Horses were brought to North America by the early Spanish explorers almost 500 years ago. Indians tamed the horse for chasing down buffaloes.

Ranchers used them for herding cattle. Farmers used them for pulling buggies or plows. Now horses are mostly used just for riding fun! Horses range in size from less than three feet tall to over seven feet tall and weighing more than one ton. But no matter how many pounds a horse may weigh, it stands on just ONE toe - and the hoof is just ONE overgrown toenail. There are still places where only a horse can take a rider in the western states, but most horses have been put out of a job by newer machines. Horses are mainly used today for general riding or in competitive sports, such as racing, polo, in rodeos, and for equestrian jumping in the Olympics. Breeders try to raise horses with special abilities for each sport.

What is a baby horse called?
Foal

(Remember, to find the secret answer, move your mouse pointer over the question mark slowly to the right until the print cursor appears. Then depress and hold down the left mouse button, and move it to the right. Presto!)

People become very attached to their horses, which are very smart animals. One cowboy movie star, Roy Rogers, even had his horse "Trigger" stuffed and mounted in his Cowboy Museum. Only China has more horses than the United States. Most horses in the United States can be found in California and Texas. Horses are both very fast and very strong. Many horses can run a mile in about 1½ minutes, while the fastest man can barely run a mile in four minutes. But the biggest advantage horses have for man is being able to carry a man while at a full gallop. It was the earliest form of fast transportation, and men carried letters from the Missouri River to California by riding horses between relay stations all across America. It was called the Pony Express - and only the completion of a transcontinental railroad line put them out of business.

Horses were very valuable in the Wild West, and if a cowboy stole a horse he would probably end up at the end of a rope. (Horse thieves used to be hanged!) There were other animals, however, which were as sturdy as horses, but smaller and less expensive. These were the donkeys, and they were excellent workers. Many gold miners would pack the donkey full of tools and supplies and head out into the hills to find their fortune. Donkeys are still used for riding in especially treacherous areas, such as down the sides of the Grand Canyon. Donkeys were a common sight on family farms, because they could be called on to do so many different chores. But, like the horses, donkeys are now a rare sight on family farms.

What is the baby of a female horse and a male donkey called?
Mule

You are taller than which horse?
LeftRight

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