The horse, a domesticated, single-hoofed mammal, belongs to the Equidae family and is a subspecies of Equus ferus. It evolved over millions of years from a small, multi-toed creature called Eohippus. Domestication began around 4000 BCE and became widespread by 3000 BCE. While the caballus subspecies is domesticated, feral horse populations exist in the wild, distinct from true wild horses that have never been domesticated. A specialized vocabulary exists to describe various horse-related concepts, from anatomy and behavior to colors, breeds, and locomotion.
1909: Extinction of the Tarpan
The Tarpan, or European wild horse, became extinct in 1909 when the last captive died in a Russian zoo.
1969: Przewalski's Horse Presumed Extinct in the Wild
The Przewalski's horse was presumed extinct in the wild in 1969, though a small breeding population remained in zoos.
1992: Przewalski's Horse Reintroduced to the Wild
In 1992, due to conservation efforts, the Przewalski's horse was reintroduced into the wild from zoo populations.
2000: Spread of Domesticated Horses
By 2000 BCE, a significant increase in horse bones in human settlements in northwestern Europe indicated a widespread increase of domesticated horses across the continent.
2004: Animal Planet Poll
A 2004 Animal Planet poll ranked horses as the world's 4th favorite animal.
2007: Death of Sugar Puff
In 2007, Sugar Puff, the world's oldest living pony recorded in Guinness World Records, died at the age of 56.
2007: Horse Genome Sequencing
In 2007, the horse genome, comprising 2.7 billion DNA base pairs, was sequenced, making the map available to researchers. This placed the horse genome larger than the dog's but smaller than the human or bovine genomes.
2008: Global Horse Population and Economic Impact
In 2008, the FAO estimated nearly 59 million horses globally, with significant economic impacts. The US horse industry alone had a direct economic impact of over $39 billion and an indirect impact exceeding $102 billion.
2013: Study on Noise and Horse Behavior
A 2013 UK study revealed that stabled horses preferred quiet environments, country, or classical music. Jazz or rock music caused nervousness. The study recommended keeping music volume under 21 decibels. An Australian study also found a higher rate of gastric ulcers in racehorses exposed to talk radio versus music.
2019: Global Horse Population and Thermoregulation
As of 2019, around 17 million horses exist globally. Horses maintain body temperature between 37.5-38.5 °C (99.5-101.3 °F). They utilize sweating, releasing a hypertonic solution aided by latherin, for thermoregulation. While horses can effectively manage their body temperature, prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause severe health complications.
2021: Genetic Study on Horse Domestication
A 2021 genetic study proposed that modern domestic horses originated from the lower Volga-Don region and rapidly spread across Eurasia around 4,200 years ago, influencing most local populations.