Explore the profound relationship between horses and humans in Northwest Colorado.
“When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have.” - Winston Churchill
From the Ute Indian’s first use of the horse in the 1630s to the modern Dude ranches of today, horses are a central part of our local history.
The relationship between horses and humans in Northwest Colorado developed out of interdependence, necessity, hard work, and love. We have shaped horses to suit our evolving needs. From working on farms, to pulling stagecoaches, to recreational activities, horses have remained a valued and sometimes critical member of our economy and family. While our dependence on horses for work and transportation has declined, people continue to rely on horses as their spirited, dedicated, much adored companions.
As you explore “The Horse” exhibit, we encourage you to interact with items labeled “hands on,” but please refrain from touching museum artifacts. We’d love to hear from you! Leave your comments.
The sound is unmistakable: the thundering hooves of a running horse. Horses have been racing across the landscape for more than 50 million years—much longer than our own species has existed. Once horses and humans encountered each other, our two species became powerfully linked.
Humans domesticated horses some 6,000 years ago, and over time, we have created more than 200 breeds, from the powerful Clydesdale to the graceful Arabian. As we have shaped horses to suit our needs on battlefields, farms, and elsewhere, these animals have shaped human history. They have also captured our imagination and hearts. Millions of people rely on horses as their spirited, dedicated, much adored companions.
