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Facts about Horses you may not know yet.
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James Watt, a Scottish engineer who lived from 1736 to 1819 chose
the expression HORSEPOWER to describe the rate at which an engine
works. In order to define the power of an engine he performed
experiments using heavy dray horses. He discovered that a horse
could lift a 100 pound weight at the rate of 220 feet per minute
- this equals 22,000 foot-pounds per minute. He increased this
figure by one half (33,000 foot-pounds per minute or 550
foot-pounds per second) and called it one Horsepower. 550
foot-pounds per second is equivalent to an imperial unit of power
equal to 745.7 watts or the US standard equivalent of 746 watts.
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In an adult horse or pony the normal TEMPERATURE is 100 - 101
degrees F. (38 degrees C). The PULSE (or heart rate) is between
36 and 40 beats per minute and the RESPIRATION (or breathing
rate) is between 8 and 16 times a minute. At work, both the pulse
and respiration rate will be increased.
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The amount of BLOOD in a horse's body is equivalent to one
eighteenth of its total weight. It's distributed approximately
one quarter in the heart and larger blood vessels, one quarter in
the liver and intestines, one quarter in the muscles and the rest
divided amongst other parts of the body. The blood is carried
around by arteries from the heart, which acts as a pump, to all
parts and is returned to the heart through a system of veins.
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According to the Guinness Book of Records Old Billy, believed to
be a Cleveland Bay cross Eastern horse foaled in 1760, lived to
the incredible age of 62. The OLDEST recorded pony is 54 although
there is an unsubstantiated report that a Welsh Pony living on
the Gower Peninsula in Wales was 66 years old.
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Horses have small stomachs and short intestines, therefore, they
cannot handle large amounts of grain at one time. Horses should
be fed frequently, but in small amounts (3+ times daily).
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Horses cannot vomit. This means that whatever a horse eats -
whether it be oats, molasses, moldy hay, or rusty nails - it must
go all the way through his digestive system. This inability to
vomit is the most common reason colic is a big problem with
horses.
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The world's largest horse at 19.2 hands and 3,200 lbs. "Brookie"
wore a 40-inch collar and boasted a girth measurement of 10 feet,
2 inches around. It took 30 inches of iron for each of his
horseshoes. Foaled in 1928, he eventually became the property of
C.G. Good of Iowa. Good's partner, Ralph Fogleman, exhibited the
big horse around the country, charging spectators 10 cent apiece.
Brookie died in 1948.
* The World's Largest Horse: Purebred Belgian stallion by the name
of Brooklyn Supreme. He stood 19.2 hands (6'6") at his withers.
He weighed over 3,200 pounds and is entered in the Guiness Book
of World Records. He was foaled in 1928 and died in 1948. This
photo was taken when he was fully mature. He lived in Iowa.
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A pair of Draught Horses, believed to be Shires, pulled the
HEAVIEST LOAD of 53.8 tons (55 tonnes) in 1893.
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Horses and ponies can rest and even SLEEP STANDING UP
because of a remarkable stay apparatus in their patella or kneecap.
A hook situated on the inside and bottom end of the thigh bone, on its
hind leg, cups the patella and the medial patella ligament, so
preventing the leg from bending.
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A person known as a HORSE WHISPERER is said to be able to
communicate with the horse in its own language. Some Whisperers
have used this ability to train horses whilst others use it to
'heal' with their hands.
* How many years can a horse live?
In 1970 there was a Welsh Pony, in a farm near Pebbles Bay, Gower
Peninsula, South Wales, and they say he was 66 years old. But
there are not proof.
54 years old for a pony?
In 1919 there was living in Central French a Pony stallion, 54
years old. This was documented.
53 years old for a horse?
In 1969 on November 1st, in a farm near Danville, Missouri (USA),
"Nellie", a mare that they say born in March 1916, died for a
heart attach.
52 years old for a horse (with proof)
In 1970 on January 25th, in Albury, New South Wales (Australia),
"Monty" died, a draft horse, 5 foot 8 inches high, that belonged
to Mrs. Marjorie Cooper. Monthy was born in 1917 at Wodonga, New
South Wales (Australia). His jaws are kept by the Veterinary
Science Institute at Melbourne University.
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The Highest Horse
Firpon, 2,16 m. / 7 foot 1 inches
Firpon, a Percheron gelding, was born in 1959, was 7 foot 1
inches high and had a weight of 2976 lb. He died at Olavarria
Ranch (Argentina) on March 14th 1972.
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The Lowest Horse
Midnight, 36 cm. / 14.173 inches
In 1969 there was a news about Midnight, a Pony Shetland 14.173
inches high, His owner was Mrs. Susan Perry, of Worth Cicus,
Melbourne (Australia).
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The Heaviest Horse
Brooklyn Supreme, 1440 kg. / 3174 lb
Brooklyn Supreme, a Belgian Thoroughbred stallion, was born on
April 12th 1928, was 6 foot 6 inches high and had a weight of
3174 lb. He died on September 6th 1948. His owner was Ralph
Fogleman, Callender, Iowa (USA).
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A LIVERY YARD is a place that takes other people's horses or
ponies as paying boarders. There are several types of livery -
grass keep where the animals are cared for when they live
outside, part livery is usually when the animal is stabled at
night and turned out during the day. Feed and grooming are
included as is obtaining farriery or veterinary treatment when
required. Full livery includes full care as well as any required
exercising. Cost is on a scale according to amount of attention
required.
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