19 of 21

Write now Article Tools

"The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears." This Arabian proverb states it best. There have always been those who revere horses for the magnificent creatures they are. They have evolved from a small, doglike creature into the beautiful equines we see today.

There are many different breeds of horse, all bred for a different purpose. For example, the sturdy Clydesdale is used mostly for pulling heavy loads. The lanky Thoroughbred is bred for speed, making up the majority of the race horses you see on a track. You'll see a lot of stocky Quarter Horses doing ranch work, such as rounding up cattle. The way to distinguish a horse from a pony is, of course, the height. Horses are measured in hands. One hand is equal to four inches. Any equine that stands at 14.2 hands or shorter is considered a pony.

Horses come in many different colors, from grey to dun to black. A bay is a brown horse with black points, mane, and tail. There is also the paint, which has two variations. A piebald is a horse with patches of black and white. A skewbald is a horse with patches of brown and white. A horse is not white unless it is an albino. All others who appear white are actually considered grey, since they either have grey points or faint grey dapples.

An adult female horse is called a mare, while an adult male horse is called a stallion. An adult male horse who has been castrated is called a gelding. A juvenile female horse is a filly, and a juvenile male horse is a colt. A baby horse of either sex is a foal. An adult female horse that is used for breeding is a brood mare, and a male used for that purpose is a stud.

Horses each have a distinct personality. I had a horse who would snatch a Sprite can out of my hand and drink the entire thing before I could blink. I knew a horse who would lag behind his owner while being led so that he could headbutt her if she was unwary. I believe horses are much smarter than some people give them credit for. They are very loyal creatures, and I considered my horse Amber to be my best friend. I miss him to this very day.

Learn more about this author, Rachel Baker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Animal facts: Horses?
We want to hear your view. Write now!