How were horses connected with Baltic gods?

In Baltic religion, horses are deeply integrated into the mythology of the sky pantheon. These deities are frequently depicted riding horses or traveling in horse-drawn chariots as they traverse the "sky mountain" and descend to earth.1

Specific associations include:

• Dievs: The sky god is often portrayed as an Iron Age king who rides on horseback or in a chariot to observe farmers and their crops.2
• Dieva dēli: Known as the "Heavenly Twins," the sons of Dievs are skilled horsemen who associate with the daughter of the sun, Saules meita.2
• General Pantheon: It is a common characteristic of Baltic divinities to be closely associated with horses, with the number of horses typically ranging from two to five or more.1

This connection between the gods and horses highlights the close ties between Baltic and Indo-Iranian religious traditions.1