Horses As Pets

Horses certainly played a big part in the development of the human civilization. Horses have been used as a means of transportation and have participated in numerous battlefields thorough the pages of history. Most of the uses of horses are today more efficiently performed by modern technological inventions. Yet these animals still grace the farms, and become the start of any circus arena and used in fairs and show, giving rides to children. They were not held as the ultimate transportation means, but nevertheless, horses still play a role in today’s modern society. Men who rode horses were regarded as nobles in Rome (when they were members of the cavalry). Today, the horses are used as part of a popular sport and riders who ride them are called equestrians.

In the contemporary sense, you have to be into equestrianism to be called an equestrian. This refers to your power of riding and driving your horse. You fit the present day definition of equestrian even if you are using the horse for work and not just for daredevil sports. genuine equestrian will be able to use the horse in several places and not just in the sports field.

Horses did much more versatile work than they do today. Horses were then used for warring as well as for various domestic purposes. These horses were quite dominantly uses in the battlefield as well as in farming and transporting. Equestrians belonged to the select few in Rome. The impression of having a horse in those ages, which was always expensive, was that you were rich and you did not need to do your jobs yourself. They were accorded top positions in the social hierarchy of Rome. The name accorded to them was of knights. As they got their wages from the government, they were affiliated to both army as well as politics.

With the rapid political spreading out of Rome, it began getting its cavalry requirements from its subordinate nations. Losing out on their functions, the equestrians also lost out on their military standing. They did not engage in war anymore but their titles still remain and indicate nobility. These people were now provided portfolios of governing provinces and they became wealthy - treated as senators.

Senators then had great powers in the offices of the magistrates, but they could not have their own businesses. However, equestrians could tax the farming companies and make marketing investments. Quite naturally, there was hatred between the two. While the equestrians made money, senators complained of overtaxing. There were civil wars and the result of these wars was that the two factions got their orders defined and reforms took place.

Currently, equestrians are showing their worth in the various horse based Olympic events. Riding horses has remained a sport for the wealthy, just as it was in the bygone era. A horse is a much priced and prized animal, even today.

Equestrian events mostly include dressage, eventing and show jumping. The main focus of dressage is in getting the horse to obey commands while it is freely running. This sport is also referred to as the horse ballet. Its goal is to develop a horses' athletic ability and its initiative to perform to maximize its potential. In equestrian circles a show jumping horse should be able to go over various hurdles making the fewest errors possible. To be a winner, the rider will have to make the horse jump clear over the hurdles, knocking down the lowest number of hurdles possible.

There are both dressage and show jumping elements included in eventing. For eventing, the horse will need to clear obstacles such as logs, banks, water, walls, etc. The significance of equestrian has changed during the centuries, but even now it has the same charisma and respect that it once had.

Horses As Pets Index:

Yearling horse nutritional needs

Tips for buying a horse

Preventing colic in horses

Guide to buying a horse

Used horse saddle for sale