Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse
Fun facts about horses in honor of the Chinese New Year
HOUSTON (January 31, 2014) — Today marks the Chinese New Year. In honor of 2014 being
the Year of the Horse, Houston Humane Society has some fun, interesting facts about the
magnificent animal that you might not know.
 Horses can sleep both lying down and standing up.
 The life span of a domestic horse is about 25 years, so you better think before adopting!
 About 205 bones make up a horses skeleton.
 Horses are herbivores (plant eaters).
 Horses have bigger eyes than any other mammal that lives on land, and because they are located
on the sides of their head, a horse can see almost 360 degrees at one time.
 A horse gallops at about 27mph.
 A horse’s height is measured in hands, and each hand represents 4 inches.
 A marking on a horse’s head is referred to as a star, regardless of the shape of the marking.
 Horses use facial expressions to communicate how they are feeling. You can tell a lot by paying
attention to their ears, nostrils and eyes.
 Hooves are like fingernails, always growing and they need to be clipped from time to time by a
farrier (person who clips hooves and makes shoes for horses).
 A horse moves in four ways: walk, trot, canter, and gallop. Gallop being the fastest.
 The Houston Humane Society’s Animal Wellness Clinic does see horse patients on an
appointment basis; you can call 713-433-6421 to find out more information.
 The Houston Humane Society’s Animal Cruelty Team often investigates horse cases of abuse
and neglect. If you have a case to report, you can do so online at www.houstonhumane.org.
 If interested in giving a home to a horse that has been rescued by Houston Humane Society,
contact the shelter at 713-433-6421 or email [email protected].
About the HHS: The Houston Humane Society is dedicated to, and working towards, ending cruelty,
abuse and the over population of animals while providing the highest quality of life to those in our care.
The HHS does NOT receive any government funding or operating funds from national animal welfare
organizations, and relies solely on donations, special events and program services. HHS maintains a 4star rating from Charity Navigator.
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