Publication
Title
The horse catalyzed birth of modern veterinary medicine in 18th-century France
Author
Abstract
The central role and significant importance of the horse for the development of Western society has been described and outlined by several authors in the (recent) past. Although it might seem logical that this mythical animal contributed to the establishment of the veterinary profession, the reality is slightly more complicated. During the 16th to 18th century, the role of the horse became increasingly prominent, not only as a draft animal and important military tool but certainly also as a recreational partner in the budding art of equitation and hunting. Coexisting along with the horse for many hundreds of years was the guild of blacksmiths, who traditionally took care of both horseshoeing and supplying general first-line care. However, a new more heterogeneous group of actors arose, consisting of noblemen, physicians, lawyers who began to educate themselves in the art of equitation and associated horse-related subjects in the broadest sense. This resulted in an unavoidable clash occurring against the background of a much larger confrontation between old and new that ultimately resulted in the French Revolution. This article briefly describes the historical background and actors of this era and how the horse finally catalyzed the political convictions to establish formal veterinary training in 18th-century France.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of equine veterinary science. - Wildomar, Calif.
Publication
Wildomar, Calif. : 2016
ISSN
0737-0806
DOI
10.1016/J.JEVS.2016.04.003
Volume/pages
41 (2016) , p. 35-41
ISI
000377341000007
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.03.2017
Last edited 09.10.2023
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