Three Common Myths About Horses

Some of these myths have endured through time to still be believed today. Three of the more common myths about horses are discussed here. Color Body color or color of the horse's hooves and legs are the subject of many of the myths about horses. It has long been thought that dark feet on a horse means the feet are stronger than light-colored feet. This could be an advantage for horses that work, as strong feet tend to be easier to care for. However, research has shown that there is no biological difference between light- or dark-colored hooves. Also, the color of the horse's legs have been used as an indication of the quality of the animal, but it Is up to the particular bit of mythology you hear to know if the quality is good or bad. Some think one white leg or foot is the mark of a hard-working and healthy horse, while others would believe that horse is destined to have problems. Four white legs in a racing horse are considered unlucky in some cultures. Generally speaking, the body colors of white and grey have the most mythology attached to them. It can be either extremely fortunate to meet a white horse, or terribly unlucky. White horses have been the omen of death to some for centuries. Grey horses, on the other hand, are thought to bring luck to a bride and groom if seen on the way to their wedding. Sleeping Habits Horses sleep a lot. Contrary to popular belief, they not only do so standing up, but also lying down. A horse has the amazing ability to do most of her daytime dozing on her feet. However, for the few hours of REM sleep per day necessary for good health, she must lie down either flat on her side or sitting upright with her nose resting on the ground. Horses in groups tend to do a larger amount of their resting on the ground, rather than horses who are housed individually. This is because the other horses in the herd can act as guardians for the ones who are resting and alert the others to danger. Because horses are prey animals, they must be ready to quickly flee if danger is near. Due to their straight back, which does not bend, it is more difficult for horses to get up from lying down. Therefore, horses are usually seen doing more sleeping on their feet. Broken Leg Even as recently as 20 years ago, it would have been a foregone conclusion that a horse with a broken leg had to be euthanized. Due to the advances in equine veterinary medicine, that is no longer necessarily true. Equipment and metal leg implants which are large enough for repairing the damage of a broken leg are readily available, as are the skilled veterinary surgeons who have the ability to repair the fracture