Pony

The horse (Equus ferus caballus)[2 ] [3 ] is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. 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 into the large, single-toed animal of today. Humans began to domesticate horses around 4000 BC, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3000 BC. Horses in the subspecies caballus are domesticated, although some domesticated populations live in the wild as feral horses. These feral populations are not true wild horses, as this term is used to describe horses that have never been domesticated, such as the endangered Przewalski's Horse, a separate subspecies, and the only remaining true wild horse. There is an extensive, specialized vocabulary used to describe equine-related concepts, covering everything from anatomy to life stages, size, colors, markings, breeds, locomotion, and behavior.

Horses' anatomy enables them to make use of speed to escape predators and they have a well-developed sense of balance and a strong fight-or-flight instinct. 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. Female horses, called mares, carry their young for approximately 11 months, and a young horse, called a foal, can stand and run shortly following birth. Most domesticated horses begin training under saddle or in harness between the ages of two and four. They reach full adult development by age five, and have an average lifespan of between 25 and 30 years.

Horse breeds are loosely divided into three categories based on general temperament: spirited "hot bloods" with speed and endurance; "cold bloods", such as draft horses and some ponies, suitable for slow, heavy work; and "warmbloods", developed from crosses between hot bloods and cold bloods, often focusing on creating breeds for specific riding purposes, particularly in Europe. There are more than 300 breeds of horses in the world today, developed for many different uses.

Horses and humans interact in a wide variety of sport competitions and non-competitive recreational pursuits, as well as in working activities such as police work, agriculture, entertainment, and therapy. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Humans provide domesticated horses with food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists such as veterinarians and farriers.

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Contents
[hide] *1 Biology
 * 1.1 Lifespan and life stages
 * 1.2 Size and measurement
 * 1.2.1 Ponies
 * 1.3 Colors and markings
 * 1.4 Reproduction and development
 * 1.5 Anatomy
 * 1.5.1 Skeletal system
 * 1.5.2 Hooves
 * 1.5.3 Teeth
 * 1.5.4 Digestion
 * 1.5.5 Senses
 * 1.6 Movement
 * 1.7 Behavior
 * 1.7.1 Intelligence and learning
 * 1.7.2 Temperament
 * 1.7.3 Sleep patterns
 * 2 Taxonomy and evolution
 * 2.1 Wild species surviving into modern times
 * 2.2 Other modern equids
 * 3 Domestication
 * 3.1 Feral populations
 * 3.2 Breeds
 * 4 Interaction with humans
 * 4.1 Sport
 * 4.2 Work
 * 4.3 Entertainment and culture
 * 4.4 Therapeutic use
 * 4.5 Warfare
 * 4.6 Products
 * 4.7 Care
 * 5 See also
 * 6 References
 * 7 Sources
 * }

[edit] Biology
Main article: Equine anatomyPoints of a horse[4 ] [5 ] Specific terms and specialized language are used to describe equine anatomy, different life stages, colors and breeds.

[edit] Lifespan and life stages
Depending on breed, management and environment, the modern domestic horse has a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.[6 ] Uncommonly, a few animals live into their 40s and, occasionally, beyond.[7 ] The oldest verifiable record was "Old Billy", a 19th-century horse that lived to the age of 62.[6 ] In modern times, Sugar Puff, who had been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest living pony, died in 2007 at age 56.[8 ]

Regardless of a horse or pony's actual birth date, for most competition purposes a year is added to its age each January 1 of each year in the Northern Hemisphere[6 ] [9 ] and each August 1 in the Southern Hemisphere.[10 ] The exception is in endurance riding, where the minimum age to compete is based on the animal's actual calendar age.[11 ]

The following terminology is used to describe horses of various ages: In horse racing, these definitions may differ: For example, in the British Isles, Thoroughbred horse racing defines colts and fillies as less than five years old.[20 ] However, Australian Thoroughbred racing defines colts and fillies as less than four years old.[21 ]
 * Foal: a horse of either sex less than one year old. A nursing foal is sometimes called a suckling and a foal that has been weaned is called a weanling.[12 ] Most domesticated foals are weaned at five to seven months of age, although foals can be weaned at four months with no adverse physical effects.[13 ]
 * Yearling: a horse of either sex that is between one and two years old.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13">[14 ]
 * Colt: a male horse under the age of four.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14">[15 ] A common terminology error is to call any young horse a "colt", when the term actually only refers to young male horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15">[16 ]
 * Filly: a female horse under the age of four.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger418_11-1">[12 ]
 * Mare: a female horse four years old and older.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16">[17 ]
 * Stallion: a non-castrated male horse four years old and older.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17">[18 ] The term "horse" is sometimes used colloquially to refer specifically to a stallion.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger420_18-0">[19 ]
 * Gelding: a castrated male horse of any age.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger418_11-2">[12 ]

[edit] Size and measurement
The height of horses is measured at the highest point of the withers, where the neck meets the back.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Whitaker77_21-0">[22 ] This point is used because it is a stable point of the anatomy, unlike the head or neck, which move up and down in relation to the body of the horse.

The English-speaking world measures the height of horses in hands and inches: one hand is equal to 4 inches (101.6 mm). The height is expressed as the number of full hands, followed by a point, then the number of additional inches, and ending with the abbreviation "h" or "hh" (for "hands high"). Thus, a horse described as "15.2 h" is 15 hands plus 2 inches, for a total of 62 inches (157.5 cm) in height.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger51_22-0">[23 ] Size varies greatly among horse breeds, as with this full-sized horse and a miniature horse.The size of horses varies by breed, but also is influenced by nutrition. Light riding horses usually range in height from 14 to 16 hands (56 to 64 inches, 142 to 163 cm) and can weigh from 380 to 550 kilograms (840 to 1,200 lb).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23">[24 ] Larger riding horses usually start at about 15.2 hands (62 inches, 157 cm) and often are as tall as 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm), weighing from 500 to 600 kilograms (1,100 to 1,300 lb).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24">[25 ] Heavy or draft horses are usually at least 16 hands (64 inches, 163 cm) high and can be as tall as 18 hands (72 inches, 183 cm) high. They can weigh from about 700 to 1,000 kilograms (1,500 to 2,200 lb).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25">[26 ]

The largest horse in recorded history was probably a Shire horse named Mammoth, who was born in 1848. He stood 21.2½ hands high (86.5 in/220 cm), and his peak weight was estimated at 1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Whitaker60_26-0">[27 ] The current record holder for the world's smallest horse is Thumbelina, a fully mature miniature horse affected by dwarfism. She is 17 inches (43 cm) tall and weighs 57 pounds (26 kg).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[28 ]

[edit] Ponies
Main article: PonyPonies are taxonomically the same animals as horses. The distinction between a horse and pony is commonly drawn on the basis of height, especially for competition purposes. However, height alone is not dispositive; the difference between horses and ponies may also include aspects of phenotype, including conformation and temperament.

