# Domestic Horse (*Equus caballus*) Domestic horses are gentle and strong animals that have been friends with people for a long time. They come in many colors and sizes, and they love to run and play in fields. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Domestic Horse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lipicanec_PRMO.jpg&width=800) Photo: Srdjan Živulovič, Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lipicanec_PRMO.jpg) ## Appearance The Domestic Horse is a large, hoofed mammal with a long head and muscular body. They have a flowing mane and tail, and coats come in almost every color, from black and white to shades of brown, red, and gold, often with unique markings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - A horse's age can be estimated by looking at the wear and changes in their teeth! - A horse's eyes are on the sides of their head, giving them nearly 360-degree vision! - Horses cannot vomit, which means they have a very unique digestive system! - Horses only walk on one 'toe' on each foot, protected by a hard hoof! ## Special abilities - **Powerful Legs:** Domestic Horse can run swiftly and powerfully because of their strong, muscled legs that help them cover long distances quickly. - **Grinding Teeth:** Domestic Horse has large, flat molars that help them grind tough plant material like grass and hay into digestible bits. - **Sharp Senses:** Domestic Horse has wide-set eyes, excellent hearing, and a keen sense of smell that help them detect threats and food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 140-250 cm - **Weight:** 350-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-30 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-340 days ## Diet & Feeding Domestic Horses are herbivores that munch on grasses, hay, and other plant matter to get their energy. - **Age differences:** Young horses, called foals, drink their mother's milk before transitioning to solid plant foods. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, hay, oats, grains, apples, carrots - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gray Wolf](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-wolf) (*Canis lupus*) — Wild or feral horses can be prey for large predators. - **Eaten by:** Puma (*Puma concolor*) — In some wild or feral ranges, pumas may hunt horses. - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans have a long history of working with and caring for horses. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — A common pasture grass that forms a main part of their diet. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always stay calm and quiet around horses, and ask an adult before getting close. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Domestic Horse? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Domestic Horse? 140-250 cm ### How much does Domestic Horse weigh? 350-1000 kg ### How long does Domestic Horse live? 25-30 years ### How fast can Domestic Horse move? 70 km/h ### What does Domestic Horse eat? Domestic Horses are herbivores that munch on grasses, hay, and other plant matter to get their energy. ### Where is Domestic Horse usually found? Grasslands ### How does Domestic Horse hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Cape Lookout Coast Guard Station](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-lookout-coast-guard-station) — US · Historic Site - [Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mono-lake-tufa-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area) — Montana, US · National Park - [Cape Lookout Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-lookout-village-historic-district) — North Carolina, US · Historic District - [East Glacier Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-glacier-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Arche Warder](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arche-warder) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Domestic Horse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/domestic-horse) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Domestic Horse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-horse)