Horses By: Marisa Pelzek

When did the first horse evolve? It was a small animal (10 to 20 in.). It is called Eohippus of Hyracotherium. It lived in what is now North America and Europe, about 55 million years ago. They had four-toed hooves and arched backs, they looked more like greyhounds than horses. It was a small animal (10 to 20 in.). It is called Eohippus of Hyracotherium. It lived in what is now North America and Europe, about 55 million years ago. They had four-toed hooves and arched backs, they looked more like greyhounds than horses. The next most important horse was the Mesohippus or Middle Horse. It lived about 35 million years ago. It was about 20in.. It looked exactly like Eohippus except larger. The next most important horse was the Mesohippus or Middle Horse. It lived about 35 million years ago. It was about 20in.. It looked exactly like Eohippus except larger. Next, came the Merychippus. It lived about 26 million years ago. It was about 40 in. tall. It had three-toed hooves. Next, came the Merychippus. It lived about 26 million years ago. It was about 40 in. tall. It had three-toed hooves. About 3 million years ago horses started to look like the modern horse today. It is called Equus. About 3 million years ago horses started to look like the modern horse today. It is called Equus.

When did people start domesticating horses? Around B.C. People started training horses for riding around 5000 B.C. they used Mongolian wild horses. Around B.C. People started training horses for riding around 5000 B.C. they used Mongolian wild horses.

Is there any more true wild horses? 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 to return from domestication back to the original wild or untamed state. The population of feral horses has gone down though. 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 to return from domestication back to the original wild or untamed state. The population of feral horses has gone down though.

What are all the colors horses can be? Black Black Brown Brown Gray, black skin with a mixture of white and black hairs. Gray, black skin with a mixture of white and black hairs. Dapple gray, dark gray hairs form rings on a gray coat. Dapple gray, dark gray hairs form rings on a 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 tail. Chestnut, reddish brown coat and mane and 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 hairs. Blue Roan, a mix of white and black or brown hairs. Strawberry Roan, a mix of white and chestnut hairs. Strawberry Roan, a mix of white and chestnut hairs.

What is a “hotblood” horse? Hotbloods and/or Fullbloods don’t necessarily have hot blood they are called that because of their high-spirit. Arabians and Thoroughbred s are examples of this. Hotbloods and/or Fullbloods don’t necessarily have hot blood they are called that because of their high-spirit. Arabians and Thoroughbred s are examples of this. Coldbloods again don’t have cold blood they are called that because of they’re calm- spirit. Examples of these are Draft Horses. Coldbloods again don’t have cold blood they are called that because of they’re calm- spirit. Examples of these are Draft Horses. Warmbloods or Crossbreeds are mixes between hotbloods and coldbloods. Examples of these are modern sporting horses, except for racehorses which are almost always Thoroughbreds. Warmbloods or Crossbreeds are mixes between hotbloods and coldbloods. Examples of these are modern sporting horses, except for racehorses which are almost always Thoroughbreds.

What is the difference between a mule and a hinny? A mule’s parents are a donkey mare and a horse stallion. A mule’s parents are a donkey mare and a horse stallion. A hinny’s parents are a donkey stallion and horse mare. A hinny’s parents are a donkey stallion and horse mare. Usually a mule is stronger than a hinny. Usually a mule is stronger than a hinny.

Is there a difference between a pony and a horse? There is no difference between horses and ponies except size. There is no difference between horses and ponies except size. A lot of people think a pony is a baby horse, but its not. A foal is a baby horse. A lot of people think a pony is a baby horse, but its not. A foal is a baby horse. Ponies are no taller than 14.2 hands (58 inches.) Ponies are no taller than 14.2 hands (58 inches.)

Is there any other saddles other than Western and English? There are three main kinds of saddles (Western, English and Australian). There are three main kinds of saddles (Western, English and Australian). Bridles have bits (metal pieces that go in the horse’s mouth) and are used to steer/lead the horse when riding. Bridles have bits (metal pieces that go in the horse’s mouth) and are used to steer/lead the horse when riding. Halters/Head Collars and lead ropes are for walking the horse and not riding. Halters/Head Collars and lead ropes are for walking the horse and not riding. Tack is anything that you use for grooming or caring for the horse. Tack is anything that you use for grooming or caring for the horse.

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

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

Fun Facts The best way to tell a horse’s age is by looking at its teeth. The best way to tell a horse’s age is by looking at its teeth. A horse drinks at least 44 pints (25 liters) of water a day. A horse drinks at least 44 pints (25 liters) of water a day. A newborn foal can stand and walk an hour after it’s born. A newborn foal can stand and walk an hour after it’s born. The highest jump ever recorded was 8 feet 1.25 inches high. The highest jump ever recorded was 8 feet 1.25 inches high. The biggest breed is a Shire Horse( hands, inches) but the biggest horse ever is a Percheron, he measured 21 hands tall! The biggest breed is a Shire Horse( hands, inches) but the biggest horse ever is a Percheron, he measured 21 hands tall!

Bibliography Pictures from Google Images and Clip Art. Pictures from Google Images and Clip Art. Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Eyewitness HORSE. New York, NY. DK Publishing, Inc Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Eyewitness HORSE. New York, NY. DK Publishing, Inc The World Book Encyclopedia H, 1999 The World Book Encyclopedia H, 1999 Is horseback riding a sport?. Sports Comet. Racing/ htm January 19, 2010 Is horseback riding a sport?. Sports Comet. Racing/ htm January 19, Racing/ htm Racing/ htm HORSE,1997 HORSE,1997