Despite their crucial role in shaping civilizations, horses are often overlooked in grand narratives of history. Two major books on world history, "The Silk Roads" and "The Golden Road," which aim to shift focus away from Europe, exemplify this oversight. While these texts explore the intricate networks of trade and cultural exchange that connected the world, they largely ignore the animal that was vital for premodern empires: the horse.

The horse's impact on human societies is undeniable. They revolutionized warfare, transportation, agriculture, and communication, enabling the rise and fall of empires and shaping the course of human events. From the vast Mongol Empire to the Roman Empire, horses provided the speed and mobility necessary to conquer and control vast territories. They facilitated trade along the Silk Road, allowing for the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between East and West. In agriculture, horses increased productivity, allowing for larger populations and more complex societies.

The oversight of the horse in historical narratives is a significant omission. By neglecting the horse, historians risk presenting an incomplete and distorted picture of the past. They fail to recognize the animal's agency and its role in shaping human destinies. They also miss the opportunity to explore the complex relationships between humans and horses, which have varied across cultures and time periods.

One example of the horse's crucial role in history is the story of the Fergana horses, also known as "heavenly horses". In 104 BC, the Han Dynasty of China went to war with Dayuan, a Greek state in Central Asia, to acquire these horses. The Fergana horses were prized for their strength, speed, and endurance, and the Han believed that they could improve their own cavalry by breeding them. The war was costly and bloody, but the Han eventually prevailed and obtained the horses they desired. These horses served the Han dynasty for the next 1,000 years.

The story of Leland Stanford and his work with horses further illustrates the animal's importance. Stanford, a 19th-century railroad magnate and former governor of California, was fascinated by horses. He established the Palo Alto Stock Farm, where he bred Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses. Stanford also commissioned Eadweard Muybridge to study the gaits of horses, which led to the development of early motion picture technology. His work helped to improve horse breeding and training practices, and it also had a significant impact on the development of photography and film.

Recognizing the horse's influence requires a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to historical analysis. Historians should consider the horse not just as a tool or a resource but as an active agent in shaping human societies. They should explore the horse's role in warfare, trade, agriculture, and other aspects of human life. They should also examine the cultural significance of the horse and the ways in which humans have interacted with these animals throughout history. By incorporating the horse into historical narratives, historians can provide a more complete and accurate understanding of the past.