HorsesHorses

By: Marisa PelzekBy: Marisa Pelzek

When did the first horse When did the first horse evolve?evolve?

It was a small animal (10 to 20 It was a small animal (10 to 20 in.). It is called Eohippus of in.). It is called Eohippus of Hyracotherium. It lived in what is Hyracotherium. It lived in what is now North America and Europe , now North America and Europe , about 55 million years ago. They about 55 million years ago. They had four-toed hooves and arched had four-toed hooves and arched backs, they looked more like backs, they looked more like greyhounds than horses.greyhounds than horses.

The next most important horse The next most important horse was the Mesohippus or Middle was the Mesohippus or Middle Horse. It lived about 35 million Horse. It lived about 35 million years ago. It was about 20in.. It years ago. It was about 20in.. It looked exactly like Eohippus looked exactly like Eohippus except larger.except larger.

Next, came the Merychippus. It Next, came the Merychippus. It lived about 26 million years ago. lived about 26 million years ago. It was about 40 in. tall. It had It was about 40 in. tall. It had three-toed hooves.three-toed hooves.

About 3 million years ago horses About 3 million years ago horses started to look like the modern started to look like the modern horse today. It is called Equus.horse today. It is called Equus.

When did people start When did people start domesticating horses?domesticating horses?

Around 5000-4500 B.C. People started Around 5000-4500 B.C. People started training horses for riding around 5000 B.C. training horses for riding around 5000 B.C. they used Mongolian wild horses.they used Mongolian wild horses.

Is there any more true Is there any more true wild horses?wild horses?

No, there is no true wild horses. But , all over the world there are No, there is no true wild horses. But , all over the world there are herds of horses and ponies that are considered feral. Feral means herds of horses and ponies that are considered feral. Feral means to return from domestication back to the original wild or untamed to return from domestication back to the original wild or untamed state. The population of feral horses has gone down though.state. The population of feral horses has gone down though.

What are all the colors What are all the colors horses can be?horses can be? BlackBlack

BrownBrown Gray, black skin with a mixture of white and Gray, black skin with a mixture of white and

black hairs.black hairs. Dapple gray, dark gray hairs form rings on a Dapple gray, dark gray hairs form rings on a

gray coat.gray coat. Palomino, gold coat with white mane and tail.Palomino, gold coat with white mane and tail. Chestnut, reddish brown coat and mane and Chestnut, reddish brown coat and mane and

tail.tail. Bay, brown coat with black mane and tail.Bay, brown coat with black mane and tail. Paint, white coat with another color patches.Paint, white coat with another color patches. Blue Roan, a mix of white and black or brown Blue Roan, a mix of white and black or brown

hairs.hairs. Strawberry Roan, a mix of white and Strawberry Roan, a mix of white and

chestnut hairs.chestnut hairs.

What is a “hotblood” What is a “hotblood” horse?horse?

Hotbloods and/or Fullbloods don’t necessarily have hot Hotbloods and/or Fullbloods don’t necessarily have hot blood they are called that because of their high-spirit. blood they are called that because of their high-spirit. Arabians and Thoroughbred s are examples of this.Arabians and Thoroughbred s are examples of this.

Coldbloods again don’t have cold blood they are called Coldbloods again don’t have cold blood they are called that because of they’re calm- spirit. Examples of these that because of they’re calm- spirit. Examples of these are Draft Horses.are Draft Horses.

Warmbloods or Crossbreeds are mixes between Warmbloods or Crossbreeds are mixes between hotbloods and coldbloods. Examples of these are hotbloods and coldbloods. Examples of these are modern sporting horses, except for racehorses which modern sporting horses, except for racehorses which are almost always Thoroughbreds.are almost always Thoroughbreds.

What is the What is the difference between difference between a mule and a hinny?a mule and a hinny?

A mule’s parents A mule’s parents are a donkey are a donkey mare and a mare and a horse stallion.horse stallion.

A hinny’s parents A hinny’s parents are a donkey are a donkey stallion and stallion and horse mare.horse mare.

Usually a mule is Usually a mule is stronger than a stronger than a hinny.hinny.

Is there a difference Is there a difference between a pony and a between a pony and a

horse?horse? There is There is no no difference difference between between horses and horses and ponies except ponies except size.size.

A lot of people A lot of people think a pony is think a pony is a baby horse, a baby horse, but its not. A but its not. A foal is a baby foal is a baby horse.horse.

Ponies are no Ponies are no taller than 14.2 taller than 14.2 hands (58 hands (58 inches.)inches.)

Is there any other saddles Is there any other saddles other than other than

Western and English?Western and English? There are three main kinds There are three main kinds

of saddles (Western, of saddles (Western, English and Australian).English and Australian).

Bridles have bits (metal Bridles have bits (metal pieces that go in the pieces that go in the horse’s mouth) and are horse’s mouth) and are used to steer/lead the used to steer/lead the horse when riding.horse when riding.

Halters/Head Collars and Halters/Head Collars and lead ropes are for walking lead ropes are for walking the horse and not riding.the horse and not riding.

Tack is anything that you Tack is anything that you use for grooming or caring use for grooming or caring for the horse.for the horse.

Can you ride Draft Can you ride Draft Horses?Horses?

Yes, but it isn’t what they were bred Yes, but it isn’t what they were bred for. Draft Horses were bred for heavy for. Draft Horses were bred for heavy or hard work and pulling large objects.or hard work and pulling large objects.

Is horseback riding Is horseback riding considered a sport?considered a sport?

Yes, there is Olympic games Yes, there is Olympic games involving horseback riding. To involving horseback riding. To horseback ride you and your horse horseback ride you and your horse have to be fit.have to be fit.

Fun FactsFun Facts The best way to tell a The best way to tell a

horse’s age is by looking horse’s age is by looking at its teeth.at its teeth.

A horse drinks at least 44 A horse drinks at least 44 pints (25 liters) of water a pints (25 liters) of water a day.day.

A newborn foal can stand A newborn foal can stand and walk an hour after it’s and walk an hour after it’s born.born.

The highest jump ever The highest jump ever recorded was 8 feet 1.25 recorded was 8 feet 1.25 inches high.inches high.

The biggest breed is a The biggest breed is a Shire Horse(16.2-17.2 Shire Horse(16.2-17.2 hands, 65-69 inches) but hands, 65-69 inches) but the biggest horse ever is the biggest horse ever is a Percheron, he a Percheron, he measured 21 hands tall!measured 21 hands tall!

BibliographyBibliography Pictures from Google Images and Clip Art.Pictures from Google Images and Clip Art. Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Eyewitness HORSE. Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Eyewitness HORSE.

New York, NY. DK Publishing, Inc. 1992New York, NY. DK Publishing, Inc. 1992 The World Book Encyclopedia H, 1999The World Book Encyclopedia H, 1999 Is horseback riding a sport?. Sports Comet. Is horseback riding a sport?. Sports Comet.

http://www.sportscomet.com/Horse-Racing/150618.htm January 19, 2010 January 19, 2010

HORSE,1997HORSE,1997