Facts About Horses
11. Most White Horses are Actually Gray
Most of the white horses that you see were actually a much darker color at birth and gradually turn white. These 'white' horses may start out as bay, chestnut, or almost black. These horses aren't actually called white, but gray.More »
12. The Resting Respiratory Rate of a Horse is About Four Breaths per Minute
It's important to know the resting pulse and respiration rate of your horse. While the resting respiration rate of a horse can be as low as four breaths per minute, that can quickly increase with work or distress. Learn your horse's resting pulse and respiration rate or TPRs.
13. Horses are Not Native to North America
Every horse on the North American continent are decedents of European horses. Even the horses that we regard as 'wild' are actually feral horses, whose ancestors escaped from captivity. Horses disappeared from the Americas over 8000 years ago and there is ample fossil evidence that the horse's ancestors lived here previous to that.
14. A Baby Horse is Called a Foal
What is the difference between a filly, colt and foal? It all depends on gender and age. Generally, a foal is a baby horse. After it is weaned from its dam, it is called a weanling. But, horses remain fillies or colts until they are two years of age.
15. The Orginal 'Horse' Was the Size of a Golden Retriever
The original horse was no larger than a Golden Retriever. Diminutive Hyracotherium may have looked more like a small goat or deer than a modern-day horse. Hyracotherium lived during the Eocene epoch about 50 million years ago.More »
