Why have domestic horses and asses been important in human history?

Domestic horses and asses have been vital to human history primarily due to their roles as versatile beasts of burden, draft animals, and mounts.12

The Role of Horses

The horse has served as a unique partner to humans for millennia, facilitating agriculture by plowing fields and harvesting crops, and aiding in transportation by hauling goods and conveying passengers. Beyond labor, horses were instrumental in warfare, from pulling chariots in the 2nd millennium BCE to carrying combatants into battle. Their influence is deeply embedded in human culture, art, and language, with terms like chivalry reflecting the historical status of the horseman. Additionally, horses have been used for food, and their byproducts—such as hide for leather and blood serum for tetanus antitoxin—have provided essential commodities.1342

The Role of Asses and Mules

The domestic donkey is highly valued for its hardiness in arid or mountainous regions where horses struggle to flourish. Like horses, they have served as essential pack animals. The mule, a hybrid of a male donkey and a mare, is prized for being surer-footed and more resilient than horses in precarious terrain, making them ideal for mining and transport in difficult environments.56