Transcript:

[0:03]

The spoken word is so powerful. For tens of thousands of years, our ancestors — H. sapiens, humans — gathered around fires to tell their stories, their history, and share their culture. And still today, telling stories is so popular in our own lives — sitting around our dinner tables, in our lounges, wherever we are. Telling stories and communicating is part of our DNA.

Today we’re going to start a journey about something that’s directly impacted you — who you are, who we are as a species. Our very essence — your very essence — is because of this animal. I could give argument after argument why this animal is so important to you and to us as a species. This medium we call podcasting is only possible because of this animal. For thousands of years, this animal lived and died next to us. It changed the very trajectory of our history as a species, and we haven’t looked back.

In fact, I could argue we would have never landed on the moon — at least in 1969 — if it were not for this animal. So many advancements, technologies, and the quality of life we enjoy today are because of them. This is their story — and it starts now.

[1:41]

“Secretariat being led… he is number… The horse — the horse is the best thing in the world, isn’t it? Best. I’ve always loved them, really, ever since I was a little girl. Everybody’s in line… and they’re off! Secretariat away very well, has good position… I never thought owning a horse could mean so much to me… Secretariat now taking the lead… the madness — what kind of a horse is that? I’ve never seen a horse like that before… lightning — now he is moving like a tremendous machine.”

[2:38]

Welcome to Mad About Horses. We’re going to go through a little thought experiment. Imagine all the animal species that have been by humanity’s side — which ones have impacted our evolution? Which animals have shaped who we are? Some species provided food. Others provided transportation. There are so many ways animals have impacted us. Now, with all those animals in your mind, try to imagine the one that comes to the top — which one altered human history more than any other?

[3:57]

Did you pick one? I’m going to argue that, because we are products of our ecosystem, no animal has had a greater impact on human development than the horse.

Somewhere, at some point in our history, there was the first human who took a risk and jumped on a horse’s back. When I think about that, I go back to my own first experience as a child — getting on the back of a “bombproof” horse that wasn’t easily spooked. I remember the exhilaration of feeling that animal under me.

But imagine the first human to do that with a less-tame, wild equid — Equus ferus. We’ll have a whole episode about domestication and where it first happened. Think about your own first time, if you’ve ridden horses. And if you haven’t — prepare yourself; it’s an experience like none other.

[6:00]

Once that first leap of faith was taken — and the knowledge was passed on through the spoken word, generation to generation — life was never the same for humanity. Horses have been pivotal in our culture. And I want to include donkeys, too — in certain parts of the world, donkeys have made such an impact. When I say “horses,” think of donkeys as well — they’re very important.

We’ve had a love affair with horses for tens of thousands of years. Some of the earliest cave paintings — around 30,000 years ago — depict horses. And just over 6,000 years ago, the first person decided to ride a horse. If you work with horses today, you’re part of that story. Every time you bring a new horse into your family or care for a horse, you continue this long tradition.

[7:00]

Back to the question: which animal has impacted human history the most? I’ll give a brief look at other species that affected us in many positive ways, then contrast with what the horse has done.

One of the first domesticated animals — leaving dogs for last — was the sheep. About 10,500 years ago in Western Asia — the cradle of civilization — sheep were domesticated. They provided food and fiber (wool). That helped us make warmer clothing and withstand the elements. More importantly, it helped shift us from hunter–gatherer bands to settled communities — small villages that eventually became cities.

[10:02]

Now contrast that with the horse. When we domesticated horses a few thousand years later, it changed everything — geopolitics, boundaries, how far we could travel in a day. Settlements could trade with other settlements faster; they could exchange goods, stories, and genetics. Borders changed. The world changed. Warfare changed — with saddles, bridles, stirrups — we’ll cover that in a later episode. But the horse changed my history, your history, our families’ histories. It rippled through time.

[11:01]

Other livestock mattered too. Pigs (~9,000 years ago in Western Asia) and cattle (first domesticated in the eastern Sahara of Africa) altered diets and provided sustainable meat and milk. Cattle gave leather, and oxen could plow fields and haul carts. But I would argue the horse did those tasks better — more athletic, often safer, more suitable behavior and physiology for many jobs.

