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Christianity struggled with horse sacrifice—the practice was clearly pre-Christian, the association with Donar was explicit, the ritual consumption of sacrificial meat was problematic. Yet the Church could not simply ban horses or horse-related practices—they were too economically essential, too embedded in military structure, too important for communication and trade.
The solution was selective condemnation. Horse sacrifice was forbidden, classified as pagan practice incompatible with Christianity. Yet horse care, horse breeding, horse use in warfare—all continued unchanged. The white horses maintained at community expense were reinterpreted—they became associated with Christian military saints, particularly Saint Martin and Saint George, both depicted on horseback, their martial credentials making them acceptable Christian substitutes for Donar’s association with horses.
Veterinary practices continued largely unmodified, the Church recognizing that horse health was practical matter that transcended theological disputes. The prayers changed—horses were blessed in Christ’s name rather than Donar’s—but the actual care techniques persisted, the treatments remained effective regardless of which divine power was credited. The Germanic horse healer became the Christian farrier, the skills unchanged even as the religious framework evolved.
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