A presentation at Skyline Farm June 18 by David A Jefferson, DVM
From the early 1800’s through the early 1900’s America’s horse population
exploded to an estimated 26 million horses. Today our horse numbers are about
a quarter of that.
You are invited to go back in time and learn how horses were used to
power our economy and build the nation. Although railroads crisscrossed the
country, we were totally dependent on equine power for the local transport of
goods and people. Our “living machines” also worked our farms and were the
muscle of US industry.
In the fall of 1872 an equine influenza outbreak swept across the United
States. On November 7 a huge fire tore through Boston. The fire horses were
too sick to work, so the heavy steam pumpers and ladder and hose wagons had
no “engines” to pull them. A large portion of Boston was destroyed, partly
because of the slowed response time.
At 4 PM on June 18 Skyline Farm, 95 The Lane in Yarmouth, will be hosting
a talk on this exciting period of American history and the roles our horses played.
.
Dr Jefferson’s four books will be available to purchase after his talk. Profits from
the book sales that day will be donated to Skyline Farm.