Famous horses have played a dramatic role in our history. Today with our level of mechanization and technology, we tend to forget the horses of the past.
Famous and not so famous horses have been helping man since the beginning of time. Ever since the first records of domestication (probably dating back to the nomad herdsmen), they have been pulling great chariots, or riding to war, or partnering with the cowboy in rounding cattle on the ranch-land.
It is said that the breeds of modern times have descended from 3 types of wild species.
The Dulivial or “Forest Horse” was a large boned, slow moving horse believed to be the ancestor of the drafts – extinct.
A small Mountain (Welsh like)Pony - extinct.
A small Mongolian or “Tarpan” which is considered to be the ancestor of the lightly built horse breed. – from extinction to modern day existence.
Famous Horses in History..,
From fictional horses to actual, there are many equine which can be classified as “famous horses in history” and have made an impact on how we see the world where we live. It is our intention on this web page, to provide you a list to enjoy of both..
Famous Horses in History - The real deal..,
• De Soto, a brilliant Spanish explorer, conquistador and the first European to discover the Mississippi River, may have lost or abandoned some his troop’s horses. This led to bands of wild mustangs which were subsequently captured by the Indians who, because of it, became the finest horsemen of the times.• Dan Patch was a horse that was born crippled and unable to stand. Starting his life pulling a grocer’s wagon, he was entered into a local race and won. Later, Dan Patch set the pacer record for the mile which would not be surpassed for many years. Ultimately Dan was sold and spent the next part of his career putting on speed shows for crowds while touring the country. However, with the advent of the automobile, Dan Patch died in 1916 pretty much forgotten and was buried in an unmarked grave.
• Snippy, a young Appaloosa mare, was reportedly killed in 1967 by extra terrestrials. Found in the pasture by her owners after missing her usual morning drink, Snippy’s death was thought to be of unusual circumstances.
Snippy, whose real name was Lady, was found with her skin and flesh cleanly cut away from her shoulders to ears. There were no tracks or blood on the ground near the body. However, there were 6 indentations which formed a circle 3 feet in diameter.
To add to the mystery, Snippy’s neck and skull bones were starc white and bleached like they had been there for years, and Snippy’s heart and brain was completely missing from the carcass.
• Man O’War was a famous race horse. Born in 1917, this horse was on the race track by 1919. He won this race by six lengths and went on to rewrite the record books. Man O’War died of natural causes. Man O' War's son was
War Admiral .
• Morroco was said to be a a famous “trick” horse of Banks. Thought to do unusual tricks, this raised an alarm to watchers during an exhibition in France. Owner and horse thought to be diabolical, were later rumored to have been burned as subjects of the Black Power. However, Morroco and owner were found to be surviving in the capacity of a jolly vintner. Later reports suggest that it was not that unheard of for a horse and owner of the 1500’s to be burned if they were viewed with suspicion.
• The Trojan Horse is a part of the Trojan war. According to some records of the time, this horse was thought to have carried up to 3,000 soldiers in its belly and 2 spies in its mouth.
Circumstances around this story have been lost. However, some more recent explanations feel that this horse was a myth and that the Trojan horse was more than likely a battering ram which resembles to some extent a horse. Or that the Trojan Horse is really an earthquake which left city walls weak and open for attack. Or it is also been thought to be the cavalry, which was cleverly disguised as another cavalry unit which lead them back within the city walls without question.
• Comanche was General George Custer’s Horse and the sole survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Captured in a wild horse roundup he eventually became one of the favorite mounts for a Captain of the 7th Calvary.
A few days after the Custer’s defeat, a burial party scouring the site found the severely wounded horse and transported him to Fort Lincoln by steamer which was 900 miles away.
After a year of recuperation, Comanche was officially excused from all duties and was only required to attend formal regimental functions where he was led, draped in black, at the head of the regiment.
• Alexander the Great had a horse named Bucephalus. Only Alexander could mount this steed and Bucephalus would always kneel to allow him to do so. Passing at 30 years old, Alexander built a city in his favorite horses honor and called it Bucephalae. .
Famous Horses in History - Hollywood..,
• Whirlygig in I love Lucy with the classic Lucille Ball.• Trigger was a Golden Palamino stallion and co-star with Roy Rogers in many of his movies and TV show. Trigger was often billed as the smartest of the famous horses in the movies. Trigger’s first appearance was to be the “Adventures of Robin Hood” in 1938. However, when the movies lead didn’t show, Trigger was sent over to “Under Western Stars” where Roy chose him for his mount. (1938)
• “Hi-yo Silver” the half Arab and co-star to Lone Ranger. It was understood that they did many stunts together. He was a “fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty “Hi-yo Silver away! The Lone Ranger!” (1933) • Mr Ed the talking horse. Never content to just being a horse, Mr Ed continually got his owners into predicaments with his humorous antics.
Mr Ed’s trainer used peanut butter to make his mouth move on cue. It was said that he loved the gooey butter so much that he continually licked his lips and completed scenes at record speed. Mr Ed passed quietly in 1970 from a variety of leg and other health conditions. (1961)
• Casey was a black Friesan Stallion who debuted in the movie “The Mask of Zorro” (1998)
• Traveler was the name of the horse that Mel Gibson rode in “Braveheart”. This famous horse was brought in from Arizona, however, in some other scenes mechanical horses were used for the more violent scenes.
• Black Beauty is a famous horse via a book by Anna Sewell (1877). This book is about a majestic horse which meets with and survives terrible mistreatment from humans, but ultimately does find his way.
• Topper with Hopalong Cassidy (1904 book 1935 TV). Topper was a white stallion that was named by Hopalong Cassidy (or William Boyd’s) wife after her favorite book.
Nina
