**From tiny ponies to heavy draught horses and rapid thoroughbreds, explore the history and variety of this noble animal that helped shape human history. ** A stunning celebration of the equine world, The Horse Encyclopedia is a fully illustrated book about horses and ponies, featuring over 150 breeds and types, including all those recognized by national horse societies. First domesticated around 6000 years ago, horses rapidly became invaluable to humans. They pulled chariots and ploughs, and became essential to transport and war. In this comprehensve volume, you will discover breeds from all over the world, from imposing Shires whose ancestors carried knights in chainmail into battle,