Five Fun Horse Facts for Kids

Storey Digital Editors

So you think you know horses? Test your knowledge with fun facts about our equine friends, from ears to hooves!

Do horses make your heart beat just a little faster? Do you have a favorite breed (or four), or do you love to wow your friends with your deep knowledge of equine trivia? Here are a few more bits of wisdom to tuck away for future use!

Spots … and Stripes?

Appaloosas are known for their spots, which come in patterns such as leopard (spots all over), blanket (spots just on their rumps), frost snowflake, and marble. But did you know …

Photo © Wiebke Haas, excerpted from *Wild for Horses*

… that many Appaloosas also have striped hooves?

The Rarest of Them All

Most horses have dark brown eyes, though white, cream, or pinto-colored horses often have blue eyes, and still others have eyes of hazel or gold. But did you know …

Photo © © Equus ferus –Wild Horse Photography & Karen McLain Studio/equusferus/500px, excerpted from *Wild for Horses*

… that the rarest equine eye color is green?

In Fine Feather

Gypsy Vanner Horses are known for their pinto coloring, called piebald (black and white) and skewbald (brown and white). But did you know …

Photo © imageBROKER/Alamy Stock Photo, excerpted from *Wild for Horses*

… that in addition to their splashy coloring, Vanners have thick hair called “feathering” on their lower legs, which protects their hooves and fetlocks from injury and keeps mud away from their skin?

Horses of the Sea

The semi-wild horses of the Camargue region on the southern coast of France are among the oldest known equine breeds. But did you know …

Photo © Lillian King/Getty Images, excerpted from *Wild for Horses*

… that the extra-large hooves of these seaside dwellers allow them to travel across swampy ground without sinking?

All Ears

The Marwari is a rare but ancient breed of horse from India that was prized by royalty. Bred to survive harsh desert conditions, these horses have thin skin, fine hair, and long eyelashes that protect against dust and sand. But did you know …

Photo © Ekaterina Druz, excerpted from *Wild for Horses*

… that their most notable feature are the long ears that tip inward at the top, sometimes so much that they touch?

TEXT EXCERPTED AND ADAPTED FROM WILD FOR HORSES © 2017 BY STOREY PUBLISHING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Wild for Horses

by Editors of Storey Publishing

This one-of-a-kind book of horse posters and flash cards is packed with stunning images and essential information. Two dozen posters of all-time favorite breeds like Arabian, Shetland Pony, and Lipizzan show off the beauty of these majestic creatures, and kids can show them off, too: these pull-out pages are ready to hang on a bedroom wall, with two additional 12 x 30 posters that capture horses’ grandeur. Finally, each of the 24 punch-out flash cards include a pocketsize photo and fun facts. With both magnificent, ready-to-hang images and portable breed profiles, this unique package offers total immersion for horse-loving kids.

$12.95

$16.95 CAD