[13:18]

Chickens deserve mention. Domesticated ~8,000 years ago in Asia, they’ve provided eggs, meat, and feathers — and played roles in research (think early genetics). All of these animals revolutionized food production, helped us be healthier, live longer, and develop communities — leading to population growth, urbanization, and, ultimately, capabilities like space exploration. Chickens were important — but horses, I’d still argue, more so.

[15:19]

In the next episode, we’ll talk about evolution. Horses are the best representation we have in the fossil record to show evolutionary change — from four-toed to three-toed to single-toed limbs, with corresponding tooth changes. There’s so much evidence; it’s a fascinating story.

[16:03]

Horses in research: beyond paleontology, horses help people with disabilities — riding programs improve strength, coordination, and quality of life. In my own academic work, I’ve used horses as models to help endangered species. Horses can hold their own against any species in the research arena.

[19:03]

Cats and dogs also shaped us. Cats, likely self-domesticated around ancient Egypt, helped control rodents (protecting grain) and reduced diseases spread by rodents. We love them as companions.

Dogs — domesticated wolves — may have been domesticated 15,000–30,000 years ago. Often called human’s best friend, they are loyal companions and have improved our mental well-being. They offered protection and partnership for tens of thousands of years. They’re definitely number two on the “human’s best friend” list — but I maintain the horse is number one.

[20:02]

I recently read a 2020 Science Advances paper titled, “Ancient DNA shows domestic horses were introduced in the southern Caucasus and Anatolia during the Bronze Age.” The opening captured what I’m trying to say: the domestication of the horse ~5,500 years ago was one of the most important technological innovations in the ancient world; harnessing horsepower transformed political, economic, and social relationships by revolutionizing transportation and affecting trade, warfare, and migration.

[20:58]

We think of airplanes, automobiles, DNA sequencing — all important. But we wouldn’t have been able to fly without the horse’s earlier impacts. No other animal has marched side by side with us quite like the horse (donkeys, too, in many regions). We rode horses. We bled and died with horses across battlefields, through migrations, across oceans. They changed everything.

[23:42]

Welcome back. I’m Dr. Chris — Director of Education for Mad Barn — and I’m proud to host Mad About Horses. Each week I’ll bring you a new chronicle in the epic story of the horse — their profound impact on our lives, and the impact we have on theirs.

[24:17]

A bit about me and why I’ve been trusted to tell this story: I’ve loved animals since I was a boy, but horses captured me early. Watching my father work with them, then studying them in university — that guided my career. I earned a Master’s at Fresno State (horse nutrition and physiology) and a PhD at Texas A&M (equine reproductive and exercise physiology). I’ve taught thousands of students at the University of Florida and Clemson, in person and online. I love teaching — sharing knowledge is who I am.

[25:31]

One highlight was creating a free online “Horse Course” through Coursera — nearly 60,000 students in the first run, tens of thousands after, from 160+ countries. It showed me how powerful open education can be. I also co-host the All Creatures podcast with Dr. Angie Atkins — we’ve been nominated as a top-10 science and education podcast. Podcasting can reach and help so many people.

[27:01]

This podcast isn’t about me — it’s about horses, and you. Each week we’ll cover topics to help us understand horses better so we can give them the best possible lives. If I can improve your horse’s life, it will improve yours.

[27:33]

We’ll cover a wide range of topics for novices and professionals alike. If there are topics you want us to cover, we’d love to hear them — you can reach me at podcast@madbarn.com or find Mad Barn on Instagram or Facebook. You can also search Mad Barn online for articles and resources on equine nutrition and health. Our team includes over eight PhD scientists, five veterinarians, and seven MS nutritionists — an incredible group helping bring this to you each week.

[28:45]

Mad Barn believes education should be accessible to every horse owner — no gatekeeping. I’m excited you’ve joined me for Mad About Horses. We’re going on an incredible journey to learn more about our horses, our connection to them, and how to make the world a better place for every horse.