What We Owe Our Gentle Giants - Mad About Horses

What this episode covers

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. --------------------------------- Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us to learn more at ⁠⁠https://madbarn.com ⁠⁠ You can also find Mad Barn at: ⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠@madbarnequine ⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ TikTok ⁠⁠@madbarnequine⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ @madbarn ⁠⁠ X/Twitter: @madbarnequine We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to ⁠[email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Mad About Horses?

This episode is 42 minutes long.

When was this Mad About Horses episode published?

This episode was published on December 28, 2023.

What is this episode about?

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...

Can I download this Mad About Horses episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.