By: MLS
Horses have played a pivotal role throughout human history. They have determined the rate of expansion of entire civilizations and have been instrumental in the politics of war.
Very few, if any civilized nation can escape the roots that have been infused in the soul of its history by the use of the Horse.
US history owes much, if not most of its early successes becoming a nation because of this powerful, utilitarian animal. History is replete with stories of cattle drovers, stage coaches, stampedes and mounted American Indians as Buffalo hunters. Who hasn't heard of the wild mustangs in the old west, or the Pony express?
Contemporary travel and technology has precluded the widespread use of horses today, however they still play a significant role in certain regions. In fact many ranchers still utilize them to drive cattle in otherwise unfriendly terrain. They can be mostly found working for humans in ranches, farms, circuses and perhaps driving carriages for amusement rides.
Although reliance on horses is not as it was in bygone days, the sheer pleasure and sportsmanship that they elicit from todays equestrian cannot be overstated. Nowadays there are riders who participate in a number of equestrian sports.
Equestrians in this day and age are more known for equestrianism. It refers to the ability to
Equestrians before
Horses were used in variety of purposes. They were both used in war and peaceful pursuits. They were used from transportation, agriculture and warfare. In Rome Equestrians were regarded as elite. Horses were expensive at that time so owning one meant that you were
The senators dominated the magistrate offices but were forbidden to operate business and gain commercial income. The equestrians on the other hand continued to invest in marketing and tax farming companies. Conflicts arose between the two of them. Equestrians made as much money as they can while senators notice rebellions due to overtaxing. During civil wars the two elite collaborated and their orders were defined as reforms were done.
Equestrians today
There are popularly known for participating in equestrian sports during Olympics. Like before horse back riding is reserved for the rich. Even today horses are still expensive and prized.
Equestrian events include dressage, show jumping and eventing. Equestrians should be able to make the horse carry out natural movements on request while running loose during competitive dressage. It is also referred to as "Horse Ballet". Its goal is to develop a horses' athletic ability and its initiative to perform to maximize its potential. Show jumping is a timed even where equestrians are required to jump over a series of obstacles with the fewest mistakes. Riders and their horses should be able to go through the obstacle with the least knocked over portions of obstacles.
Eventing is the combination of dressage and show jumping. The horse and the rider have to go through a series of fixed obstacles such as stone walls, water, logs banks, ditches with the fastest time possible.
