Here are some strange but true random facts about horses that you will enjoy learning.
Read on:
Adult male horses generally have 40 to 42 teeth while the females only have 36 to 38.
Horses do not have collarbones. Their front limbs are directly attached to the spinal column by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Horses like classical music.
Human hair and fingernails are made up of the same protein as horse hooves.
Social animals, horses can become friends both within their own species and with humans. Without companionship and exercise, the develop "stable vices" including wood chewing and wall kicking.
Horses sleep better in groups because they know the others will help watch out for predators.
People with disabilities ride horses to strengthen muscles while instinctively balancing. (This is why the handicapped riding programs are such a success.)
Leather from horsehide is used to make jackets, baseballs, gloves and boots.
Horsehide can also be used in producing glue.
Saddling and mounting a horse from its left side is often thought to have originated when right-handed soldiers carried their sword on their left hip. During war, it was easier to step into the saddle with their left foot and throw their right leg over the horse.
In Chinese culture, people born in "the year of the horse" are considered free-spirited, independent, and smart. (Gee, that sounds like me. I was born in the "year of the horse". Maybe that is why I love horses, too.)
A horse that weighs 1,200 pounds can eat 7 times its own weight in food every year. (That's why horses are not cheap to keep.)
The nearest horse relative are the rhinoceros and the tapir.
Great fun facts, Always ready for some new knowledge about our world. I love horses.
Another unknown fact...horses get really offended when people are referred to as a "horse's %$#". Can't believe the amount of food eaten!
Terry:
Horses are such lovable creatures. What's not to love about them?
Brigita
Gary:
It is very insulting being called that.
Brigita
Hi Brigita, I had asked my daughter to consider " giving Back " to the community. She chose working with the local animal shelter to "socialize" dogs for adoption and also to volunteer at a therapeutic horsemanship program. The horsemanship program is amazing for all involved !
Brigita,
I believe that you are born loving horses, they are in your soul.
From one soul sister to another, happy riding.
Sharon
Hi Brigita,
The one that shocked me the most was who their closest 'relatives' are. Who would have ever guessed. Thanks for sharing.
Bill:
That is wonderful that your daughter is working with animals and horses. It is so rewarding working with the handicapped riding program and the animals. :-) And I speak from experience!
Brigita
Sharon:
You can always tell the person whose has horses in their blood. Thy're the ones that would rather muck stalls than do anything else.
Brigita
Michael:
It is hard to believe.
Brigita
Interesting facts. I like the Chinese Zodiac description, too!
Great collection of equine facts. I didn't know that about the teeth at all... what a strange thing!
Wow - great information. Out here in Arizona we have horses starving because of owners losing their jobs and not being able to afford grain and hay. I emailed an idea to a local horse recue, but haven't heard back....to feed these horses cut grass from all the elementary schools in town. It's better than starving to death.
Li:
I found them to be interesting, too.
Brigita
Shoshona:
You learn something new every day!
Brigita
Dana:
That sounds like a great idea! Any way to help the horses out!
Brigita
Brigita, fun horsey facts, another little known outside of the horse community is horses are not capable of :"throwing up" their system is built to be one way so if ingested it must find the one way out, which is the cause for colic sometimes and death.