10 Essential Horse Facts You Need to Know

The horse, scientifically known as Equus caballus, is a domesticated, single-toed mammal belonging to the family Equidae.
Unlike other mammals, horses are measured with hands and the tallest horse on record was seven hands taller than a normal horse. But that’s not all—there are many more fascinating horse facts that are lesser known. If you’re intrigued by these remarkable animals, our list of 10 amazing horse facts will surely captivate you.
10 Essential Horse Facts You Need to Know
1: Horses Possess an Almost Complete 360-Degree Field of View
Horses have a unique anatomical feature: their eyes are on the sides of their heads, providing an almost 360-degree field of vision. However, their three-dimensional vision is limited to about 70 degrees, which impacts their ability to perceive depth and estimate distances accurately.
Despite their wide field of view, horses have two significant blind spots. One is directly behind their head, and the other is in front. Consequently, horses cannot see the grass they are grazing on or the food offered. Instead, they rely on moving their heads, using their sensitive lips, or employing their sense of smell to identify objects.
2: The Hearing and Vision of Horses Are Excellent
As prey animals, horses have developed highly sensitive hearing, which is essential for their survival. Horses possess ten muscles to control their ears (as humans, we have three muscles). This muscular structure allows horses to rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees, helping them detect sounds from all directions without turning their heads. The keen ears aid in navigation and awareness.
Furthermore, with a 360-degree field of vision, the horse’s eyes are positioned on the sides of its head, a trait common to prey animals. This allows for a wide field of vision to detect approaching threats. Horses also have a high proportion of rods to cones (20:1), enabling superior night vision.
3: Horses Can Sleep While Lying Down and Standing Up
On average, horses sleep for about two and a half hours daily, alternating between standing and lying down.
85% of the time, horses sleep while standing. Horses possess a system of tendons and ligaments called the stay apparatus that helps them lock their legs and relax without falling over. This feature also helps them conserve energy and stay ready for a quick flight if needed.
Horses lie down for deeper sleep, spending about 15% of their sleep cycle. They must lie down for Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep (during this stage, horses dream and move their pupils behind the eyelids). Their muscles fully relax during this, and the autonomic nervous system slows down. Horses can even sleep on their stomachs or sides during this REM stage.
4: Horses Generate Around 10 Gallons of Saliva Daily
Horses have three pairs of salivary glands: parotid, sublingual, and mandibular. These glands produce approximately 10 gallons (40 liters) of saliva daily. Saliva is primarily water but also contains sodium, chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and the enzyme amylase. It moistens and lubricates food, aiding its passage from the mouth to the stomach.
Horses feed clover/red clover. Rhizoctonia Leguminicola Fungus grows on clover (a legume plant), particularly red clover, and produces compounds such as slaframine and swainsonine. When horses consume these legumes, this Slaframine stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, producing excessive saliva. Hypersalivation is also common in horses with ulcers in the mouth, esophagus, or stomach.
5: Horses Are Unable To Vomit or Burp
Yes, one of the amazing horse facts is that they don’t burp or vomit. Horses possess a digestive system that allows the movement of food only in one direction.
They have an exceptionally powerful lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The peristaltic waves that move food through the esophagus travel only in one direction, from the mouth to the stomach. The cardiac sphincter at the stomach entrance closes after food enters the stomach, functioning as a one-way valve. When the stomach is full, it presses against the sphincter, closing it even tighter. Consequently, horses cannot relax this valve to allow stomach contents to return to the esophagus.
These features collectively prevent horses from vomiting or burping, ensuring that food, water, and gas cannot move back up the esophagus.
6: Horses Breathe Only Through Their Noses
Horses can only breathe through their noses, unlike humans, who can breathe through both the mouth and nose. Their upper respiratory tract begins at the nose and extends to the trachea and lungs. The soft palate separates the nasal and oral cavities, making nasal breathing obligatory.
Furthermore, the epiglottis at the top of the soft palate blocks airflow from the mouth to the trachea and lungs. The mouth also contains bone-hard teeth, preventing airflow during eating or drinking and reinforcing the need for nasal breathing.
7: Horses Are Extremely Smart Animals
Horses are the most intelligent animals as they can perform intricate tasks such as riding and jumping quickly and retain this knowledge for extended periods. They can form deep connections with humans and other horses, enhancing their cooperative abilities.
The wise animal also responds to human emotions, including body language and facial expressions. It expresses feelings and states through actions like lowering its head when scared, indicating trust in its human caregivers. Its intelligence and sensitivity make it valuable partners in various settings, from companionship to work environments.
8: The Average Horse Lives for 25 to 30 Years
On average, horses live for 25 to 30 years. Some domestic horses can reach their 50s or 60s. Adequate nutrition, physical activity, and proper dental health enhance their lifespan. Smaller Breeds like Fjords and Icelandic horses often live 30-35 years. Old Billy, born in 1760 in Woolston, Cheshire, England, survived for 62 years, the longest on record.
9: Horses Have Fast Reflexes
Horses rely on quick reflexes for survival, particularly in fight-or-flight situations. Their ability to react swiftly is remarkable; they can deliver a powerful kick from a standstill in just 0.3 seconds, significantly faster than the average human reaction time of 1.6 seconds. These rapid reflexes are crucial for protecting them from predators and ensuring their safety in the wild.
10: Foals Can Walk Shortly After Birth
Foals, or baby horses, exhibit remarkable development shortly after birth. Within the first hour or two, they can stand, walk, and trot with surprising agility. Even more impressively, within just 24 hours, foals are capable of galloping, demonstrating their innate athleticism and vigor.
Conclusion
Horses inspire awe and wonder, reminding us of the profound connection between humanity and the animal kingdom. From their unique physical abilities, like their capacity to sleep standing up, to their complex social behaviors and quick reflexes, horses exhibit various fascinating traits. These magnificent creatures captivate our imagination and enrich our understanding of their features. By delving into the intriguing horse facts that define horses, we gain a deeper appreciation for their resilience and complexity.
FAQs
What are 5 interesting facts about horses?
1. Horses possess an almost complete 360-degree field of view.
2. The Hearing and Vision of Horses Are Excellent
3. Horses can sleep in both a lying down and standing up position.
4. Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva daily.
5. Horses are unable to vomit or burp.
Do horses have 360-degree vision?
Yes, horses have a 360-degree range of vision. However, their three-dimensional field of vision is limited to 70 degrees, which limits their ability to perceive depth and estimate distance.
Do horses breathe through their mouth or nose?
Horses breathe through their noses. The soft palate separates the nasal and oral cavities, making nasal breathing obligatory.
How smart is a horse?
Horses are the most intelligent and smart animals as they can perform intricate tasks such as riding and jumping quickly and retain this knowledge for extended periods.
Do horses have excellent hearing?
Horses possess 10 muscles to control their ears. This muscular structure allows horses to rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees helping them to detect sounds from all directions without turning their heads.