NEW YORK—The Exhibit of the Horse, held by the American Museum of Natural History has a long run, May 17, 2008 to Jan.4, 2009. This comprehensive coverage of the horse, its history and ongoing contributions in partnership with humankind, spans many generations.
Present day historical data can trace the horse back 55 million years. The historical trail traces the first horses back to North America, where they often migrated across the ancient land masses to other continents. The horse disappeared about 10,000 years ago from the North American continent. There is much speculation on the reasons why. However, the existing evidence points to over hunting by the primitive native people, weather, and possibly disease.
Some of the oldest cave paintings of the horse are from caves in France and Spain, about 33,000 years old.
When humankind stopped eating the horse and began to domesticate it, their lives changed drastically. They now had more mobility, and in the case of tribes who had horses more prestige.
Across the world, different cultures had entire castes and clans where the horse was allotted to those who were the elite. For example, among the Japanese Samurai, only the most elite were allowed to have warhorses and ride them. The sword and horse were symbols of power to the “Daimgo” (Lord) of the Samurai. They were among the world’s best horseman.
The Destrier was a breed of horse specially bred to carry knights in armor. The horses were incredibly strong, they were reported to be somewhere between 15 to 20 hands tall, and some of their blood runs through our modern day Percherons, Shires, and other cold and warm blooded breeds.
The Destrier were not only bred for size but bravery, intelligence, loyalty, and stamina. A warhorse was trained to fight with his rider. This was the beginning of what we now call “Dressage.” A well trained warhorse often made the difference between life and death on the battlefield.
Today at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna we can see the special movements called “Airs Above the Ground.” The horses were taught these movements for the battlefield. They are appreciated as “dancing with the horse” today and the art of war has become the art of riding in harmony and beauty.
Arabians
No history could leave out the Arabian horse. In Saudi Arabia they believe that the Arabian horse was given to them directly from the gods. They valued the lineages of their horses and have the oldest existing breeding records on the planet. Their warhorses, unlike other cultures, were mares. They considered the mares braver and less likely to be influenced by their hormones than the stallions that other cultures rode. The most prized of their mounts lived in the Sheikh’s (Arabic for elder) tent and also acted as “guard horses” often warning and protecting their masters.
The Sycthian’s terrorized Rome with their men and women horse warriors, as did the Celts. To the warring Mossi, those who conquered rode horses. The Mongolians were and are still wonderful horseman, it wasn’t until they conquered most of China with their mounted cavalry under Genghis Kahn, that the Silk Road bandits were controlled and the Silk Road became the extremely popular historical route we read about. The horses were reintroduced into North America by the Spanish. On seeing the Spanish ride the ‘big dogs” the native people found another use other than food for the horse, although they did continue to eat horses too.
The loyalty of the horse has been documented throughout history. In just the Civil war alone there are records of horses that were often wounded themselves, and upon realizing their riders had been badly wounded, they would either stand “guard” over them, or take them to the hospital tents, often dying shortly after their riders were safe.
Another way the horse has served humankind is more grisly… it has been used as a ritual sacrifice to gods by several cultures. The horse was one way these cultures perceived of communicating with the Divine.
In WWI, millions of horses were killed and with the advent of weapons less honorable than swords or bows, warfare lost its “romantic” image and much of its code of honor. Horses were fitted with gasmasks as were their human handlers, but still the death toll for humans and horses was horrific. The last battle fought on horseback by the U.S. Cavalry was in 1942 against the Japanese Army. However, today in Afghanistan and the Sudan, horses are being used again in war.
More importantly, they have been our help mates in tilling the land, taking us to church in the buggy, and helping us move our goods and homes. The Amish still value this slow and close to nature way of life.
Horses in today’s world are highly valued in sports. They are usually well treated with the exception of those owners and trainers who value competition above life. In horseracing, Grand Prix Jumping, and other sports there has been a sad tendency to drug and misuse horses by some misguided people. This is a sad commentary on our relationship with nature and other beings.
If you haven’t been to this exhibit and love horses or are just curious to know more, it’s well worth the trip. In fact, the entire museum is a place to bring the family and spend a delightful day of exploration.
The Horse is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, United Arab Emirates; the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau-Ottawa; The Field Museum, Chicago; and the San Diego Natural History Museum.
(For more information visit www.amnh.org)
