1967 Horse Sense Mackinac Island, Michigan

This vintage postcard pairs a timeless moral lesson with a captivating working scene. The poem reminds us that one cannot be productive while complaining or creating conflict, an enduring message of diligence and integrity.

The color photograph shows Herbert Benjamin, the dean of Mackinac Island blacksmiths, carefully shoeing a large white or gray horse in his shop. According to the back of the card, Benjamin practiced this traditional craft for more than 50 years, filing countless hooves and mastering the tools of his trade.

“A horse can't pull while kicking.
This fact I merely mention.
And he can't kick while pulling,
Which is my chief contention.
Let's imitate the good old horse
And lead a life worth picking;
Just pull an honest load, and then
There'll be no time for kicking.”

This postcard is a charming collectible, perfect for lovers of horses, blacksmithing, Mackinac Island history, or vintage postcards that combine visual appeal with meaningful, folksy.

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