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There is only one species of domestic horse, but around 400 different breeds that specialize in everything from pulling wagons to racing. All horses are grazers.
Wild horses generally gather in groups of 3 to 20 animals. A stallion (mature male) leads the group, which consists of mares (females) and young foals. When young males become colts, at around two years of age, the stallion drives them away. The colts then roam with other young males until they can gather their own band of females.
The Przewalski's horse is the only truly wild horse whose ancestors were never domesticated. Ironically, this stocky, sturdy animal exists today only in captivity. The last wild Przewalski's horse was seen in Mongolia in 1968.
Horses and humans interact in a wide variety of sport competitions and non-competitive recreational pursuits, as well as in working activities such as police work, agriculture, entertainment, and therapy. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Humans provide domesticated horses with food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists such as veterinarians and farriers.
When you live with an animal, such as your dog, cat or friendly family fish, it is easy to become familiar with their lifestyle habits and routines. Not only do you begin to learn about the things that they enjoy and dislike―your dog may love his tennis ball and daily walks, but hates thunder storms and other pets he doesn’t recognize―but you also get a first-hand look at their behavior.
However, there are many animals and pets that we may interact with frequently, but are not able to live with us in our homes. While we still care about these pets and enjoy their company, we do not to experience their mood and their mannerisms up close and personal, like with dogs and cats.
One particular type of outdoor animal that many people choose as a pet is a horse. In fact, these gorgeous creatures are no strangers to human interaction. The human-horse relationship dates back for centuries, with stories of the first domesticated horse popping up over 4,000 years ago. Since then, equines have become essential to many human societies and great friends to those who have brought them into their family.
Horses make a great addition to your home for many reasons. Not only are they very intelligent, loving animals, but horse riding is just one of many enjoyable activities that comes along with owning a horse. However, like with any animal, it is important to get a good understanding of their behavior and lifestyle before making them a part of your family.
Types Of Horses
When it comes to choosing a horse that is right for you, the first thing you want to decide is what kind of horse you would like. The most popular types of horses that many people choose to adopt as a pet are mares or geldings. A mare is an adult female horse who is typically over the age of three, and a gelding is a castrated male horse. Another type of horse is a stallion. However, these types of male horses have not been castrated, and are typically only handled by experienced owners.
Once you have determined which type of horse you would like, you can begin to pick out the type of breed. The easiest way to choose which breed would fit best into your lifestyle is to determine which type of riding you like to do. For instance, a Thoroughbred or Warmblood horse are great at jumping and dressing, however a Quarter Horse or a Paint is more apt for Western Riding.
Behavior and Lifestyle
The behavior of a horse can be just as unique and varied as that of a human. Their environment and their owner can have a large effect on how they will act and behave.
Horses can be kept at home as long as you have a proper boarding facility that they can make a home in. All horses need a stable and barn to reside in, as well as plenty of room to run around and get exercise. Horses also need strong, safe fences to make sure they do not get lost in the wild.
When it comes to a horses diet, they typically enjoy a hearty meal of hay. However, hay alone is not enough to provide a horse with the amount of nutrition and supplements that it needs. Luckily, there is a wide variety of equine nutrients and treats, such as Foal-Lac Pellets and VIVE Equine Treats, which can provide a horse with the essential nutrients they need for growing healthy and strong.
All in all, horses can make a great addition to any farm family as long as they receive the proper attention and care that they need. Education and learning is the key to any responsible pet ownership, therefore you should find out as much as you can before you bring these loveable pets into your home once and for all.
FACTS ABOUT HORSES FOR KIDS
- Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up.
- Horses can run shortly after birth.
- Domestic horses have a lifespan of around 25 years.
- A 19th century horse named ‘Old Billy’ is said to have lived 62 years.
- Horses have around 205 bones in their skeleton.
- Horses have been domesticated for over 5000 years.
- Horses are herbivores (plant eaters).
- Horses have bigger eyes than any other mammal that lives on land.
- Because horse’s eyes are on the side of their head they are capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees at one time.
- Horses gallop at around 44 kph (27 mph).
- The fastest recorded sprinting speed of a horse was 88 kph (55 mph).
- Estimates suggest that there are around 60 million horses in the world.
- Scientists believe that horses have evolved over the past 50 million years from much smaller creatures.
- A male horse is called a stallion.
- A female horse is called a mare.
- A young male horse is called a colt.
- A young female horse is called a filly.
- Ponies are small horses.
Jonathan Travis
