Przewalskis horse

History of Horses and Mules in the U.S.

By hec11
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Spanish conquistadors bring horses to America

  • Jan 1, 1519

    Coronado sets out for North America

    Coronado sets out for North America
  • Jan 1, 1539

    DeSoto sets out on an expedition of North America

  • Jan 1, 1547

    Antoni de Mendoza has 11 haciendas and over 1500 horses

    Antoni de Mendoza has 11 haciendas and over 1500 horses

  • The average U.S. farm has 100 acres

  • Horse becomes a central element in urban life

  • Horse population grows rapidly

  • Conestoga horse and Vermont Drafter are absorbed into the general horse population

  • European draft horses are imported to the U.S.

  • Farm machinery is invented

  • First fire horse is purchased

  • Horses become an essential part of urban fire protection

  • Congress authorizes the raising of two horse-mounted regiments

  • Congress passes the Morrill Land Grant Act

  • Rural horse population is estimated at 8 million

  • The first U.S. veterinary college opens at Cornell University

  • First Kentucky Derby is run

  • Horse-carlines are operating in every city

  • National Horse Show begins

  • First rodeo with paid attendance is held

  • Over 100,000 horses and mules are in use on more than 500 street railways in 300 U.S. cities

  • The average horse weighs 2000 pounds

  • The calvary is epitomized in the Spanish American War by the Rough Riders

  • Over 27,000 draft horses are in the U.S.

  • The U.S. switches from horses to gas-powered engines

  • There are 150,000 horses in the Fire Departments

  • 500-acre wheat farms are common

  • More than 3 million horses are used in nonfarm capacities

  • Team events begin in the National Horse Show

  • America enters World War I