Horses may seem like simple herbivores, but here are a few things that you might not have known about these animals:

Horse lovers pay 732 million a year on their hobby every year in tuition. With over 1,790 livery yards and riding schools, there’s no wonder horse riders are clocking up 35 million paid riding lessons per year.

Horses were introduced to Australia in 1788 when European settlers arrived. The horses, of which there were initially only 200 were primarily British native ponies and draught horses used for farming. Until then there were no horses in Australia.

Horses will only sleep laying down for 45 minutes in the day. They overcome only having short times laying down for REM sleep by having the ability to sleep standing up. They lock their joints, ligaments and tendons in such a way they remain relaxed whilst staying standing. This is called “stay apparatus”.

Horse rugs have made an impact in equestrian clothing. Without these items of horsewear some horses would struggle to survive colder climates. Finer and older horses will benefit from the waterproofing and extra lining to keep the heat in.

Horses are believed to have evolved from dog-like creatures called Hyracotherium. They are related in evolutionary terms to the tapir. Horses were believed to once have had toes, the remnants of which are the splint bones.

Horses cannot vomit. They have a ring of muscle that stops anything passing back out of the stomach and up the oesophagus. This is why it is vital that horses do not ingest anything harmful or poisonous, because it can only pass into the horse’s digestive system which takes much longer and means any potential toxins will enter the horse’s system.

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