Horse Facts - Interesting Facts About Horses
"Hyracotherium," was one of the first horses that lived about 50 million years ago. It was as tall as a fox and had toes. This horse went through a transformation over millions of years to become the modern horse. Keep reading to know more...

Interesting Facts About Horses:
- Equus caballus, is a term given to modern-day horses.
- A horse is a member of the "equus" family. This word originates from the Greek dialect, and means quickness.
- More than 350 breeds of ponies and horses can be found.
- The height of a horse is measured using the unit, "hand", where one hand equals four inches.
- If you want to know how old a horse is, all you need to do is to count its teeth.
- Equinophobia, is the fear of the horses.
- An average horse's head weighs 11.84 pounds.
- A horse's heart weighs an amazing 10 pounds.
- A horse is able to drink 10 gallons of water per day.
- If you hold your hand out to a horse and it approaches you, while then blowing warm air onto the palm of your hand, it means that he/she wants to be friends with you. If it rests its head on your shoulder, it means that he/she trusts you.
- Horses use their facial expressions to communicate. Their moods can be determined with the help of their nostrils, eyes and ears.
- Horses spend more energy lying down.
- The hoof of a horse is like a fingernail; it keeps on growing and needs to be clipped.
- The 1st of January is when all racehorses in the US celebrate their birthday.
- A horse is able to walk, trot, canter and gallop, in horse behavior lingo.
- Horses usually live for around 20 to 25 years. Some of them can live up to 5 years more.
- In most cases, the foal (young horse) is born at night, away from danger and prying eyes.
- After being born, it only takes a foal about 1-2 hours to stand up and walk.
- A cross between a donkey and zebra is known as a zeedonk.
- Foals are fully grown by 3-4 years of age.
- Horses eat short, juicy grass, and hay. Foods like barley, corn, oats and bran are good for working horses.
- A horse's mood mimics its owner's emotions. If you are in a bad mood, the horse senses this and acts out the same behavior. If you are in a good mood, the horse is well-behaved and isn't difficult to work with.
- Horses are either a mixture of colors or the same color all over. Horses are usually, black, brown, cream or gray in color.
- A horse has two blind spots; one is located directly in front of them while the other is located directly behind.
- A breed of horses called Akhal-Teke from Russia can go for days without water or food.
- One of the few breeds of horses that live in North America are called Mustangs.
- A cross between a horse and a zebra, is known as a zebroid, or zorse.
- "Old Billy," was the oldest recorded horse that lived to be 62.
- Falebella of Argentina, is the smallest breed of horse.
- "Little Pumpkin," is the smallest pony in history - it stood high at 14 inches and weighed 20 lbs.
- "Samson," was the tallest horse recorded in history.
- Another horse known for its height as one of the tallest, was Dr Le Gear, from the Pecheron breed.
- A male horse is known as a stallion, whereas a donkey stallion is known as a jack.
- A female horse is known as a mare.
- A donkey mare is known as a jenny.
- A baby horse is known as a foal.
- A young female horse is known as a filly.
- The father of a horse is known as a sire.
- The mother of a horse is known as a dam.
- A fully grown small horse is known as a pony.
- A farrier or blacksmith is the person who cares for a horse's feet.
- A narrow white mark, which runs down the face from the forehead, is called a Stripe.
- A white mark, which covers one or both the lips and proceeds up to the nostrils, is called a White muzzle.
- A broad splash of white that covers most parts of the forehead between the eyes and carries, right down the nose to the muzzle is called a Blaze.
- Any kind of mark, which appears on the forehead of a horse, is called a star, irrespective of whether it resembles one.
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