Breeding Success: The Creation of the Racehorse in Antiquity

Abstract

The social significance of equestrian competition in antiquity is well documented. Likewise, we know the chronological history of the various events, and a variety of sources—such as the epigraphic record, Pindar, Posidippus, and victory lists—give us a reasonably good idea of who won, when, and where. When it comes to logistics, however, we know very little; this becomes even more apparent when we compare horse sports with other athletic events. In terms of the practicalities of breeding equine athletes in the ancient world, we have relatively little specialized primary material to work with. This article seeks to fill the gaps in our knowledge by taking a comparative approach to the topic. From a physiological standpoint, the horse has changed little since its domestication. The basic nutritional requirements, husbandry methods, and training approaches have remained quite static. This is particularly true in the breeding and training of racehorses, where tradition runs deep, even in the world of Thoroughbred racing. By comparing several aspects of modern racehorse breeding with the evidence from antiquity, we can begin to build a more comprehensive picture of the logistics of equestrian competition, adding not only to our understanding of equines in the ancient world, but also to the field of ancient athletics.