“A horse is the projection of people’s dreams about themselves—strong, powerful, beautiful—and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence,” said Pam Brown.
Horse fanatics, have you been here yet? If you love horses, to ride them, watch them, see them race, see them graze, then you need to add central Kentucky to your list of must-visit destinations immediately. Located in the heart of horse country and dubbed the “Horse Capital of the World,” Kentucky is home to the world’s top thoroughbred horse farms, with endless miles of rolling hills lined with the fences that house championship winners as well as new colts awaiting their turn. From the first-known circular horse racing track from as far back as the 1780s until today, racehorses have been an icon of Kentucky, and this reputation continues to grow year after year. We hope to wet your appetite as you read on.
What You Need to Know About Kentucky’s Horses
What Connection is There Between Bluegrass and Horses?
Due to the commonly found deposits of limestone under Kentucky’s soil, the grass that grows on the surface becomes rich in calcium and other minerals. To the early settlers, the grass had such a richness in color that it appeared blue. Hence the nickname, The Bluegrass State. When the already genetically strong thoroughbreds eat this grass, the extra nutrients increase the horses’ structure, giving them a stronger form. When you combine this natural growth with selective breeding techniques, the successful results on the race track become easy to imagine. Because of this cycle, Kentucky thoroughbreds have become nearly unstoppable in the sport of kings.