Horse vs. Eagle

[alterknowbetter]

Ever wonder why the horse isn't our national symbol instead of the eagle?
Makes sense to me! Afterall, the horse:


Was part of life of the Native American before settlers even got here

Carried us in our hard fought battles

Carted us and our belongings across the country when settling the west

Was our mailsystem - The Pony Express

Plowed (and fertilized) our fields to help provide food

Was our method of transportation before cars



So why the eagle and not the horse?

[arabhorse2]

Ever wonder why the horse isn't our national symbol instead of the eagle?
Makes sense to me! Afterall, the horse:


Was part of life of the Native American before settlers even got here

Carried us in our hard fought battles

Carted us and our belongings across the country when settling the west

Was our mailsystem - The Pony Express

Plowed (and fertilized) our fields to help provide food

Was our method of transportation before cars



So why the eagle and not the horse?

First point, untrue. The horses that are now in North America aren't native to this continent. The horses the Native Americans had all came from stock that were released or got loose from the Spanish Conquistadores, settlers, and explorers.

Second point is valid, but only because there weren't armored vehicles prior to the late 1800s.

Third point, mostly untrue. Oxen were used primarily to move settlers across the country, because horses were too fragile to withstand the long, torturous journeys.

Fourth point, mostly a romantic notion. The Pony Express lasted all of what, 18 months? Hardly the country's 'mail system'.

Fifth point, somewhat true. Again, oxen were the primary animals hooked to the plows. They also provided fertilizer and fuel to their owners, as well as meat when necessary. Some horses did pull plows, and the Amish still use them for that purpose today. But horses were too expensive for the 'average' American to own, so oxen did most of the early settling work.

Sixth point, true. But then, every country used horses for transportation before the advent of motorized vehicles. This was not endemic only to the U.S.

The eagle was chosen for its symbolism. Horses, before the 20th century, were considered work animals and a means of transportation. Only when we have the luxury of not actually needing something, do we romanticize it.

[5]

So why the eagle and not the horse?


The eagle is free and serves no one but himself.
The horse is a beast of burden made to work for the benefit of others in exchange for enough sustenance to work at his best the next day. When too worn out to work they are sent to the knackers.

The people pulling the strings don't want to openly flaunt their view of the citizens they tax.

[MissBri]

The eagle is free and serves no one but himself.
The horse is a beast of burden made to work for the benefit of others in exchange for enough sustenance to work at his best the next day. When too worn out to work they are sent to the knackers.

The people pulling the strings don't want to openly flaunt their view of the citizens they tax.


you owe me a keyboard!

[Bluey]

The eagle was second to the turkey, that was the first mentioned as a symbol.

The eagle won, because turkeys were too numerous and eagles seemed to receive more respect in the fowl department.:winkgrin:

[mares tails]

So why the eagle and not the horse?
and "He is a Bird of bad moral Character. (http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/turkey.html)"

:)

[Calvincrowe]

Eagles are scavengers, willing to eat whatever presents itself, dead or alive:lol: Just ask the good folks of Alaska, where the garbage dumps are the "native habitat" of the Bald Eagle.

Really, though, birds of prey have long been used to represent the might of a person or city-state or country. The US eagle clutches the arrows of war and the olive branch of peace.

Arabhorse2- you beat me to the fact checking--as a history teacher, those misconceptions are very prevalent--good job!

[MistyBlue]

I've always wondered why they didn't pick the wild ass as our symbol. :confused:

BTW 5, great point! :lol:

[arabhorse2]

Arabhorse2- you beat me to the fact checking--as a history teacher, those misconceptions are very prevalent--good job!

Thanks, Calvin.

My long ago history teachers would probably be happy to know I've remembered everything they taught me! :lol:

Hollywood movies are not the truth, and unfortunately too many people use them as their basis for fact.

[Bluey]

Not joking now, here is the way eagles have been seen as symbols in heraldry thru centuries and I think that is why the eagle was chosen:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_(heraldry)

[trubandloki]

The eagle is free and serves no one but himself.
The horse is a beast of burden made to work for the benefit of others in exchange for enough sustenance to work at his best the next day. When too worn out to work they are sent to the knackers.

The people pulling the strings don't want to openly flaunt their view of the citizens they tax.

:lol: Love it!

[greysandbays]

I've always wondered why they didn't pick the wild ass as our symbol. :confused:


They were saving that one for the Democrats? :p

[5]

you owe me a keyboard!

As a matter of fact I have an extra IBM Model M type that 'never' wear out. Pay for shipping and a box and it is yours. It is the same as the first keyboard picture. http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml

[Rena]

While the horse has not been considered, you're not the only one to question which animal is a better national symbol:

Beauty Is Only Feather Deep
Was the bald eagle really the best choice of national symbol? A closer look at the habits and evolutionary lineage of this American icon casts doubt

http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/beauty-is-only-feather-deep/3