In the United States today, there are over 9.2 million horses throughout the country, with each of the fifty states harboring over twenty thousand head of horses. The Equine population consists of many of the three-hundred fifty breeds that are present in the world. However, a certain breed holds a special place in the heart of the United States: the American Quarter Horse. This authentic American breed of horse was first developed in the seventeenth century, crossed between colonial Spanish mares and the high-end English Thoroughbred studs. The New World colonists soon found themselves with an extremely athletic, quick-footed horse, and they were soon found frequently on the racetrack. A flaw was soon found in the new flashy breed, though.
The horses could not take the distance like their Thoroughbred relatives, yet they had certainly inherited their speed, plus some. Therefore, the breed was quickly coined the name “Quarter-of-a-Mile Horse,” due to their lightning fast racing ability on the quarter-mile straightaways. Since then, the Quarter Horse has found its place in many areas of the Equine world. Historically, the breed became very popular for their “cow smarts” and agility, making them very popular ranch mounts. Since then, they have also taken the world of showing by storm as well. Today, they are very popular in Ranch shows, Reining, Cutting, Barrel Racing, Pleasure, Halter, and even some areas of English riding too. Their versatility in the showpen certainly has to do with their docile demeanor, and crazy athletic attributes. Quarter Horses are typically shorter than most breeds, and are very stocky-built animals. They carry a significant amount of muscle mass in their shoulders and hips, and are known for their extremely durable joints and bones. They are smooth movers, with a low, flat stride, and carry themselves with ample power. They are extremely intelligent, and make fantastic show and leisure horses.
Justin Morgan was a living legend. Born in 1789, Justin Morgan started life as a small, rough-coated colt known as "Figure." Gradually, the local population began to talk about the feats of "the Justin Morgan horse". Justin Morgan also proved to be one of the greatest breeding horses of all time. While most breeds develop by breeding horses of similar characteristics to each other, Justin Morgan's ability to pass his characteristics to his offspring for generations to come allowed this single stallion to found an entire breed in his likeness. Today, every registered Morgan traces back to Justin Morgan through his best-known sons Bulrush, Sherman, and Woodbury.
Estimates are that at the turn of the twentieth century over two million wild horses roamed free in the western United States. However, having no protection from their primary predator, man, by the 1970’s there numbers had dwindled to less than thirty thousand. In 1971, after a massive public uproar, Congress by a unanimous vote enacted the “Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act” (Act) that characterizes wild horses and burros as national treasures and provides for their protection.
The first horses were forced to hang in slings under the deck of ships all the way across the sea to the New World. The explorers brought only the toughest and best horses to the New World. They were bringing so many horses that soon the Spanish Government restricted how many horses could be brought to the New World. There were already enough horses in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Santa Domings to start breeding farms. Soon after the farms were established, they started on the main land, and that is where the mustangs got their start.
Even though any breed is allow to participate in barrel racing, the American Quarter horse is the most predominate breed in the sport mainly because it is the most versatile of all breeds and has the speed and agility to bend around the barrels. When it comes to types or bloodlines of the horse it is more of a personal opinion. A competitor can choose a horse that is more for racing in order to provide a faster horse or a cutting horse that is will provide more maneuverability and a smaller bend around the barrels. One good ideal is to pair racing and cutting bloodlines in order to produce a horse with the ideal combination of speed and agility.
The horse is a highly respected animal in United States culture. It has been worshipped and paid tribute to through art, books (Misty of Chincoteague, Black Stallion), movies (Black Beauty, Spirit), and television shows (Mr. Ed). The horse industry is huge in the United States, encompassing everything from rodeos and racing to horses owned for purely pleasure. There have been statues erected of famous racehorses, as well as museums devoted entirely to equines. "Horse culture" is a huge part of American culture. The slaughter of horses for human consumption does not seem to fit into that culture. However, despite initial reservations, many Americans may agree that the slaughter of horses is better than alternatives.
