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On April 22, 1519, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés established the city of Veracruz in what is now Mexico. This began his conquest of the Aztec Empire, culminating with the fall of its capital Tenochtitlán in 1521. The horse played a crucial role in this victory by the Spaniards. 

Cortés’s expedition marked the reintroduction of the horse on the mainland of North America up until this point, this land mass had not had horses for thousands of years. 

For the 500th anniversary of the horse’s return to mainland North America, we interviewed Dr. Deb Bennett of the Equine Studies Institute. Through her career, she has studied this historic return of the horse and subsequent equine migration throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

This podcast series will provide a look at the horse’s arrival with Cortes.

Reintroduction of the Horse to Mainland North America: The Horse Before 1519

Listen to a discussion with Dr. Deb Bennett on the horse in North American before the conquest of the Aztecs.

Reintroduction of the Horse to Mainland North America: The Horse's Arrival to the Mainland 

Listen to how the horse contributed to Hernán Cortés in his conquest of the Aztecs.

Reintroduction of the Horse to Mainland North America: The Horse After the Fall of Tenochtitlán 

Listen to how the horse flourished in North America after Cortés conquered the Aztecs and how it spread through the continent.

The American Farriers Journal podcast is brought to you by Castle Plastics

Castle Plastics is a 5th generation, family owned and operated injection molding manufacturing business. 2020 marks the celebration of our 100th anniversary! For over 30 years now, we have dedicated our production capabilities to the equine industry with our vast assortment of superior hoof pads. We take pride in both the innovation and quality of all the products that we have developed and introduced to the market over the years, as well as the fact that each and every item that leaves our facility is manufactured in house, in the USA. Castle pads are currently used globally by the majority of all hoof care professionals. Contact us at 1-800-9CASTLE, or visit us online at www.castleplastics.com for product and supplier information.

Past Podcasts

Intro Music: Gillicuddy - Adventure Darling

Additional Music: Josh Woodward - Water in the Creek (Instrumental)