Horses
Steffanie Leis
Start of the horses
55 million years ago there were horses the size of small dogs. They were called Hyracotherium. They roam the forests of North America. Most horses stayed small forest browsers. 35 million years later they evolved and became what they are today (American Museum of Natural History 1-7).
Horse History
At first horses were wild, then when people started to come to North America they were caught and used for eating and sacrificing to gods. Some tribes worshiped the horse thinking that they were a gift from gods. Later on people started taming them and using them for carrying weapons and other things. The first horse was too small to carry people, so they had to wait until they found a bigger breed to use them for transportation. Later in Greece they were used for battles. They were also used for sending messages. "All the other branches of the horse family, known as Equidae, are now extinct" (American Museum of Natural History).
Arabian Horse
The Arabian horse is the most popular horse breed.
Quarter Horse
The Quarter horse is the 2nd most popular horse breed.
Paint Horse
The Paint horse is the 3rd most popular horse breed.
Breed
There are over 200 different horse breeds. The top 3 horse breeds are Arabian, Quarter and Paint horse. Some horse breeds are used for different things. Some horses are only used for breeding purpose. Some horses are used for racing. Pioneers use them for transportation, plowing, farming, and other work related things. " Humans domesticated horses some 6,000 years ago, and over time we have created more than 200 breeds, from the powerful Clydesdale to the graceful Arabian" (American Museum of Natural History).
Horse Myths
Some Greek myths say that Poseidon, god of the water, created the first horse to impress the goddess Demeter. She asked him to create the most beautiful land creature he could come up with. In Roman legends the first horse is the child of Neptune and Demeter. When it came to religious stories a writer of the Koran said "When God created the horse he said to the magnificent creature: I have made thee as no other. All the treasures of the earth lie between thy eyes. Thou shalt carry my friends upon thy back. Thy saddle shall be the seat of prayers to me. And thou shalt fly without wings, and conquer without any sword" ( Helium).
Competition Categories
When it comes to sports or competitions, they aren't just limited to people or cars. Horses have their own competitions. Even though they don't get in cars or play volleyball they can sort of be athletes. Some horse competitions are racing, dressage, barrel racing, polo, jumping and others. Horses have to practice just like we do to get better at spots or competition. Jockeys or trainers have them run courses or go though routines to have them memorize or get use to it.
Personalities of Horses
All horses have different personalities. Some horses are trouble makers. Some are angels. some horses have a tendency to be both when you least expect it. Some horses are Extroverted, which mean that they have high energy, have to be on the go more, be quick, and love to run. Some horses are Introverted, which means that they have low energy, they are slow, and when being rode they have a tendency to stop. Some horses are Right brained, which means they are submissive, fearful, not confident, nervous, and reactive. Some horses are Left brained, which means they are dominant, brave, confident, calm, and tolerant. These traits come in four different combinations. They are Right-Brain Introvert Right-Brain Extrovert, Left-Brain Introvert, Left-Brain Extrovert. "Each Horsenality and its unique characteristics, motivators, needs, wants, desires, behaviors, etc. have been studied in depth, including the leadership strategies that streamline the training of each horse personality" (Parelli Natural Horse Training).
Horse Gender
Horses have different names for genders. Adult male horses are called Stallions. However that is only if they are used for reproducing. Most male horses are called geldings which means that they are gelded so they can no longer reproduce. If you have too many stallions, they will become territorial over females. Adult female horses are called Mares. All young horses are called Foals. Young male horses are called Colts. Young female horses are called Filly's. "A female or male horse or pony under 1 year of age. A female foal is known as a "Filly Foal", a male foal is known as a "Colt Foal". Foals that have been weaned can also be called Weanlings" (Equine World UK).
Work cited American Museum of Natural History
- American Museum of Natural History. "The Evolution of Horses." AMNH. American Museum of Natural History, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/horse/the-evolution-of-horses>.
- "Breeds and Types of Horse - Horse Breed, Horse Breeding, Types and Breeds from Equiworld." Breeds and Types of Horse - Horse Breed, Horse Breeding, Types and Breeds from Equiworld. Equiworld, 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.equiworld.net/breeds/>.
- Carr, Karen (PhD). Kidipede - History for Kids. 2012. http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/environment/horses.htm
- "Equine World UK." Horse Gender Definitions. Acorn Internet Ltd, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.equine-world.co.uk/about_horses/equine_gender.asp>.
- G, Christine. "Arabian Horse: The Myths and Legends." Helium. Helium, 14 Jan. 2009. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.helium.com/items/1295988-arabian-horse-myths-and-legends>.
- "Horse Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.google.com/>.
- "Horse Personality." Parelli Natural Horse Training. Parelli Natural Horsemanship, 2011. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/horsenality-your-horses-personality/>.
- Unknown. "World's Top 3 Horse Breed -." The World's Second Most Popular and Renowned Horse Breed. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://horsetradition.com/top2breed.html>.
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- "146 Horse Breeds." Horse Breeds. N.p., 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://cowboyfrank.net/fortvalley/breeds/index.htm>.