I Love Horses Day 💕 🐴
/I Love Horses Day is celebrated on July 15. It gives us an opportunity to recognize and love this magnificent creature.
With over 350 breeds of ponies and horses in the world today, these spirited animals give humans much to love. Their loyalty and devotion throughout history is well documented. Not just a means of transportation, horses cleared fields, fought wars and moved cattle. Beyond their utility, their companionship was indispensable on long lonely trails. Cattlemen, pioneers, and more recognize horses as cornerstones of survival in our developing country.
The tallest horse breed is a British breed known as the Shire, a very large draught horse measuring approx. 68 inches in height at the withers and weighs as much as 2,000 pounds.
The Falabella is an Argentine breed and is one of the smallest breed of horses. It measures 25 - 34 inches at the withers.
The quarter horse is named for its speed on a short track and is one of the fastest breed of horses. Thoroughbreds follow quarter horses for longer distance, but Arabians outlast both breeds for endurance on the longest races.
The height of a horse is measured in “hands”. A “hand” is a unit of measure that is equal to 4 inches and used to measure the height of a horse at the highest point of the withers (highest point above a horse’s shoulder that doesn’t move).
Why are horses measured in hands? A four-inch “hand” is about the breadth of a man’s hands and is a unit of length that can be traced all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. Egyptians have the earliest recorded standardized system of measurement, based on the length of a man’s arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
Fun Horse Facts - Did You Know?
You can estimate a horse’s age by its teeth.
A horse’s teeth take up a larger amount of space in their head than their brain does.
Horses have the biggest eyes of any land mammal.
The fastest recorded sprinting speed of a horse was 55 mph.
Horses were domesticated by humans more than 3,000 years ago.
Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up.
If a horse has a red ribbon on its tail, it kicks.
A horse can see almost 360 degrees at once. Because of this, it’s difficult to sneak up on a horse. Their only blind spots are directly behind them and in front.
Similar to human hair and fingernails, a horse’s hooves are made of the same protein - keratin.
When horses look like they are laughing, they are actually engaging in a special nose-enhancing technique known as “flehmen”, to determine whether a smell is good or bad.
Horses use their eyes, ears and nostrils to express their mood. They also communicate their feelings through facial expressions.
An adult horse’s brain weighs 22 oz, about half that of a human.
Horses like sweet flavours and usually hate foods that are sour or bitter.
Horses are social animals and prefer to be around other horses.
Thinking of Getting your Own Horse?
The Ontario SPCA often has horses available for adoption.
Horses are a big expense. Food and housing is costly, especially if you don’t live on a farm equipped to house horses. Boarding stables can be very expensive.
Like a dog or cat, horses require regular veterinary care. They will also need their hooves cared for by a trained farrier every six to eight weeks.
You will also need to purchase equipment for your new friend such as halters, lead rope, brushes, grooming supplies, saddle, bridle, riding helmet and boots.
Horses are big powerful animals. Knowledge of safe handling techniques are essential for your safety. If you have no horse experience, it is a good idea to take lessons with a reputable riding coach or mentor.
Horses can live well beyond the age of 30 years, so adopting a horse is a commitment that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
While horses are a lot of work and responsibility, they can bring immense joy to your life. Horses can help reduce stress, keep you physically active, build self-confidence and foster leadership skills. Giddy Up!
