The National Horse Protection Day was recognized in 2005 as an effort to promote awareness of horses’ abuse and neglect. Horses have been a part of our lives since time immemorial. They have helped us in many ways, like drawing carts, carrying loads, and so on. Horses are considered important and valuable animals to humans. Before the cycles, bikes, cars, busses, and trains, horses or horse-driven carriages were the chief sources of transportation for man. There was a time, till the invention and popularization of motorized vehicles, when every household owned horses for transportation purposes. They could be bought very easily and readily available for use.
Horses not only transported people but also goods and farm produce. Farmers used horses to carry produce to markets or buyers. Horses also carried luggage for travelers while moving cities or even countries. They were used on farms to manage cattle and other herd animals that were reared in the farms. Owners of large estates and ranches used horses to go on inspections as they could cover large unpaved areas without any trouble. People in many parts of America still use horses for farm purposes.
Horses were also put in racing competitions where they earned their owners a lot of money and prizes. Horse racing was a popular form of entertainment and sport in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also many sports activities like polo, rodeo, dressage, vaulting, and so on. Even today, equestrian sports are a part of our entertainment and are included in Olympic Sports.
It is quite evident that horses have always been and still are an important part of our life. However, we humans often forget to treat them with the love, care, and respect they deserve. They are often neglected, starved, and abused by owners everywhere. Horses need a lot of space for a healthy life. However, many owners force these poor animals into small and confined spaces that get overcrowded and are not well maintained. This causes horses to become sick and unhealthy. Sometimes when horses become old or too expensive to maintain, their owners sell them to slaughterhouses for meat. National Horse Protection Day is celebrated to spread awareness and make people treat this loving animal with respect.
(source: National Horse Protection Day 2023- Things You Should Know (nationaldaystoday.com)
