Sep 03, 2024
Horses, noble and majestic creatures, have accompanied humanity throughout history, playing fundamental roles in transportation, warfare, sports, and daily life. Their relationship with humans has given rise to many fascinating curiosities that reveal both their biological complexity and their deep connection with us.
Horses have almost panoramic vision due to the position of their eyes on the sides of their head, allowing them to see at nearly 360-degree angles. This is an evolutionary advantage for detecting predators, although they have a small blind spot directly in front of and behind them.
Horses possess a highly developed sense of smell, comparable to that of a dog, allowing them to detect dangers and recognize other horses and humans. They also have extremely sensitive hearing; they can rotate their ears 180 degrees to pick up sounds from different directions.
Although they do not speak, interestingly, horses communicate effectively through their body language. The positions of their ears, tail, and gaze convey information about their mood and intentions.
Horses have an incredibly good memory, especially for places and people, allowing them to remember routes and recognize humans even after years of separation.
There are over 300 horse breeds in the world, each adapted to different climates and tasks. From the tiny Falabella to the towering Shire, the diversity among horse breeds is enormous.
A racehorse can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h over short distances, and its heart can beat up to 240 times per minute during intense exertion. Horses are also capable of covering long distances at a steady pace, a skill that was crucial for warriors and messengers in ancient times.
Unlike humans, horses' teeth grow throughout their lives due to their diet of grass, which constantly wears down their teeth. This also allows estimating a horse's age by observing the wear of its teeth.
The earliest ancestor of horses, the Hyracotherium, lived approximately 55 million years ago and was the size of a Labrador dog. It's interesting that this small animal is the starting point of the long evolution that led to the modern horse.
Although it may not seem so, horses are genetically related to rhinoceroses. Both belong to the group of odd-toed ungulate mammals, sharing a common ancestor.
Horses can interbreed with other equines, such as donkeys and zebras, resulting in unique hybrids like the "zonkey" (zebra + donkey) or the "zorse" (zebra + horse). These hybrids combine characteristics of both parents and are usually sterile.
This is one of the most remarkable curiosities. Horses can recognize human facial expressions and react differently depending on whether the expression is positive or negative. This ability to read human emotions underscores their intelligence and the deep connection they can develop with people.
The oldest recorded horse was "Old Billy," who lived to be 62 years old in England during the 19th century. Currently, the modern record is held by "Sugar Puff," a small Shetland-Exmoor who lived for 56 years.
Horses are fascinating animals, not only for their beauty and strength but also for the incredible abilities and curiosities that make them unique in the animal kingdom. Their relationship with humans has been deep and enduring, marked by mutual cooperation that has influenced the history and culture of humanity. With each new study, we discover more about these incredible companions, reinforcing the admiration we feel for them.