Genetically, there are no true albinos because the albinism gene is lethal. There are white horses that can have dark or blue eyes.
Horses urinate close to 2 gallons of urine per day. The phrase “peeing like a racehorse” is said to be based on the fact that horses excrete such immense volumes of urine, and the image of a racehorse running to the finish line (analogous to someone hurrying to the bathroom).
Horses have a V-shaped projection called a frog on the sole of the hoof, in the middle, toward the heel. It is believed to act as a shock absorber, relieving concussion on hard surfaces. When the horse steps down, the frog hits the ground and helps push blood back up the leg, aiding in circulation
The average-sized horse produces about 38,000 kilojoules of heat daily; therefore, when they are in barns, the need or ventilation is important
A female horse crossed with a male donkey (jack)= a mule (usually sterile). A male horse crossed with a female donkey (jenny)= a hinny (usually sterile). So what is a burro? It is a donkey in the wild.
More than 1,100 horses and mules were used in the filming of “Gone with the Wind” (1939)
The Saddlebred is one of the most glamorous horses in the world. Although fiery, spirited and proud, it is also gentle, with one of the kindest temperaments of any horse. The breed is noted for its intelligence and alertness, as well as its high, exaggerated action.
Cannon Bone – this is the long, cannon-shaped bone below the knees and hocks. In a horse with good conformation, the cannon bones should not be too long or light. It is believed that in order to support a 1,000 pound horse, the cannon bones should be at least 7-8 inches in circumference.
The game of horseshoes derives from the game of quoits, but used horseshoes instead of rings. Players take turns throwing the horseshoes at stakes in the ground. Nowadays, stylized U-shaped horseshoes are used, which are about twice the size of an actual horseshoe. The first world championship game was held in 1910 in Boston, Kansas.
A few years ago I tore my ACL and MCL so badly that I almost severed the arteries which would have resulted in amputation. I couldn’t ride for five months and during that time my horse had watched me on crutches, smelling them and me and wondering what had happened that I was not walking or riding. My instructor told me that this usually hyper horse would not be that way when I returned to the saddle as he was well aware that I had been injured and needed his help. I thought that was a joke, but when I returned to ride this wild and crazy guy that I love, he did exactly that. He stood perfectly still while I mounted carefully, which was almost impossible for him to normally do, and gave me the calmest ride he had EVER given. When I went to dismount, my soft cast caught the buckles on the side of my saddle and I was unable to remount or dismount and was stuck on the side of him with one foot in the stirrup. He stood completely still. Totally out of character. It was amazing. I still remember it and the concerned look in his eyes as he waited patiently for my husband to free me by uncinching the saddle and removing me and the saddle together as he could not free me. My horse NEVER moved! And much to my amazement, he then proceeded to climb in to a completely dark trailer that he hated and usually hit his head on, willingly and as if to say, “I’m here to help you”. It’s amazing what they sense and how they see you. That was a lesson I’ll never forget about how much in tune they are with their rider. I asked how long he’d be that calm, kind and concerned and my instructor informed me that it wouldn’t last long and that when I was completely well he’d return to his normal skiddish self. He did indeed a few weeks later. It was an amazing lesson for me.