Anyone who knows me will not be surprised to find I have “National Day of the Horse” noted on my calendar in the same manner as other national holidays. December 13 celebrates these wonderful creatures and their contribution to the world economically, historically, and culturally. Congress designated this date in 2004.

The estimation of $9.2 billion explains how much horses contribute to the United States (US) economy. The assets they perform include plowing fields, transporting supplies and food in rural areas, and providing equine therapy to many equestrians. Additionally, horses historically participated in wars and conflicts with civilians and military personnel. When the Mongols engaged in war, their horses were known for speedy raids enabling them to conquer a vast amount of the Asian continent. Sadly, in the past the horse was considered an expendable part of the military, along with dogs, and many were killed during and after the wars or military engagements.

The creature who would become the modern-day horse existed from 56 million to 33.9 million years ago. These creatures stood about 16.8 to 20 inches tall and had four “toes” on the front feet and three on the back. They evolved by increasing in size including the complexity of the brain, the change from the “toes” to hooves, and the realignment of their teeth to make them suited to grazing.

The domestication of the horse, based on archaeological evidence, began about 6,000 years ago in the areas around the Black Sea. A clear path of development doesn’t exist because it is uncertain whether this was the only location or if there were a variety of other places involved. The current day horse exists in many sizes tailored for their original uses. The individual breeds range has been estimated from 150 to over 400.

For many people today a horse is the love of one’s life, and riding, competing in a variety of sports, and the connection with one or more of these animals is heartwarming. This love can be unstoppable and many people, like me, really enjoy the camaraderie.

Celebrate this special day by going horseback riding, donating to a charity that helps less fortunate horses, watching a movie or TV show where the main character is a horse, or searching the web for information on horse events and their evolution. There is no ignoring the impact the horse brings to us from cowboys to many movies and shows, as well as the Kentucky Derby. For me it’s also very personal because my horse and I have a special connection after almost 24 years together. If you have that same passion, I wish you a “Happy National Day of the Horse.”

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