The History of Horses
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All through the ages, horses can be seen as a useful and sometimes sacred part of almost every culture in the world.
It has been discovered that throughout history the horse’s destiny has been closely entwined with that of man’s. The horse was seen as a noble animal, and indeed in some cultures was revered and worshipped.
Understanding the history of the horse helps us define why and what they are today as horses have been used continuously for their strength and durability to assist in the expansion of nations throughout history. In nearly every great story of battle and the achievements of man, you will find that horses have been at his side.
Horses were recognized as an animal of royalty amongst the ancient Egyptians and were used to carry chariots from place to place. This passed over into the Persian Empire beginning in the 6th century. Because of this, ancient horse history shows us that the horse was not only used for work, but also for helping to build royal empires.
Greek mythology is another area where horses played a major role. There are several stories showing how horses have carried warriors by flying (Pegasus), or being involved in important major battles. Pegasus was the noble flying horse who carried warriors into battle or fine adventures.
The Trojan horse in the Greek wars is one of the most significant horses known in Greek mythology; this is the story of Helen of Troy in which a war was won because of the gift of a wooden horse.
From very early days, men experimented with the breeding of horses to enhance their looks, stamina and strength. The ancient Greeks also believed humans could be cross bred with horses to produce a race of people who would protect others. To the ancient Greeks, the horse was practically a mythical animal despite them having a close working relationship with them.
The Industrial Revolution brought about the last major contribution that horses gave to our civilization. They helped the steam engine function as well as provide extra strength for the building of railroads and manufactured equipment. Horses worked in the coal mines and pits; they pulled carriages and other transport.
In American western civilization, horses were tamed and trained to help with daily life. They were used for hunting and herding among Native Americans as well as cowboys. Many native horses were trained by cowboys to help them in their job as they were ideally suited for the work the cowboy did.
The coming of the engine spelled the death knell for horses as a work animal as a whole. Today, horses are mostly seen as domesticated animals used for racing or pleasure. Whilst some workers still use them as farm animals, they are more often to be found in the horse racing yards. However in less developed countries they are still used to quite a large degree as a work animal.
Nowadays the horse is coming into his own again. People are discovering the pleasures of riding, and the bond that can be made between a horse and his owner.
Previous Articles By This Author
- Buying Your First Horse
- Equipment for Horses
- Basics of Horse Care
- Grooming your Horse
- Keeping your Horse Healthy
