NOVA: First Horse Warriors

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Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Credit: Courtesy of Handful of Films

Above: Wild horse herds and Yamnaya riders, Central Asian steppe.

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The advent of horse riding changed the course of human history and the genetic makeup of humankind. Horse riding played a key role in human expansion and civilization. But when and how did people first master these animals?

On "First Horse Warriors," NOVA follows scientists who use archeology and genetics to uncover clues about the first horse riders and how they shaped the world.

NOVA: First Horse Warriors: Preview

Horse riding played a key role in human expansion and civilization. But when and how did people first master these animals? Scientists use archeology and genetics to uncover clues about the first horse riders and how they shaped the world.

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NOVA: First Horse Warriors

The advent of horse riding changed the course of human history and the genetic makeup of humankind.

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Milking a Horse is Harder than You Think

Anthropologist and filmmaker Niobe Thompson attempts to milk a horse, and discovers that the process is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Milking a mother horse, he explains, is all about tricking her. The process begins by having her foal suckle. Then, the foal is taken away and a human rushes in to take its place. But if the mother horse suspects anything is different, things can go awry.

Credits:

NOVA/ Handful of Films production. NOVA is produced by WGBH Boston.

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