The Importance of Horses

The Importance of Horses

Out of all of the things to take photos of, why horses? Aside from me having easy access to the stables, and my interest from when I was younger, I feel horses have always played a huge part in British history and culture. 

Carved in ancient drawings, horses have stuck with us humans for centuries(1). First, as a means to help farm the lands, reducing labour on the people, to help carry things, and to take us into war. We as humans have used our equine friends to benefit us in a number of ways, while still admiring them.

"They're so familiar and ubiquitous that they almost go unnoticed"

- John Curtis, Curator, Talking about the significance of an exhibition on the history of horses(2)

During the 16th and 17th centuries, we as humans began to rely more and more upon horses, until in the 1700s and 1800s where our dependence on horses peaked as Henry the 8th encouraged breeding and importation of bigger and stronger breeds. Because of this, the symbol of the horse also grew stronger. Those associated with horses and could ride, or own horses were seen as having greater power than those who could not; very much a class divide. Horses became a sign of their owners; the bigger and more beautiful the horse, the better their owner was seen by others. People started commissioning paintings of their horses stood alone, for the horse spoke for the owner. (3)

However, that's just the history for the upper class horses and their owners. Despite being urged not to push a horse too far in regards of work, it seems that this advice was rarely acted upon. The life of the working horse was brutal and short lived. Records suggest that the life of a hard working horse lasted on average 10 years, despite being advised that they could live to their mid 20's if cared for properly (3). These saddening facts make the history of the horse ever so important; we've grown as people alongside horses. Our morals, technology and attitudes have all changed but horses being with us is a constant.

I think, to me, I find horses so important because of our long history with them. We have all been around horses once, the world would be significantly different without horses. I find that i'm rather thankful for horses and that others are too, and I find that relationship interesting. 

sources:

1. The History of Horses in Britain, Ben Johnson, http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-History-of-Horses-in-Britain/

2. The Daily Mail (Gallop through time: British Museum takes first look at history of the horse), Emma Reynolds, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2081543/British-Museum-takes-look-history-horse.html

3.Reviews in History (Horse and Man in Early Modern History), Professor Bruce Boehrer, http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/657