Horses are such unique and beautiful creatures. Many people don’t get the opportunity to see any of them up close or experience how smart and interactive they can be. They have a range of emotions, from happiness when you bring them, sweets, to sadness when a loved one passes away.
Horses have been working with us for over 6000 years, helping us get around, plow our fields, and be part of our sports.
Take a moment to read 20 interesting facts about horses. Horses are probably something you’ve never thought much about before.
1. Horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal
If you’ve ever looked into the eyes of a big beautiful horse, you probably didn’t realize that those eyes are the biggest eyes on any land mammal. A horse’s eyes, in general, are eight times bigger than an adult human.
Because horses’ eyes are on the side of their head, they also have an almost 360-degree viewing angle. Their eyes can also go in different directions as needed. So you really can’t sneak upon them.
2. Horses can run within hours of being born
A foal, aka a baby horse, will be able to stand within about 30-40 minutes of being born and should be able to run along with its mother within a few hours. For humans, it typically takes us 8-11 months to even stand up by ourselves.
3. A horse’s teeth take much more space than their brains
Horses get two sets of teeth over their lifetime, just like humans. You can even tell the gender and age of a horse by its teeth.
The most shocking fact, though, is that a horse’s teeth take up more space than its brain.
4. Horses are happy to sleep standing up or laying down
Horses can sleep both standing and lying down. However, they only get a fully restorative sleep when lying down because they can’t enter into REM sleep.
So while horses are dozing in the paddock, you can’t sneak up on them because they’ve evolved to be prepared to run from predators while sleep standing.
5. Between 1867 and 1920, the horse population increased from 7.8 million to 25 million
Between 1867 and 1920, the horse population exploded from around 7.8 million to 25 million. There is no concrete reason for why this happened aside from people wanting more horses.
The horse population as of 2017 was around 59 million, with most horses being in Russia and the United States. A fun fact to note is the fact that, with a population of only 3.3 million, Mongolia has almost as many horses as they have Mongolians living in the country!
6. The fastest horse recorded hit a speed of 55 mph
The fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt, reached a top speed of 27 mph. Quarter horses have been recorded running at 55 mph, and that isn’t a once-off occurrence. However, the Guinness World Record has Winning Brew as the fastest officially recorded horse at 43.97 mph.
7. An adult horses brain weighs 22 oz, half the size of a human
An adult human brain weighs around 3 lbs, while an adult horse brain weighs the same as a human child brain at 1.5 lbs.
Scientists suggest a horse may have the intelligence of a 12-year-old human. Horses really are intelligent and learn quickly; once they learn something, they will not forget it.
Horses can even interpret human voices and facial expressions, similar to how a dog can keep track of what humans are thinking or feeling.
FIND OUT MORE: The Horse Encyclopedia by Elwyn Hartley Edwards is the definite visual guide to horses and ponies. Learn about 150 differnet horse breeds and other facts about the equine world.
8. Horses can’t vomit or burp
If horses feel sick or eat something that upsets their stomach, they can’t throw it back up. This is because horses have an extremely strong lower esophageal sphincter which acts as a one-way valve for food and drink.
For the same reason they can’t vomit, they also can’t burp because everything is one way.
Horses are constantly eating and pushing food through their stomach, so it would be unusual for a horse to need to vomit in the first place. However, if a horse vomits, it would mean their stomach has ruptured, and they are seriously ill and need immediate help.
9. Horses prefer sweet flavors after sour or bitter
If you’ve ever been around horses, you’ll know they love sweets from your pockets or molasses in their feed bucket. So maybe it isn’t a big surprise to find out that horses prefer sweets over sour or bitter flavors.
Horses are individual, so you may find horses that enjoy all kinds of different flavors and foods. So don’t be concerned if a horse won’t take the candy you’re offering to it.
10. Horses make about 10 gallons of saliva a day
Horses are slobbery creatures producing up to 10 gallons of saliva a day. They use the saliva to moisten their food, and also, the saliva contains a digestive enzyme to help break the food down.
Considering horses spend most of their day eating, it’s no wonder they produce so much saliva.
11. Horses can’t breathe through their mouths
Unlike humans, horses do not breathe through their mouths because their airway is separated from their mouth. So they will only do it if there was damage that allowed the air to pass through.
12. It can take up to 12 months to regrow a horse hoof
A horse’s hoof will take 9-12 months to grow down to the ground. However, you’ll often cut horse’s hoofs just like people’s toenails, so it may never reach the ground.
Horses’ hooves are made of keratin, which is the same thing our nails are made of, and they’re constantly growing, though slower than our nails. So it’s essential to make sure you do get them cut; otherwise, it can cause problems walking or even deformities in their legs.
13. Some horses can get sunburned if their skin is pink
In reality, all horses can get a sunburn, which may be surprising, considering they’re almost always outside. However, pink-skinned horses are more susceptible to sunburns.
The same is true for “pink humans”; they are also more susceptible to sunburns.
Horses can also get cold outside all the time, which is why owners will often give them blankets or even take them into stables during storms or other cold snaps. You always need to be mindful of your farm animals when they are outside.
LEARN how to recognise horses with the Horses Handbook by DK Smithsonian, a clear, concise, and comprehensive guide for both beginners and equine experts alike.
14. Horses get lonely if left alone
Horses are social creatures that love the interaction with anybody. They especially love to be in herds or with their friends. When a horse is left alone, it will often become withdrawn and uninterested in anything.
This loneliness is often why goats are kept around stables so that horses always have a little friend to keep them company.
15. A horse has fewer bones than a human
The average horse has 205 bones, and the average human has 206. So we beat them by one.
16. The oldest horse ever recorded was 62 years old
The average horse will live for 25-30 years. However, the oldest horse ever recorded lived for 62 years, more than double the life expectancy. Old Billy was born in 1760 in the United Kingdom.
Currently, the oldest horse alive is Shayne, at 51 years old and also living in the United Kingdom.
Interestingly, all of the oldest horses and biggest horses are from the UK. Especially considering how Russia and the USA have more horses.
17. The most expensive horse ever purchased was for $70 million
Horse racing is big money, especially when you’re trying to bread a new champion. Fusaichi Pegasus won the Kentucky Derby in 2000 and was sold for somewhere between $60 – $70 million. But, interestingly enough, he only earned $2 million as a racehorse.
18. Horse’s closest relatives are donkeys, zebras, and…. rhinos
You may not be surprised that horses are relatives to donkeys and zebras. However, did you know they are related to rhinos?
19. The average horse weighs around 1000 pounds
The average adult horse weighs around 1000 lbs. This doesn’t include the large Clydesdale, which can weigh over 2000 lbs.
The heaviest horse ever recorded was Sampson, who weighed 3359 lbs. On the other hand, the smallest horse ever recorded was Thumberlina, who was only 57 lbs.
20. There is no such thing as an albino horse
While there is such a thing as a white horse, there is no such thing and no record of an albino horse. This is because horses do not have an albino gene.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, 20 interesting facts about horses to showcase how amazing they are, and in some cases, how much like humans they are. They get lonely, they love interacting, and they love candy.
I hope you have a new appreciation for these majestic animals. You should take the opportunity to give one a pat or a hug next time you see them looking a bit lonely. Make sure you bring some Werther’s candy for them as well.
