A Brief History of Humans and Horses

The relationship between horses and humans is not only a unique one: it is also one that has evolved and changed in dramatic ways, multiple times over the course of history. The oldest surviving depiction of a horse is that of the “dun horse” of the Lascaux cave paintings in France, dating approximately to 15.000 BC. Based on archeological findings from the paleolithic era, we know that at this time humans were not riding horses or using them as beasts of burden, they were hunting them for food. With primitive weapons and hunting techniques, horses were not easy prey. Archeologists theorize that the paintings in these ancient caverns were created as part of mystic ceremonies to improve future hunting endeavors. Of the 6.000 representations of animals, equines are by far the most common, making up an estimated 60% of all depicted beasts. Horses in that area were indeed hunted and killed, but rarely and with much difficulty: it is clear that ancient humans held a deep fascination toward horses and yearned to conquer that elusive beast. It wasn’t until 10.000 years after the images in these caverns were created that humans could finally domesticate the horse. Clear evidence of horse domestication doesn’t appear in the archaeological record until about 5,500 years ago. Around this time, in multiple locations across Eurasia, we can find horse remains within human encampments, signs of bit-wear on horse skulls, and pottery containing traces of horse milk. The domestication of the equine species is a pivotal moment in humanity's history. If we look at the speed at which human civilization evolved as a whole, we will find that technological advancement was extremely slow until the domestication of the horse, which came shortly before the invention of the wheel. Horses were domesticated at the end of the Stone Age, which lasted approximately 3.4 million years. The following era, the Bronze Age, lasted an estimated 2,000 years, and the subsequent Iron Age lasted less than 1,000 years. With the domestication of equines and the invention of the wheel occurring in concomitance, humans suddenly could move fast across vast distances, transport goods, and construct increasingly more complex societies through fast technological advancement. It’s important to note that horses were not always considered simple beasts of burden: they were irreplaceably necessary members of society, and as such, they were often revered and loved companions to humans. Evidence of this appears over and over throughout history if we look at how our ancestors depicted horses in art, wrote about them in literature, or decided to remember them after their death: the following is an epitaph dated to the 2nd century AD dedicated to a stallion by his owner. “You once outran the wandering birds and beat the northwest winds; now you graze no longerin the Tuscan woods and Siculan fields, but reststabled in this tomb.” Empires were built and destroyed on horseback, horses pulled carts and transported loads across history-defining trade routes such as the silk road, and up until the early 20th century, the entire world’s military complexes, agricultural industries, and transportation industries depended entirely on horse power to function. This is not a euphemism: before the invention of the car engine, large cities could not function without horses. This was proven by the equine influenza outbreak of 1872. The epidemic started in Canada in September of that year and, by the beginning of 1973, had spread across the U.S. The symptoms made horses unfit to work for weeks. This disrupted every aspect of society: horses could no longer transport coal out of mines, which caused the cost of fuel to skyrocket; they could no longer transport produce, which rotted before ever reaching stores; they could no longer transport people, who were now forced to travel on foot. Mail couldn’t be delivered; people stopped traveling unless necessary, and emergency services became unreliable. Without horses, society suffered total economic paralysis. It would be as if today, the electric grid shut down, and gas pumps ran dry across the entire country for weeks. With the advent of the first motor vehicle in 1886 and the tractor in 1889, horses slowly began losing their role in society. Between 1900 and 1950, horses became progressively obsolete in most industries, which replaced them in favor of faster and more efficient motor vehicles. If we look at the next table, we can see that save for an uptick in equine population during WWI to supply armies with horses, the equine population between 1900 and 1960 dropped by a staggering 85.66%. Mechanization changed the landscape of both rural and urban landscapes Let’s put this landscape change into perspective: in 1974, Joseph Gamgee published “A Treatise on Hose-Shoeing and Lameness” (available in our online library). Chapter II contains a transcription of Gamgee’s observation of working horses in Edinburgh on May 14, 1869. In just two hours, he observed 607 horses passing in front of him in West Princess Street Gardens. Less than 80 years later, there would be little to no horses to be found anywhere in the streets of European cities. The mechanization of transport altered the physical landscape of cities and profoundly affected the economy, society, and the environment. Horse-drawn carriages, once a common sight, were replaced by cars, buses, and trucks, leading to the development of new infrastructure such as roads, parking lots, and traffic signals. The disappearance of horses from city streets also meant a decline in related industries, such as blacksmithing and carriage making, while simultaneously giving rise to new automotive manufacturing and maintenance professions. Not everyone welcomed the advent of the motor vehicle excitement, and many were skeptical about whether automobiles could truly replace the horses that had been faithfully serving us for hundreds of years. Consider this humorous 1912 poem from “Evolution of the Horse Shoe” by H.D. Shaiffer (also available in our library). This charming piece captures the essence of the era's transition, reflecting both the nostalgia for the past and the curiosity and skepticism toward the future. As the workhorse of Western societies became obsolete, a new kind of horse quickly began rising in popularity: the sport horse. Dressage is an example of this profound change: within a few decades, what used to be a form of military training became a recreational sport. The art of controlling a horse’s movement with precision was historically an interest of cavalrymen: skill in this department made the difference between life and death on the battlefield, and cavalrymen routinely challenged each other’s ability to perform complex maneuvers (dressage) with their horses. - In 1912, dressage became an Olympic discipline open exclusively to military officers. - As the sport rose in interest and popularity, by 1936, male civilians were allowed to compete. In 1942, the U.S. army unsaddled its last horse, marking the end of the mounted cavalry. - By 1952, women were allowed to compete at the dressage Olympics as well. Today, many horse people are unaware that dressage ever had anything to do with the military at all. Today, the equine industry generates approximately $122 billion in economic value, but the primary drivers of the industry are recreation, racing and competition. Working horses are still contributing to the industry, but to a much smaller extent. The recreational sector includes activities such as trail riding, therapeutic riding programs, and family-friendly equestrian events, which serve to bring communities together and promote a love for horses among people of all ages. Racing, on the other hand, draws significant attention and investment, with major events like the Kentucky Derby and the Grand National capturing the imagination of millions and generating substantial revenue through betting, sponsorships, and media rights. Competitive equestrian sports, including show jumping, dressage, and eventing, attract participants and spectators from around the globe. While the role of working horses has diminished with the advent of modern machinery, they continue to play important roles in certain areas, such as law enforcement, ranching, and therapeutic settings. As these industries evolve, there's a growing emphasis on equine welfare and sustainability, with organizations and enthusiasts increasingly advocating for responsible breeding practices, better living conditions, and improved horse care and management practices. In conclusion, the history of the relationship between humans and horses has evolved significantly over time. From being essential for transportation, agriculture, and warfare to becoming valued companions and athletes in various recreational and competitive activities, horses have played a crucial role in aiding the development of human civilization.