The Horse summary

The moment when humans first climbed atop a horse is lost to history, but it is estimated to have happened about five millennia ago. This daring act, perhaps by some reckless teenager showing off by jumping on a horse’s back and trying to hang on as it galloped off, changed the course of civilization. By the time the Book of Revelation was written two millennia ago, the image of the Four Horsemen was instantly recognizable, showing how deeply horses had galloped into our collective imagination.

In warfare, horses proved revolutionary. The Romans, with their advanced horsemanship and chariot technology, conquered vast swathes of Europe and North Africa. But it was in the East where horse-based warfare reached its zenith.

The story of horses in the Americas is one of departure and dramatic return. As we learned in the first section, horses evolved in North America but then vanished around 10,000 years ago. Through their migrations, the horse family diversified globally. In Africa, zebras developed their distinctive stripes, while in Central and South America, the stocky tapir emerged as a distant horse cousin. And in North America, the reintroduction of horses would reshape the continent. 

When Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Americas in the 16th century, they brought countless horses with them. Some of these animals escaped or were deliberately released, and soon formed feral herds that spread across the Great Plains. For Native American tribes, the reappearance of horses was nothing short of revolutionary. The Comanche were among the first to fully embrace equestrianism, becoming renowned as the Lords of the Plains. They developed sophisticated breeding programs and pioneered new riding techniques, such as hanging from the side of a galloping horse to use it as a shield in battle.

While horses played a crucial role in warfare and conquest, their impact on agriculture and industry was equally revolutionary. From medieval fields to Victorian factories, horses, along with their cousins donkeys and mules, quite literally powered human progress.

The medieval agricultural revolution owes much to the humble horse. Around the 8th century, a seemingly simple invention – the horse collar – changed everything. Unlike earlier harnesses that choked horses as they pulled, the collar allowed horses to use their full strength without discomfort. This, combined with the heavy plow, transformed European agriculture.

In the late 19th century, major cities like London and New York were still powered by horses. These urban centers were home to hundreds of thousands of working horses, each producing around 15-35 pounds of manure daily. The logistics of managing this equine population were staggering.

Streets needed constant cleaning to prevent disease and maintain passability. In New York, an army of street cleaners, known as white wings for their uniforms, worked tirelessly to keep roads clear. Despite their efforts, during rain or snow, streets often became impassable quagmires of horse manure and mud.

For horses, the transition from economic backbone to obsolescence was often brutal. As their value plummeted, many faced neglect or slaughter. Between 1900 and 1960, the U.S. horse population plunged from 21 million to just 3 million. Survivors often endured harsh industrial conditions or were shipped overseas for meat.

However, this decline sparked a new chapter in the human-horse relationship. As horses lost their economic role, they gained significance in unexpected ways. Therapeutic riding programs emerged, using horses to assist people with physical and mental health challenges. The unique bond between horse and human became a powerful tool for healing and personal growth.