The British Museum will open its first exhibition dedicated to the equine this summer. 'The Horse' will run from 24 May – 30 September, and admission will be free.

Influence of the horse

The horse has been a central part of society and culture; in peace and war, in mythology and literature. Through a collection of loan objects, this exhibition will explore the influence of the horse in Middle Eastern history, the emergence of the Arabian horse, and the importance of its introduction to Europe.

Iconic items from the British Museum, including the enigmatic Standard of Ur and the four-horse chariot from the Oxus Treasure, will be displayed alongside 1st – 2nd century AD representations of horses from the ancient caravan site of Qaryat al-Fau in Saudi Arabia, together with Gigapan photographic panoramas of recent discoveries of rock drawings of horses from a number of sites. Paintings by George Stubbs will also feature.

Importance in history

Museum curator John Curtis told the Guardian: "There are probably horses somewhere in every gallery in the museum, from Assyrian sculptures to coins. They're so familiar and ubiquitous they mostly go unnoticed. We want to bring them together and show their importance in history. The horse was an engine of human development and, until a generation ago, part of the everyday experience of life even in the heart of London."

The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the Olympic Games, and will also form a diamond jubilee gift to Her Majesty the Queen.