History from Horseback

Today's episode is a little bit different from our usual content. In this episode, Keely and Keagan will be chatting about a couple of news stories/current events from the equestrian world. Today's stories include the mysterious discovery of two przewalski's horses, the Keeneland yearling sales, a new scientific study on horse psychology, and a woman who recieved urgent news while at a horse show. Sit back and relax for a more casual, unscripted episode. Then join us two weeks from now when we return to our usual historical episode content.

If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to HFH! As a growing podcast, we rely on your feedback and support. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!

Sources for today:

• Przewalski's horse Washington Post article
• Keeneland Sale Summaries
• Applied Animal Behavior Science article
• Horse and Hound kidney transplant article

In today's episode, Keely and Keagan uncover the long-forgotten tale of Lexington, a thoroughbred who revolutionized American horse racing long before the likes of Secretariat and War Admiral. But this isn’t just a story about a legendary racehorse; it’s an exploration into the intertwined the legacy of thoroughbreds and the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in the horse industry. Join us as we explore how Harry Lewis, a formerly enslaved trainer, played a pivotal role in Lexington’s rise to greatness, overcoming societal barriers in a turbulent time. Discover the dramatic twists of Lexington’s life—from his triumphs on the racetrack to his survival during the Civil War, and even his journey after death. Tune in and discover why Lexington is more than just a horse—he’s a symbol of an untold history waiting to be explored.

Today's episode does feature some topics of slavery, as well a couple of choice explicit words. If you have kids listening, you have been warned that there are two accidental f-bombs. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to HFH! As a growing podcast, we rely on your feedback and support. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!

Sources for today: 

• "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks
• Smithsonian Magazine’s article on Lexington
• International Museum of the Horse’s article on Harry Lewis by Emily Libecap

Almost all of us have seen them in medieval movies. Shining white stallions, jet black friesians with long flowing manes, and lines of charging steeds. In this episode, Keagan and Keely delve into the world of medieval horses and the pivotal role they played in shaping European society. The image of armored warhorses, galloping into battle, has long been romanticized in films and literature. But what were these horses really like? Were they the bulky draft horses often depicted, or is there more to the story? 

If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to HFH! As a growing podcast, we rely on your feedback and support. You can now find us on Facebook and Instagram!

Sources:

• Modern History TV
• European and British museum archives

The world is full of horse lovers, and for good reason. They are strong, beautiful, and emotionally intelligent creatures that have been by humanity’s side for thousands of years. But how did the domestic horse first come about? Saddle up for the first episode of History on Horseback as Keagan and Keely go back millions of years ago to a time when horses looked more like small dogs, and follow their evolution into the modern horse that we know and love today.

If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to HFH! As a growing podcast, we rely on your feedback and support. Keep a look out in the future as we have social media accounts and more content on the way!

Sources:

• Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History” by William Taylor
• Horse Evolution
• Librado, P., Khan, N., Fages, A. et al. The origins and spread of domestic horses from the Western Eurasian steppes. Nature 598, 634–640 (2021)
• Librado, P., Tressieres, G., Chauvey, L. et al. Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2200 BCE in Eurasia. Nature  (2024)