The domestication of horses, originating around 4,200 years ago in the Don-Volga steppes of eastern Europe, was a transformative milestone that advanced human transportation, agriculture, and warfare. Recent research led by Xuexue Liu and Ludovic Orlando analyzed ancient horse DNA and identified key genetic changes that facilitated domestication. Notably, a mutation near the ZFPM1 gene likely reduced aggression, making horses more manageable, while alterations in the GSDMC gene enhanced body structure and locomotion, traits essential for riding and mobility.

These genetic adaptations rapidly became widespread, underpinning the success of the modern domestic horse lineage (DOM2). The study highlights the importance of these genes in early horse domestication but also calls for further research into the complex, polygenic traits influencing tameness and adaptability. This work provides crucial insights into how selective breeding shaped horses into the vital companions they are today.