Horses in Transportation and Agriculture In mountainous areas of Northern Midland Vietnam (Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Yen Bai,

Lai Chau), horses have long been used by ethnic minorities to transport and trade goods. Horses prove to be remarkably resilient and strong when carrying heavy loads upwards the narrow mountain ridges .

Having a tremendous land area, the United States used horses to protect the Old West (or the frontier.) This was a high priority, especially when the nation was vulnerable to invaders after the Revolutionary War (17751783.) Before the industrial revolution and the advent of railroad in the 1850s, the westward expansion depended heavily on horses. Rangers use horses to defend the frontier in states with vast territory and extreme climate, such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. American people who live in the countryside are very familiar with seeing horses, feeling horses, even riding horses. The images of rangers and horses, i.e. cowboy Lucky Luke and the Lone Ranger, resonate with American peoples childhood and throughout their lives. HERDING Cowboys bring cattle together

and protect the cattle from predators.

 Horses are Familiar Friends of American People

Horses hold an important foothold in American life. Friendship between horses and rangers/border protectors and country sheriffs is widely depicted in media and popular culture.

Lucky Luke is one of the most popular, best-selling comic-book/cartoon series in Europe and the Americas. Originally Belgian, the series was translated into 23 languages and reproduced by many film and game companies, including Disney.

Horses are not just a wild animal domesticated for human industrial needs. Horses have long been loyal friends to American peopleyoung or old, men or women, regardless of professions. Throughout the United States, horses centers have been established not for financial or entertainment purposes, but for sole reason to strengthen America. Horses do not ask people, but they offer a magical healing power to US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In this case, horses are hailed as Therapy horses . This video from ABC News sheds light on how horses are helping US veterans heal old wounds. According to Bob Nevins, the founder of Saratoga WarHorse, horses offer a deep emotional connection that actually opens people up .
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/vietnam-vet-horses-returning-soldiers-heal-19976247.

Horses also relieve pains and trauma from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012. Since the shooting incidence, countless centers for . In this video and news report, miniature horses are shown to exert that healing power.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/Local-mini-horses-comfort-Newtownkids/-/475880/18357770/-/ym258d/-/index.html

In light of US history and culture, horses are as familiar as amiable friends, who stick with American people through thick and thin.

Horses in Sports and Recreation One of the most extensive uses of horses lies in Sports and recreation (or entertainment.)

In Vietnam, Horse racing is described as a social event or a new trend as it is held at small-scaled events like celebrations or anniversaries. For example, on December 22, 2013, Long An province held a horse racing event to raise the morale and enthusiasm of the horse breeders. Nonetheless, a lot of expertise as well as money must be invested in this kind of recreation to make it profitable.

In the United States, horse racing has been an enormous and strategic industry. First established in 1665 in long Island, horse racing has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry that spreads most of the states. Kentucky Derby (Louisville, Kentucky), Preakness Stakes (Maryland) and Belmont Stakes (Elmont, New York) have been three greatest, most prestigious horse races in America. The three races make up the US Triple Crown, which is a highly competitive and difficult race. Taking the Triple Crown means winning all the three races in a single year, which is very unusual and extremely difficult. The Triple Crown metaphor has gained popularity not only in racing, but also in marathon, mountain biking, golf, swimming, baseball and American football.

Triple Crown also implies successful business leadership. In his book Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical and Enduring Organizations, Bob Vanourek and Gregg Vanourek point out key factors to build up a successful business, including high performance, integrity and sustainability.

Breeders' Cup 2013 Odds: Dark Horse Candidates for Saturday's Big Race

Horse Racing gives us the metaphor Dark Horse. Its Literal meaning describes an ignored horse that rises in the competition and might ultimately win the game. The Figurative meaning (derived from the literal meaning) implies a little-known person/thing that emerges to PROMINENCE and ultimately achieves great things. This is very common in all walks of life, namely politics, music, film, television. In American history, several US presidents were dark horses that rose to prominence, such as James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, and Jimmy Carter. The British novelist Benjamin Disraeli eventually turned to politics and became prime minister (1874-1880.)