National Day Of The Horse
National Day Of The Horse:
Celebrated on 13th December annually, the National Day Of The Horse reminds people of the contribution of the horses to the economy and history of the United States of America. Are we kidding? Absolutely not! Read on to find the roots of this day!
Year | Date | Day | Where |
2020 | 13th December | Sunday | United States |
2021 | 13th December | Monday | United States |
2022 | 13th December | Tuesday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalDayOfHorse
#DayOfHorse
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on December 13th:
Why National Day Of The Horse?
The Majestic Beast with thundering hooves riding across the sunset has captured all our imaginations from a very early age. Horses known for their elegance, strength, and speed have been knit into the fabric of human history since its domestication. Evidence of Horse domestication dates back to 3000BC in Kazakhstan. Historical records of the Mongol wars, narrate the high-speed raids with horse-mounted archers. With the help of these magnificent beasts, the Mongols conquered much of the Asian continent.
Horses have been a part and parcel of its history even before the founding of the United States. Horses to be precise, “Eqqus Caballus” was introduced to North America by the Spanish explorers after the extinction of the wild horse species “Eqqus Lamei” that roamed the land around 11,0000 years ago. The horses that escaped to the wild, found their freedom, and spread across the Great American Plains. In the 16th and 17th centuries; The Comanches, Crow, and Blackfoot are some of the Native American tribes who first acquired horses.
Horses have played an important role during the pioneering days of the United States and were involved in transportation, clearing farmlands, and hunting. These horses were the only companions along lonely trails for the cattlemen and pioneers. These magnificent beasts are the unsung warriors, who lead and won battles among the soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.
The horses became an integral part of life by the 19th century. They were indispensable to the cowboys who tended to large ranches. The rodeo culture also increased the popularity of the horses. By the end of World War I, horses were being replaced by mechanized transportation, which led to the subsequent decline of the horse population.
Though horses are viewed as recreational animals these days, they are embedded in the culture of the state. Many State ceremonies involve horses and are symbolic of what they mean to the country. Horses now serve as therapy animals to relieve disorders like PTSD and anxiety and they continue to serve in many ranches across the country. No matter their involvement in the current hi-tech world, horses will always be precious to mankind for all that they mean to us from days of the past.
How Can We Observe National Day of the Horse?
- Horse Riding Lesson
You can celebrate the day by signing up to learn some horse riding lessons, as horses had a huge impact on the development of the country. I believe it’s a must to know how to ride a horse.
- Donation
You can always donate to some non-profitable horse rescue organizations.
- Groom your horse
If you have a horse you can always groom him and giving him treats, you can also groom yourself with clothes or a piece of jewelry to show that you are a horse person
- Watch a movie
Ask your friend over or with a family member or even alone watch some horse movie or documentary about the horses to know them better.
Interesting facts about the National Day Of The Horse:
Here are a few facts about Horses that might make the day more interesting!
- The horse population decreased from 20 million in 1915 to 4.5 million in 1959 after World War I
- Horses can sleep by laying down as well as standing up. The latter helps them to be prepared to flee on the sign of any approaching predator.
- The horses contribute a whopping 9.2 million dollars to the US economy while they are just given apples and carrots.
- Horses can start running a few minutes after they are born
- Domestic horses can live about 25 years
- It said to be a horse name old billy who lived for 62 years
- Horses are called different name depending on their gender
- Horses have a lookout, a group of horses stays awake to watch out for other horses while they are sleeping.
- Horses don’t smile to show happiness, as often it shows that some horses are laughing or have a smile on their face, but this move helps them to smell better.
History Of National Day of the Horse:
In 2004, the American congress decided to name the 13th of December as the Day Of The Horse and since then all Americans gather around to celebrate this day as a way of showing gratitude to this creature that helped the growth of the country.