Horse
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Horses are a common species of equines that typically reside in grassy fields. Due to their important roles such as transport and cargo, domesticated horses are a key part in human history.
Contents
Physical characteristics[edit]
Horses are large, heavy, hoofed mammals. They are herbivores, meaning they receive their energy through a process called grazing. Horses mostly eat things such as apples and carrots, though they can eat minty sweets, though it is very unheathy for them.
Despite their large size and weight (up to 2500 pounds, or 1134 kg), horses are generally thought of as gentle creatures; however, their hooves can greatly harm things by kicking or trampling when threatened. Horses are able to reach a top speed of 40km/h in a full gallop depending on the breed or fitness of the horse.
The fur of a horse is mostly very short, forming an almost skintight covering, except on the head and back of the neck, which grows long into a formation called the mane; and the tail, which is specialized in horses for protecting the rear from flies: it is made of long, very fine hairs which are swiped to disturb the flies. Horsetails are prized for their silk-like hairs and are used in products such as violin bows.
Domestication[edit]
The first confirmed evidence of horses domestication dated back to 2000 BC, although scientists speculate that they were first domesticated (tamed) in 3500 BC. There have been many things humans use to control or make use of horses, like crops, saddles and bridles.
Saddle[edit]
A saddle is a hard seat-like harness, commonly used to assist in controling the horse. They commonly posses footholes called stirrups and a strap called a gerf.
Terminology[edit]
A male horse is called a stallion or sire, a female horse is called a mare or dam, and an offspring less than one year old a foal (male: colt, female: filly). A castrated male horse is called a gelding.
Hybrids[edit]
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. The much rarer successful mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny. The offspring of a zebra-horse cross is called a zorse, zebroid, horsebra, zebrula, zebrose or zebrule; "zebra mule" is an older term, but still used in some regions today. The foregoing terms generally refer to these hybrids. Hebra and zebrinny also refer to crosses of a female zebra with a male horse.
Breeds[edit]
The horse is largely a domestic animal and has been bred for centuries. The species, called the Tarpan which is the ancestor that produced the horse became extinct and no longer exists in the wild, although some wild horse species exist. However, the Przewalski's horse is the only true wild horse.
Horses have been selectively bred to enhance various qualities, enabling them to fulfill various roles in their work for humans. Draft horses are bred for power, and are thus large and heavy; show horses are bred for grace and beauty; racehorses, for speed.
Horses and furry[edit]
In furry artwork, anthro horses are often represented with hooved hands - either as full hooves that are somehow able to manipulate objects, or as more humanoid hands with hooflike nails. They are uncommonly used as fursonas or characters.
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
- Stories with "horse" species keyword at Mia's Index of Anthro' Stories
- Horse color, markings, and genetics
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