Horses in the United States
Horses running at a ranch in Texas
Horses were a crucial component of American life and culture since the founding of the nation. In 2008, there were about 9.2 million horses in the US, with 4.6 million citizens are involved in the horse business. Notably, there are about 82,000 feral horses that roam freely in a wild state in certain parts of the country. While genus equus evolved in North America, the horse became extinct on the continent approximately 8,000-12,000 years ago. In 1493, on Columbus’ second voyage to the Americas, Spanish horses, representing E. caballus, were brought back to North America, first in the Virgin Islands, and, in 1519, they were reintroduced on the continent by Hernán Cortés. From early Spanish imports … Continue Reading (6 minute read)