Tens of thousands of years ago during the Ice Age, horses scattered the prehistoric landscape of modern day Europe. About sixty thousand years later, humans began to make their appearance in the same region, beginning a vast and complex history of interactions between the two species. During the initial stages of these interactions, and long before their domestication, humans hunted horses as one of their primary food sources. Prehistoric artwork and artifacts also suggest that horses held spiritual significance in the cultural lives of the people, “as they would in many cultures for centuries to come” (“Horses and Hunters”). Since the time of these early interactions, horses are seen throughout history at the very core of human evolution. It is even argued that horses “have done more to change human history than any other domestic animal” (“Horses: Introduction”). They appear in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome in which they are depicted carrying warriors into battle, bearing kings’ chariots, and running in brazen hunts. In addition to their significance in ancient civilizations, they also appear throughout history as sources of spiritual significance in which they served roles in the religious life of people across the globe. With the Industrial Revolution and the technological age, however, the role of horses in the lives of humans has dramatically shifted. Although they are still prominent in the cultural aspects of many societies around the world, horses are now most commonly perceived as symbols of wealth and entertainment, but this shift in the relationship has experienced some resistance from societies in the developing world who still maintain horses for survival or cultural significance.
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