What We Owe Our Gentle Giants

Mad About Horses

Dr. Chris Mortensen tells the history of draft horses and their considerable influence on many aspects of society like farming, transportation and industrialization. He talks about their manifestation following the prohibition era in the United States and their subsequent popularization through the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales.

Dr. Mortensen introduces the term 'horsepower' and discusses its origin in relation to the strength of a draft horse. Details are given on draft horse breeds such as Percheron, Shire, and Belgian, highlighting their individual strengths and attributes. The significant decline of these species due to the invention of modern machinery like tractors and automobiles is lamented.

He concludes with a plea to the listeners to acknowledge the historical importance of these 'gentle giants' and the profound contributions they have made to human civilization.

00:00 Introduction to the History of Draft Horses

00:00 The Budweiser Clydesdales: A Symbol of Draft Horses

03:55 The Importance of Draft Horses in History

05:48 The Evolution and History of Draft Horse Breeds

06:20The Role of Draft Horses in Agriculture and Transportation

09:00 The Myth of Knights and Draft Horses

12:52 The Origin of Draft Horses: The Black Horse of Flanders

16:54 The Legacy of Draft Horses: From the Percheron to the Shire

21:07 The Decline of Draft Horses in the Modern World

31:52 The Power of Draft Horses: Understanding Horsepower

37:44 Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Draft Horses

Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.

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