Reflection

Since I began this research project, I have learned so much about something that I am so passionate about. This blog has opened my eyes to so many distinct aspects to horses' lives that I now have a much deeper understanding about these amazing creatures than I previously did. As I continue my research, I hope to develop an understanding of horses that I have not yet been able to accomplish.

Equine Evolution

Based on my findings throughout this blog, I have established a solid base for my future research. The evolution of the horse's interaction with humans is one that is not only interesting, but beneficial. Starting out as manual laborers for their strength and stamina, to their outstanding assistance and performance alongside soldiers in wars, to becoming a part of one of the most indispensable bonds between human and animal, horses are just simply something that we, as success hungry humans, could not do without.
For the second part of my research, I have created a website that incorporates all of the information I have collected thus far, as well as more information to help me become increasingly closer to finding the answer to my essential question: how has human interaction with horse evolved?
http://www.sites.google.com/site/equineevolutioncom/

Horses and Humans- The English Riding World

Over centuries, human interaction with horses has drastically changed. In the beginning, horses were used as laborers because of their strength. But over time, humans began to fall in love with horses and see their futures not as workers, but also companions.
Perhaps the earliest known use of horses for entertainment is racing. With origins tracing back to the nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia in 4500 B.C., racing has become one of the most common equestrian sports. For thousands of years, horse racing flourished as the sport of kings and the nobility. Now, horse racing is popular as it provides legal venues for gambling. But, there are those who see horse racing for what it really is: a competitive, rigorous lifestyle. The Superbowl of horse racing is the Triple Crown. Consisting of three races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, winning this title is considered the greatest accomplishment of Thoroughbred racing. Only 11 horses have ever succeeded in winning all three races. The most well recognized horse is Secretariat who won in 1973.
A second sport found throughout the English riding world, and my favorite, is jumping. Show Jumping is fairly new to the equestrian world as it was introduced in England in the 18th century. Under the show jumping category there are two forms of riding: hunter and jumper. In a hunters competition, riders are judged on manners, way of going, and conformation. In a jumpers competition, riders are judged by how quickly a horse can complete a course of jumps with the fewest faults. Jumping requires immense stamina and an incredibly strong relationship between the horse and rider. The pinnacle of show jumping is the Grand Prix.
Dressage is another sport within the English world. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, a horse's natural athletic ability and willingness to perform. This form of riding consists of several gymnastics moves performed by the horse after given unnoticeable cues from the rider. The rider will be relaxed and appear effort-free while the horse willingly performs the requested movement.
I've just barely scratched the surface of the equestrian sports found within the English riding world, but what about the Western spectrum?
SSoftballProduction. (2008, November 15). Equestrian commercial. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqz12jHAdFU&feature=related

Domestication: Why and Who?

The earliest phase of  horse keeping may have begun as early as 4800 BCE. Dating back to 1350 BC, horses were used by ancient Romans in chariot races and for jousting during the Renaissance.
As American migrants moved westward, cow herders found a need to control their herds and their lead cows. Based on their knowledge of herds of wild horses, they knew that this role would be best filled by lead mares. This would quickly have produced the earliest domesticated horses.
But before settlers moved across the land, Native Americans populated it first.They shared this uncharted land with the mustangs and eventually tamed them. The two became an image in history that went hand-in-hand. Wherever an Indian was, his horse was not far behind him. The Plains Indians were the first to domesticate wild horses in North America, and did so around 1540.
As time progressed, the demand for domesticated horses increased. Those in the West were still used as cattle-herders and transportation. In large cities, they were also used as transportation, but also for manual labor. Perhaps the most notable use of the domesticated horse was in warfare. Beginning by 360 BC, horses were used in the Greek Cavalry. In the Americas, the use of horses and development of mounted warfare tactics were learned by several tribes of indigenous people and in turn, highly mobile horse regiments were critical in the American Civil War. Their use in wars began to die out during World War I as tanks were introduced to battle. By World War II, they were scarcely used in battle, but were still heavily used for the transport of both supplies and troops.
Today the most common uses for horses include police mounts, cattle-drivers and search and rescue teams. Horses are also used for entertainment purposes and are commonly owned as pets world-wide.
After their use in wars died out, what was it that sparked people's interest in keeping horses for personal reasons?

Anthony, David., W. (2007). The horse, the wheel, and language. (p. 568). Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/math-and-science/9781400831104