- Horses belong to the equus family. Equus comes from the ancient Greek
word meaning quickness.
- Horses are mammals in the same family as zebras, mules and donkeys.
- There are over 350 breeds of horses and ponies.
- The amount of BLOOD in a horse's body is equivalent to one eighteenth
of its total weight.
- A horse's height is measured in hands. One hand equals about four
inches.
- Whiskers are part of the horse's sensory apparatus, which also includes
the tactile hairs that project from the ears, eyes, nose and lips.
- Horses spend 85 to 90 percent of their lives on their feet. They lie
down to rest for 15 to 20 minute periods several times a day.
- Horses have small stomachs and short intestines; therefore, they cannot
handle large amounts of grain at one time. Horses should be fed frequently,
but in small amounts (3+ times daily).
- Horses and ponies can rest and even SLEEP STANDING UP because of a
remarkable stay apparatus in their patella or kneecap.
- An average life span for a horse is around 20-25 years though they
can live for up to 30 years.
- The oldest recorded horse was a horse in England known as "Old
Billy". He lived till the age of 62.
- Horses that work or travel on hard roads need their feet (hooves)
protected by metal shoes. Horse's hooves, like our finger and toe nails,
also grow continuously and need to be trimmed. To do this, the horses'
shoes need to be removed and their hooves trimmed every 4-6 weeks.
- The four natural paces for the horse are the walk, trot, canter and
gallop.
- If you cross a donkey with a horse you get a mule.
- The adult horse has 36 teeth: 12 incisors and 24 molars.
- Horses can run 45 miles per hour.
- Horses shed gradually, but continuously all year long.
- A 1,000-pound mare produces four gallons of milk daily for her foal.
- A horse can produce about 10 gallons of saliva a day.
- Horses were first trained for draft work about 2300 B.C.
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