One of my many awesome jobs here at HMNS is to teach classes in our Weekday Lab Program.  I teach the Time Labs, which are based around history and culture.  The topic for this month is one of my favorite all time things to talk about:  The History of the Horse!

It is amazing to me how the horse has served to both shape and define human history.  From the time the horse was first hunted by our paleolithic ansectors for food to the upcoming Summer Olympics, the history of horse and humans is both varried and diverse.

In class, we check out ancient cave paintings at Lascaux and investigate how the stirrup changed Middle Age Europe.  The children have discovered how different prehistoric wild horses were from the domesticated horses we are familiar with today. They also become familiar with the “bredback” Tarpan, which is phenotipically the closest thing we have to a true prehistoric wild horse.

Check out this incredible photo that one of the Museum’s former employees took when she visited the Rolex Three Day Event in Kentucky.  Horses rock! 

Kids can learn more about all the cool things you can do with horses through the Pony Club. 

I’d love to here how you think horses have changed the world.  Post a comment, and let me know!