America was won and settled from the backs of horses. Without horses what was done would be undone. Everything accomplished back then would have been done loads more slowly. Nowadays horses are used for therapy for mentally challenged children and even adults. Horses are also still important to many folks in order to make a living; it can also be a stress reliever.

The Spanish brought horses to this country in 1519 by Cortes and his men. The Indians were in such shock by the massive animals and their riders that they surrendered without a struggle. Imagine never seeing a horse before, and when you do there are men sitting atop them. The animal is massive and frightening. Then the men astride these animals looked just as fierce as the beasts they ride. All decked in shinning armor. Cortes said, “Next to God, We owe our victory to our horses” (The International Museum of the Horse). In the 1600s horses were starting to be used to plow fields and work farms. Horses were also used to cart goods and even carry people across rugged terrain. When people starting settling in the West, there were whole caravans of people going across the Midwest. Rickety, clothe covered wagons full of cooking pots, pans, clothes, and women and children. These caravans of wagons would stretch on for miles. They traveled across rocky, desert, and barren wastelands of nothing but the wild of the “New World,” kicking up dust clouds as they went. If horses hadn’t been around: all that work, traveling, and settling would have taken forever and a day to finish.

“Children with autism and attention deficit disorder often struggle to communicate- but put them with horses and they can achieve so much” (Your Horse Magazine, Brown). Horses love to please; it’s what they live for. Unconditional love, respect, and understanding can change people. “Horses react as a mirror to the person who’s with him” says Franklin. “He’s a prey animal so he wants to feel safe and is always on the lookout for predators. A horse will become very fearful if he’s with someone who’s aggressive, noisy, disrespectful or too controlling. On the other hand, if the person makes requests rather than demands the horse will begin to cooperate. He is always looking for a leader” (Your Horse Magazine, Franklin). The families of the people helped by this bond may have never thought they would see their loved ones act as they do with the horses. It is remarkable what horses can change in people by just being what they are. Imagine being a mother of a son who: throws tantrums, has trouble paying attention, and can’t follow the simplest of instructions. You feel like there is no hope left. Then you bring him to a person who practices “Horse Therapy,” and you see him do things you never could imagine him doing. It must be heartbreakingly joyous to see your son being a leader and following directions to a tee.

To this day people still need to use horses to “bring home the bacon” for their families. Cattle-drivers would find it hard to herd their cattle on foot or in a car. However, that would be a hilarious sight to see. A bunch of men running around trying to herd hundreds of cattle into a corral. They think they got them but the cattle out smart and out run them. Also people make their living from participating in the Rodeo and also show jumping. Without the horses, show jumping would just be people trotting around a course trying to jump over ridiculously high rails and, sometimes, ditches with muddy, murky water in it. In the Rodeo, you’d be left with bull riding and people running after calves trying to rope and wrestle them to the ground. However funny these things may look, it wouldn’t last and the sports wouldn’t exist and families would go hungry. Even so, Horseback riding can be a huge stress reliever. Speaking from personal experience, working with horses is calming and fulfilling. Horses just give you want you want, when you ask because they love you and appreciate the care and love you give them in return. For example, you had an extremely stressful work week. Over the weekend you decide to go trail riding. You saddle your horse and set off. You start at a slow, amble pace weaving through trees and brush. Then you happen upon a wide open field with long, luscious, green grass. You kick the horse into a canter; the wind is whipping through your hair. You feel free, you feel like your flying over the meadow. All your stress and worries are being left in your tracks and are just falling away. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Horses are still needed to this very day. They are important to the men and women who make their money off of them. They are important for relieving stress and having a good time with your family. They are especially important to those children who bond with them and gain the ability to overcome the obstacles facing them in life. They are also important to the families of those children. They finally get to see their loved ones achieve greatness. Horses love unconditionally, and everyone needs a little love.