Prepper Livestock - Horse

Through out history, horses have proven to be reliable transportation and a strategic advantage for those who have them, yet most people don't even know how to ride.

In our BEST Prepper Transportation post, a Horse was one of the highest rated. They are:

1. Quite - No loud exhausts that will attract danger.  In fact, few modes of transportation are quieter. No headlights to give away your position when you ride at night.  Using Night Vision or Thermal Vision while riding can be a huge advantage.
2. Security - they are alert, can smell and hear danger at great distances.
3. Reliable - Low maintenance, no maintenance, rarely break down. EMP hardy with no electronics.  Horses can also reproduce so they are sustainable long term.
4.  Street and Off-road capable - Ability to go places many vehicles cannot go. When being pursued, or trying to stay off the beaten path, you can ride through a field, the woods, a narrow alley, foot trail or down the train tracks, which is a big advantage.
5. Carrying Capacity - Sufficient capacity for your individual needs. See Rule of 3's to prioritize the supplies you pack.
6. Long Travel Range - A horse is excellent for a Nomadic life style and great for regional scouting.  You can get where you are going without running out of fuel.

But horses are useful beyond just transportation.  They can carry/pull heavy loads, including wagons, plows or a travois like the Native Americans used.  They make good companions and provide security as well as a large amount of meat as a last resort, i.e. much more versatile than cows.

Travois

While soft earth tone horses blend in to their surroundings better, Native Americans preferred horses with a pattern.  This provides a decorative value but also a broken up pattern is harder to distinguish lines and see vs. a solid color as shown below.

 

Wild horses were hunted for food and appeared in Paelo cave art as early as 30,000 BC, New DNA testing suggests they were domesticated starting 8,000 BC or over 10,000 years ago.  Solid evidence suggests they were clearly domesticated by 6,000 years ago. 

The point is, the Horse has been tested and proven reliable for thousands of years. Take riding lessons and consider horse riding as a hobby.  Perhaps this will evolve into owning your own horse some day.  Popular Breeds include:

1. Arabian - is one of the oldest breeds, known for its spirit and endurance. They are versatile, intelligent, and loyal. Suitable for advanced owners and generally healthy.
2. Quarter Horse - is arguably the most popular breed in the United States and the American Quarter Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world. Known as the fastest breed of horse over short distances (up to 55 mph), they are used for pleasure riding and western events such as barrel racing, roping and cutting, but they can also make excellent hunting mounts and even racehorses. Suitable for slightly experienced riders and known to have below average health.
3. Morgan - compact, brave and agreeable, best known for its versatility. Small in stature but big in heart, they are used today as a riding horse and cart pulling horses. Suitable for slightly experienced riders and known for being healthy with no genetic diseases.
4. Appaloosa - were developed by the Nez Perce Native Americans They are genetically diverse, versatile, tough, independent, hardy and sure-footed, with big bodies and sparse manes and tails. Appaloosas are often used as stock horses and pleasure mounts, and also make excellent trail horses.  Suitable for Slightly experience riders and known for being healthier than average. This would probably be my first choice as a Preppers horse followed by a Morgan.

Here is a Horse Breed Selector this is obviously biased to a POA breed but also suggests an Appaloosa, Paint and Quarter Horse are ideal for me which is confirmed by my own personal research.  I've included links on each breed above to help you select one.  IF you already have horses, I'd be anxious to hear what breed you like best.

Good luck and may I also suggest visiting our Livestock link below.

For additional information see the following links:

Blog Table of Contents

List of Top 10 Lists 

Top 10 Prepper Websites 

Top 10 Posts 

Prepper Livestock series 

Best Prepper Transportation

 

See similar topics by clicking on the labels below