Horses: What They Do
Horses are versatile animals that have been used by humans for various purposes throughout history. Here are some of the activities and behaviors associated with horses:
Work and Transportation
- Horses have been historically used for various working activities such as police work, agriculture, and transportation.
- They have been used for carrying things, pulling carts, and helping plow farmers fields in agriculture.
Sports and Entertainment
- Horses are used in equestrian sports such as cross-country, show jumping, and dressage, and these sports are part of the Olympics.
- They are also used for entertainment and recreational pursuits, including non-competitive activities.
Social Behavior
- Horses are herd animals with a clear hierarchy of rank, led by a dominant individual, usually a mare.
- They are social creatures that can form companionship attachments to their own species and to other animals, including humans.
Physical Characteristics and Behaviors
- Horses have a nearly 360-degree field of vision and can rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees, allowing them to hear sounds all around them without having to turn their head.
- They can sleep standing up using a system of tendons and ligaments that allows them to lock their legs in position.
- Horses have a strong sense of hearing and can pick up sounds in the 55–33,500 hertz range.
- They are easily dominated and establish a dominance hierarchy within their herd.
In summary, horses have been used for work, transportation, sports, and entertainment, and they exhibit various social behaviors and physical characteristics that make them unique and versatile animals.
