THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE HORSE


The Legacy of the Horse

Chapter One

A Chronological History of Humans and Their Relationship With the Horse


Table of Contents

58 MILLION B.C. - 450 A.D.

THE FIRST HORSES - ATTILA THE HUN



The Classical World, 700 B.C.

The year 700 B.C. roughly marked a turning point in the use of the horse. Chariotry declined rapidly as riding improved and mounted troops increased. The chariot retained its popularity only as a parade vehicle and for racing, first in Greek sacred games, and later in the Roman hippodromes. Hunting was now on horseback instead of chariot. The types of bits reflect the changed use of the horse. Mouthpieces become more severe, as the braking power of a rider is limited on a saddleless, stirrupless horse. The bits are often studded, but studs on cheek pieces are abandoned, since directional control is more easily obtained on a ridden than on a driven horse.

The Mythical Horse

Ancient Man Held the Horse in Awe, Placing Equus Among the Gods

Cultures of the ancient world evolved various mythologies, bodies of legend and belief which reflected their values, ideals, and visions of the past. The presence of the horse is common to many mythologies. The horse is frequently represented as a powerful, intelligent, and beautiful creature.

Poseidon Creates the Horse From the Ocean's Waves

A Roman mosaic of the third century A.D. shows Poseidon, the god of the sea, and his wife Demeter being drawn across the sea by a team of "hippocamps." The hippocamp was a horse with a serpent tail, a symbol of his aquatic heritage. Poseidon was not a faithful husband, and frequently cavorted about disguised as a stallion. In this form, he begat Arion, the wild horse who had both the power of speech and whose front feet were those of a human. Also in the form of a stallion, Poseidon seduced the Forgon, Medusa, in the temple of Athene.

Infuriated at this profanity, Athene turned Medusa's hair to snakes. Later, when Perseus beheaded Medusa, Pegasus sprang from the blood which gushed from her wound, and Pereus fled on Pegasus' back.

The Horse-drawn Chariot of the Sun

The horse inspired such awe in ancient man that he often thought of the horse as the power behind certain natural elements. In India, ancient gods drove chariots across the sky, some chariots carrying the sun. In Christianity, devastation was brought to earth by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. A cult object from Trundholm in Denmark represents the power of the sun itself, with a horse pulling the light of day across the sky.

The Centaur - Ultimate Horse- Man

The centaur was a magnificent creature who had a body which was half horse and half man. He was renowned for both extreme physical strength and great wisdom. Most centaurs were frightful beasts. However, Chiron was a centaur known everywhere for his goodness and wisdom. He tutored mortals in proper conduct and learning. The centaur may have evolved from people who first saw horses with men on their backs and believed them to be one creature.

Epona - Protectress of the Horse

The ancient Gauls worshipped the mythical figure Epona, the goddess of horses. When the Romans conquered the Gauls, they too adopted her as the deity of horses and carried her legend throughout Europe. Epona lovingly protected the horse and stable and also kept watch over the grooms and carters.

Pegasus, the Winged Horse

Pegasus was a wild and winged steed who was ultimately tamed by Bellerophon by using a golden bridle he received in a dream from Athene. Bellerophon attempted to ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus, but was thrown back. Pegasus remained on the sacred mountain, where he carried Zeus's thunderbolts and was ridden by Eos, the goddess of dawn. Pegasus became a popular subject for artists, since from under his feet sprang the sacred springs of the muses on Mount Helicon.


The Horses of Homer, 750 B.C.

The Poet Sings of Heroes and Horses

The Iliad by Homer, the blind bard who is the father of Western literature, is among the oldest literary documents of western civilization. This great epic poem is the first and most graphic account of the role of the horse in ancient warfare. We see horses created by the gods themselves, drawing the chariots of their masters to glory or to defeat in war and in sport on the plains of Troy.

When Patroclos, the beloved friend of Achilles, was killed in battle, funeral games, including chariot races, were held to honor him.

The Immortal Horses of Achilles

The hero, Achilles, described his horses' sense of loss for the dead Patroclos:

"You know how much my horses surpass in their speed all other;

Yes, for they are immortal horses, and Poseidon gave them to Peleus, my father who in turn gave them into my hands.

But I stay here at the side, and my single footed horses stay with me;

Such is the high glory of the charioteer they have lost, the gentle one who so many times anointed their manes with soft olive oil, after he had washed them in shining water.

Therefore, these two horses stand here and grieve, and their manes

Are swept along the ground as they stand with hearts full of sorrow."

The Heat of the Race

A central feature of the funeral games of Patroclos was a chariot race, and Homer has vividly described the great event for posterity.

"Then all held their whips high-lifted above their horses, then struck with the whip thongs and in words urged their horses onward into speed. The dust lifting clung beneath the horses' chests like cloud or a storm whirl. Their manes streamed along the blast of wind ...and the drivers stood in the chariots, with the spirit beating in each man with the strain to win, and each was calling aloud upon his own horses, and the horses flew through the dust of the flat land...the field of horses strung out, and before long out in front was the swift-stepping team of the son of Pheres, Eumelos, and after him the stallions of Diomedes, the Trojan horses, not far behind at all, but close on him, for they seemed forever on the point of climbing his chariot and the wind of them was hot on the back and on the broad shoulders of Eumelos. They lowered their heads and flew close after him.

