Horse racing is a sport related to the equestrian world. It usually consists of a horse racing jockey in a place specially prepared for this purpose, called racetrack. This sport has existed throughout history and today is closely related to betting and gambling.

The history of horse racing has its origins in prehistory, among the nomadic tribes of Central Asia who domesticated horses about 4,500 years before Christ. Horse racing has been an organized sport that has evolved in all major civilizations from Central Asia to the Mediterranean. These races, popular today were once were held in the first Olympics in Greece. The Romans later adopted the activity. The more modern races have their origin in the twelfth century, when English knights returned from the Crusades with Arab horses. It is estimated that became truly professional sports around the year 1700.

Attendees can go to the racetrack to watch the races and place bets, which happen in an entertaining way about every thirty minutes. Horse riding and racing involves many other activities such as horse racing preparation (through practice by the riders and horses), as well as specialized veterinarians in the field, blacksmiths and all the staff needed to run the show.
There are also businesses and equestrian-related activities that move a lot of money, such as horse breeding and training. Such businesses generate constant economic activity as it is possible to find horses bred and sold for thousands and millions of dollars.

Read Full Post »

While we obviously consider the Appaloosa the perfect horse, they may not suit everyone. For those looking for something smaller, the Shetland pony might be an ideal choice. These ponies have an official maximum height of 10.2 hands (107”) at the withers, will thrive on a very basic diet and are highly intelligent, making them perfect for those on a budget who want a small horse, especially for children, and who want a multi-purpose horse – Shetland’s can be ridden, driven or used as pack animals.

The Shetland pony is named for the remote Shetland Isles, part of Scotland, but until the 15^th century, part of Norway. The Shetland pony was probably developed from a variety of breeds introduced to the islands by the Norse from the east and celts from the south west. The harsh climate of the Shetland islands and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals.

Shetland ponies were first used for pulling carts, carrying peat, coal and other items, and ploughing farm land. Then, as the Industrial Revolution increased the need for coal in the mid-19th century, thousands of Shetland ponies travelled to mainland Britain to be used as pit ponies, working underground hauling coal, often for their entire (and often short) lives. Coal mines in the eastern United States also imported some of these animals. The last pony mine in the United States closed in 1971.

Today, Shetland ponies are ridden by children and are shown by both children and adults at horse shows. They are used and shown in harness driving classes as well as for pleasure driving outside of the show ring. Shetlands are ridden by small children at horse shows, in riding schools and for pleasure. They are seen working in commercial settings such as fairs or carnivals to provide short rides for visitors. They are also seen at petting zoos and sometimes are used for therapeutic horseback riding purposes. In the United Kingdom, Shetlands are also featured in the Shetland Pony Grand National, galloping around a race course with young jockeys.

Read Full Post »