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Horses are sensitive and strong. Did you know that horses can’t see in full colour? It was once believed that they were colour blind but we now know that they can see some colours.

Animal Profile

 

Lifespan

Horses live to around 25-30 years on average.

Eyesight

Horses have almost 360-degree vision. They have a small blind spot in front and behind their heads. They have bigger eyes than any other land mammal.

Size

A horse can weigh over 550kg. A draft horse (a larger type of horse) can weigh up to 1,000kg!

Ears

Horses can rotate their ears to hear where a sound is coming from.

Communication

Horses neigh, whinny, snort or roar depending on what they want to communicate.

Guard horse

Horses will take turns staying awake to alert the rest of their herd of any danger.

Did you know?

Although horses eyes take longer to adjust than ours, they can actually see better in the dark than humans.

Horse history

Horses are thought to have been domesticated around 4,000 to 6,000 years ago. They were brought to New Zealand in 1814 by missionaries.

Did you know?

Horses can sleep standing up as well as lying down and can run soon after they are born.