How have humans used horses through time? Susanna Forrest explores that question in The Age of the Horse: an Equine Journey Through Human History. Divided by the 'how' makes for interesting, if sometimes a bit dry, reading. Whether for farming, transportation, war, recreation, and more the horse has had a major impact on us. (I skipped the chapter on horse meat). Loved the bits on the young women of China who play polo, and the horses used for therapy for soldiers with PTSD, and that it took three kinds of power to replace the horse in transportation! (Steam engines for long distance, electricity for mass transit, and the automobile). Time span here is eons, scope is global. Well researched.

Kiwi was the first to find this book. It is one of those social history books we both enjoy! Or we should... we both found the writing a bit dry! Still, the author did an incredible job on his research, and it is a wonderful topic so I'm including it here with the idea that some of you will enjoy it thoroughly. :-) The City is More Than Human: an Animal History of Seattle, by Frederick L. Brown tells of the animals in (literally!) Seattle and the surrounding areas and when and how that changed. The first animals banned were cattle and bulls, but milk cows were allowed to wander at will for years longer! (Sadly, about that same time, they tried to ban non-white humans, too). Horses were allowed on the streets for much longer, of course, because of the jobs they did. There are chapters on dogs and cats, fish,and so on. I'd say give this book a try, you might just find it totally fascinating. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog