Horses are large,
fast-running mammals that live in family groups on grasslands. They eat grasses;
they are nomadic herbivores. Racehorses can gallop at up to about 42 mph (68 kph)
in short bursts in order to escape from predators. The horse's life span is
about 20-35 years. Horses were first domesticated by people in Asia 5,000 to
6,000 years ago. There are about 200 domesticated (not wild) breeds of horses.
The earliest-known horse is the tiny Eohippus (Hyracotherium).
Names: An adult female horse is called a mare, the adult male is
called a stallion. A foal is a horse not yet one year old; a
colt is a young male and a filly is a young female. A gelding
is a sterilized male horse. A pony is a small horse, less than 58 inches
(146 cm) tall at the shoulder. Horses are closely related to the zebra
and donkey. Mules and hinnies are the offspring of donkeys
and horses.
Anatomy: Horses have hoofed feet. The hooves and teeth continue to grow
throughout the horse's life. Horses have a narrow, flowing mane. They have large
nostrils that let them get lots of air quickly. Large eyes and ears help the
horse detect predators early, allowing it to run away. The heaviest horse is the
Belgian (up to 3,150 lb,1400 kg), a draft (working) horse; the tallest is the
Percheron (7 ft tall), another draft horse. The lightest and smallest is the
Miniature Horse, a type of pony.
Sleeping: Horses sleep standing up, but if they feel safe, they will
sleep lying down.
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