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Some comparisons can be made to the early horse-herder culture of the Plains Indians in America, but with some important differences. First, American Indians did not go through the process of capturing wild horses, taming them, and breeding them to become more well-mannered.

Instead, when the horse was re-introduced to North America by the Europeans--having evolved in North America, spread to Asia and Europe, before going extinct in the New World about 10,000 years ago--it was fully domesticated. "American Indians had the advantage of receiving an animal that was already selected to be more docile and controllable," said Olsen.

"Although the Plains Indians often had to develop their own tack, harnesses and equipment used for riding, they often saw the bridles and other equipment that the Spaniards and other Europeans had.

"There is no question that there are similarities in the Plains Indian societies and some cultures on the Eurasian steppe that depended heavily on the horse, but we must take care in carrying that analogy too far," Olsen said.

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