To Make the Best Better

Interesting Facts About Horses:

· A horse is a member of the "equus" family. This word comes from ancient Greece and means quickness.

· More than 350 breeds of ponies and horses can be found.

· A height of a horse can be measured with the hand, where each hand equals four inches.

· If you want to know how old a horse is, all you need to do is to count its teeth.

· An average horse’s head weighs 11.84 pounds.

· 10 Pounds is the weight of a horse’s heart.

· A horse is able to drink 10 gallons of water per day.

· Horses use their facial expressions to communicate. Their moods can be gauged 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.

· Any kind of mark, which appears on the forehead of a horse, is called a star, irrespective of whether it resembles one!

· A horse is able to walk, trot, canter and gallop.

· Horses usually live for around 20 to 25 years. Some of them can live up to 5 years more.

· In most cases, the foal 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.

· Foals are fully grown by 3-4 years of age.

· Horses eat short, juicy grass, and hay. Foods like barley, maize, oats and bran are good for working horses.

· 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.

· "Old Billy," was the oldest recorded horse who lived to be 62 years.

· Falebella of Argentina, is the smallest breed.

· "Little Pumpkin," is the smallest pony in history, it stood 14 inches and weighed 20 lbs.

· "Samson," was the tallest horse recorded.

More Horse Facts:

· A male horse is known as a stallion.

· A female horse is known as a mare.

· 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.

Head Markings:

· A narrow white mark, which runs down the face from the forehead, is called a Stripe.

· A white mark, which covers one or both of 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 down the nose to the muzzle is called a Blaze.