Tydeus' son in his rapid course was close on them and he lashed them always with the whipstroke from the shoulder. His horses still lifted their feet light and high as they made their swift passage...The horse came in running hard. Diomedes stopped them in the middle of where the men were assembled, with the dense sweat starting and dripping to the ground from neck and chest of his horses. He himself vaulted down to the ground from his shining chariot and leaned his whip against the yoke. Nor did strong Sthenelos delay, but made haste to take up the prizes, and gave the woman to his high hearted companions to lead away...while Diomedes set free the horses."

The Trojan Horse

The Greeks left the huge wooden horse behind when they retreated from the siege of the walls of Troy. Rejoicing at the war's apparent end, the Trojans brought the wooden horse within the walls of the city, ignoring the priest Laocoon's warning about Greek's bearing gifts. That night the Greek warriors within the horse's belly crept out and opened the gates to renewed attack, and the city fell. A detail from a seventh century B.C. vase shows the Greek warriors, rather humorously shown inside the wooden horse, being carried into the city. Undoubtedly, the Greeks chose the horse for their devious vehicle, since they knew the Trojans, renowned horsemen, would have greater respect for the horse than any other animal.



Xenophon: The Father of Classical Equitation

A Greek named Xenophon (430-ca 335 B.C.) wrote the first fully preserved manual on the riding horse. It is entitled "The Art of Horsemanship. " Xenophon was a horseman for his entire life, first as a cavalryman and then as a country gentleman on an estate given to him by the King of Sparta. Xenophon differs from other ancient writers on the horse in that he urges his reader to know the horse's "psyche," its mentality. He knew that an animal which had confidence in the understanding and good will of its rider would more effectively respond to the commands of the rider. Xenophon encouraged a mutual respect between man and horse.

Exerpts From Xenophon's "The Art of Horsemanship"

Care of the Horse

"When one has bought a horse that he really admires, and has taken him home, it is a good thing to have his stall in such a part of the establishment that his master shall very often have an eye on the animal...the man who neglects this matter is neglecting himself' for it is plain that in moments of danger the master gives his own life into the keeping of his horse. A secure stable is a good thing, not only to prevent the stealing of grain, but also because you can easily tell when the horse refuses his feed. Observing this, you may know either that there is too much blood in him, or that he has been overworked and wants rest, or that barley surfeit or some other disease is coming on.

The same care which is given to the horse's food and exercise, to make his body grow strong, should also be devoted to keeping his feet in condition. Even naturally sound hoofs get spoiled in stalls with moist, smooth floors. The floors should be sloping to avoid moisture, and to prevent smoothness, stones should be sunk close to one another, each about the size of the hoofs. The mere standing on such floors strengthens the feet."

Handling the Horse

"When a horse is to be led, I certainly do not approve of leading him behind you. Then again I object to teaching the horse to go on ahead with a long leading rein. But a horse that is accustomed to be led by the side can do the least mischief to other horses and to men, and would be most convenient and ready for the rider, especially if he would ever have to mount in a hurry. In order to put the bridle on properly, the groom should first come up on the near side of the horse; then, throwing the reins over the head and letting them drop on the withers, he should take the head piece in his right hand and offer the bit with his left.

Let your groom be well instructed in the following points: first, never lead the horse by one rein, for this makes one side of the mouth harder than the other; secondly, what is the proper distance of the bit from the corners of the mouth; if too close, it makes the mouth callous, so that is has no delicacy of feeling; but if the bit hangs too low down in the mouth, the horse can take it in his teeth and so refuse to mind it. "

Understanding the Horse

"The one great precept and practice in using a horse is this - never deal with him when you are in a fit of passion. When your horse shies at an object and is unwilling to go up to it, he should be shown that there is nothing fearful in it, least of all to a courageous horse like him; but if this fails, touch the object yourself that seems so dreadful to him, and lead him up to it with gentleness. Compulsion and blows inspire only the more fear; and when horses are at all hurt at such times, they think what they shied at is the cause of the hurt."

For further treatises on horses from Xenophon, visit MIT's "Classics" site.


Alexander and Bucephalus, 356-323 B.C.

Indomitable Man, Indomitable Horse

Few legends reveal such a close relationship between man and horse as that of Alexander the Great and his horse, Bucephalus. Son of King Philip of Macedonia, Alexander was tutored by Aristotle in academic matters and studied horsemanship with his father. When he was twelve years old, Alexander found in his father's herds a young horse which he admired for its great beauty. The boy named the horse Bucephalus because his head was broad, like that of a bull. The horse would not allow anyone to ride him except young Alexander. The two grew up together and developed a deep bond of love and respect between them.

Alexander and Bucephalus Conquer the World

Having ridden the seemingly unbreakable Bucephalus, Alexander was inspired to conquer the world. In his attempt to do so, Bucephalus carried him from Greece to Egypt and India. When Bucephalus finally died, Alexander honored the horse by naming a city in central Asia after him.


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