C. T. Suddeth

Short history of Equines

Next time you ride a horse or visit the tracks, appreciate what others have done.

About 6,000 years ago in east Africa donkeys/asses were domesticated. Asses pulled early chariots and changed warfare.

About 4,000 years ago in the Caucasian Mountains, horses were domesticated. The size of ponies, they pulled carts and chariots. About the time of the Roman Empire horses large enough for cavalry developed.

Draft horses, surprisingly enough, only became common the last 300 years. Everyone knows them from beer commercials.

About 3,000 years ago jack asses were bred with mares (donkey/horse cross), resulting in mules. As a baby I lived on a mule-powered farm—I still love them (and all equines).

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Bourbon horses to watch:

Midnight Bourbon always finishes in the money, ridden by Mike Smith, double Derby winner.

Bourbonic has trainer Todd Pletcher, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, 1^st black jockey since 2013.

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Pintos, paints, spotted horses—whatever you call them they are beautiful. They tend to be more common in North America, but they may have originated in Europe. What is your favorite color? Replies very welcome. (this is for a story)

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Horse pulls are contests where horse teams pull a stone-boat. The team who pulls the heaviest weight wins. I used to go to them when I lived in Michigan where they are popular. (animal rights people: these horses are treated like members of the family) http://horsepull.com/

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