Some Facts About Horses

This information is from a book called "Why Do Horses Neigh?"

• The main different parts of a horse's body are the muzzle,mane, withers, and hooves.
• Horses are measured by hands high (hh) each hand equals four inches (or ten centimeters).
• A palomino horse is normally 15 feet high!
• The fastest horse can run at speeds of over forty miles an hour.
• Horses teeth show how old they are.
• Horses usually live to be between twenty and twenty-five years old.
• The oldest horse on record lived to be sixty-two years old!
• Horses can see better at night than people can.
• Horses eyes are twice as big as human eyes.
• Horses can show their feelings by moving their ears.
• Horses can also show their feelings with their tails.
• Horses neigh to try to find other horses.
• Horses snort when they are surprised, curious, or worried.
• Horses nicker to say "Hello"
• Horses squeal when they are angry or hurt.
• Horses sleep about three hours in a twenty-four-hour day. They only sleep for about five minutes at a time.
• Horses can take naps while standing up.
• Horses lie down when they want to sleep more deeply.
• Horses eat grass, hay, and special horse feed. They sometimes like treats such as pieces of carrot and apple.
• Horses can't throw up, even if they feel sick.
• Horses eat slowly and carefully so that they don't accidentally eat food that might make them sick.
• A horse's hooves wear down as it walks or runs.
• Horses wear horseshoes to protect their hooves from wearing down of getting hurt.
• Horses keep clean by grooming. Grooming means taking care of the hair, mane, tail, hooves, and othe parts of a horse.
• A horse must be groomed every day.
• A horse's bridle, saddle, and other equipment used in horseback riding are called tack.
• Horses have small brains, but they are smart.
• Horses can do many jobs. They help herd cattle and sheep on ranches.
• A palomino horse named Mr. Ed was famous actor in the 1960s. He was the star of his own TV show.