From the Black Stallion to Seabiscuit to Mr. Ed, horses have held an almost unparalleled place of honor in human society and imagination. Elaine Walker now tackles the long and complex history of this majestic creature.

Galloping from the steppes of Mongolia to the American plains, Horse chronicles the natural history of the animal, from wild feral horses to the domesticated species that once played a central role in daily life as transport, an instrument of war, and a source of labor in agriculture and industry. Walker ably charts how the longstanding connection between people and horses is reflected in cultures around the world—and the implications for both human and animal of such close interaction. She also traces the role of the horse in human culture, from the global traditions of horseracing and equestrianism to literary classics such as Black Beauty. Ultimately, Walker contends, the horse’s decreased importance today highlights telling ways in which our society has changed.

A wholly readable and compelling chronicle, Horse is a must read for anyone curious about the story of this captivating beast.
 
Author Biography

Elaine Walker is a freelance writer, and lecturer in English and Creative Writing at the University of Wales. She lives in Denbigh, Wales.