MF_Bfg t1_jb558z1 wrote on March 6, 2023 at 2:48 PM

At the end another academic cautions that whole they were probably riding horses, they could have been riding other animals and specifically mentions mules.

Mules are the offspring of a female horse and a male ass or donkey. So not only would horses already have to be domesticated to breed mules, they would also have to have access to donkeys - which they did not in the area surveyed during the time period being discussed. I don't see how it could be any other animal but a horse.

Edit: Had the sexes of the equines backwards

ReddJudicata t1_jb5m6ho wrote on March 6, 2023 at 4:44 PM

Horses likely were kept as meat animals long before they were ridden.

MF_Bfg t1_jb5nxqh wrote on March 6, 2023 at 4:56 PM

True!! Good thinking. I guess they might have made mules with onagers.

Worsaae t1_jbdrys1 wrote on March 8, 2023 at 9:01 AM

And for milking.

hcshenoy t1_jb81qw5 wrote on March 7, 2023 at 3:08 AM

Actually mules are the offspring of a FEMALE horse and a MALE donkey. The ones you refer to are called hinnies.

MF_Bfg t1_jb88xej wrote on March 7, 2023 at 4:08 AM

Right you are! Just changed it.