Humans and horses have had a long relationship throughout history, and horses rely on humans to provide proper care. Whether you are a horse owner or merely enjoy a pony ride from time to time, here are some easy ways to help horses, as well as some surprising things you might not know about our equine friends.
Basic Care
Horses must have fresh, clean water at all times, as well as adequate food and shelter. A quick glance over a horse for any cuts or bruises is a good way to notice small injuries before they get worse. It is very important that hooves are kept clean and that horseshoes are in good shape, otherwise the horse could go lame.
Fun Facts
Horses are vegetarians! That’s right, horses are herbivores and do not eat any meat.
Humans domesticated horses around 3500 B.C. We’ve used these amazing animals for work, play, battle, and more for thousands of years.
You can determine a horse’s age by looking at its teeth! As a horse ages, it wears its teeth by grazing, and you can estimate how old it is by the grooves in the horse’s teeth. And horses lose their baby teeth, just like humans do.
There are many different types of horses who lead very different lives, from wild horses on Assateague Island to race horses in the Kentucky Derby.
How You Can Help and Learn More
If you live near a farm or a riding school, see if you can ask a farmer for a barn tour, or sign up for a riding lesson.
If you suspect that a horse is not being well cared for, ask an adult for help.
Read more horse books! Black Beauty is a must-read classic for any horse fan.
More horse resources can be found at:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/horse/
http://horses.about.com/
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/horses/