The Kentucky Derby has over 160,000 people come from around the world to attend the Kentucky Derby annually, and tens of millions watch on television. The Kentucky Derby is our state’s signature event, filled with traditions, legends, and celebrities. On May 2nd, of every year, is the Kentucky Derby and my birthday. The Kentucky Derby is an athletic event, because you get to understand the roles of the jockey and thoroughbred as athletes, as well as the scientific basis for their performance, it helps provide insights and comparisons into human training, nutrition, and health. “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” was hailed as a triumph and brought rabid attention to Scanlan’s. (McKeen 149) The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that
...als like the plow horse or mule for field use. "In the estimation of the owner, a slave is the most serviceable when in rather a lean and lank condition, such a condition as the race-horse is in" (Northup 201).
In prehistoric America horse remains have been found that show they covered our great plains and were evolved to be able to eat the harsh vegetation of the area. The evidence of horses go back 54 million years. Without reason it seems this creature vanished from the area and not to be seen or have signs for the last ten thousand years. There are many theories as to what happened to them. One of the theories is that the horse died out due to disease. Another
The American horse racing industry has been admired by generations upon generations. Although it is a very cherished sport, like any other sport, there are many issues involved. The major issue that I find is that many owners make the decision to breed when there are other solutions. The Jockey Club, also known as the head council for the American Horse Racing Industry, should be addressing the major issue of overbreeding in the American horse racing industry.
The underlying issue of wild horses is the overpopulation of a particular species, which is contributing a serious ecological disaster, overgrazing. The degradation of the land has a domino effect, which will lead to more issues. It is important to maintain a balance between the need of the species, and what is healthy or the environment. The issue created controversy, is central to the passing of laws, and creates an opportunity for the government and the community to work together. There are many way to solve the issue of the wild horses and the issue that are created due to their existence. Issues such as a reduction in the number of the horses removed from the range. Increased use of birth control, a partnership with the Humane Society,
Over the past two centuries, First Nations people have been oppressed by the Canadian society and continue to live under racism. The struggles, injustices, prejudice, and discrimination has played a significant role in the construction and impact of how they are treated and viewed in the modern society. Saul Indian Horse from Richard Wagamese's "Indian Horse" and Chanie Wenjack from Gord Downie's "The Stranger" are the perfect examples of how the belief that First Nations were inferior to the Europeans impacted the Aboriginal generations. However, both of the characters can be compared and contrasted by the following ways. As they both go through the breakdown of family bonds and the traumatic sufferings of residential schools, but they differ
domestic horses (equus caballus). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(3), 947-951. doi:10.1073/pnas.0809127105
“A Thoroughbred racehorse is one of God’s most impressive engines” (Citation). For decades, horse racing has enchanted many audiences. During the Great Depression, American Citizens loved to root on the famous horses (Citation). However, if the beast is fascinating, then shouldn’t the man who tames it be even more alluring? Often forgotten from the compelling sport are the daring jockeys on the horses. During the 1930s, jockeys suffered much unknown pain as a result of their destructive sport, were not appreciated, and were underestimated for their stellar athleticism.
Domestication of the common horse is believed to have started around 4000 BC, becoming common during the early 3000 BC (Wilson,. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore).
Living on a quarter horse ranch has plenty of exiting advantages, but what Frankie did not know about living on a ranch is all the disadvantages. When my Dad and uncle were growing up, my grandpa run a humongous quarter horse ranch in Georgiana, Alabama. Gramps had approximately 40-50 head of brood mares that my Dad and Uncle Neal had to take care of everyday. My dad had a cousin named Frankie who had always wanted to come over and spend the weekend at the ranch. But let me tell you a little something about Frankie; Frankie has mental disability and can not think right, but he enjoy's talking and asking meaning less questions. One weekend Gramps finally let Frankie come over and spend some time with Dad and Neal. On Saturdays, Dad and Neal