Horses bite off mouthfuls of grass with the incisors (front teeth) and chew with a side-to-side grinding action of the molars (rear teeth). What teeth do horses use to chew? Horses’ incisors (and canines, in male horses) cut plants. Their premolars and molars grind the food before it is swallowed. Read more…
forelimbs. Most of a horse’s weight is carried on its forelimbs. A horse puts more stress on its front legs than its rear limbs, because it carries 60-65 percent of its weight up front. While good conformation will help ensure long-term soundness, no horse has perfect conformation. Where does the Read more…
In both horses and humans the humerus has a very short neck followed by the body of the bone, which spirals down to the bottom where the two forearm bone join at the elbow joint. In horses the humerus is very short, thick and has a distinctly spiral shape. What Read more…
If running away from a threat isn’t an option, horses can protect themselves by biting, striking, rearing up, bucking, or kicking. A horse’s kick is powerful enough to kill the majority of the threats they face. What body parts do horses use for protection? The mane and tail are used Read more…
The toxic, inedible horse chestnuts have a fleshy, bumpy husk with a wart-covered appearance. Both horse chestnut and edible chestnuts produce a brown nut, but edible chestnuts always have a tassel or point on the nut. The toxic horse chestnut is rounded and smooth with no point or tassel. Can Read more…
Horses breathe, smell and feel their way forward with their nostrils. But they also use them to communicate with other horses or their riders. For example, to greet other horses, they blow into their nostrils. Flared nostrils can mean it may smell something unfamiliar or even be excited. Can a Read more…
Poll: the occiput, located at the top of the horse’s head. Atlas (C1): the first and most important of all the cervical vertebrae. If you search for it with your hand, behind and to the side of the poll, you will feel a hollow space one inch behind the horse’s Read more…
The Victorian horse brasses reflected diverse subjects including royalty and significant events. They also became a useful form of advertising. But eventually, working horses fell into decline and many of the brasses found their way into public houses. They are used to decorate licensed premises to this day. What is Read more…
These medallions were popular decorations for the harnesses of working horses, especially in the mid-19th century. As horses ceased to be used for many tasks in the 20th century, the brasses were used as wall decorations and were popular souvenirs. What are horse brass medallions? A horse brass is a Read more…
A horse brass is a brass plaque used for the decoration of horse harness gear, especially for shire and parade horses. They became especially popular in England from the mid-19th century until their general decline alongside the use of the draft horse, and remain collectors items today. What are horse Read more…