham/if-in-another-world-there-is-any-riding-and-god-forbid-that-i-should/) [Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bontine-cunninghame-graham/) > [The two stallions, the silver and the black, represent the equine god (whomsoever horses pray to) in this ritual so ancient that no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-morris/the-two-stallions-the-silver-and-the-black-represent-the-equine-god/) [Janet Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-morris/) > [I heard a neigh. Oh, such a brisk and melodious neigh it was. My very heart leapt with the sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/i-heard-a-neigh-oh-such-a-brisk-and-melodious-neigh-it-was-my-very/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [The worst predijudice is unknowing. We think we treat others as equals, but, in our deepest heart, we regard ourselves as superior. In part,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isobelle-carmody/the-worst-predijudice-is-unknowing-we-think-we-treat-others-as-equals/) [Isobelle Carmody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isobelle-carmody/) > [When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-are-on-a-great-horse-you-have-the-best-seat-you-will-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You took me to adventure and to love. We two have shared great joy and great sorrow. And now I stand at the gate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/you-took-me-to-adventure-and-to-love-we-two-have-shared-great-joy-and/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) [Browse all 29 Equine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equine/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Smith Surtees" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-between-a-rider-and-his-horse/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Equine" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-between-a-rider-and-his-horse/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b6/robert-smith-surtees-30525_equine_there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-betw_2968593.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.” — Robert Smith Surtees", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert Smith Surtees", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith-surtees/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is no secret so close...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-between-a-rider-and-his-horse/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith-surtees/there-is-no-secret-so-close-as-that-between-a-rider-and-his-horse/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```