The horse , according to archaeological evidence, was known already in the Neolithic period, the end of the Stone Ages, around 9000 BC. In those ages they were not used as transport but only for meat, milk and hides.

Later on they were used to pull heavy loads but were not used for riding because they were too small. Eventually by selecting and breeding horse were produced for transport.

The Hitties of Asia Minor harnessed horses to chariots in about 2000 BC.

1700 BC in ancient Athens wealthy men owned mounts and simple weapons to become fighters in the service of the state.

590 BC the Assyrian army had 12,000 archers on horseback.

When the Roman Empire was established and grew it was then that horses were really necessary to cover and conquer great territories. The cavalry soldiers were established which were heavily armoured and therefore heavier animals were necessary to carry them.

The German tribes started breeding heavy, big sized horses and they were used to resist the Roman Legion in the 5th century AD.

From there on the horse was important and the Arab cavalry conquered the Middle East and North Africa in the 7th century. One of the most famous cavalry were the Mongols and they established an empire from China to eastern Europe in the 13th century.

Horses existed, according to historical finds, on the American Continent but died out in prehistoric times. The settlers introduced horses to North America and this made the Plains Indians tribes most efficient hunters.

In the 16th century the Portuguese brought horses to South America. Many of the horses escaped and they developed big herds of wild horse on the plains of Argentina.

The Cossacks used horses on the Russian steppes and the horses were very important to them.

Cavalry kept changingthrough the ages. Heavy armour of medieval knights were replaced at the time of the development of guns. After that lighter horses were in demand and used.

From the beginning of the First World War horses were used less and less because of mechanisation.

Today horses are used for ceremonial and recreational activities. The practical side of these strong and faithful animals are almost forgotten.