Horses

In the Urantia Book

Evolution

• Horses are an outstanding example of evolution, living alongside various other mammalian species during a period of significant biological development over millions of years. 61:1.9 61:2.9 61:3 61:4.4-5 61:5.7
• The horse evolved in North America, but became extinct before the arrival of the red man. 61:4.5 61:7.15
• The intelligence of the horse closely approaches that of the elephant, surpassed only by man himself. (61:3.6,10)
• Horses, like elephants, tend to flee when frightened, lacking the emotional control of the elephant. 61:3.10

Domestication

• The horse was not domesticated in the days of Prince's staff, unlike other useful animals such as dogs, elephants, and oxen. 66:5.5
• Horses hunted by Neanderthalers were plentiful in Europe 800,000 years ago. 64:4.2
• The Andites of Turkestan were the first to extensively domesticate the horse, contributing to their long-lasting cultural dominance. 81:2.12
• The horse's evolution allowed Andite cavalrymen to quickly dominate Occident, giving them the advantage of mobility and enabling coherent group progression throughout Europe. 80:4.4
• By 5000 B.C., the domesticated horse was in general use, along with other animals, by Mesopotamian, Turkestan, and Chinese farmers, shaping cultures and facilitating trade. 81:2.12 81:3.6

Value

• Horses have been essential for food, travel, agriculture, and war, shaping human civilization. 61:3.11
• The possession of tamed horses offered the barbarians of Turkestan and the Iranian plateau a tremendous military advantage over the peaceful grain growers of the Euphrates and Tigris valleys. 78:8.3
• Horse stealing was once a capital offense, but certainty and swiftness proved more effective deterrents. 70:10.15

Worship of horses

• The worship of animals, including horses, is a result of ancient beliefs in the significance of symbolic creatures and gods. 85:3.4

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• Sacrificial lamb 85:3.4 — Gn 22:7-8; Ex 12:3-5; Ex 34:20; Lv 4:32.
• Dove of peace 85:3.4 — Gn 8:8-12; Lv 1:14; Mt 3:16; Mt 10:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32.