Horses are one of the strongest animals in the world. Thanks to their power, they have carried people on their backs, pulled heavy loads of weight, and plowed fields for humans throughout history. But how strong are horses? Horses are capable of carrying 20% of their body weight and pulling 1.5 times their weight over …
Whenever the topic of horsemeat comes up, the worldwide equestrian community frowns with revulsion. However, in human history, horses were originally valued for their meat both before and after domestication. So, why don’t we eat horse meat today? The main reason why most people don’t eat horse meat is that it’s considered taboo. Most western …
Have you ever wondered why some horses have distinct patterns trimmed into their coat? If you’re new to horses, you might not know why owners often choose to clip their horses. But first of all, what is horse clipping? Horse clipping involves removing the outer layers of a horse’s coat to keep it short. This …
Horses are wonderfully diverse animals, not just in terms of temperament, but also coat color. Many equine colors and markings exist in the world today, with countless shades and combinations that make every horse unique. The most common horse colors and patterns are bay, chestnut, gray, black, pinto, and dun. A horse’s color is determined …
Before you instantly reject the concept, hear me out. While horses are 100% vegetarian, they do eat animal products from time to time, and on rare occasions, even meat. Horses do not normally eat meat. Their digestive systems evolved to accommodate a high-fiber diet made up of grass and other plants. However, horses can safely …
The skeleton of horses has gone through major evolutionary changes in the last 55 million years. As the ancestors of horses transitioned from living in forests to open grasslands, their skeleton elongated and they lost several toes. These changes increased the horse’s stride length and speed, allowing it to run away from predators. As in …
There are around 86,000 wild horses that roam across America, with about 55,000 of them now living in government-run quarters. Each day, many of these wild horses face an unknown fate, but fortunately, there are ways we can help these incredible animals. Despite the laws in place to help America’s wild horses, many of them …
Most people find riding an amazing and therapeutic experience. But what about the horses? Do they enjoy riding as much as we do? Without speaking the same language, it’s hard to tell whether horses like being ridden. Most horses are okay with being ridden. As far as enjoying being ridden, it’s likely most horses simply …
If you have a special horse in your life, you’ve probably wondered if they miss you when you’re not around. While every horse owner wants to believe they do, we must acknowledge they do this in their own unique way. Most horses do miss their owners who take care of them on a daily basis. …
If you’re an equestrian, you must’ve come across the term “Natural Horsemanship” regardless of where you live. Natural Horsemanship (NH) has become a global movement promoting the kind treatment of horses and training methods based on horse behavior. Natural Horsemanship encompasses a variety of training methods that strive to achieve a deeper connection with the …
Horsepower is a term that many of us are familiar with when talking about cars. However, just how much horsepower does a horse have? Though you would think that a horse would have the equivalent of one horsepower, this is actually wrong. On average, a horse can achieve a maximum output of 14.9 horsepower. However, …
If you’re never heard of horse diving before, you are not alone. This bizarre and forgotten stunt was a popular attraction in the United States for six decades, from the late 1800s to the end of the Second World War. Horse diving involved a woman in a swimsuit jumping a horse off a platform into …
Sooner or later, every rider will face this question. Whether it’s friends and family asking or a thought coming from within, it does stop us in our tracks. So, is horse riding cruel? Horse riding is not cruel if it is done or supervised by an experienced rider who puts the horse’s needs first. There …
For thousands of years, horses have been used for transportation. Horse-drawn carriages have allowed for travel that otherwise would have been very difficult or even impossible for people. Though cars have taken over as the main source of transportation, horse-drawn wagons are still used in some parts of the world for transportation and work. In …
No matter your age, buying a horse is an exciting time. However, before you make the big purchase, you will want to know things to look for when buying a horse. Purchasing a horse is a big commitment. A lot of money, time, care and dedication goes into owning a horse. It is important that …
During his career, Baloubet Du Rouet was one of the most successful jumping horses. Athletic, fast, and powerful, he dominated the jumping scene from the 1990s to the early 2000s. Baloubet Du Rouet was born on May 8, 1989, in Saint-Aubin-de-Terregatte, France. A stunning chestnut, he stood at 16.3 hands tall and was registered as …