From cave paintings it is
believed that the equid from which modern horses are derived resemble the modern
Przewalski Horse. The large strong
heads and erect manes depicted in these paintings bear a striking resemblance
to this modern breed.
The first domestication of the horses was probably in the steppes of
central Asia between 3000 and 4000 B.C. These first animals were kept for
meat and milk. As early man became more mobile undoubtedly horses began
to be used as pack animals.
Oxen were being
used in the Middle East at approximately 4000 B.C. for plowing. Progressively
they were used on sleds, which were eventually mounted on rollers, with
the final evolution of wheels. Early in the 3rd millennium B.C. there is
archeological evidence that vehicles drawn by equid, generally onagers
or ass hybrids, were being used in warfare. As horses from the north became
more numerous the carts moved to the familiar two-wheeled chariot with
spoked wheels. Due to his greater speed the horse rapidly replaced other
equid as harness animals.
For more information please visit Website: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/