The traditional standard for height of a horse or a pony at maturity is 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm). An animal 14.2 h or over is usually considered to be a horse and one less than 14.2 h a pony,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-EnsmingerHT11_28-0">[29 ] but there are many exceptions to the traditional standard. In Australia, ponies are considered to be those under 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm),<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29">[30 ] For competition in the Western division of the United States Equestrian Federation, the cutoff is 14.1 hands (57 inches, 145 cm)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30">[31 ] The International Federation for Equestrian Sports, the world governing body for horse sport, uses metric measurements and defines a pony as being any horse measuring less than 148 centimetres (58.27 in) at the withers without shoes, which is just over 14.2 h, and 149 centimetres (58.66 in), or just over 14.2½ h, with shoes.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-31">[32 ]

Height is not the sole criterion for distinguishing horses from ponies. Breed registries for horses that typically produce individuals both under and over 14.2 h consider all animals of that breed to be horses regardless of their height.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32">[33 ] Conversely, some pony breeds may have features in common with horses, and individual animals may occasionally mature at over 14.2 h, but are still considered to be ponies.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33">[34 ]

Ponies often exhibit thicker manes, tails, and overall coat. They also have proportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier bone, shorter and thicker necks, and short heads with broad foreheads. They may have calmer temperaments than horses and also a high level of equine intelligence that may or may not be used to cooperate with human handlers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-EnsmingerHT11_28-1">[29 ] Small size, by itself, is not an exclusive determinant. For example, the Shetland pony which averages 10 hands (40 inches, 102 cm), is considered a pony.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HorseTack12_34-0">[35 ] Conversely, breeds such as the Falabella and other miniature horses, which can be no taller than 30 inches (76 cm), are classified by their registries as very small horses, not ponies.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35">[36 ]

[edit] Colors and markings
Bay (left) and chestnut (sometimes called "sorrel") are two of the most common coat colors, seen in almost all breeds.Main articles: Equine coat color, Equine coat color genetics, and Horse markingsHorses exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings, described by a specialized vocabulary. Often, a horse is classified first by its coat color, before breed or sex.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36">[37 ] Horses of the same color may be distinguished from one another by white markings,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37">[38 ] which, along with various spotting patterns, are inherited separately from coat color.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38">[39 ]

Many genes that create horse coat colors and patterns have been identified. Current genetic tests can identify at least 13 different alleles influencing coat color,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UCVGL_39-0">[40 ] and research continues to discover new genes linked to specific traits. The basic coat colors of chestnut and black are determined by the gene controlled by the Melanocortin 1 receptor,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Marklund1996_40-0">[41 ] also known as the "extension gene" or "red factor,"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UCVGL_39-1">[40 ] as its recessive form is "red" (chestnut) and its dominant form is black.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UCDIntro_41-0">[42 ] Additional genes control suppression of black color to point coloration that results in a bay, spotting patterns such as pinto or leopard, dilution genes such as palomino or dun, as well as graying, and all the other factors that create the many possible coat colors found in horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UCVGL_39-2">[40 ]

Horses which have a white coat color are often mislabeled; a horse that looks "white" is usually a middle-aged or older gray. Grays are born a darker shade, get lighter as they age, but usually keep black skin underneath their white hair coat (with the exception of pink skin under white markings). The only horses properly called white are born with a predominantly white hair coat and pink skin, a fairly rare occurrence.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UCDIntro_41-1">[42 ] Different and unrelated genetic factors can produce white coat colors in horses, including several different alleles of dominant white and the sabino-1 gene.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-haase2009-similar_42-0">[43 ] However, there are no "albino" horses, defined as having both pink skin and red eyes.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Duplicatetest_43-0">[44 ]

[edit] Reproduction and development
Main article: Horse breedingGestation lasts approximately 340 days, with an average range 320–370 days,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger156_44-0">[45 ] and usually results in one foal; twins are rare.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45">[46 ] Horses are a precocial species, and foals are capable of standing and running within a short time following birth.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46">[47 ] Foals are usually born in the spring. The estrous cycle of a mare occurs roughly every 19–22 days and occurs from early spring into autumn. Most mares enter an anestrus period during the winter and thus do not cycle in this period.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger150_47-0">[48 ] Foals are generally weaned from their mothers between four and six months of age.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-48">[49 ]

Horses, particularly colts, sometimes are physically capable of reproduction at about 18 months, but domesticated horses are rarely allowed to breed before the age of three, especially females.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HorseTack129_49-0">[50 ] Horses four years old are considered mature, although the skeleton normally continues to develop until the age of six; maturation also depends on the horse's size, breed, sex, and quality of care. Larger horses have larger bones; therefore, not only do the bones take longer to form bone tissue, but the epiphyseal plates are larger and take longer to convert from cartilage to bone. These plates convert after the other parts of the bones, and are crucial to development.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-50">[51 ]

Depending on maturity, breed, and work expected, horses are usually put under saddle and trained to be ridden between the ages of two and four.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Train163_51-0">[52 ] Although Thoroughbred race horses are put on the track as young as the age of two in some countries,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-52">[53 ] horses specifically bred for sports such as dressage are generally not put under saddle until they are three or four years old, because their bones and muscles are not solidly developed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-53">[54 ] For endurance riding competition, horses are not deemed mature enough to compete until they are a full 60 calendar months (five years) old.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Endurance_10-1">[11 ]

