A surprisingly little-known horse quiz! A fun problem set where you can learn everything from general knowledge to astonishing biology

A horse’s teeth wear down and become worn with age.

A horse’s teeth wear down with age. Observing the degree of tooth wear is a common method for estimating a horse’s age. The wear condition is used as an indicator for a rough age estimate. If left unattended, the bite can become misaligned and may require treatment.

Paternal and maternal lineages

In Thoroughbred pedigrees, lineage such as the sire line and dam line is given the greatest emphasis. This is because lineage serves as an important indicator for assessing a horse’s ability, potential, and suitability. A racehorse’s pedigree is a key factor in estimating its racing capability, with particular attention paid to the performance of the sire and dam and the achievements of their progeny. Traits such as speed-oriented or stamina-oriented tendencies are often inherited, and trainers determine their development strategies by combining pedigree information with the horse’s conformation.

To take a wide look around / To get a broader view of the surroundings

Horses are herbivores and need to broadly observe their surroundings to protect themselves from enemies. Their horizontally elongated eyes maintain a wide field of view, allowing them to see almost to the horizon and quickly detect danger. This is thought to have been acquired through evolution.

about 5 kilograms

A horse’s heart weighs about 5 kilograms on average, which is much larger than a human heart at about 300 grams. This is because horses need to deliver a large amount of oxygen throughout their bodies to run fast and for long periods. By pumping a large volume of blood through the body, they supply oxygen to their muscles, supporting endurance and speed.

Relatively small and unable to digest a large amount at once.

Because a horse has only one stomach and it is relatively small, it cannot digest large amounts of feed at once. Compared to its body size, the horse’s stomach is very small, so it cannot process large meals in a single sitting. Therefore, horses are naturally adapted to eat small amounts continuously over long periods. In managed settings, leaving long intervals between meals can lead to gastric ulcers, so frequent feeding is considered important.

To drive away insects

The main reason horses swish their tails is to drive away insects like flies and mosquitoes. This is especially common in summer when there are many bugs, and they use their tails to protect themselves. A rough or vigorous tail swish can also be a sign of stress or discomfort.

tobacco smoke

Horses tend to dislike the strong smell of cigarette smoke and are sensitive to odors like smoke and chemicals that are also unpleasant to humans. They are relatively less sensitive to natural scents such as lemon or mint. They tend to avoid chemical odors and artificial fragrances.