by Wendy Brock

Created on: February 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Horses are majestic creatures of strength and speed. Before the invention of the car, horses were an integral mode of transportation for mankind. These graceful animals have carried around humans for thousands of years.

Horses have many colors and patterns. Bay horses have a dark golden color with a black tail and mane. Black horses are solid black all over including mane and tail. Brown horses have a mixture of black and brown all over. Chestnut is a golden brown coat with lighter or darker tail than mane. Flea-bitten is color trait of a gray coat with small dark specks. Gray colored horses actually have black skin and a white coat. Skewbald describes big patches of white hair on other colors.

Horse terminology is important when describing horses. A newborn horse is called a Foal. A male horse, four years old or younger is called a Colt. A female horse, four years old or younger is called a Filly. A male horse that has been castrated is called a Gelding. A mature female horse is called a Mare and a mature male is called a Stallion. Once the horses are parents, the females are called Dams and the males are called Sires.

The vision of horses is interesting and unlike humans. Horses have monocular vision. A different image is seen by each eye unless the horse looks down its nose, then it has binocular vision (like humans). During the Kentucky Derby, or any horse race, the horse must wear blinders to keep it looking ahead. These blinders also hide all the other horses around, keeping the horse from getting scared.

A horse can see better at night than we humans can. The horse's eye ability to shift from light to darkness isn't as quick as humans. Horses were once thought to be color blind, but studies show they see some colors.

Horses were originally not as tall as they are now. After years of breeding, horses have grown taller. Horse height is measured in "hands." One hand is equal to four inches. An adult horse is over 14 and one half hands. The tallest horse on record was a Sire named Samson from England. Samson was 21.2 hands or 7 feet, 2 inches tall.

Dental care is extremely important with horses. Female horses have 36 teeth; 40 if the horse has canine teeth. Male horses have up to 44. A horse's upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw.

Knowing these interesting facts about horses makes watching the Kentucky Derby each year much more fascinating. Horses need a lot of care. Knowing this truly evokes respect for the owners of these farms surrounding my hometown.

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