Equus "Story of the Horse" | Episode 1: Origins

The relationship between man and his noble steed is almost as old as civilization itself, allowing our species to explore, conquer and flourish side by side with the horse. NATURE traces this revolutionizing partnership with anthropologist Niobe Thompson in this two-part series.

Explore the fascinating evolutionary journey of the horse, from its tiny forest-dwelling ancestors to the modern steed. Encounter scientists who are unlocking the genetic basis of horsepower and decoding their emotional intelligence.

The Przewalski horse went extinct in the wild but was reintroduced at the Seer Horse Reserve in Gobi Desert, Mongolia. These horses have managed to make an impressive comeback and their success is due in large part to the social structure of their herd.

Through a series of experiments led by animal psychologist Karen McComb, we can see how horses read, not only fellow horse expressions but human expressions as well. Through their consistent reactions to these tests, horses demonstrate an acute emotional awareness.

Each horse breed comes with a special set of attributes and skills. Some have been bred for specific tasks, others for beauty, some even just for play!

Jimmy Anderson has developed a gentle and effective way for training horses that no longer reflects traditional "colt-breaking." Preview his remarkable relationship with his horse Maverick.

From Northern Siberia to the Arabian Desert, the filmmakers of Equus "Story of the Horse" traveled the globe to capture incredible footage of rare breeds. Go behind the scenes for a look at a few of these varied locations.