Becoming Centaur

Becoming Centaur, Volume 1, is a scholarly exploration of the relationship between men and horses in seventeenth and eighteenth century England. Monica Mattfeld examines how horsemanship defined gendered and political positions within society, using the mythical image of the centaur to represent power and status. This history of Great Britain focuses on the evolution of horse husbandry and its connection to social and cultural life.

Drawing from gender studies and human-animal studies, the text analyzes the influence of elite riding houses and public performances. The author examines the roles of Thomas Hobbes and William Cavendish to show how equestrian activities shaped idealized masculinity. This work of sociology and men's studies provides a detailed account of how animals influenced human reputation and social behavior in early modern Europe.