The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus. It is an odd-toed ungulate mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature, Eohippus, into the large, single-toed animal of today. Horses have adapted to run, allowing them to quickly escape predators, possessing an excellent sense of balance and a strong fight-or-flight response. Related to this need to flee from predators in the wild is an unusual trait: horses are able to sleep both standing up and lying down, with younger horses tending to sleep significantly more than adults.

FUN HORSE FACTS: *Horses can run shortly after birth. *Domestic horses have a lifespan of around 25 years. *Horses have around 205 bones in their skeleton. *Horses have been domesticated for over 5000 years. *Horses are herbivores (plant eaters). *Horses have bigger eyes than any other mammal that lives on land. *Because horse’s eyes are on the side of their head they are capable of seeing nearly 360 degrees at one time. *Horses gallop at around 44 kph (27 mph). *The fastest recorded sprinting speed of a horse was 88 kph (55 mph). *Estimates suggest that there are around 60 million horses in the world. *A male horse is called a stallion. *A female horse is called a mare. *A young male horse is called a colt. *A young female horse is called a filly. *Ponies are small horses.

Horses bring many benefits to the lives of those around them. They are both beautiful to watch and of significant impact to the lives of many. They are a fun, enjoyable and different alternative to the daily gym grind for those who need more physical activity in their lives. They are a morale booster, a friend, and a teacher for those who are depressed, stressed, or lonely. Just because we no longer depend on them as a means to an end, does not mean their meaning in our life has ended. Horses still have an important health-related role to play in our everyday lives.People with physical disabilities can benefit from riding as a low-impact sport that is gentler on their joints and offers an enjoyable alternative to physical therapy in a gym. There are many different types of riding, so everyone can find the one that suits them.