The domestication of horses stands as one of humanity's greatest triumphs, revolutionizing transportation, warfare, and agriculture, and undeniably propelling societies into a new age.

While previous genetic research traced the origins of modern domesticated horses to the Don-Volga steppes roughly 4,200 years ago, the mystery of the genetic transformations that turned wild horses into rideable companions lingered—until now. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science has shed light on the pivotal role of a single genetic mutation.

Led by researchers Xuexue Liu and Ludovic Orlando from the Center for Anthropology and Genomics in Toulouse, France, the team analyzed DNA from various ancient horse remains dating back thousands of years. Their focus on 266 specific genetic markers—tiny DNA segments associated with traits like coat color, body shape, movement, and temperament—unveiled crucial insights.

Unlocking the DNA Code: The Key Findings