We hope you’ve learned a lot about horses from your fun-filled time with us at Rawhide Ranch. How much have you learned from our horse science, horseback riding, and vaulting lessons? Check your horse knowledge against these fun facts!
- Horses usually live about 30 years, but can get up there—close to 50!
- Horses are called different names at different ages. Baby horses up to 6 months old are called “foals.” Between 6 months and 2 years, young horses are called “yearlings.” Between ages 2 and 4, male horses are called “colts” and female horses are called “fillies.” After 4 years old, male horses are called “stallions” and female horses are called “mares.”
- Horse heights are measured at the tallest point on the horse’s spine, called the withers. It’s the bony part at the back of the neck that usually butts against the front of the saddle. Heights are measured in a length called “hands.”
- Horses have a whole bunch of speeds! They’ll move faster or slower depending on the length of their stride. Their slowest speed is a walk at about 3–4 mph. This is as fast as some people can run! Their next speed is a trot, which is about 8–10 mph. Then they move into a canter, also called a lope, at a quick 10–17 mph. The fastest speed is a gallop, which is typically about 30 mph, but can reach a blazing 50 mph!
How did you do on your horse trivia? Did you learn something new?
There’s always something new to learn at Rawhide Ranch, whether it’s taking care of animals in our EZ Stock Farm, learning a new vaulting move, or trying a new archery shot. We hope you’ll come see us this summer for our exciting weeklong camp programs!
