General Topic: Fun Facts about Horses

Chapter 1: Introduction
Horses are hoofed mammals with over 350 breeds or kinds. They have evolved over 45 million
years to become a single-toed animal. They started to be of help to humans since 4000 BC.

They are beautiful creatures. They have strong bones and muscles that can carry and pull
heavy loads. Their colors vary making them unique. They run fast and move gracefully. They
can communicate in their own way and can protect themselves.

Chapter 2: Body parts you should know

Horses have many body parts similar to other animals. They have labels for the smallest parts.
For now though, it’s important for you to know the following

A horse’s most commonly known body part is the hoof. This is the part of their foot that touches
the ground. This is where the horseshoe is attached.

The withers is the highest part of the horse. This is the part of the back just behind the neck and
between the shoulders. This is where the height of the horse is measured.

Back is the area where the saddle sits. Horses also have muzzles, the part of the head that
comes out of a horse’s face. This part includes the nose, mouth and jaw.

Chapter 3: Colors
Horses have different colors. They may have the same color all over, they can be mixed or may
have patches of contrasting colors. This makes them unique and more beautiful!

The most common colors are black, brown, chestnut, grey, cream, palomino. Those with
combination of colors are said to have broken colors. These horses include the Appaloosa,
pain, pinto and roan.

Chapter 4: Run fast my dear horses!

Horses are used in racing because they can run fast! Their body parts enable them to escape
predators by their fast speed. They also have a good sense of balance so they are less likely to
fall even on uneven or rough surfaces.

Talking about predators, do you know that horses can sleep both while standing up and lying
down? Yes they do! Think of this, if you’re resting while standing up, it will be easier for you to
run once enemies arrive!
Even a young horse has a strong feet already. Soon after birth, they can already stand. Shortly
after, they can run as well. Truly amazing!

Chapter 5: Horses as helpers

Horses help people in different ways.

In our time, they are used as transportation such as in police work or farming. They can also
help pull carriage that lets more number of people ride. They help carry and deliver heavy goods
to different places.

Some products we use are also from horses. Meat of horses can be eaten. Their hair are used
as well such as for musical instruments. Would you believe, even some medicines for us
humans may also come from them?

Chapter 6: The life of a horse

A horse can usually live for up to 25 to 30 years. Some may live even longer. Of course, this will
depend on it’s environment and how it is being taken cared of.

They use different names to describe horses of different ages. A “foal” is a horse less than a
year old. Between 1 and 2 year old, it is called “yearling”.

Beyond that, they describe and male and female horse differently. Below four years old, young
male horse is called a “colt” while a young female horse is called a “filly”. Beyond four years old,
a female horse is called a “mare”, while “stallion” is used for a male horse four years old and
older

Chapter 7: Size of a horse

Do imagine yourself jumping to be able to sit on a horse? It is so high isn’t it? Sizes of horse
varies depending on breed and nutrition. Measurement used is by “hands” and for an adult, this
size of hand is about 4 inches.

Horses height can range from 14 to 16 hands. That’s about up to 64 inches. Try putting our
hands on top of each and imagine doing that for 16 times more! That’s how high your horse is!

Chapter 8: Horse vs. Ponies

Do you still confuse horses and ponies? Well, you are not alone because they do belong to the
same group of animals. Ponies however are differentiated from horses mainly because of their
height. When the animal’s height is less than 14 hands, it is considered a pony.
Ponies also often after different characteristics than horses. This includes shorter legs, necks
and heads. They also are wider and heavier boned compared to horses. They are also said be
calmer and more intelligent than horses.

Chapter 9: Development of horses

Like humans, horses also become pregnant. Unlike humans though, it takes them about 11
months to develop in their mother’s womb. They also usually bear only 1 foal and having twins
is uncommon.

They grow mature earlier as well, at around 4 years. They are also already trained to be ridden
when they turn at least 2 years old. They are also trained for heavier work at around 3 years old,
or the time when they have stronger muscles.

Chapter 10: What they eat

Horses are herbivores. This means they are animals that it plants and grasses. Compared to
human, they have smaller stomachs and they process their food longer. They thus have fewer
storage of energy source. This is why you shouldn’t be surprised if you see horses eating
almost the whole day!

They can drink up to 45 liters or 12 gallons of water. In a hot weather, they would take up more.
That’s a lot of water!

Chapter 11: Sense of Sight

Horses are known for having the large eyes of all the land mammals. Their eyes are also
placed on the side of their heads. They can have a vision of more than 350 degrees. That’s
almost a full circular view!

Another exceptional sense of horses is having a good night vision. Interestingly, their vision is
dichromatic. This means, even if they can see all things, but those of red colors turn to different
shades of green.
They are aware of their surroundings at all times.

Chapter 12: Smell and Hearing of horses

Sense of smell of horses are more sensitive than that of humans. They use this to observe their
environments. They are also important to interact, such as familiarizing their human friends.

Their hearing is good as well. They can hear their surroundings without needing to turn their
heads. Only the pinna of their ear turns and then can hear more!

Chapter 13: Movement of horses

Humans have different ways of moving called “gait” such as walking, running, skipping and
others. Horses also have different kinds of gait. The basic gaits are called “walk” , “trot” or “jog”,
“canter” or “lope” and “gallop”. The differences of these are in speed, with walking the slowest
and galloping as the fastest.

Horses changes gait according to their needs. They are also trained to be able to move really
fast and win over obstacles during competitions. They’re trained to perform and use their gaits
appropriately!

Chapter 14: Behavior

Since horses are prey or being hunted by other animals, they react fast to threat by running.
They can also defend themselves or their foals if needed. This is the fight-or-flight-response.

They are social creatures as well. Their group is usually led by a mare, a female mature horse.
They can form emotional attachment to other animals and humans as well. They can form
vocalizations and use body language to communicate.

Since they can communicate and form human attachments, they can be trained. This makes
them be able to learn simple tasks such as getting food. They also get to be trained for
competitions and entertainment.

Chapter 15. Care for horses

Horses main habitat is grassland where they can easily eat grass. This is why even if their being
cared of or are domesticated, they should be provided with forage from hay. They can eat up to
11 kg or 24lbs of grass a day. In a addition, they need to be supplied with 10-12 gallons of water
per day.

They also need to have shelter that can protect them from wind, rain or called. An elaborate
home made for horses is called a stable.

They also need medical care like us. They need vaccinations as protection for diseases and
need to be checked by veterinarians or animal doctors. If they are taken cared of in a small
space, they need to be allowed to exercise daily outside to maintain their health and well being.
Grooming includes care for their skin and hair.

Chapter 16 Equestrianism
Equestrianism or horse riding always comes to mind when horses are talked about. This refers
o the skill of being able to ride, vault and drive with horses. This is the skill used for working,
transportation, artistic, recreational or competitive sport purposes.

Some health issues for the rider should be taken cared of in this activity. This include risk of fall
from the horse, specially that the height is high and they can run at high speed. Temper of
horses can also get rough that the rider my get kicked or trampled upon. This can be prevented
if the horse is properly trained. The rider should also be trained and be thoughtful of the horse
as well.