How did horses power 19th-century American cities?

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”)

• SOURCES:
  • Ann N. Greene, historian of 19th century America, retired professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
  • Elizabeth Bortuzzo, professional horse rider.
  • Mark Paul, professor of economics at Rutgers University.
  • Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at Oxford History.

• RESOURCES:
  • "2023 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Horse Industry," (American Horse Council Foundation, 2024).
  • Riding to Arms, by Charles Caramello (2022).
  • The Horse in the City, by Clay McShane and Joel Tarr (2011).
  • Horses at Work, by Ann Norton Greene (2008).

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