Shows
History from Horseback18. Przewalski's Horses (Pt.2)In the 2nd part of out Przewalski's Horse topic, Keagan an Keely discuss the incredible comeback of a horse species nearly pushed to extinction. What once might as well have been a mythical unicorn now runs free in its native habitat once again. Yet the Przewalski's horse still faces hardship as a species, and efforts are still being made to protect the species and the delicate ecosystem it exists in.If you enjoy this podcast, please SUPPORT OUR PATREON or take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to HFH! We greatly appreciate your feedback...2025-05-2737 minHistory from Horseback17. Przewalski's Horse (Pt.1)Once nearly extinct, the Przewalski’s horse is now a conservation success story. In part 1 of this 2-part episode (there was a lot of material to cover, can you blame us?) , we explore how this elusive wild horse went from ancient cave paintings to viral fame. We also discuss how imperialism, scandal, and habitat loss conspired to push this species to the brink of extinction. Join us next episode for the story of their incredible comeback. To leave a comment on the Proposed Rule "Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act," visit the Federal Regist...2025-05-131h 06History from Horseback16. Side Saddle with KaitlynIn this episode, we welcome our guest @sidesaddlekaitlyn to the podcast to discuss riding side saddle! Kaitlyn is a side saddle rider and runs a horseback historical reenactment team called Equistry. We talk about some of the basics of riding side saddle, a brief history on the discipline, and debunk some myths surrounding side saddle. Per usual, no Keagan and Keely want to go try it... now to find folks who offer side saddle lessons...!You can find @sidesaddlekaitlyn on Instagram and her reenactment team @Equistry on Instagram and Facebook.If you enjoy...2025-04-2950 minHistory from Horseback15. HorseshoesThis episode Keagan and Keely chat about the mysterious history of horseshoes. We also get side-tracked by horses in video games, as we often do. Have you ever heard of the hipposandal? How about the umugatsu? Before we started nailing U-shaped metal plates onto horse's feet, both were used as hoof coverings. And when did we make the transition in the first place? Today's episode attempts to answer these questions.If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you're listening to HFH! We...2025-04-151h 07History from Horseback14. Endangered Horse Breeds of North America (Pt.2)This episode Keagan and Keely conclude our list of rare and endangered horse breeds from North America. Many of the horses we cover in this part are Spanish Colonial horses, a breed or group of breeds that can trace their roots back to Spanish colonies and conquistadors. Many strains of Spanish Colonial horse have remained genetically isolated for centuries and are rare due to this isolation.Luckily, there were horse lovers whose passion for their favorite breed led them to action. Today we will recognize their efforts by exploring the rare and threatened breeds of equine originating...2025-04-0151 min
History from Horseback13. Endangered Horse Breeds of North America (Pt.1)We did it again. We yapped so much that this topic has to be another 2-part series. This time, Keagan and Keely discuss rare and endangered horse breeds that originate in North America. There are around 400 breeds of horses in the world. Somebreeds are less known than others, because they are considered rare or endangered. The stories of how most breeds became threatened are similar to one another. Mechanization rendered horses obsolete in their main uses for transportation, agriculture, and warfare. This resulted in a global drop in the equine population around the early-to-mid 1900’s. Ironically, the Un...2025-03-181h 02
History from Horseback12. Bucephalus and Alexander the Great (Pt.2)Bucephalus returns in the conclusion of our first 2-part episode. And I suppose we mention Alexander the Great as well. In this episode Keagan and Keely focus on the biggest battles of Alexander the Great's campaign. Without horses and a cavalry, Alexander almost certainly would not have seen the success that he did during his life. TW: discussion of animal abuse from 39:15 - 45:26 Sources include: “The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity” by Timothy Winegard “The Anabasis of Alexander" by Arrian If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and subscri...2025-03-0458 min
History from Horseback11. Bucephalus and Alexander the Great (Pt. 1)Bucephalus, the trusty steed of Alexander the Great, is exalted as the most famous horse in history. In our first two parter episode, we begin with a deep dive into the life and husbandry of an ancient Greek horse. The Greeks were late to the equestrian game when it comes to successful ancient civilizations - yet they adapted to horse husbandry quickly. By exploring the earliest western literature on horse husbandry, written by Xenophon, Keagan and Keely get a peek into the life Bucephalus may have led. Sources include: “The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity” by Ti...2025-02-1851 min
History from Horseback10. FDR and Horses with Dr. Shelby LandmarkIn this episode of History from Horseback we welcome guest Dr. Shelby Landmark onto the podcast. She is currently the Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow for Disability Representation at National Historic Sites, located at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Hudson Valley area of New York. We discuss how her professional interests in disability representation in media brought her closer to horses in an unexpected way. We also explore some of Franklin D. Roosevelt's and his family's relationship with horses, and the tales (or... tails?) that they collected over generations. If you enjoy this p...2025-02-0452 min