[edit] Anatomy
Main articles: Equine anatomy, Muscular system of the horse, Respiratory system of the horse, and Circulatory system of the horse====[edit] Skeletal system==== Main article: Skeletal system of the horseThe skeletal system of a modern horseThe horse skeleton averages 205 bones.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Evans90_54-0">[55 ] A significant difference between the horse skeleton and that of a human is the lack of a collarbone—the horse's forelimbs are attached to the spinal column by a powerful set of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that attach the shoulder blade to the torso. The horse's legs and hooves are also unique structures. Their leg bones are proportioned differently from those of a human. For example, the body part that is called a horse's "knee" is actually made up of the carpal bones that correspond to the human wrist. Similarly, the hock contains bones equivalent to those in the human ankle and heel. The lower leg bones of a horse correspond to the bones of the human hand or foot, and the fetlock (incorrectly called the "ankle") is actually the proximal sesamoid bones between the cannon bones (a single equivalent to the human metacarpal or metatarsal bones) and the proximal phalanges, located where one finds the "knuckles" of a human. A horse also has no muscles in its legs below the knees and hocks, only skin, hair, bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the assorted specialized tissues that make up the hoof.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger21_55-0">[56 ]

[edit] Hooves
Main articles: Horse hoof, Horseshoe, and FarrierThe critical importance of the feet and legs is summed up by the traditional adage, "no foot, no horse".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger367_56-0">[57 ] The horse hoof begins with the distal phalanges, the equivalent of the human fingertip or tip of the toe, surrounded by cartilage and other specialized, blood-rich soft tissues such as the laminae. The exterior hoof wall and horn of the sole is made of essentially the same material as a human fingernail.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-57">[58 ] The end result is that a horse, weighing on average 500 kilograms (1,100 lb),<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-58">[59 ] travels on the same bones as would a human on tiptoe.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-59">[60 ] For the protection of the hoof under certain conditions, some horses have horseshoes placed on their feet by a professional farrier. The hoof continually grows, and in most domesticated horses needs to be trimmed (and horseshoes reset, if used) every five to eight weeks,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-60">[61 ] though the hooves of horses in the wild wear down and regrow at a rate suitable for their terrain.

[edit] Teeth
Main article: Horse teethHorses are adapted to grazing. In an adult horse, there are 12 incisors at the front of the mouth, adapted to biting off the grass or other vegetation. There are 24 teeth adapted for chewing, the premolars and molars, at the back of the mouth. Stallions and geldings have four additional teeth just behind the incisors, a type of canine teeth called "tushes". Some horses, both male and female, will also develop one to four very small vestigial teeth in front of the molars, known as "wolf" teeth, which are generally removed because they can interfere with the bit. There is an empty interdental space between the incisors and the molars where the bit rests directly on the gums, or "bars" of the horse's mouth when the horse is bridled.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-61">[62 ]

An estimate of a horse's age can be made from looking at its teeth. The teeth continue to erupt throughout life and are worn down by grazing. Therefore, the incisors show changes as the horse ages; they develop a distinct wear pattern, changes in tooth shape, and changes in the angle at which the chewing surfaces meet. This allows a very rough estimate of a horse's age, although diet and veterinary care can also affect the rate of tooth wear.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger46_5-3">[6 ]

[edit] Digestion
Main articles: Equine digestive system and Equine nutritionHorses are herbivores with a digestive system adapted to a forage diet of grasses and other plant material, consumed steadily throughout the day. Therefore, compared to humans, they have a relatively small stomach but very long intestines to facilitate a steady flow of nutrients. A 450-kilogram (990 lb) horse will eat 7 to 11 kilograms (15 to 24 lb) of food per day and, under normal use, drink 38 litres (8.4 imp gal; 10 US gal) to 45 litres (9.9 imp gal; 12 US gal) of water. Horses are not ruminants, so they have only one stomach, like humans, but unlike humans, they can digest cellulose, a major component of grass. Cellulose digestion occurs in the cecum, or "water gut", which food goes through before reaching the large intestine. Horses cannot vomit, so digestion problems can quickly cause colic, a leading cause of death.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-62">[63 ]

[edit] Senses
A horse's eyeSee also: Equine visionThe horse's senses are generally superior to those of a human. As prey animals, they must be aware of their surroundings at all times.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger309_63-0">[64 ] They have the largest eyes of any land mammal,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sellnow_64-0">[65 ] and are lateral-eyed, meaning that their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-65">[66 ] This means that horses have a range of vision of more than 350°, with approximately 65° of this being binocular vision and the remaining 285° monocular vision.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sellnow_64-1">[65 ] Horses have excellent day and night vision, but they have two-color, or dichromatic vision; their color vision is somewhat like red-green color blindness in humans, where certain colors, especially red and related colors, appear as a shade of green.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-66">[67 ]

A horse's hearing is good,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger309_63-1">[64 ] and the pinna of each ear can rotate up to 180°, giving the potential for 360° hearing without having to move the head.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-67">[68 ] Their sense of smell, while much better than that of humans, is not their strongest asset; they rely to a greater extent on vision.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger309_63-2">[64 ]

Horses have a great sense of balance, due partly to their ability to feel their footing and partly to highly developed proprioception—the unconscious sense of where the body and limbs are at all times.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-68">[69 ] A horse's sense of touch is well developed. The most sensitive areas are around the eyes, ears, and nose.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-69">[70 ] Horses sense contact as subtle as an insect landing anywhere on the body.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-70">[71 ]

Horses have an advanced sense of taste that allows them to sort through fodder to choose what they would most like to eat,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-71">[72 ] and their prehensile lips can easily sort even the smallest grains. Horses generally will not eat poisonous plants. However, there are exceptions and horses will occasionally eat toxic amounts of poisonous plants even when there is adequate healthy food.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-72">[73 ]

