Horses Who Made History

Horses Who Made History

Introduction to Horses Who Made History

From the fictional horses of ancient Greek mythology, to live and legendary racehorses, there are many equines that can be classified as famous horses in history. Ever since prehistoric times when the first man attempted to mount this four legged creature, there has developed a unique, emotional bond between humans and horses. Because of this, it is no wonder that the popularity of horses has not only taken off but shaped our culture as we know it.

The chapters of this book list various categories of horses. Click through each chapter to learn about famous horses specific to each group.

Breed Founders

As you may recall from previous chapters, a breed is a certain type of horse that originates having common ancestors and certain distinguishable characteristics. These characteristics set it apart from other breeds. Listed below are just a few stallions noted as being the "founders" of a certain breed.

Allan F-1 (Black Allen) – At a time when racehorses were the preferred stock, Allan was the horse no one wanted. He was tried as a harness racer but failed because his legs would knock together uncontrollably. After being passed from owner to owner, his fine quality of naturally gliding when he walked was finally recognized. The horse was said to be able to walk countless miles and the ride was not tiresome. Because of this, he found his knack and became a favorite at Plantation Walking Horse Shows. From this, the breed of the Tennessee Walking Horse was born.

Figure – Over 200 years ago in Vermont, the start of the Morgan horse breed was born. Figure, as he was called, was an impressive cross between a Thoroughbred and an Arabian that was said to out-walk, out-trot, and out-pull all others. He was the horse of a little known schoolteacher, Justin Morgan (hence the breed name). More than 20 generations later, all Morgan horses trace their lineage to this stallion, and still bear the characteristics that brought him fame.

Horses in Books

Popular even today, many books have portrayed horses as their main character. Though the books listed below were written well before your time, you may have heard of them. Many have come back as well-known TV shows and are take offs of modern children’s books.

Black Beauty – Black Beauty became a legend through a book written in 1877 by Anna Sewell. This book is told through the horse Black Beauty as he endures a life of both cruelty and kindness through a series of owners. Black Beauty has become one of the best-selling books of all time with a record of over 50 million copies sold.

Flicka – My Friend Flicka began as a book published in 1941 by Mary O’Hare. The book is about a troubled young boy who develops a strong friendship with his filly named Flicka. He nearly loses his own life to save her, but in the end they pull each other through pain and sickness. From 1956-1957 a television series followed airing on major networks and in the mid 1980’s The Disney Channel re-ran the program.

The Black Stallion – The first book of The Black Stallion series was published in 1941. The plot begins with a young boy named Alec who is shipwrecked at sea with a wild stallion. As the two develop a bond, they are rescued by a south bound cargo ship. Alec then trains the horse and rides him to victory.

 

Mythology

Pegasus– Pegasus was the magical winged horse in Greek mythology entrusted with bringing lightning and thunderbolts to the god Zeus. In the legend it was said that everywhere the horse struck his hoof, a water spring would magically erupt.

Unicorn- A lendary animal from European folklore that resembles a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, and sometimes a goat's beard and cloven hooves. It was said to be a symbol of purity and able to heal sickness.

Hippocampi- Also called a sea-horses. This Greek mythologial creature has typically been depicted as a horse in its forepart with a coiling, scaly, fishlike hindquarter.

Racehorses

Man O ‘War – Man O’War won 20 of 21 races from 1919 to 1920 sky rocketing the Thoroughbred to instant fame as he surpassed numerous American racetrack records.

Citation - In 1948, the name Citation was all the rage in Kentucky. In that year the 3 year old colt from Lexington won the 8^thhighly prized Triple Crown. Just two years later, the horse became the first equine millionaire with 45 starts, 32 wins, 10 seconds, 2 thirds, and $1,085,760 in earnings.

Kelso – Considered one of the best and most popular racehorses of the twentieth century, Kelso was not the typical racehorse. While many male horses on the track race for 2-4 years then retire to a stud farm, Kelso was a gelding. With no chance at producing any foals, this gelding ran for an unheard of eight seasons earning close to 2 million dollars and retiring as one of racing's all-time leading money winners.

Secretariat – After 25 years of unsuccessful attempts and shortfalls of would be legends in the racehorse industry, Secretariat not only won the Triple Crown in 1973, he dominated it. At the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, Secretariat blew away the competition by an astonishing 31 lengths. He ran the race in 2:24 flat, a world record for 1.5 miles.

TV & Movie Star Horses

Mr. Ed – Mr. Ed was a smart and witty palomino horse who played on a TV sitcom entitled “Mr. Ed” in the early 1960s. What was intriguing about Mr. Ed was that he played a talking horse. His voice over was played by movie star Allan “Rocky” Lane. The horse’s real name was Bamboo Harvester.

Champion – Gene Autry became the first singing cowboy movie star. His horse was a chestnut stallion named Champion. Autry and Champion appeared in many movies in which Autry played his guitar and sang while riding Champion. The official site of Gene Autry is at this web address http://www.autry.com/

Trigger and Buttermilk – Trigger was the trusty palomino steed of singing cowboy TV Star, Roy Rogers. The duo appeared in many movies and a 1950’s television series along with Dale Evans, Roy’s wife, and her buckskin horse, Buttermilk. To learn more about the TV show, click on this link http://www.royrogers.com/

Silver and Scout – The Lone Ranger started out as a radio program from 1938 to 1952 and was then turned into a television show. The Lone Ranger rode a white horse by the name of Silver. His companion, Tonto, rode a pinto he called Scout. To see the official site, click here http://www.lonerangerfanclub.com/

War Heroes

Traveller – Becoming one of the most well known horses of the Civil War, Traveller was the preferred mount of General Robert E. Lee. Traveller was a 16 hand gray gelding with black points that was able to endure many battles.

Old Sorrel - Old Sorrel was formerly the Union Officer Stonewall Jackson's horse. The mount was acquired by Jackson at Harpers Ferry when she was about eleven years old. Because the mare was so small, Jackson's feet were said to have nearly dragged on the ground. For this the mare was often known as Little Sorrel. Little Sorrel Lane in Somers, Connecticut, commemorates the animal Jackson was riding when he was mortally wounded.

Marengo – Marengo was the trusted war mount of Napoleon 1 of France. He was a gray Arabian stallion who earned his name after the Battle of Marengo, through which he carried Napoleaon to safety. Though small, many times over the stallion exhibited noteworthy courage, steadfast reliability, and extreme amounts of endurance. His skeleton is kept at the National Army Museum in London.