On a chilly summer afternoon in Montreal, I discovered a beige wooden horse in an antique shop while on a business trip. Too expensive to ship, I carried it onto the plane, an awkward but cherished journey. Wooden horses have a long tradition in global folk art, from Sweden’s Dala horses to India’s ceremonial carvings. Today, my piece still sits proudly in my home, reminding me of youth, ambition, and the joy of unexpected treasures

The Wooden Horse: An Unexpected Treasure from Montreal

It was supposed to be summer in Canada, but to me, it felt like a Texas winter. I was on a business trip, tucked between long meetings and a big Monday presentation. Saturday afternoon gave me a small window of freedom, so I wandered out into the city in search of food and adventure. That’s when I stumbled into a little antique shop in Montreal, the kind of place that feels like stepping back in time. And there it was, almost as if waiting for me….a wooden horse.

This horse is carved from one solid piece of wood, light beige to cream in color, with a soft, natural patina that only age can create. It stands tall and proud, one leg lifted slightly forward, ears pricked, as though it might step off at any moment. The details are simple yet graceful: a flowing tail, kind eyes, and a stance that balances strength with elegance. It wasn’t flashy, but it spoke to me.

And best of all, it was on sale.

The Travel Adventure

Buying the horse was the easy part. Getting it home? That was a different story. The shopkeeper offered shipping, but the cost was more than the horse itself. No way. So, I carried it onto the plane. Yes, me, five feet of determination with a carved wooden horse tucked into the overhead bin. I hate asking for help, but I had no choice. I need help getting in the overhead compartment. Every time someone hoisted their luggage in beside it, I held my breath: Please, God, don’t let them break a leg.

Horse owners everywhere understand this silent prayer. Whether it’s a real horse or a wooden one, broken legs are unthinkable.

Hours later, we landed safely. The horse made it home intact, and it’s been on display ever since.

What This Horse Represents

Every time I look at this piece, I remember that trip. I was young, ambitious, eager to climb the corporate ladder. But on that cold Canadian afternoon, I allowed myself a moment of stillness, of exploration, of joy. That horse reminds me that life is full of unexpected treasures, if only we take the time to notice them.

Wooden Horses in Art and Tradition

What makes this piece even more special is how it connects to a long artistic tradition. Carved wooden horses appear in cultures across the world:

• In Sweden, the painted Dala horse became a symbol of craftsmanship and resilience.
• In India, brightly decorated wooden horses are often placed in temples as offerings of strength and protection.
• In folk art across Europe and North America, including Mexico, hand-carved horses represented not just beauty, but the bond between people and the animals that carried them through daily life.

My beige Canadian find may not have the intricate painting of a Dala horse or the ceremonial role of an Indian temple carving, but it belongs to this larger story of humans shaping horses into art. It is simple, elegant, and deeply connected to that universal admiration.

Why It Still Matters

Even after years, this wooden horse isn’t just décor. It’s a marker of who I was at that time: Driven, restless, but also learning to pause and appreciate beauty in unexpected places. It’s proof that treasures aren’t always expensive, practical, or planned. Sometimes they’re awkwardly carried onto airplanes, tucked into overhead bins, and nervously protected the whole way home. And maybe that’s the lesson: life isn’t about chasing every rung of the ladder. Sometimes it’s about the treasures we collect along the way, pieces of art, pieces of memory, pieces of soul.