[edit] Movement
The gallopMain articles: Horse gait, Trot (horse gait), Canter, and AmblingAll horses move naturally with four basic gaits: the four-beat walk, which averages 6.4 kilometres per hour (4.0 mph); the two-beat trot or jog at 13 to 19 kilometres per hour (8.1 to 12 mph) (faster for harness racing horses); the canter or lope, a three-beat gait that is 19 to 24 kilometres per hour (12 to 15 mph); and the gallop.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HorseGaits32_73-0">[74 ] The gallop averages 40 to 48 kilometres per hour (25 to 30 mph),<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Harris47_74-0">[75 ] but the world record for a horse galloping over a short, sprint distance is 88 kilometres per hour (55 mph).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-75">[76 ] Besides these basic gaits, some horses perform a two-beat pace, instead of the trot.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HorseGaits50_76-0">[77 ] There also are several four-beat "ambling" gaits that are approximately the speed of a trot or pace, though smoother to ride. These include the lateral rack, running walk, and tölt as well as the diagonal fox trot.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lieberman_77-0">[78 ] Ambling gaits are often genetic in some breeds, known collectively as gaited horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-78">[79 ] Often, gaited horses replace the trot with one of the ambling gaits.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HorseGaits51_79-0">[80 ]

[edit] Behavior
Main articles: Horse behavior and Stable vicesHorses are prey animals with a strong fight-or-flight response. Their first reaction to threat is to startle and usually flee, although they will stand their ground and defend themselves when flight is impossible or if their young are threatened. They also tend to be curious; when startled, they will often hesitate an instant to ascertain the cause of their fright, and may not always flee from something that they perceive as non-threatening. Most light horse riding breeds were developed for speed, agility, alertness and endurance; natural qualities that extend from their wild ancestors. However, through selective breeding, some breeds of horses are quite docile, particularly certain draft horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Natural226_80-0">[81 ] Horses are herd animals, with a clear hierarchy of rank, led by a dominant individual, usually a mare. They are also social creatures that are able to form companionship attachments to their own species and to other animals, including humans. They communicate in various ways, including vocalizations such as nickering or whinnying, mutual grooming, and body language. Many horses will become difficult to manage if they are isolated, but with training, horses can learn to accept a human as a companion, and thus be comfortable away from other horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger305_81-0">[82 ] However, when confined with insufficient companionship, exercise, or stimulation, individuals may develop stable vices, an assortment of bad habits, mostly stereotypies of psychological origin, that include wood chewing, wall kicking, "weaving" (rocking back and forth), and other problems.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Prince214_82-0">[83 ]

[edit] Intelligence and learning
In the past, horses were considered unintelligent, with no abstract thinking ability, unable to generalize, and driven primarily by a herd mentality. However, modern studies show that they perform a number of cognitive tasks on a daily basis, meeting mental challenges that include food procurement and social system identification. They also have good spatial discrimination abilities.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hanggi_83-0">[84 ] Studies have assessed equine intelligence in the realms of problem solving, learning speed, and knowledge retention. Results show that horses excel at simple learning, but also are able to solve advanced cognitive challenges that involve categorization and concept learning. They learn from habituation, desensitization, Pavlovian conditioning, and operant conditioning. They respond to and learn from both positive and negative reinforcement.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hanggi_83-1">[84 ] Recent studies even suggest horses are able to count if the quantity involved is less than four.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-count_84-0">[85 ]

Domesticated horses tend to face greater mental challenges than wild horses, because they live in artificial environments that stifle instinctive behavior while learning tasks that are not natural.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hanggi_83-2">[84 ] Horses are creatures of habit that respond and adapt well to regimentation, and respond best when the same routines and techniques are used consistently. Some trainers believe that "intelligent" horses are reflections of intelligent trainers who effectively use response conditioning techniques and positive reinforcement to train in the style that fits best with an individual animal's natural inclinations. Others who handle horses regularly note that personality also may play a role separate from intelligence in determining how a given animal responds to various experiences.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-85">[86 ]

[edit] Temperament
Main articles: Draft horse, Warmblood, and Oriental horseHorses are mammals, and as such are "warm-blooded" creatures, as opposed to cold-blooded reptiles. However, these words have developed a separate meaning in the context of equine terminology, used to describe temperament, not body temperature. For example, the "hot-bloods", such as many race horses, exhibit more sensitivity and energy,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Belknap255_86-0">[87 ] while the "cold-bloods", such as most draft breeds, are quieter and calmer.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Belknap112_87-0">[88 ] Sometimes "hot-bloods" are classified as "light horses" or "riding horses",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger71_88-0">[89 ] with the "cold-bloods" classified as "draft horses" or "work horses".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger84_89-0">[90 ] Illustration of hotbloods, warmbloods and coldblood breeds"Hot blooded" breeds include "oriental horses" such as the Akhal-Teke, Arabian horse, Barb and now-extinct Turkoman horse, as well as the Thoroughbred, a breed developed in England from the older oriental breeds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Belknap255_86-1">[87 ] Hot bloods tend to be spirited, bold, and learn quickly. They are bred for agility and speed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Catalog18_90-0">[91 ] They tend to be physically refined—thin-skinned, slim, and long-legged.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-91">[92 ] The original oriental breeds were brought to Europe from the Middle East and North Africa when European breeders wished to infuse these traits into racing and light cavalry horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Whitaker43_92-0">[93 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Whitaker194_93-0">[94 ]

Muscular, heavy draft horses are known as "cold bloods", as they are bred not only for strength, but also to have the calm, patient temperament needed to pull a plow or a heavy carriage full of people.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Belknap112_87-1">[88 ] They are sometimes nicknamed "gentle giants".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Catalog15_94-0">[95 ] Well-known draft breeds include the Belgian and the Clydesdale.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Catalog15_94-1">[95 ] Some, like the Percheron, are lighter and livelier, developed to pull carriages or to plow large fields in drier climates.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Guide87_95-0">[96 ] Others, such as the Shire, are slower and more powerful, bred to plow fields with heavy, clay-based soils.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ens124_96-0">[97 ] The cold-blooded group also includes some pony breeds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Bennett7_97-0">[98 ]

"Warmblood" breeds, such as the Trakehner or Hanoverian, developed when European carriage and war horses were crossed with Arabians or Thoroughbreds, producing a riding horse with more refinement than a draft horse, but greater size and milder temperament than a lighter breed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-98">[99 ] Certain pony breeds with warmblood characteristics have been developed for smaller riders.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-99">[100 ] Warmbloods are considered a "light horse" or "riding horse".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger71_88-1">[89 ]

