"I wonder where Man would have been without the horse"

Ask the American Indian...

Rich

I am more comfortable and feel more akin to almost any horse than I do to almost any human.

I think Will Rodgers said this, "the best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse."

Actually the horse was an enormous benefit to most all native peoples as it profoundly altered their lives and allowed them to deal with nature on more even terms. Instead of driving buffalo herds off cliffs or seizing other rare opportunities they were now able to carefully select the animals they wanted to kill. Native indian populations soared with the proliferation of the horse as it afforded them more food and shelter, the ability to transport the young and infirm, and created the first real form of wealth.

I'm reading a very interesting book about the Commanches, who became the most successful horse indians of N. America, and it's absolutely appalling how meager their existence was prior to the equine's introduction. Once they figured out how to ride----watch out!!!

It's argued that the period of time that the American indian had access to horses was the apex of their civilization. In the end they were just outnumbered....

Regards,
Scott

quote:

In the end they were just outnumbered....

And how would that apply to today, I wonder?

Without dogs and horses, life wouldn't be the same.

Will,

they're still outnumbered, but these days we're using diabletes and alcohol to do the job...

Rich

Hello Guys

Just so you know - the quote "there is something good for the inside of a man about the outside of a horse" is attributed to Winston Churchill. Its not generally known but he was a fine horseman in his youth, and actually rode in the cavalry charge at the Battle of Omdurman - and was probably lucky to survive. Many of the English casualties that day were cavalry, the fuzzie-wuzzies (yep – that’s what the Mahdi’s followers were called) allowed the cavalry to pass through their lines then hamstrung the horses and finished off the cavalrymen once they were unmounted. Chuchill was lucky he had the latest Mauser automatic pistol and was able to shoot his way out.

Tentman,

Yeah, I have one in 30 mauser caliber. It would have been a great comfort playing horse soldier with a tough outfit like that.

Rich