History from Horseback9. Black BeautyKeely and Keagan are back in the saddle with a topic that most horse lovers have likely heard of. "Black Beauty" is famous for being a best-selling children's novel from the late 19th century, yet you may be shocked to hear that it was never intended to be a story only for children. Author Anna Sewell's intentions ran deeper than entertaining kids - she sought to revolutionize workhorse welfare. Did she succeed? In this episode we delve into living and working conditions for horses and city-dwellers in the 19th century. And considering that our topic is equine welfare... this...2025-01-2157 min
History from Horseback8. NATRC with Sarah SmithWe have a new kind of episode for our listeners today. In this episode of History from Horseback we welcome a guest onto the podcast. We have an excellent conversation with NATRC Executive Director Sarah Smith about the sport of competitive trail riding. We discuss what NATRC (North American Trail Riding Conference) is, what competitions entail, and the history of the organization. Sarah's passion and love for the sport is contagious, and now Keagan and Keely are eager to try it out themselves! If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and s...2024-11-261h 01
History from Horseback7. The ScythiansIn this episode of History from Horseback, step into the world of the Scythians. As the original horse-riding warriors of the Eurasian steppes, their prowess and culture influenced generations long before the Mongols or the Huns. We’ll explore the rise of the Scythians from the 9th century BCE, tracing their meteoric dominance as master horsemen who revolutionized warfare by introducing mounted cavalry. Discover how these fierce nomads not only conquered enemies like the Assyrians but also earned the fascination and fear of the Greeks, who saw them as both brutal and captivating figures. We'll discuss the leg...2024-11-1253 min
History from Horseback6. Horse MonstersAs October deepens and the chill of fall sets in, join Keely and Keagan for a spooky journey into the world of horse-like monsters from folklore! In this Halloween-themed episode of “History from Horseback”, we explore the haunting legends that have been passed down through generations, from the misty lochs of Scotland to the dark rainforests of the Philippines. We begin with the tale of the kelpie, a beautiful yet deadly water spirit that lures unsuspecting victims into its grasp. From there, we’ll travel across cultures, discovering creatures like the shape-shifting nix, the eerie nuckelavee, the mischi...2024-10-3046 min
History from Horseback5. The Pony ExpressIn this episode of History from Horseback, Keagan and Keely saddle up and ride back in time to 1860, when the Pony Express was born—a short-lived venture that would forever change the American frontier. As the Civil War loomed, California's strategic importance became critical, but its isolation on the West Coast posed a serious threat to the Union. That's when Russell, Majors, and Waddell, a freighting firm, devised an audacious solution: a 2,000-mile mail route across the Wild West, delivered by horseback riders. Despite its brief run—just a year and a half—the Pony Express became a cult...2024-10-1553 min
History from Horseback4. Equine Update: The Przewalski's Horse MysteryToday's episode is a little bit different from our usual content. In this episode, Keely and Keagan will be chatting about a couple of news stories/current events from the equestrian world. Today's stories include the mysterious discovery of two przewalski's horses, the Keeneland yearling sales, a new scientific study on horse psychology, and a woman who recieved urgent news while at a horse show. Sit back and relax for a more casual, unscripted episode. Then join us two weeks from now when we return to our usual historical episode content. If you enjoy this podcast, please...2024-10-0849 min
History from Horseback3. LexingtonIn today's episode, Keely and Keagan uncover the long-forgotten tale of Lexington, a thoroughbred who revolutionized American horse racing long before the likes of Secretariat and War Admiral. But this isn’t just a story about a legendary racehorse; it’s an exploration into the intertwined the legacy of thoroughbreds and the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in the horse industry. Join us as we explore how Harry Lewis, a formerly enslaved trainer, played a pivotal role in Lexington’s rise to greatness, overcoming societal barriers in a turbulent time. Discover the dramatic twists of Lexington’s life—from his triump...2024-09-2435 min
History from Horseback2. Horses in the Middle AgesAlmost all of us have seen them in medieval movies. Shining white stallions, jet black friesians with long flowing manes, and lines of charging steeds. In this episode, Keagan and Keely delve into the world of medieval horses and the pivotal role they played in shaping European society. The image of armored warhorses, galloping into battle, has long been romanticized in films and literature. But what were these horses really like? Were they the bulky draft horses often depicted, or is there more to the story? If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to...2024-09-1048 min
History from Horseback1. Origin of the Modern HorseThe world is full of horse lovers, and for good reason. They are strong, beautiful, and emotionally intelligent creatures that have been by humanity’s side for thousands of years. But how did the domestic horse first come about? Saddle up for the first episode of History on Horseback as Keagan and Keely go back millions of years ago to a time when horses looked more like small dogs, and follow their evolution into the modern horse that we know and love today. If you enjoy this podcast, please take a moment to rate and sub...2024-08-2731 min