Horses have a unique system of tendons and ligaments in their legs that allow them to lock their knees and sleep while standing. This helps them remain alert to potential danger in the wild.
Horses can remember faces, locations, and experiences for years. Their memory is so good that they can recognize people they haven’t seen in years and remember specific places they’ve visited.
The heart of a horse can weigh around 9-10 pounds, and their heart rate can vary from 28-40 beats per minute when resting, depending on the horse’s fitness level.
Foals (baby horses) are able to stand and run within hours of birth. This instinct helps them keep up with their mother and avoid predators in the wild.
Horses have a wide field of vision, thanks to their large eyes. They can see nearly 360 degrees around them, with a small blind spot in front of their nose and behind their head.
A horse’s ears are highly expressive and can convey emotions. Forward-facing ears indicate curiosity or interest, while pinned-back ears signal anger or discomfort.
Horses are strictly herbivores, primarily eating grass, hay, and grains. Their digestive system is designed to process large quantities of fibrous plant material.
The average lifespan of a horse is around 25 to 30 years, but many horses live well into their 30s or even early 40s with proper care and management.