Discussion: Horse Plague in 4000 BCE

In the Pontic-Caspian steppes in another time, the group of peoples we call the Indo-Europeans reside. However, in around 4000 BCE, a plague begins to kill of many of their horses. Some logically leave the steppe.


What happens next?
 

Marc

Donor
Equine influenza would be the likely plague in question. However, as I recall, we're talking about mortality rates no worse than say, the Black Death - with a much faster recovery rate; mares can start breeding at age 4, and have between 12-16 foals in their reproductive lifetime.
Now if you want to play with a more extreme version of the disease, with your starting point: we are still just talking about a few centuries of delayed movement. And on foot? Nope, they had very recently managed without horses and would continue to do so.
 
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