Story of the Hors
WALL STREET GIFTS
The Story of HORSES
Did you know that wild horses normally live to be 25-40 years of age? A domestic horse only has a life span of 25-30. Reason - predators.
The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today. Humans began domesticating horses around 4000 BC, and that was widespread by 3000 BC.
The endangered Przewalski is the only remaining true wild horse, never having been domesticated. It is found in Mongolia. Most wild horses today, such as the American mustang or the Australian brumby are actually feral horses descended from domesticated animals that escaped and adapted to life in the wild.
Horses are adapted to run enabling them to flee from predators in the wild, They have an excellent sense of balance. Horses are able to sleep both standing up and lying down, with younger horses tending to sleep significantly more than adults. The average sleep time of a domestic horse is thought to be 2.9 hours per day. Female horses, mares, carry their young for approximately 11 months. The baby can stand and run shortly following birth.
There are about 300 breeds of horses in the world – loosely divided between cold breeds, hot breeds and warm breeds. Hot breeds are known for speed and endurance. Cold breeds are working horses, draft animals. Warm breeds are typically developed for specific jobs.
Some horse terminology:
Foal - baby of either sex, less than one year old
Yearling – horse of either sex between one and two year old
Colt – a male horse under 4 years of age
Filly – a female horse under 4 years of age
Mare – a female horse older than 4 years
Stallion – a non-castrated male horse older than 4 years
Gelding – a castrated male horse of any age
How big is a horse? It is measured at the highest point of the withers. Where is that? The withers is the stable point of the horse – where the neck meets the back. In many countries the measurement is in “hands” a “hand” is 4 inches. Thus, a horse can be 14.2 h – which means 14 x 4 = 56 +2 = 58 inches. The largest horse in recorded history was probably “Mammoth”, a Shire who was born in 1848 and stood 21.2 1⁄4 hands (86.25 inches).
The distinction between a horse and pony is height. At maturity a horse needs to measure 14.2 hands or more. A pony measures less than 14.2 hands.
The horse skeleton averages 205 bones. A significant difference between the horse skeleton and that of a human is the lack of a collarbone.
Five gaits:
Walk – 3.1 to 5 mph
Trot – 5 to 8.1 mph
Pace – 8.1 to 9.8 mph
Cantor – 9.9 to 16.8
Gallop - 25-30 mph
Fastest time: 43.87 mph
Horse racing is an equestrian sport and major international industry, watched in almost every nation of the world. There are three types: "flat" racing, steeplechasing, and harness racing. The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race in USA. The most famous steeplechase in the world is the Grand National run annually at Aintree Racecourse, in Liverpool, since its inception in 1836. The most notable harness tracks in North America are the Meadowlands in NY and Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers.
Although machinery has replaced horses in many parts of the world, an estimated 100 million horses, donkeys and mules are still used for agriculture and transportation in less developed areas.
Major source of nutrient for horses is quality hay or pasture. An adult horse typically eats 24 lb per day. It can be augmented with grain. Water is also important. Horses need 10-12 gallons each day!!!!
Horses have some of the largest eyes of any land mammal, with a diameter of about 2 inches. Like many prey species, horses' eyes are located on the side of their head so they have a wide range of vision — they can see nearly 360 degrees, and have blind spots only immediately in front and immediately behind their bodies.
A horse can shift its ear to facing forward to facing backward, which requires a lot of muscles.
This & That:
Rarest horse is the Akhal which has a “metallic” coat
Rarest color of horse is white
Oldest horse, Old Billy, lived to be 62 years old in UK
Most famous TV horse – Trigger
Most famous racing horses (modern) – Secretariat, Sea Biscuit
Horses are the joy of many. Definitely Poetry in Motion.