Today, the term "Warmblood" refers to a specific subset of sport horse breeds that are used for competition in dressage and show jumping.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lyons231_100-0">[101 ] Strictly speaking, the term "warm blood" refers to any cross between cold-blooded and hot-blooded breeds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Belknap523_101-0">[102 ] Examples include breeds such as the Irish Draught or the Cleveland Bay. The term was once used to refer to breeds of light riding horse other than Thoroughbreds or Arabians, such as the Morgan horse.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Catalog18_90-1">[91 ]

[edit] Sleep patterns
When horses lie down to sleep, others in the herd remain standing, awake or in a light doze, keeping watch.See also: Horse sleep patterns and Sleep in non-humansHorses are able to sleep both standing up and lying down. In an adaptation from life in the wild, horses are able to enter light sleep by using a "stay apparatus" in their legs, allowing them to doze without collapsing.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-102">[103 ] Horses sleep better when in groups because some animals will sleep while others stand guard to watch for predators. A horse kept alone will not sleep well because its instincts are to keep a constant eye out for danger.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Horse_sleep_pt._2_103-0">[104 ]

Unlike humans, horses do not sleep in a solid, unbroken period of time, but take many short periods of rest. Horses spend four to fifteen hours a day in standing rest, and from a few minutes to several hours lying down. Total sleep time in a 24-hour period may range from several minutes to a couple of hours,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Horse_sleep_pt._2_103-1">[104 ] mostly in short intervals of about 15 minutes each.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger310_104-0">[105 ] The average sleep time of a domestic horse is said to be 2.9 hours per day.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-105">[106 ]

Horses must lie down to reach REM sleep. They only have to lie down for an hour or two every few days to meet their minimum REM sleep requirements.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Horse_sleep_pt._2_103-2">[104 ] However, if a horse is never allowed to lie down, after several days it will become sleep-deprived, and in rare cases may suddenly collapse as it involuntarily slips into REM sleep while still standing.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-106">[107 ] This condition differs from narcolepsy, although horses may also suffer from that disorder.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Smith_107-0">[108 ]

[edit] Taxonomy and evolution
From left to right: Size development, biometrical changes in the cranium, reduction of toes (left forefoot)Main articles: Evolution of the horse, Equus (genus), and EquidaeThe horse adapted to survive in areas of wide-open terrain with sparse vegetation, surviving in an ecosystem where other large grazing animals, especially ruminants, could not.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Budiansky_108-0">[109 ] Horses and other equids are odd-toed ungulates of the order Perissodactyla, a group of mammals that was dominant during the Tertiary period. In the past, this order contained 14 families, but only three—Equidae (the horse and related species), the tapir, and the rhinoceros—have survived to the present day.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-109">[110 ]

The earliest known member of the Equidae family was the Hyracotherium, which lived between 45 and 55 million years ago, during the Eocene period. It had 4 toes on each front foot, and 3 toes on each back foot.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-110">[111 ] The extra toe on the front feet soon disappeared with the Mesohippus, which lived 32 to 37 million years ago.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-111">[112 ] Over time, the extra side toes shrank in size until they vanished. All that remains of them in modern horses is a set of small vestigial bones on the leg below the knee,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Natural_112-0">[113 ] known informally as splint bones.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-113">[114 ] Their legs also lengthened as their toes disappeared until they were a hooved animal capable of running at great speed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Natural_112-1">[113 ] By about 5 million years ago, the modern Equus had evolved.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Florida_114-0">[115 ] Equid teeth also evolved from browsing on soft, tropical plants to adapt to browsing of drier plant material, then to grazing of tougher plains grasses. Thus proto-horses changed from leaf-eating forest-dwellers to grass-eating inhabitants of semi-arid regions worldwide, including the steppes of Eurasia and the Great Plains of North America.

By about 15,000 years ago, Equus ferus was a widespread holarctic species. Horse bones from this time period, the late Pleistocene, are found in Europe, Eurasia, Beringia, and North America.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Weinstock_115-0">[116 ] Yet between 10,000 and 7,600 years ago, the horse became extinct in North America and rare elsewhere.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-VilaWidespreadOrigins_116-0">[117 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IberianOrigins_117-0">[118 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Haile_118-0">[119 ] The reasons for this extinction are not fully known, but one theory notes that extinction in North America paralleled human arrival.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Buck_119-0">[120 ] Another theory points to climate change, noting that approximately 12,500 years ago, the grasses characteristic of a steppe ecosystem gave way to shrub tundra, which was covered with unpalatable plants.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-LeQuire_120-0">[121 ]

[edit] Wild species surviving into modern times
A small herd of Przewalski's HorsesMain article: Wild horseA truly wild horse is a species or subspecies with no ancestors that were ever domesticated. Therefore, most "wild" horses today are actually feral horses, animals that escaped or were turned loose from domestic herds and the descendants of those animals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Olsen46_121-0">[122 ] Only two never-domesticated subspecies, the Tarpan and the Przewalski's Horse, survived into recorded history and only the latter survives today.

The Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), named after the Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky, is a rare Asian animal. It is also known as the Mongolian Wild Horse; Mongolian people know it as the taki, and the Kyrgyz people call it a kirtag. The subspecies was presumed extinct in the wild between 1969 and 1992, while a small breeding population survived in zoos around the world. In 1992, it was reestablished in the wild due to the conservation efforts of numerous zoos.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-122">[123 ] Today, a small wild breeding population exists in Mongolia.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-123">[124 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Dohner298_124-0">[125 ] There are additional animals still maintained at zoos throughout the world.

The Tarpan or European Wild Horse (Equus ferus ferus) was found in Europe and much of Asia. It survived into the historical era, but became extinct in 1909, when the last captive died in a Russian zoo.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Dohner300_125-0">[126 ] Thus, the genetic line was lost. Attempts have been made to recreate the Tarpan,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Dohner300_125-1">[126 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-OSU_126-0">[127 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-127">[128 ] which resulted in horses with outward physical similarities, but nonetheless descended from domesticated ancestors and not true wild horses.

