Routledge The Meaning of Horses: Biosocial Encounters - Routledge

The Meaning of Horses: Biosocial Encounters explores the complex relationships between humans and horses across different cultures, time periods and contexts. This collection examines how horses function in society, from their role as commodities to their significance in human identity and communication. Contributors analyse the distinctive qualities of horses and their agency within these relationships, moving beyond traditional anthropocentric perspectives. The book covers diverse topics including horse-human performance, the meanings attributed to horses across societies, and the universal characteristics of what makes horses unique among animals. Through multiple scholarly perspectives, this work presents a biosocial framework that recognises horses not merely as subjects of human study but as active participants shaping our understanding of human-animal entanglement and interaction.