Although horses are such well-known animals, we believe we can surprise you with some interesting facts about this magnificent animal!
When hearing the words grace, strength, and agility, which animal pops into your head? Well, no animal fits these qualities more aptly than horses.
Horses have been humans’ best friends for centuries, proving their loyalty across battlefields, deserts, and racecourses.
The earliest ancestors of horses are estimated to have lived 55 million years ago, suggesting there is more to this glorious animal than meets the eye.
Here are some fun and interesting facts about horses for kids.
Fun Facts About Horses For Kids
1. A stallion refers to a male horse, while a mare refers to a female horse.
2. Young horses are known as foals, with a young male horse called a colt.
3. A young female horse called a filly.
4. Horses sleep for 2 ton 2.5 hours daily and can do so while standing. They lock their legs, allowing them to relax without falling over.
5. Horses have intriguingly positioned eyes, giving them nearly 360 degrees of vision.
6. One area that horses cannot see if directly behind and in front of their heads. Isn’t that an interesting fact about horses?
7. Horses are blessed with powerful senses. They can hear sounds that humans cannot, with such a strong sense of smell which can detect scents up to a mile away.
Fun Horse Facts for Kids
8. Horses are brilliant and can quickly adapt to various applications. Historically, horses have been trained to fight battles, transport logistics, execute agricultural duties, and perform recreationally.
9. Horses have super quick reflexes allowing them to respond to a fight or flight situation immediately.
10. Another interesting horse fact is that horses can deliver a deadly kick from a still position in just 0.3 seconds, whereas humans need 1.6 seconds to react to an emergency.
11. Foals begin to walk and gallop within a few hours after birth which is necessary as they are incredibly vulnerable to predators at birth.
12. Horses are known for their speed.
13. How fast can horses go? While most horses run 25 miles per hour, the fastest a horse has ever been recorded is over 55 miles per hour.
14. Horses have interesting digestive systems which focus on extracting nutrients over being efficient.
15. They like having short but frequent meals to gain the required nutrition.
16. Horses are herbivores and feed on vegetation and plants.
17. Horses are regarded to be some of the most social animals around. They build strong bonds with their owners and always express loyalty.
18. Horses can recognize fellow horses and stay in herds with one horse standing guard at all times while others eat, relax, and take a nap.
19. Horses are not able to breathe through their mouths. Instead, they can only breathe through their noses.
20. Different breeds of horses have different colored coats. Examples of breeds include the Arabian horse.
21. Horses are considered one-toed animals.
22. Horses were domesticated 6,000 years ago. This is considered late compared to other animals like dogs.
23. It is believed that horses were first domesticated in Eastern Europe in places like modern day Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
24. There are dentists for horses.
25. Another interesting fact about horses is that they are found all over the world, except Antarctica.
26. Horses are unable to vomit or burp.
27. Even though horses are so large, they have one less bone than humans.
28. How long can horses live for? The oldest horse on record lived to be 62 years old.
29. The average lifespan for a horse is 25 to 30 years.
30. Horses are measure by a unit known as “hands”. One hand is four inches in lenght.
Interesting Facts About Horses for Kids
Horses have a fascinating history with exciting traits and facts. Whether you are an experienced equestrian or a curious kid, there is much to learn about these majestic creatures.
Some estimates suggest there are over 60 million horses in the world. So, regardless of where you live, you can easily find one to ride and admire!
Enjoyed reading these interesting facts about horses? You may also enjoy learning some surprising facts about an icon of America, the Hollywood Sign, or this other story on interesting facts about Antarctica for kids.
