Question: what is the origin of the phrase you can lead a horse to water?
Answer: The proverb 'lead a horse to water' has been in continuous use since the 12th century. John Heywood listed it in the influential glossary A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of all the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue: "A man maie well bring a horse to the water, But he can not make him drinke without he will."