"Until the popularization of the family car, horses and humans lived, worked, and played side by side. With the invention of the wheel, saddle, bit, and bridle; horses pulled far-flung lands closer together at the speed of a gallop. Trade, agriculture, exploration, and war - none of these would have been possible in the same way without horses. In dazzling spreads packed with maps, sidebars, and other hidden gems, Jennifer Thermes tackles the history...

From the moment humans mounted horses 6,000 years ago, these magnificent animals helped shape the world by allowing mankind to explore, conquer, and flourish on horseback. Join anthropologist Niobe Thompson on a global journey to examine the evolution of horsepower, discover the mysterious origins of the incredible partnership, and witness the enduring love of 400 breeds of horses today.