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Horse Empires Timeline Draft

POD: IOTL the North American horse along with the majority of mega fauna was probably driven to extinction through over hunting, environmental collapse, and possibly disease. About the only mega fauna that survived was the bison, and the moose. In this TL the horse doesn’t get sick, and like the bison enough of them survive to roam the great plains of future North America.

Note: There will be no butterflies outside of the America’s until they contact or are contacted by another continent. Also in regards to the America’s the butterflies won’t really hit certain parts until the domestic horses get to that region. So Olmecs, and Mayas and other well known groups in Central and South America may or may not exist, but once they get the domesticated horse they’re going to be in for big changes.

The languages used will be similar to OTL, I'll be using Native American names with some minor changes, but I'll admit now my language skill is limited so don't expect a lot of details on linguistics in this timeline.
Criticism and questions welcomed.
Enjoy

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11,000 years ago

Takodee walked behind the hunting party, nervously holding his spear close to his chest, trying to keep it from getting tangled in the small trees. He had hunted before, but only rabbits, ducks, and other small animals, this day he was hunting with the men for larger game. If he helped kill an animal, or better yet killed one himself he would be a man. If he didn’t help, or if they came back empty handed it would be many moons before he could try again. Takodee swore to himself that he would do well.
A cold breeze caused him to shiver, he pulled his simple fur cloak closer to his body with his free hand. The cold Northern winds were coming, and the animals were heading south. The day before Namidee had spotted a herd of horses so large it had taken half a day for it pass by. If they were lucky they would find it or a small herd of horses heading in the same direction. That would keep them well fed throughout the long winter.
Trying to keep up to the other hunters, Takodee didn’t see the root sticking out of the ground. He fell hard, biting his tongue to keep from shouting out. Wincing he got back to his feet, and quickly looked around to make sure none of the men had seen him. As he looked to the side he thought he saw something.
Barely breathing he moved slightly to get a better look. through the underbrush he saw a dark shape, it vanished but was quickly replaced. He couldn’t tell what it was, but it was big, and an animal. Getting to his feet he quietly ran to the other hunters.

The eight small horses walked in single file through the light forest. As they walked they ate the occasional clump of grass, and leaves. The lead mare stopped every few meters to smell the air and to listen for any noises. The last mare in the herd breathed heavily whenever they stopped. Her head hung low, and she didn’t eat any of the grass they passed, her foal followed closely behind but it too breathed harder than the other foals.
The lead mare suddenly stopped and brayed in alarm. The bray became a scream of pain as a thrown spear pierced its side. The other mares panicked and tried to form a circle with their foals in the middle. Thrown spears struck them as they stood looking for an enemy, and tried to protect their young. Human screams and yells erupted from around them..
The screams and smell of blood overpowered the horses, they tried to run. But with the spear wounds, and the trees they couldn’t move quickly. The three uninjured mares only got a few feet when clubs and stone tipped axes attacked their legs, crippling them. As the injured horses died from blood lose, or were clubbed to death by the hunters, the stunned foals were easy meat.

Takodee led the hunters back to camp, carrying one of the smaller foals over his shoulders. The hunt had been successful and he had spotted the horses, he had proven himself a man. He would receive a man’s name, and could now pierce his ears with the bones of his prey.
The eight horses were being dragged or carried by eleven of the twelve hunters. The twelfth hunter held his arm awkwardly and tried not to show pain. His arm had been broken by one of the horses, several of the hunters had bruises, but his injury was the worst.
It had been a most successful hunt.

As they walked a unique virus that had infected the entire herd, and lived in their lungs, slowly died as the bodies it lived off of, grew colder and colder. Its passing went unknown and unremarked, but it would eventually shake the world.
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11,000 - 10,000BC: While extensively hunted throughout North America, the horse does not die out. As the land warms up, the horses expand throughout the great plains, deserts, and sparse woodlands of North America.

10,000 - 4000BC: Horses hunted for meat, skin, and bones. Not quite as valuable as bison, they are still seen a vital part of life in North America.

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Approximately 5000BC

Eyotai stretched her hands high above her head. Cramped and sore from cutting a hole in the thick leather that would be her new poncho, she looked around hoping for a distraction. The smell of campfires, and the quiet noises of the camp didn't interest her. Most of the men were out hunting and the other women were doing the same thing she was. Instead she looked outwards towards the endless prairies, and the slow, clear river that surrounded her home.
A figure appeared on the horizon. Eyotai placed the unfinished leather poncho on her lap and waited for the person to become more distinct. She cocked her head in puzzlement, something seemed to be following the person. At first she thought it was a dog, but the legs were too long. Curious, she stood up and walked towards the person.
The young woman smiled as she realized it was Dyaki, one of the older hunters. He was dragging something behind him, and an animal was following him as well. Eyotai stopped in surprise, the animal was a young foal. She saw a rope was loosely tied around its neck, and it followed Dyaki like a dog.
Running closer she shouted, “Dyaki, what is that horse doing?”
The man stopped and flexed his shoulders. “I killed its mother, and this one didn’t want to leave her. I was ready to kill it to, but I thought of something. It wanted to follow me, and it is too small to eat right now. If we keep it for a while, just a few moons, it can eat the grass and get bigger. Then we can kill it and get a good meal, instead of the scraps we would be eating now.”
She looked at him like he was crazy. “But how will you keep it?”
Dyaki smiled. “Well it didn’t like me putting the rope on its neck at first, but I got it on eventually. It was more interested in following its mother than fighting. Now with a bit of help I can tie its legs so it can move, but not kick us or run away.
Still watching him like he was possessed, the young woman walked with him and the horse back to camp.
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Don't worry this is not my version of domestication, just an old hunter thinking ahead, and using what luck has provided him.
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