Periodically, populations of horses in isolated areas are speculated to be relict populations of wild horses, but generally have been proven to be feral or domestic. For example, the Riwoche horse of Tibet was proposed as such,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Dohner298_124-1">[125 ] but testing did not reveal genetic differences with domesticated horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tibet_128-0">[129 ] Similarly, the Sorraia of Portugal was proposed as a direct descendant of the Tarpan based on shared characteristics,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royo_129-0">[130 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Edwards_130-0">[131 ] but genetic studies have shown that the Sorraia is more closely related to other horse breeds and that the outward similarity is an unreliable measure of relatedness.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Royo_129-1">[130 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lira_131-0">[132 ]

[edit] Other modern equids
Main article: Equus (genus)Besides the horse, there are seven other species of genus Equus in the Equidae family. These are the ass or donkey, Equus asinus; the mountain zebra, Equus zebra; plains zebra, Equus quagga; Grévy's zebra, Equus grevyi; the kiang, Equus kiang; and the onager, Equus hemionus.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-132">[133 ]

Horses can crossbreed with other members of their genus. The most common hybrid is the mule, a cross between a "jack" (male donkey) and a mare. A related hybrid, a hinny, is a cross between a stallion and a jenny (female donkey).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-133">[134 ] Other hybrids include the zorse, a cross between a zebra and a horse.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-134">[135 ] With rare exceptions, most hybrids are sterile and cannot reproduce.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-135">[136 ]

[edit] Domestication
Main article: Domestication of the horseBhimbetka rock painting showing man riding on horse, IndiaDomestication of the horse most likely took place in central Asia prior to 3500 BC. Two major sources of information are used to determine where and when the horse was first domesticated and how the domesticated horse spread around the world. The first source is based on palaeological and archaeological discoveries, the second source is a comparison of DNA obtained from modern horses to that from bones and teeth of ancient horse remains.

The earliest archaeological evidence for the domestication of the horse comes from sites in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, dating to approximately 3500–4000 BC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-136">[137 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-137">[138 ] By 3000 BC, the horse was completely domesticated and by 2000 BC there was a sharp increase in the number of horse bones found in human settlements in northwestern Europe, indicating the spread of domesticated horses throughout the continent.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-138">[139 ] The most recent, but most irrefutable evidence of domestication comes from sites where horse remains were interred with chariots in graves of the Sintashta and Petrovka cultures c. 2100 BC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kuznetsov2006_139-0">[140 ]

Domestication is also studied by using the genetic material of present day horses and comparing it with the genetic material present in the bones and teeth of horse remains found in archaeological and palaeological excavations. The variation in the genetic material shows that very few wild stallions contributed to the domestic horse,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lau_140-0">[141 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lindgren2004_141-0">[142 ] while many mares were part of early domesticated herds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lira_131-1">[132 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Vila2001_142-0">[143 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cai_143-0">[144 ] This is reflected in the difference in genetic variation between the DNA that is passed on along the paternal, or sire line (Y-chromosome) versus that passed on along the maternal, or dam line (mitochondrial DNA). There are very low levels of Y-chromosome variability,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lau_140-1">[141 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lindgren2004_141-1">[142 ] but a great deal of genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lira_131-2">[132 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Vila2001_142-1">[143 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cai_143-1">[144 ] There is also regional variation in mitochondrial DNA due to the inclusion of wild mares in domestic herds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Lira_131-3">[132 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Vila2001_142-2">[143 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cai_143-2">[144 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-144">[145 ] Another characteristic of domestication is an increase in coat color variation.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-145">[146 ] In horses, this increased dramatically between 5000 and 3000 BC.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-coatColor_146-0">[147 ]

Before the availability of DNA techniques to resolve the questions related to the domestication of the horse, various hypothesis were proposed. One classification was based on body types and conformation, suggesting the presence of four basic prototypes that had adapted to their environment prior to domestication.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Bennett7_97-1">[98 ] Another hypothesis held that the four prototypes originated from a single wild species and that all different body types were entirely a result of selective breeding after domestication.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-147">[148 ] However, the lack of a detectable substructure in the horse has resulted in a rejection of both hypotheses.

[edit] Feral populations
Main article: Feral horseFeral horses are born and live in the wild, but are descended from domesticated animals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Olsen46_121-1">[122 ] Many populations of feral horses exist throughout the world.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-148">[149 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-149">[150 ] Studies of feral herds have provided useful insights into the behavior of prehistoric horses,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-150">[151 ] as well as greater understanding of the instincts and behaviors that drive horses that live in domesticated conditions.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-151">[152 ]

There are also semi-feral horses in many parts of the world, such as Dartmoor and the New Forest in the UK, where the animals are all privately owned but live for significant amounts of time in "wild" conditions on undeveloped, often public, lands. Owners of such animals often pay a fee for grazing rights.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-152">[153 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Fear75_153-0">[154 ]

[edit] Breeds
Main article: Horse breed, List of horse breeds, and Horse breedingThe concept of purebred bloodstock and a controlled, written breed registry has come to be particularly significant and important in modern times. Sometimes purebred horses are incorrectly or inaccurately called "thoroughbreds". Thoroughbred is a specific breed of horse, while a "purebred" is a horse (or any other animal) with a defined pedigree recognized by a breed registry.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ensminger424_154-0">[155 ] Horse breeds are groups of horses with distinctive characteristics that are transmitted consistently to their offspring, such as conformation, color, performance ability, or disposition. These inherited traits result from a combination of natural crosses and artificial selection methods. Horses have been selectively bred since their domestication. An early example of people who practiced selective horse breeding were the Bedouin, who had a reputation for careful practices, keeping extensive pedigrees of their Arabian horses and placing great value upon pure bloodlines.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-155">[156 ] These pedigrees were originally transmitted via an oral tradition.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-156">[157 ] In the 14th century, Carthusian monks of southern Spain kept meticulous pedigrees of bloodstock lineages still found today in the Andalusian horse.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-157">[158 ]

