History & Heritage

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Poems about or inspired by horses have been written for centuries, and although the language used has evolved over time, there are some themes that just seem to stick — for instance, the power, beauty, and mystery of horses. What follows is a bit of a roundup of some notable poems on these and other themes commonly found in equine-connected poetry.

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Over five centuries ago, Spanish horsemen—known as vaqueros—arrived in North America, bringing with them a deep horsemanship legacy that continues to shape today’s Western riding culture. Their influence can be seen not only in commonly used words like “chaps” (derived from chaparreras) and “rodeo” (from rodear), but also in the foundational principles of horse training and stockmanship.

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Progress rarely replaces tradition; it usually explains it - Farriery has an extensive historical timeline, steeped in tradition, empirical knowledge, and a deep reservoir of skill. Horses have played a central role in human civilization, and their use — for transportation, war, agriculture, status, and sport — has driven the evolution of hoof care as we know it today. From early leather coverings to iron protection, hoof care adapted in response to the changing demands placed on the horse.

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Sam Steele’s Scouts were created in 1885 to help quell the North-West Rebellion – an uprising of Metis and Indigenous Peoples which occurred between what is now Edmonton, Alberta and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Sam Steele was selected to lead the Scouts due to his dedication, honesty, and horseback skills, which were honed during some of Canada’s most important historical events.

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Job Description: Usually working in pairs, pick-up horses and riders are responsible for assisting the rodeo competitor to get off the bucking animal safely.

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Some watch the Super Bowl for football; some for the commercials. The big game is famous for its creative, cinematic ads, the kind that might make you laugh — or cry. Super Bowl ads “tap into our deepest psychology when it comes to entertainment,” says Psychology Today. Naturally, advertisers hope their commercials will also tap into consumers’ bank accounts, given that the broadcast has a massive reach — in 2024 over 123 million people tuned in.

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John Ware is a legend in Alberta as a black cowboy who became a successful rancher despite racism. He will always be remembered for his excellent horsemanship skills, farming techniques, and strength. Becoming a rancher was not as easy for him as it was for others. His story is one of grit, skill, and breaking barriers in a place where the land was as tough as the people.

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Shortly after 5 pm on Wednesday, February 21, 1849, a lone rider galloped from the pier in Halifax, Nova Scotia west towards Digby, 232 kilometres (146 miles) away on the east coast of the Bay of Fundy. He carried a highly sought-after news packet that had arrived just moments earlier by the Cunard Royal Mail steamship Europa, from Liverpool, England.

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Most riders don’t want a horse that bucks. But for bareback and saddle bronc riders competing at rodeos across North America, that’s exactly what they want — horses that buck and buck well for eight seconds.

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People often say, “a horse needs a job,” as though life as an equine couldn’t be complete without trotting into the office occasionally. Historically, horses really did take on essential work, from carrying soldiers into battle to driving the gentry around town (as anyone who’s watched The Gilded Age knows.) Even in our own times, when horses are less necessary for most human activities, they’re still sometimes pressed into service. Of course, it helps if a horse is well-suited to their assigned occupation. So, before recruiting a horse for any of the following positions, consider some of the necessary qualifications.

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