Horse Trivia and Things About Horses You Probably Don’t Know
Posted: Monday, November 07, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Horses are amazing creatures. In my opinion, no other animal possesses the physical beauty, grace, power and magnificence of the horse. For many years, I have saved tidbits and trivia about horses that are interesting. It might be fun to share some of them with you.
Horses lock their leg muscles and sleep while standing. This prevents them from falling down.
Horses are unable to breathe through their mouths. They must breathe through the nose.
Horses do not have gall bladders.
Horses have the largest eyes of any land animals. They are not color blind.
It is possible to accurately determine a horse's age from his teeth until he is 9.
After that age, teeth still help when determining age.
A horse's teeth take up more space in the head than the brain.
Adult male horses have 40 teeth; females have only 36.
Horses weigh around half a ton. Their brains are the size of a baked potato.
A horse has a huge heart - The average horse's heart weighs 9 to 10 pounds.
Horses void many times a day – sometimes up to 14 times.
Horses cannot vomit.
Horses produce about 10 gallons of saliva daily.
Horses far surpass the memories of elephants.
A horse's ear points to where he is presently looking/listening.
The herd’s lead mare determines route and direction; the stallion follows and protects.
Tapirs and rhinoceros are closest relations to horses.
Horses do not understand words. They recognize intonations.
The tallest breed of horse is England’s Shire.
There are over 300 different breeds of horses and ponies in the world.
Old Billy is the oldest horse on record. He was foaled in 1760, and died at age 62 in 1822. He was a draft cross breed (Woolston, Britain).
The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her blog sites.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)As always, you are full of information that is interesting to me. Wish I had known some of these things long ago, when I was riding some. You have renewed my interest in horses.If I have in any way renewed your interest, then I have succeeded in a truly rewarding way. It's a great creature, one of the best. Thanks so much Elle.
Hi Heidi.
Was Old Billy really that old? That's really hard to believe!
This was fun and educational. Thanks!
Hugs,
DianneWonder too but it's everywhere and the kids in our 4H were even taught in hippology. It's always too bad not more is known about some of these facts of uniqueness. I wanted the bits of trivia to be fun and if anyone learned one fact or two, then it is a successful piece. Two of my animals were each 34 when the end came - one year apart. They spent their lives together with our family and were the best of friends. I always think that helps longevity in some way.One of my friends' horses was just shy of 38 when she decided that one more winter would be one too many.
Oh, the horse I ride is doing better! I meant to tell you before this, but I've been indignantly busy. As you know, he is 27. I was able to ride him once last week. But he is weak and will have to be brought back slowly. We still don't know for certain what was wrong, but for the time being he seems fine and we are all very happy!
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