Breeds developed due to a need for "form to function", the necessity to develop certain characteristics in order to perform a particular type of work.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sponenberg155_158-0">[159 ] Thus, thus a powerful but refined breed such as the Andalusian developed as riding horses with an aptitude for dressage.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sponenberg155_158-1">[159 ] Heavy draft horses developed out of a need to perform demanding farm work and pull heavy wagons.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-159">[160 ] Other horse breeds developed specifically for light agricultural work, carriage and road work, various sport disciplines, or simply as pets.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Spon162_160-0">[161 ] Some breeds developed through centuries of crossing other breeds, while others descended from a single foundation sire, or other limited or restricted foundation bloodstock. One of the earliest formal registries was General Stud Book for Thoroughbreds, which began in 1791 and traced back to the foundation bloodstock for the breed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-161">[162 ] There are more than 300 horse breeds in the world today.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-162">[163 ]

[edit] Interaction with humans
Worldwide, horses play a role within human cultures and have done so for millennia. Horses are used for leisure activities, sports, and working purposes. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that in 2008, there were almost 59,000,000 horses in the world, with around 33,500,000 in the Americas, 13,800,000 in Asia and 6,300,000 in Europe and smaller portions in Africa and Oceania. There are estimated to be 9,500,000 horses in the United States alone.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-163">[164 ] The American Horse Council estimates that horse-related activities have a direct impact on the economy of the United States of over $39 billion, and when indirect spending is considered, the impact is over $102 billion.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-164">[165 ] In a 2004 "poll" conducted by Animal Planet, more than 50,000 viewers from 73 countries voted for the horse as the world's 4th favorite animal.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IOL_165-0">[166 ]

Communication between human and horse is paramount in any equestrian activity;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Olsen_166-0">[167 ] to aid this process horses are usually ridden with a saddle on their backs to assist the rider with balance and positioning, and a bridle or related headgear to assist the rider in maintaining control.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-167">[168 ] Sometimes horses are ridden without a saddle,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-168">[169 ] and occasionally, horses are trained to perform without a bridle or other headgear.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-169">[170 ] Many horses are also driven, which requires a harness, bridle, and some type of vehicle.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-170">[171 ]

[edit] Sport
A horse and rider in dressage competition at the OlympicsMain articles: Equestrianism, Horse racing, Horse training, and Horse tackHistorically, equestrians honed their skills through games and races. Equestrian sports provided entertainment for crowds and honed the excellent horsemanship that was needed in battle. Many sports, such as dressage, eventing and show jumping, have origins in military training, which were focused on control and balance of both horse and rider. Other sports, such as rodeo, developed from practical skills such as those needed on working ranches and stations. Sport hunting from horseback evolved from earlier practical hunting techniques.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Olsen_166-1">[167 ] Horse racing of all types evolved from impromptu competitions between riders or drivers. All forms of competition, requiring demanding and specialized skills from both horse and rider, resulted in the systematic development of specialized breeds and equipment for each sport. The popularity of equestrian sports through the centuries has resulted in the preservation of skills that would otherwise have disappeared after horses stopped being used in combat.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-171">[172 ]

Horses are trained to be ridden or driven in a variety of sporting competitions. Examples include show jumping, dressage, three-day eventing, competitive driving, endurance riding, gymkhana, rodeos, and fox hunting.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-172">[173 ] Horse shows, which have their origins in medieval European fairs, are held around the world. They host a huge range of classes, covering all of the mounted and harness disciplines, as well as "In-hand" classes where the horses are led, rather than ridden, to be evaluated on their conformation. The method of judging varies with the discipline, but winning usually depends on style and ability of both horse and rider.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-173">[174 ] Sports such as polo do not judge the horse itself, but rather use the horse as a partner for human competitors as a necessary part of the game. Although the horse requires specialized training to participate, the details of its performance are not judged, only the result of the rider's actions—be it getting a ball through a goal or some other task.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Edwards360_174-0">[175 ] Examples of these sports of partnership between human and horse include jousting, in which the main goal is for one rider to unseat the other,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-175">[176 ] and buzkashi, a team game played throughout Central Asia, the aim being to capture a goat carcass while on horseback.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Edwards360_174-1">[175 ]

Horse racing is an equestrian sport and major international industry, watched in almost every nation of the world. There are three types: "flat" racing; steeplechasing, i.e. racing over jumps; and harness racing, where horses trot or pace while pulling a driver in a small, light cart known as a sulky.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-176">[177 ] A major part of horse racing's economic importance lies in the gambling associated with it.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-177">[178 ]

[edit] Work
A mounted police officer in PolandThere are certain jobs that horses do very well, and no technology has yet developed to fully replace them. For example, mounted police horses are still effective for certain types of patrol duties and crowd control.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-178">[179 ] Cattle ranches still require riders on horseback to round up cattle that are scattered across remote, rugged terrain.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-179">[180 ] Search and rescue organizations in some countries depend upon mounted teams to locate people, particularly hikers and children, and to provide disaster relief assistance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-180">[181 ] Horses can also be used in areas where it is necessary to avoid vehicular disruption to delicate soil, such as nature reserves. They may also be the only form of transport allowed in wilderness areas. Horses are quieter than motorized vehicles. Law enforcement officers such as park rangers or game wardens may use horses for patrols, and horses or mules may also be used for clearing trails or other work in areas of rough terrain where vehicles are less effective.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-181">[182 ]

Although machinery has replaced horses in many parts of the world, an estimated 100 million horses, donkeys and mules are still used for agriculture and transportation in less developed areas. This number includes around 27 million working in Africa alone.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-182">[183 ] Some land management practices such as cultivating and logging can be efficiently performed with horses. In agriculture, less fossil fuel is used and increased environmental conservation occurs over time with the use of draft animals such as horses.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-183">[184 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-184">[185 ] Logging with horses can result in reduced damage to soil structure and less damage to trees due to more selective logging.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-185">[186 ]

