Transforming Beasts to Comrades: The Role of Two Genes in Transforming Horses into Suitable Human Companions

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have shed light on the genetic changes that made it possible for wild horses to become tame enough to ride. This discovery offers a fascinating insight into one of humanity's great turning points - the domestication of the horse.

The horse's domestication, around 5,000 years ago, had a profound impact on agriculture, trade, migration, and conquest. Now, through an analysis of DNA from thousands of ancient horse remains, we are beginning to understand the process in much greater detail.

The study, conducted on archaeological horse remains from the Iberian Peninsula in 2025, focused on 266 specific genetic markers. The findings suggest that two crucial shifts in the DNA of horses occurred around 5,000 years ago and 4,200 years ago.

The first shift was in a DNA region tied to the ZFPM1 gene, a gene linked to tameness. Early horse keepers unknowingly promoted the rise of this gene by selecting less aggressive, more manageable animals. In horses, the ZFPM1 gene seems to have played a role in modulating behavior, similar to its role in mice.

The second major shift happened in a gene called GSDMC, which influences body conformation. Changes to this region in horses resulted in stronger bodies, better coordination, and a physique suited for fast riding. The study suggests that selection on standing variation at GSDMC was crucial for the emergence of horses that could facilitate fast mobility in human societies.

By pinpointing the genes that drove this transformation, scientists now have a clearer picture of how wild animals became tame enough to ride. The domesticated horses, as the study found, originated from the Don-Volga steppes of eastern Europe, about 4,200 years ago.

This study provides answers regarding the genetic changes that made it possible for horses to be domesticated and ridden. It's an exciting step forward in our understanding of how our relationship with these magnificent animals evolved over time.