Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
History on Horseback The Early Years: 1493 to 1866 from Sonrise Stable Books is a non-fiction book for horse lovers or history buffs. Vicki Watson brings history to life from a unique perspective – the back of a horse. The paperback book is very readable for ages twelve through adult. Throughout its pages Bible quotations are taken from the KJV and quotations from historical sources use original spelling, grammar, and punctuation. There is no real objectionable content, however horses did sometimes meet unhappy endings. Vicki Watson minimized grim details and focused instead on the horses positive and unique contribution to our history. Horse were there for it all, working alongside man as his strong, faithful partner. Man provided the brain and horses provided the brawn. Together, they accomplished amazing things.
I am a horse lover and a history buff; but I still learned history in a fun way – on horseback! I hope you will read along with me as I share some highlights and takeaways from History on Horseback. Explorers brought the earliest horses from Spain to North America. After the Pueblo revolt, thousands of Spanish horses ran free or were taken by Native Americans. This time period became known as the Great Horse Dispersal and is considered the official beginning of the Mustang herds. The thoroughbred family tree can trace its genealogy back to one of three foundation stallions – the Byerley Turk, the Darley Arabian, or the Godolphin Arabian. Conestoga horses were considered the first unofficial breed developed in America and they were suited for pulling the heavy wagons. Horses even delivered the good news. Preachers averaged 6,000 miles a year on horseback, preaching at different stops nearly every day. Circuit riders carried a simple message of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Vicki Watson even refers to a time in the Old Testament, when the Jewish people were forbidden to cross different types of animals. In the early days of the United States, there were no regulations against hybrid animals. The mule is the product of a male donkey and a female horse. Mules served our country in a variety of ways including farm work, towing canal boats, pulling covered wagons and stagecoaches, and assisting soldiers during times of war. Horses were also used in fighting for our independence. War horses are trained to respond more to a rider’s legs than to the reins, freeing the soldier’s arms to wield a sword or gun. The book even includes the names of some of Napoleon’s horses.
In the 1800s, there were many stagecoach companies operating in America, however Wells Fargo is the name most associated with stagecoaches in the Old West. Stagecoaches were usually pulled by a team of four, sometimes six horses. The lead horses were up front. The horses in the back were called wheel horses. For teams of six, the middle pair were called swing horses. By 1867, the company covered over 3,000 miles of stagecoach routes.
Vicki Watson is in the process of publishing more volumes to this series and she includes a preview of History on Horseback Volume 2 in the back of Volume 1. History on Horseback is a great way to supplement any history curriculum. A print activity guide will be available soon and it will include maps, timelines, questions, research and writing activities. You can register for the email list to be notified of product updates and new releases. You can learn more about Sunrise Stable Books through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and You Tube.
Visit the Crew Blog to read more reviews from the Homeschool Review Crew.
No comments:
Post a Comment