[edit] Entertainment and culture
See also: Horses in art and Horse worshipModern horses are often used to reenact many of their historical work purposes. Horses are used, complete with equipment that is authentic or a meticulously recreated replica, in various live action historical reenactments of specific periods of history, especially recreations of famous battles.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-186">[187 ] Horses are also used to preserve cultural traditions and for ceremonial purposes. Countries such as the United Kingdom still use horse-drawn carriages to convey royalty and other VIPs to and from certain culturally significant events.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-187">[188 ] Public exhibitions are another example, such as the Budweiser Clydesdales, seen in parades and other public settings, a team of draft horses that pull a beer wagon similar to that used before the invention of the modern motorized truck.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-188">[189 ]

Horses are frequently seen in television and films. They are sometimes featured as a major character in films about particular animals, but also used as visual elements that assure the accuracy of historical stories.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-189">[190 ] Both live horses and iconic images of horses are used in advertising to promote a variety of products.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-190">[191 ] The horse frequently appears in coats of arms in heraldry, in a variety of poses and equipment.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-191">[192 ] The mythologies of many cultures, including Greco-Roman, Hindu, Islamic, and Norse, include references to both normal horses and those with wings or additional limbs, and multiple myths also call upon the horse to draw the chariots of the Moon and Sun.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-192">[193 ] The horse also appears in the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-193">[194 ]

[edit] Therapeutic use
See also: Hippotherapy and Therapeutic horseback ridingPeople of all ages with physical and mental disabilities obtain beneficial results from association with horses. Therapeutic riding is used to mentally and physically stimulate disabled persons and help them improve their lives through improved balance and coordination, increased self-confidence, and a greater feeling of freedom and independence.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-194">[195 ] The benefits of equestrian activity for people with disabilities has also been recognized with the addition of equestrian events to the Paralympic Games and recognition of para-equestrian events by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-195">[196 ] Hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding are names for different physical, occupational, and speech therapy treatment strategies that utilize equine movement. In hippotherapy, a therapist uses the horse's movement to improve their patient's cognitive, coordination, balance, and fine motor skills, whereas therapeutic horseback riding uses specific riding skills.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-196">[197 ]

Horses also provide psychological benefits to people whether they actually ride or not. "Equine-assisted" or "equine-facilitated" therapy is a form of experiential psychotherapy that uses horses as companion animals to assist people with mental illness, including anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, behavioral difficulties, and those who are going through major life changes.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-197">[198 ] There are also experimental programs using horses in prison settings. Exposure to horses appears to improve the behavior of inmates and help reduce recidivism when they leave.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-198">[199 ]

[edit] Warfare
Main article: Horses in warfareTurkish cavalry, 1917Horses in warfare have been seen for most of recorded history. The first archaeological evidence of horses used in warfare dates to between 4000 to 3000 BC,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Science_Show_199-0">[200 ] and the use of horses in warfare was widespread by the end of the Bronze Age.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hartwick_200-0">[201 ] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Whitaker30_201-0">[202 ] Although mechanization has largely replaced the horse as a weapon of war, horses are still seen today in limited military uses, mostly for ceremonial purposes, or for reconnaissance and transport activities in areas of rough terrain where motorized vehicles are ineffective. Horses have been used in the 21st century by the Janjaweed militias in the War in Darfur.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-202">[203 ]

[edit] Products
Horses are raw material for many products made by humans throughout history, including byproducts from the slaughter of horses as well as materials collected from living horses.

Products collected from living horses include mare's milk, used by people with large horse herds, such as the Mongols, who let it ferment to produce kumis.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NewYorker_203-0">[204 ] Horse blood was once used as food by the Mongols and other nomadic tribes, who found it a convenient source of nutrition when traveling. Drinking their own horses' blood allowed the Mongols to ride for extended periods of time without stopping to eat.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NewYorker_203-1">[204 ] The drug Premarin is a mixture of estrogens extracted from the urine of pregnant mares (pregnant mares' urine), and was previously a widely used drug for hormone replacement therapy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-204">[205 ] The tail hair of horses can be used for making bows for string instruments such as the violin, viola, cello, and double bass.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-205">[206 ]

Horse meat has been used as food for humans and carnivorous animals throughout the ages. It is eaten in many parts of the world, though consumption is taboo in some cultures,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USDA_206-0">[207 ] and a subject of political controversy in others.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-207">[208 ] Horsehide leather has been used for boots, gloves, jackets,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-by-product_208-0">[209 ] baseballs,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-209">[210 ] and baseball gloves. Horse hooves can also be used to produce animal glue.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-210">[211 ] Horse bones can be used to make implements.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-211">[212 ] Specifically, in Italian cuisine, the horse tibia is sharpened into a probe called a spinto, which is used to test the readiness of a (pig) ham as it cures.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-212">[213 ] In Asia, the saba is a horsehide vessel used in the production of kumis.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-213">[214 ]

[edit] Care
Checking teeth and other physical examinations are an important part of horse care.Main article: Horse careSee also: Equine nutrition, Horse grooming, Veterinary medicine, and FarrierHorses are grazing animals, and their major source of nutrients is good-quality forage from hay or pasture.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-214">[215 ] They can consume approximately 2% to 2.5% of their body weight in dry feed each day. Therefore, a 450-kilogram (990 lb) adult horse could eat up to 11 kilograms (24 lb) of food.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Penn_215-0">[216 ] Sometimes, concentrated feed such as grain is fed in addition to pasture or hay, especially when the animal is very active.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-216">[217 ] When grain is fed, equine nutritionists recommend that 50% or more of the animal's diet by weight should still be forage.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Feeding_factors_217-0">[218 ]

Horses require a plentiful supply of clean water, a minimum of 10 US gallons (38 L) to 12 US gallons (45 L) per day.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-218">[219 ] Although horses are adapted to live outside, they require shelter from the wind and precipitation, which can range from a simple shed or shelter to an elaborate stable.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-219">[220 ]

Horses require routine hoof care from a farrier, as well as vaccinations to protect against various diseases, and dental examinations from a veterinarian or a specialized equine dentist.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-220">[221 ] If horses are kept inside in a barn, they require regular daily exercise for their physical health and mental well-being.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-221">[222 ] When turned outside, they require well-maintained, sturdy fences to be safely contained.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-222">[223 ] Regular grooming is also helpful to help the horse maintain good health of the hair coat and underlying skin