Horses have galloped alongside humans for thousands of years, shaping our history and culture deeply. These majestic animals possess strength and sensitivity that allow them to perform incredible feats. Furthermore, their biology contains bizarre adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Consequently, understanding them requires looking past their beauty to see the complex creature underneath. Explore these catchy details about the animal that carried civilizations on its back.
Horses
Horses possess a unique system of tendons and ligaments called the “stay apparatus.” Therefore, they can lock their legs and sleep safely while standing up. This allows them to rest while remaining ready to flee from predators instantly.
Their massive eyes sit on the very sides of their heads. Consequently, horses see nearly 360 degrees around them without ever turning their necks. They have only two small blind spots located directly in front and behind.
You might expect their brains to be the largest part of their skulls. However, a horse’s teeth actually occupy more space in its head than its brain does. Furthermore, their teeth continue to erupt and wear down throughout their entire lives.
Their digestive system includes a powerful one-way valve called the cardiac sphincter. Thus, horses are physically incapable of vomiting, which makes stomach aches extremely dangerous. If they eat something toxic, they cannot expel it from their bodies.
Studies suggest they remember human friends and enemies for many years. In fact, some researchers claim their long-term memory rivals that of elephants. They can recognize photographs of their keepers even after long periods of separation.
Arabian horses differ physically from almost every other breed on earth. Specifically, they often have one fewer rib and one fewer lumbar vertebra than normal. This distinct skeletal structure gives them their famous high tail carriage and short backs.
They frequently curl their upper lip to trap scents in a special organ. Although it looks like laughing, this “flehmen response” helps them analyze pheromones. Stallions often use this funny face to check if a mare is ready.
Humans can breathe easily through their mouths, but horses cannot do this. As obligate nasal breathers, they must inhale air strictly through their nostrils. This limitation becomes critical when they run hard and need massive amounts of oxygen.
Racehorses achieve incredible speeds when they sprint on the track. For example, the fastest recorded speed by a horse reached nearly 55 miles per hour. A Thoroughbred named Winning Brew set this world record during a race in 2008.
Their hard hooves are made of keratin, just like your own fingernails. Because they grow constantly, farriers must trim and shape them every few weeks. Additionally, the frog part of the hoof acts as a pump for blood circulation.
Most horses live for about 25 to 30 years with good care. However, a barge horse named “Old Billy” lived to the ripe old age of 62. He worked hard towing boats in England until he eventually retired.
Young horses do not need weeks to learn how to walk. Remarkably, foals can stand within an hour and run alongside their mothers within twenty-four hours. This rapid development helps them escape predators in the wild almost immediately.
An average horse heart weighs roughly nine to ten pounds. This massive organ pumps ten gallons of blood per minute while the animal rests quietly. During a race, that rate can skyrocket to over sixty gallons per minute.
True white horses are actually extremely rare in the natural world. Instead, most “white” horses are technically gray and were born with dark coats. These horses lose their pigment over time, eventually appearing white as they age.
They use ten different muscles to control their sensitive ears. Consequently, they can rotate them 180 degrees to detect sounds directly behind them. Riders often watch these ear movements to understand exactly what the horse is thinking.
