Horses have graced the Earth for over 50 million years, according to records. Intelligent, athletic and powerful, there is lots we already know about these amazing creatures, but also lots we can still learn from them. Did you know, for example, that the fastest recorded speed of a horse was 55mph?
We’ve compiled a list of other fun facts you might find interesting, but please get in touch if you have any of your own!
- Horses have ten ear canals, compared to a human’s three.
- Horses typically cannot breathe through their mouths.
- Horses have the largest eyes of any land mammal.
- Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva a day.
- Male horses have 40 teeth when they are adults, while females have 36.
- The oldest horse on record was Old Billy who lived to the grand old age of 62.
- The first cloned horse was a Haflinger mare called Prometea, born in Italy in 2003.
- The Przewalkski’s horse is the only truly wild horse still in existence, with a wild population existing in Mongolia. Across the world there are however numerous populations of feral horses.
- Horses can’t burp or vomit.
- It takes approximately 9-12 months to regrow an entire horse hoof.
- The tallest horse on record is a Shire horse named Sampson who measured an incredible 21.2 hands tall at the withers.
- In the early 20th century, horse drawn carriages were not seen as an environmentally- friendly transport solution because of the amount of horse excrement polluting the streets. For this reason, cars were marketed as being much better for the environment.
Please comment below with any other fun facts you may have!
Written by: Hannah
