What Are Horses Used For?
Are horses still used on farms?
By: Cady Brown, 2025
These days, when driving past a field, you’re likely to see tractors going around and around. But a hundred years ago, you would have seen a team of draft horses working that very same land. Advances in agricultural technology have allowed farmers to produce more food, faster. While horses are no longer the main form of transportation or labor, there are still many jobs that require a good horse.
Horses continue to play an important role in agriculture. In the Rocky Mountains, where the terrain is rugged and unforgiving, ranchers rely on their horses to move cattle from pasture to pasture. These sturdy ranch horses can navigate areas that machines simply cannot reach, helping care for the livestock that feed America. Ranch horses are also used to rope cattle and assist riders in treating sick calves. Decades of selective breeding have made certain breeds, like the American Quarter Horse, especially well-suited for working cattle. These horses have a natural instinct for tracking and herding cattle.
In addition to preserving traditions, horses can also provide a sustainable and cost- effective alternative to machinery. In some areas, especially during the winter, horses are used to haul wagons of hay to feed livestock. Some ranchers prefer using horse-drawn wagons, especially when machinery fails to start. Horses offer a practical solution and a meaningful connection to the past and many people find them therapeutic as well.
Besides ranch work, horses are also used for recreation. Many people enjoy trail riding, competitive events, and the therapeutic benefits involving horses. Riding is not only enjoyable but also a great form of exercise—it is good for your core, improves balance and flexibility, and encourages spending time outdoors, which is beneficial for mental health. Horses can offer emotional support and help people in stressful situations.
Many agriculturists live in remote rural areas, where it’s not uncommon to go days without seeing another person. In these isolated environments, one of the most important roles a horse can play is that of a companion. A rider and their horse often form a deep bond. Like other animals, horses offer comfort and companionship. A good horse becomes an irreplaceable part of the family. Horses are an important part of agriculture, from helping on the ranch to providing support.
