Horse Facts

• A horse isn't considered an adult until it reaches age four.
• A female horse over 4 years old is called a mare.
• A male horse over 4 years old is called a Stallion or a Gelding, if castrated.
• Horses are measured in hands high (hh).
• A hand is equivalent to four inches or 10.2cm.
• Horses are normally over 14.2hh except for miniature horses.
• Anything under 14.2hh is classed as a pony.
• There are over 200 breeds of horses in the world.
• A horse's gestation period (time from breeding to birth) is about 11 mths
• Horses usually live to be 20-25 years old. The oldest horse lived to be 62.
• A father horse is called a sire.
• A mother horse is called a dam.
• A young female is called a filly.
• A young male is called a colt.
• The scientific name for the horse is equus caballus.
• A mule is a cross between a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse (a mare).
• Mules are usually sterile.
• A hinny is a cross between a male horse (a stallion) and a female donkey (a jenny).
• Hinnies are usually sterile......