Credit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestication_of_the_horse

In the modern world, horses are no longer used as the main mode of transportation. However, horseback riding is far from over. Today, horses are mainly used for recreational purposes, with bookies using this equestrian sport to entertain gamblers and a chance to make some cash. As such, the internet is packed with horseracing offerings like the Royal Ascot betting offers, which attract millions of betting fans.

But have you ever wondered how horseback riding came into existence? Here’s all you need to know.

The History Of Horseback Riding

Initially, horses roamed around the world like other untamed animals. However, all that changed when the first human jumped on horseback and saw the world from that height. Today, horse racing is a multibillion-dollar industry attracting athletes and breeders from all over the world. However, horses and humans have a long history, though nobody knows where or when horses were first ridden or domesticated.

The history of horses dates back to around 50 million years to an animal called Hyracotherium, which is native to North America. Historically, horses also regularly went past the Bering Land Bridge crossing from Asia to the Americas during the last ice age. However, all horses’ ancestors vanished in the Americas 10,000 years ago.

According to reliable evidence, it’s believed that horseback riding started around 4500BC. However, horse drawings existed around 3000BC. Carvings of horse-pulled chariots can also be seen in caves tracing back to the Bronze Age. However, the earliest record of horse riding in the tombs of Egypt is believed to date back to 1600BC.

During the 1600BC, the Egyptians mostly used horse-drawn chariots for transportation and warfare. Nonetheless, there are a lot of controversies regarding the first man to ride on a horse’s back. Some people claim that the Brahmins from India were the first horse riders to ever exist in history, while the Chinese culture claims that riding horses has existed since 4000BC. 

The Medieval Period

During the Medieval period, which existed between the 5th and 15th centuries, horses were classified by their use and not the breed. For instance, the chargers were warhorses, while the carthorses were for transportation using carts. Nonetheless, the ancient horseback riding culture has highly contributed to the current riding styles. 

The basic elements of both the English and the western riding styles are similar to one another, though the equipment and purpose are different. The Western riding style is believed to have come to life in the mid-1600s in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It’s the same style that cowboys used their horses for work like tending and roping their cattle.

On the other hand, the English riding style originates in Europe. This style is considered as the traditional way of riding a horse, with the rider regularly communicating with the horse. In this style, the rider’s appearance is very important, and the saddle mounted must be lightweight and have a flat seat. However, you can choose any style you like when riding for recreational purposes.