A Horse is unquestionably a magnificent animal, known for its royalness and speed! If we look back in time, the ancestors of horses lived around 6000 years ago, and were the size of a Labrador dog. Horses have been used as warriors for many historical moments, like battles, pulling plows across farmland, and racing across finish lines. They have always been alongside humanity for thousands of years. Moreover, they are socially friendly and act like big sized puppies around, yet they can be dangerous when they are out of control.
From wild mustangs roaming open plains to elite dressage champions performing intricate moments, horses somehow capture our attention in ways only a few animals can. World iWhether you are an animal lover, an equestrian, or simply curious about these majestic creatures. But beyond their majestic looks lie the unknown truths that nobody talks about and explore 10 surprising and fun facts about horses with us.
Horses can’t vomit
Yes, and it is surprising to know that horses physically cannot vomit, and it is one of the most surprising facts to know about horses. It is because, unlike humans and other animals, horses have just a one-way valve between their esophagus and stomach. Now, this can be fun to know, but it might lead to some serious digestive system issues in the horses, conditions like colic. This is why, if you are a new horse owner, it is good to check their digestive health often.
Horses Sleep Standing Up
Have you ever seen a bird sleeping while flying or a fish sleeping on the surface of the water? Yeah, but horses can sleep upright or standing up. You might be thinking, how doesn’t it fall over? It doesn’t because they have a special system of tendons and ligaments called the stay apparatus, which is present in their legs. This allows them to lock their leg joints in place and relax without collapsing
Horses have nearly 360-Degree Vision
The eyes of the horse are on the sides of its head, giving them an incredible field of vision; therefore, they can have a nearly 360-degree view, but not completely. Moreover, they can almost see all the way over their body. They can roughly see around 350 degrees, and that vision helps them to detect any attacks from their predators.
Horses Have Excellent Memories
Usually, dolphins, elephants, and chimpanzees are known to have long-term social memory. However, horses too have an exceptional memory, and they can remember people, places, and experiences for many years. So, if you are a horse parent or trainer, it is very important to treat them gently, as their impression lasts long.
Horses Communicate Through Their Eyes
Yes, you read it right! Horses’ ears are incredibly expressive. They can rotate their ears 180 degrees, and each one can move independently. You can learn a lot from how they move their ears. If they move it rapidly, it means they are alert and interested. If the ears are pinned back, it means they are angry and in defensive mode. If one ear is forward and one is back, it means they are listening to multiple things.
Horses Have Supersonic Reflexes
Horses can move in the blink of an eye. Since they have almost 360-degree vision, they can easily spot their predators and act quickly when they need to. If they are in a defensive mode and feel threatened, they might go from standing straight to kicking you in just 0.30 seconds.
Horses Unique Expression
According to research, it has shown that horses have complex facial expressions compared to others. They communicate their emotions with specific muscle movements to show curiosity, relaxation, aggression, and anxiety.
A Horse’s Teeth Take Up More Space Than Its Brain
Yup, this is the most surprising fact about horses. A horse’s teeth occupy more room in its skull than its brain. As they typically have 36 to 44 teeth in an adult horse, they are likely to continue growing throughout their lives.
Horses Can Connect Deeply To Humans
Horses are highly social animals. From their birth in the wild, they have grown up with herds and from strong social bonds. They groom each other, protect one another, and form close friendships. So, they can also form deep connections with humans, and some horses even get depressed when they get separated from their companions.
Horses Can Live over 30 Years
Usually, a horse lives up to 25 to 30 years max, but many horses live well into their 30’s with proper care, advanced veterinary medicine, nutrition, and stable management, which can make their last days on earth peaceful.
Horses are more than just being strong! They are beautiful, intelligent, emotional, and biologically fascinating creatures. Moreover, they have been used for riding and racing for thousands of years, until the technology was developed. Moreover, these horses are used in Popular horse racing tournaments, which are also presented on mobile casinos as well. As the technology is growing, you can have many different ways to connect to them. From their near-360-degree vision to their deep social bonds and remarkable memories, horses continue to surprise us the more we learn about them.