Amazing Facts About Horses
The Oldest Horse, the Biggest Horse, and Other Horse-related Trivia
Sep 18, 2009 Carol Rzadkiewicz
Everyone who loves horses usually loves all things pertaining to horses. People do not have to be horse lovers, though, in order to appreciate the role this magnificent creature has played in human history. In fact, it could be argued, and perhaps rightfully so, that civilization as it is today would not have existed had it not been for the contribution of the horse.
Very few people, however, know much about this animal that made such an extraordinary contribution to humankind’s history, but the horse is really a colorful, interesting, and profoundly complex creature.
The Origins of the Horse
Based upon studies conducted on a skeleton discovered in 1867 in the American South, scientists concluded that the equine species could be traced back some 60 million years to the Eocene Period.
The First Horse
This first equine, called Eohippus, or “Dawn Horse,” stood approximately 16 inches at the shoulder and was no bigger than a medium-sized dog. It also had four toes on its front feet and three toes on its back feet instead of hooves. Hooves developed over a period of millions of years as a result of changing environment and the horse’s need to survive. After all, it did not possess claws or fangs for self defense, so its only chance of survival was to outrun its predators. (Edwards, 1991)
The Largest Breed of Horse
The largest breed of horse is the Shire, weighing between 2,240 and 2,688 pounds and standing between 16.2 and 17.2 hands. It is also the strongest breed. In fact, at the Wembley Exhibition in 1924, a pair of Shires, pulling against a dynameter (an instrument for measuring power), was estimated capable of moving 50 tons. (Edwards, 1991)
The World’s Biggest Horse
Although the Shire is considered the largest breed of horse, the biggest horse on record was the late Dr. Le Gear, a Percheron that measured 21 hands and weighed an amazing 3,024 pounds. (Edwards, 1991)
The World’s Smallest Horse
A miniature horse named Thumbelina is the smallest horse on record. Currently 17 ½ inches tall and weighing 57 pounds, at birth Thumbelina weighed between 8 and 9 pounds and was a mere 10 inches tall.
The World’s Oldest Horse
Although with proper diet, exercise, and medical care, the average horse can live up to 30 years, sometimes longer, the oldest horse on record was Old Billy, a gelding, who lived to the ripe old age of 62.
The Purest and Oldest Breed of Horse
Almost all horses can be traced back to the Arabian, whose lineage was spread throughout the world during the Muslim conquests initiated by the Prophet Mohammed in the seventh century. In fact, the Arabian bloodline is considered so pure that owners can register a horse as an Arabian even if it is only half Arabian. (Edwards, 1991)
The Five Breeds Developed in the United States
Although many people think the mustang is an American breed, mustangs are actually descendants of Spanish Horses, now called Andalusians, which escaped or were turned loose by the Spanish conquistadors after they conquered the Aztec nation. The horses then gradually spread upward from Mexico and into what later became the United States.
The uniquely original American breeds are the following:
- Appaloosa
- Quarter Horse
- Morgan
- American Saddlebred
- Tennessee Walker
Additional Horse-related Trivia
Some other interesting bits of information regarding the horse are such facts as these:
- Buckskins, Palominos, and Paints are not specific breeds but colors; and, in fact, any breed of horse that meets strict requirements for coloring, markings, and/or lineage can be registered in the Buckskin Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, or Palomino Horse Association. The majority of horses registered by these associations, however, are Quarter Horses or Thoroughbreds.
- A horse’s eyes allow for almost 360-degree vision; however, because of how the eyes are positioned on each side of the head, a horse sees an object with one eye before it sees the object with the other eye, which is why horses sometimes shy over an inanimate object. For them, the object appears to move.
- During extremely hot weather, the average horse can consume up to 25 gallons of water per day.
- In order for a horse to subsist strictly on pasture, it needs a minimum of four acres prime grassland (Yes, that is per horse); yet, since few areas of the country have year-round grass and prime grassland is in short supply, most owners must supplement pasture feeding with hay and/or grain.
Yes, horses are truly amazing animals, and their role in history cannot be denied. Moreover, they play an important part in civilization today, not only as working cowponies, police horses, racehorses, and show horses, but also as companions and friends. After all, as the old saying goes, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man” (or a woman).
Readers who enjoyed this article might also enjoy reading Wild Horses of the American West.
Sources:
Edwards, E. (1991) The Ultimate Horse Book; New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc.
"World’s Oldest Horse", September 15, 2009, ecmagazine.net
"World’s Smallest Horse", September 16, 2009, ultimatehorsesite.com
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