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When it comes to monographic representations that, in addition to a wide variety of content, also cover a large period of time, you shouldn't expect thin books. The steeds of Vienna weigh 2.4 kilograms, the horses of the world weigh a little heavier at 2.5 kilograms. But first things first. Gottfried Brem (University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna), the editor of the Vienna book, sums up the importance of horses: "Without the domestication and subsequent use of horses, human history would definitely have been different." Dealing with this topic using the example of Vienna, the former imperial capital and residential city, whose reliable evidence of horse use goes back to Roman times, naturally requires a variety of approaches across the centuries. These - this much should be said at this point - were comprehensively covered on 637 pages by numerous contributions from co-authors.
The book begins with an archaeozoological contribution. If the question of pet or wild animal cannot be answered clearly with a find from the Rennweg in Vienna-Landstrasse from the Bell Beaker period (2,600 BC to 2,200 BC), bone finds of horses and mules from Unterlaa (Vienna-Favoriten) clearly prove their use as pets. The analysis of a late medieval ceremonial saddle (excavation: Herrengasse 10, Innere Stadt) or the evaluation of horseshoe finds is fascinating. The invasion of Napoleonic troops also left horseshoes in Aspern and Essling (Vienna-Donaustadt). Due to their shape they could be assigned to the French. The horseshoe nails are likely to have come from both warring parties, "if their very worn condition indicates this" (page 45). This detailed knowledge results from well-founded basic scientific research. Whether medieval scarlet races as a fairground attraction or the role of horses at the Congress of Vienna, every article in this book reveals fascinating details. The congress in question posed an enormous logistical challenge for the imperial fleet. Transporting the distinguished guests required around 500 horses and 167 carriages including a coachman, as well as around 400 foreign traveling companions. They all had to be cared for and accommodated. These are largely unknown facts about the Vienna Congress, which is ostensibly perceived as a major social event under the motto “The Congress dances”.
Whether it is monuments, which can be found especially in the center of Vienna as impressive equestrian monuments or horse tamers, or equestrian sports (keyword: trotters in the Krieau), whether it is the topic of horse meat (11,000 horses were slaughtered in 1897), which was primarily used to feed poorer sections of the population, or the cart industry, every aspect is described comprehensively and in an easy-to-read manner. The Vienna horse-drawn tramway, which was in operation from October 4, 1865 to May 23, 1903, proved to be groundbreaking. Here's a number: In 1899, no fewer than 4,186 horses were in use (p. 552). The final chapter, “Horses in Vienna today”, deals not only with equestrian sports but also with the role of Lipizzaners, horse-drawn carriages and therapy horses.
If you are looking for the Lipizzaner in the book Horses of the World - 550 Breed Portraits, you will find it on the Austria pages (206 to 209). Here they are presented alongside Haflingers, Austrian Warmbloods and Norikers. The book was published in 2014 under the title Tous les chevaux du monde and describes 567 horse breeds sorted by country, almost 400 of which have illustrations. In this country, the more than 80,000 horses are "used primarily for leisure time, as Austrians consume very little horse meat" (p. 206). The following points are systematically dealt with for the individual breeds: description, distribution, origin and history, character and properties, use and finally the current situation. There are also drawings of the horses in side view, where their characteristic features are once again shown in the picture. This strict scheme proves to be very helpful when making comparisons.
To stay with the Lipizzaners: straight croup, long back, strong, high neck and "long and silky long hair" on the mane. As far as the current situation is concerned, despite its wide international distribution, with a focus on Europe but also the USA, only around 3,500 animals are mentioned; Lipizzaners are “astonishingly rare”.
This book is “written for the general public” and is not intended to be a zoological specialist book. In the introduction (pp. 8 to 25) basic knowledge about horses and horse breeds is presented clearly and competently. Terms such as species (can be reproduced among each other), race (subspecies within a species) or breed (subgroup within a breed) are explained. The gaits (walk, trot, canter, racing canter, pace and tölt) are shown graphically, as is the dental pattern as an indication of the horse's age. Domestication, we read on page 22, is said to have occurred around 4,000 BC. Christ "probably occurred in Ukraine, northern Kazakhstan and Central Asia". You learn that most horse breeds are small horses and all breeds have their place. "What is a defect for one person is considered quality for another."
If you didn't know: ponies and horses belong to the same breed, the only difference is the size, the decisive factor being the height of 148 centimeters. To mention the other Austrian horses: Haflingers are characterized as "perfect family horses for leisure time", Norikers as "good team horses for forestry work". The Austrian Warmblood, bred in the 1960s, "excels in dressage and show jumping." (Thomas Hofmann, August 5, 2024)