It is impossible to discuss the history of Brainerd without discussing horses and the part they played in the development of this area.

A hundred years ago, oxen were important to the local economy -- especially the men who made their living by traveling from St. Paul to Pembina with supplies -- but a more versatile animal was needed by the farmers.

Sought was an animal that was strong enough to pull a plow, but could do it faster than the oxen, and also one that was appropriate to take the family to church on Sunday or to visit the neighbors or relatives.

This brought the horse into prominence in Crow Wing county and numerous old pictures show the animals doing everything from pulling a plow to hauling loads of marl from fields in the county.

In those days the horse was primarily a functional creature and his use as a means of recreation was minimal.

Instead, he plowed the fields, hauled logs from the forest, lugged materials for homes and helped to deliver the mail to rural residents.

Horses were valuable pieces of property and the fame of certain teams spread far and wide. Some were known for their beauty and others for exceptional strength.

During those last years of the last century and the first years of this one, the horse reigned supreme. Suddenly, however, he was demoted almost out of existence by an invention called the gasoline engine.

It didn't take long before the buggies were replaced by cars and the crack four-horse teams pulling the gang plows gave way to snorting tractors that could travel faster and pull more.

Horses by the thousands were sent to mink farms and factories where they were turned into everything from glue to dog food.

Horses became more and more scarce as the gasoline engine-powered vehicles became more and more popular and more and more needed in a rapidly expanding economy.

The young people seemed to turn away from the equine species and sports cars and hot rods became their passions instead.

The horse population continued to decline and even the U. S. Army discontinued its remount stations across the country from which some fine horses were sent forth in cavalry units and to private owners via sales.

Then came the 1950s and a burgeoning economy that brought affluence. Suddenly, it seemed, the horse was rediscovered -- not as a beast of burden, but as a source of pleasure.

Youngsters began demanding that their parents purchase them a horse. Breeders who had been raising horses primarily as a hobby or to satisfy specific needs suddenly found themselves unable to fill the demand.

For a time, there was such a demand for Shetland ponies that the tiny animals were selling for as much as $500 each in this area. This brought about an upsurge in breeders and soon Shetland ponies were being raised everywhere from backyards to large ranches.

Before long the supply had more than met the demand and the pony market took a big dip.

The pony demand was something of a prelude to the demand for larger riding horses and this demand is still growing in the Brainerd area and across the country.

In the beginning the demand was simply for horses, but now it is turning to quality horses.

The demand in the Brainerd area seems to be equally split between horses used primarily for games and contests and those wanted strictly for pleasure.

As the horse owners grew, they began looking for more ways in which to enjoy their new found hobby.

Horse shows and trail rides' became popular. This year alone, there will be at least five horse shows held in Brainerd.

Several years ago open class horse events were added at the Crow Wing County fair. The response was so great that an addition had to be added to the horse barn to accommodate all of the entries and this has now reached the saturation point.

The fastest growing 4-H project in this area -- and the project with the largest enrollment in Crow Wing county -- is the horse project.

The 4-H program had been geared primarily to the traditional beef, dairy, swine and sheep projects and the animal front, until suddenly it was realized that there was a strong demand for a horse project among its younger members.

At the county fair this year, the youngsters will show their horses both at halter and under saddle. Clinics are held periodically to help them learn more about the care of their animals and how to enjoy their hobby even more.

The open horse shows here feature a wide variety of events for the participants. Some are designed primarily for those with competitive blood in their veins and feature barrel racing, pole bending and a variety of events designed to test the speed of the horse and skill of the rider.

Trail riding by families and groups are popular in the Brainerd area and one of the best developed areas in the state for trail riding is in the Pillsbury State forest.

The Forestry department has linked together some 30 miles of wooded trails that are used by the horsemen in the spring, summer and fall and by the snowmobilers during the winter months. Two campgrounds have been strategically located along the trails.

Groups containing as many as 70 horsemen have used the trail at one time.

The trail has also become the site of the annual Pillager Cup ride, an endurance contest that tests the mettle of rider and horse over a 50-mile designated course in one day.