Magnificent Equine Companions
Horses are magnificent creatures and their story has intertwined with human activities for thousands of years. It took them over 50 million years to evolve from a small multi-toed mammal to the elegant creatures we value so highly today. It is thought that they were were first domesticated around 6000 years ago in the areas that we now call Ukraine and West Kazakhstan. However, interbreeding with wild horses continued. Throughout modern history, horses have been traded and used for agriculture, industry, transport and sport. Horses are herbivores and eat mainly grass and hay but they also enjoy apples and carrots. However, their digestive system is quite fragile – they cannot vomit and can suffer from bouts of colic if they have an incorrect diet. They have bigger eyes than any other land-living mammal and can sleep standing up! Horses can live in a wide variety of habitats and some have become feral – just like the mustangs in this video.
History of the Salt River Horses
Salt River horses are also called mustangs, from the Spanish word mustango, for wild animal. It is thought that they descended from Spanish horses imported in the 16th century. They suffered a mass extermination during the 1800s when they were viewed as competition for the pasture that domestic cattle needed to graze. Bison were slaughtered at the same time. These amazing animals were considered ‘worthless’ and were rounded up and slaughtered. Their presence is still controversial and in 2015, the US Forest Service posted an impound and removal notice for the Salt River wild horses stating they would be would be removed or otherwise “disposed” of. The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group has been set up to protect the horses from this type of action. So far, the horses remain and have been seen hiding in the trees and escaping from helicopters. Perhaps the horses in this vid have found a unique method of escape! Next up: See Incredibly Rare Footage of A Bear Fighting A Bison At Yellowstone Posse of Horses Dares Grizzly to Charge In Tense Showdown How To Draw A Horse in 6 Simple Steps
