facts about horses

Anyone who has interacted with a horse knows they are magnificent animals. Horses have been a part of our lives for thousands of years as companions, working animals and athletes in equestrian sport, to name a few. Although horses are such well-known animals, the following facts may surprise you!

1. Horses can sleep standing up

Horses have a “stay-apparatus” which is a system of tendons and ligaments that allows the horse to lock their legs in position so they can relax without falling over. When not sleeping, horses also use this apparatus to rest while standing for long periods of time. This allows them to conserve energy while standing so they are ready to take flight if needed. It is a myth that horses never lay down – they do spend a short amount of time each day laying down for deeper sleep. On average, horses sleep two and a half hours per day.

2. Horses have excellent hearing

As a prey animal, horses need to have sensitive hearing to survive. Humans have only three muscles to control their ears, whereas horses have 10! This allows horses to rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees and move them independently of one another. Being able to rotate their ears lets horses hear sounds all around them without having to turn their head.

3. Horses can’t breathe through their mouth

Horses are obligate nasal breathers. This means that they are unable to breathe through their mouth as humans can. Horses can only breathe through their nose.