Horse Riding and Human Adaptation (Equestrian Studies)

The human body is an amazing thing that can adapt over time to the tools it has created. Horse riding is believed to have pushed the human skeletal system to adapt. That is particularly more possible with hip, femur, and lower back that would need to adjust to ride a horse well.

The study Tracing horsebackriding and transport in the human skeleton discusses the methodology leading to a causal relationship. Some researchers will argue that if we study body change in tribes/villages we can make that connection while other say not so much.

While the study indicates there are many complicated factors that don’t necessarily definitively answer that question, they do not rule it out either. Science is an additive process that leads to discoveries.

That brings us back to the idea of human adaptation. There is a complex interplay between environment and human development. Repetition and multigenerational usage are likely to have an impact at some point.

Most change are going to be done within one’s life but won’t necessarily change the structure of the body much. For example, if one were to horse ride or engage in any sport, they are going to get more flexible, stronger, etc. in high use areas of the body but that doesn’t necessarily carry on from generation to generation.

If the activity is necessary for survival, i.e. throwing a spear, we will eventually see changes as widespread usage of the fundamental activity is going to select out those who can throw a spear better than those who don’t. If you can hunt well and eat well you will be stronger, have more children, and pass on those genetics.

Did body mechanics change with horses? No one has answered it fully yet.

Lauren Hosek et al. ,(2024)Tracing horseback riding and transport in the human skeleton. Sci. Adv.10,eado9774.DOI:10.1126/sciadv.ado9774