Veterinarian in Society

SWINE AND HORSE

Swine

• American breeds of swine come form two wild stocks: the European wild boar and the East Indian pig.
• The first use of pigs for food probably occurred in the Neolithic Age. Chinese were the first people to tame swine. Swine were brought to the US by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage. More swine were brought later by the Spanish explorers.
• English settlers brought swine with them also. Herds grew quickly in size and soon production was soon more than the local need.
• The main expansion in the swine industry occurred in the Corn Belt states because of the available feed for finishing hogs for market.

Horse

• The horse evolved from a tiny four-toed ancestor called Eohippus.
• Eohippus was about a foot high and lived in swamps about 58 million years ago. The Eohippus grew gradually, and eventually adapted to the prairie.
• The horse was more than likely tamed later than other farm animals. The horse was brought to the US by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493.
• Early colonist brought saddle horses and draft horses to US.
• Horses served mainly as pack animals and for riding.
• The early development of the horse was in the US was mostly associated with riding on plantations.
• Horse racing developed into a sport in the 1700s and early 1800s.
• With development of other power sources, the use of the draft horse on farms became less common.