This was one of the more interesting Modern Marvels episodes I've seen; a very informative and fast-moving hour all about the one creature who transformed civilization more than any other: the horse.
We get a small history of the animal and then a more detailed look on how man has related to the horse and then used it for a variety of ways, mostly very helpful. In fact, in some cases like logging, the horse still can be used better than machinery.
In days before machines, however, horses were invaluable to most of the world - as it is shown in this episode - for warfare, pulling anything from barges, wagons, plows and thousands of other things. Smaller horses have been used to transport coal underneath the ground surface, and it is from these "pit ponies" that James Watt invented the term "horsepower."
From workhorse, Modern Marvels then switches to racehorses, where the animals are purchased for millions of dollars. We visit Keeneland Racetrack and witness some of the big bids and also visit (and witness) places where veterinarians perform surgeries. We even see how they give a horse an MRI! The last segment deals with wild horses, or "Mustangs," as they are known in the United States. This, too, is very interesting as we see how inmates at a correctional institute are used to tame the "beasts."
Horses are given a lot of respect on this program and there is a lot of interesting info on them provided. Dogs may be man's best friend, but horses have been man's most valuable animal.
We get a small history of the animal and then a more detailed look on how man has related to the horse and then used it for a variety of ways, mostly very helpful. In fact, in some cases like logging, the horse still can be used better than machinery.
In days before machines, however, horses were invaluable to most of the world - as it is shown in this episode - for warfare, pulling anything from barges, wagons, plows and thousands of other things. Smaller horses have been used to transport coal underneath the ground surface, and it is from these "pit ponies" that James Watt invented the term "horsepower."
From workhorse, Modern Marvels then switches to racehorses, where the animals are purchased for millions of dollars. We visit Keeneland Racetrack and witness some of the big bids and also visit (and witness) places where veterinarians perform surgeries. We even see how they give a horse an MRI! The last segment deals with wild horses, or "Mustangs," as they are known in the United States. This, too, is very interesting as we see how inmates at a correctional institute are used to tame the "beasts."
Horses are given a lot of respect on this program and there is a lot of interesting info on them provided. Dogs may be man's best friend, but horses have been man's most valuable animal.
