The horse (Equus caballus sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. Horses have long been one of the most economically important domesticated animals, and have played an important role in the transport of people and cargo for thousands of years. While isolated domestication may have occurred as early as 10,000 years ago, clear evidence of widespread horse use by humans dates to around 2000 BC. Since they were domesticated, selective breeding has resulted in many breeds. Some have been bred so that they can be ridden, usually with a saddle, while other breeds can be harnessed to pull objects like carriages or plows. In some cultures, horses are a source of food, including horse meat and sometimes milk; in other cultures it is taboo to eat them. Today, in wealthy countries, horses are predominantly kept for leisure and sporting pursuits, while they are still used as working horses in many other parts of the world.

Biology of the horse

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Depending on breed, management, and environment, the domestic horse today has an average life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.

The mare is pregnant for 11 months and usually gives birth to one foal (male: colt, female: filly). Twins are rare, but do occur on occasion. Horses may sometimes be physically capable of reproduction at approximately 18 months, particularly colts, but in practice rarely are allowed to breed until the age of 2 or 3 years at the earliest. Fillies are rarely bred until they are at least 3 years old. Horses are not considered completely grown until an average age of 4 years, though age of achieving full growth also varies by breed and by individual genetics. In the strenuous sport of endurance riding, horses are not allowed to compete until they are a full 60 months (5 years) old.

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Horses' Mouths - May 14 - Harakah Daily http://t.co/0gTCYyen
mycenews (mycenews) Mon, 14 May 2012 01:36:29 -0000
Horses' Mouths - May 14 - Harakah Daily http://t.co/0gTCYyen
Don't think my summer could get much better... Taking care of cows and horses. #mypassion #farmlife
Cfreeman0717 (Chelsea Freeman) Mon, 14 May 2012 01:36:27 -0000
Don't think my summer could get much better... Taking care of cows and horses. #mypassion #farmlife
RT @odetterz: I C U P majestic sea horses
OfficialHeir (Young King) Mon, 14 May 2012 01:36:26 -0000
RT @odetterz: I C U P majestic sea horses
@Colemeador69 well you can't just go around pushing horses off roofs and not expect to face the consequences
RobbyJ59 (Robert Johnston) Mon, 14 May 2012 01:36:17 -0000
@Colemeador69 well you can't just go around pushing horses off roofs and not expect to face the consequences
@Liz_Lauer I HATE horses #wethinkalike
kellymarkovich (kelly markovich) Mon, 14 May 2012 01:36:16 -0000
@Liz_Lauer I HATE horses #wethinkalike
Hada good mothers day spent it with my ma and pa ridin horses! #lovelife
lancebrown215 (Lance Brown) Mon, 14 May 2012 01:36:16 -0000
Hada good mothers day spent it with my ma and pa ridin horses! #lovelife

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