In a harsh land with long winters and limited fodder, the horse was a lifeline. If it lost strength, it could not carry people between settlements, fetch a doctor, transport hay, or support farm work.

A family’s wellbeing could depend entirely on the horse’s health.

 

For this reason, the horse often received the best hay and the warmest shelter, especially during hard winters. This reflects the deep bond between humans and horses: the animal was not just a work tool but a partner that kept society functioning.

 

During travel, it was mandatory to provide horses with hay and shelter, even when travellers had little for themselves.

 

People were sometimes turned away if space was limited, as it was considered better for humans to sleep outside than for a horse to stand unprotected.

 

The rule was simple: the horse came first — without it, no one got anywhere.