Daring Feats of Horsemanship Before the War

Revolutionary, That Is...

by Judith Martin Woodall

Part One

In the old part of the city, in the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge, there is a block on Elizabeth Street between Hester and Canal, lined with tenements, Chinese restaurants, and a parking garage whose 18th century past is evident only in the block’s boundaries. There was no Canal Street then; it was St. Nicholas or Pump Street. Hester was Eagle Street on some maps, and Bowery Lane, the block’s easterly boundary, cut through open land, farms, orchards, and estates, as it proceeded up the island. The nearby Bull’s Head Tavern,^[i] gave its name to the cattle markets, slaughterhouses and tanneries situated to the south of the block. The tavern, a stop for stage coaches traveling the Post Road from New York to Boston, was a popular gathering place providing important word-of-mouth advertising for the trick riders who found space nearby to set up their manèges.

Joseph Faulks

 

 

On December 16, 1771, New-Yorkers paid four shillings to head uptown to an “inclos’d Piece of Ground, at the Back [Elizabeth Street] of the Wind-Mill in Bowery lane,” above the slaughter-house to watch “Mr. Faulks, the noted Performer in Horsemanship,” ^[ii] canter into the ring, standing upright on the back of his horse while playing a French horn. The tune was not mentioned, but Faulks claimed “the Honour of performing before their Majesties, and most of the Nobility in England, Ireland and Scotland.” Never mind, that of late, their Majesties and most of the nobility had been losing their luster in the Thirteen Colonies.

Feats of daring on horseback are very nearly irresistible at one time in a rider’s life and have been a source of fun likely from the moment when Central Asians decided that horses could transport people as well as goods. Vaulting on and off horses was the first method of mounting and dismounting before stirrups became an essential piece of tack. More than two millenniums ago, Xenophon––Greek historian, general, philosopher, and author of On Horsemanship––described the correct method for a rider to spring onto a horse’s back. He recommended that all riders practice springing up from the near (left) and off (right) sides of the horse, a skill necessary for rapid mounting in the face of an approaching enemy and a horse cavalry requirement ever since.

From these early practices, vaulting at speed with more complicated movements became a component of cavalry exercises and existed alongside the elaborate and formal horsemanship displays in the courts of Europe in the 17th century. These two faces of horsemanship came to represent the training integral to the aristocracy and the forces they led––a marriage whose descendants are the equestrian sports of today.

  [i] The name lived on as the markets migrated uptown to the East Twenties, the area where major horse dealers maintained large stables. The original tavern was located at what is now approximately 50-52 Bowery in 2013.

  [ii] New York Journal, or, the General Advertiser. December 12, 1771.

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All photos courtesy of Judith Martin Woodall.

There are more fascinating stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.

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Five Careers in the Equine Industry

by Kristin Pitzer

Whether you’re a young horseman coming up through school or a seasoned veteran of the workforce looking to change careers, it’s never too early — or too late – to consider a job in the equine industry. If horses and the Western way of life are your passions, a career that allows you to promote them to others just like you can be very fulfilling.

“I think people should consider careers in the equine industry because for many people, horses are their passion, and we tend to be the happiest when we’re working for, toward, and within the elements we’re most passionate about,” said Jessie Jarvis, founder and CEO at Of The West, the job platform for the agriculture and Western industries. “For many young adults, owning their own horse isn’t always feasible, and [a job in the industry] allows them to still be involved in some way. For those who are more established and possibly looking for a career change, the equine industry is a great sector to consider because nothing is more rewarding than knowing your daily efforts are working toward building a stronger, more robust equine industry.”

Quarter Horse News put together some information on different careers in the industry to help you know where to begin.

Hands-On

There are two main options for careers in the horse industry: those that work directly with horses, and those that support the industry but don’t involve a person getting their hands on a horse every day. Jobs working with horses can be very rewarding and enjoyable, but they are also usually physically difficult, time-consuming and, without boundaries, can blur the line between work and play. For those willing to work hard, these jobs can lead to fulfilling careers.

“The equine industry is growing at a rate like never before, and due to that, the need for equine professionals is only going to increase as time goes on,” Jarvis said. “In addition to that growing number, I think we are also going to see an increase in the number of education pathways and trade programs focused on equine industry careers, allowing the sector to continue to grow and meet that future demand for equine industry jobs.”

1. Job: Equine Veterinarian

As long as horses can become sick or injured, there will be a need for equine veterinarians. People who become veterinarians tend to have good communication skills and are likely science- and math-minded. A love for animals is certainly necessary, but keep in mind you’ll be working with people just as much as horses. Compassion is a key element, as you’ll likely have to help owners face difficult situations and hard decisions.

To become a veterinarian requires extensive education: four-and-a-half years of undergraduate education, followed by four years of veterinary school, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. All of that schooling isn’t cheap — the average cost of veterinary school in the U.S. is $200,000 — so many young veterinarians go into the workforce with lots of student loan debt in tow. There is, however, a shortage of equine veterinarians around the country, so if it’s a career path you’re interested in, you’ll certainly find a demand for it.

2. Job: Trainer

If patience and an ability to think outside the box are traits you possess and you have good business sense, people skills and riding abilities, you might think about becoming a horse trainer. There’s no doubt it takes a lot of work to become a successful trainer — many riders don’t realize how many hours their coaches put in every day. If you work hard and find your niche in the industry, though, you might find yourself eventually working with the industry’s nicest horses, most well-known owners and other top-level trainers.

You don’t need a degree to become a trainer — many would argue that apprenticeships under other trainers provide the best education — but some colleges offer equine science programs, while others have certificate programs in horse starting and horsemanship. It doesn’t hurt to take business classes, either, and having a degree to fall back on should you change your mind is never a bad thing.

3. Job: Farrier

Another job that gets lots of hands-on experience with horses is that of the farrier. Farriers are specialists that trim, balance and shoe horses’ feet. Being a farrier is physically demanding — most of your day is spent bent over while holding a horse’s foot up, after all — and without proper equipment, it can be hard on your body. Once you get established in a location, though, you can often pick and choose the hours, days and clients you want to work with.

Apprenticeships with veteran farriers are a great way to learn, and as your business grows, there are programs through organizations like the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) that will test you on your ability to perform the work to a prescribed standard. The AFA offers several levels of certification, from Certified Farrier, to Certified Tradesman Farrier, to Certified Journeyman Farrier. Some farriers go beyond even that and become specialists for certain breeds, activities and disciplines. Since most farriers are self-employed, business classes can be useful.

Hands-Off

If you are interested in a career in the industry but don’t necessarily have to be around horses every day, there are many different options to look into. While these jobs don’t involve riding or caring for horses, they often allow you to talk about horses — or something related to horses — every day, scratching the horse bug itch.

“While there isn’t any kind of study I can quote numbers from, I can confidently say that the majority of careers in the equine industry do not work directly with horses,” Jarvis said.

Read more: Five Careers in the Equine Industry