History
Although humans came into contact with horses about 50,000 years ago, they were originally herded for meat, skins, and possibly for milk. Evidence suggests that they were domesticated about 5,000 years ago - substantially less than many other farm animals including goats, sheep and cattle.

Horses are believed to have first been domesticated in the steppes of the eastern Ukraine and central Russia, as people started to lead a more nomadic lifestyle. Historians debate over whether people first rode horses or attached carts to them, but the latter is thought to be the most likely.

Two general groups of horses developed from the small and stocky animals that were first domesticated: The 'hot-blooded' southerly Arab-Barb types (from the Barbary coast) and the northerly, 'cold-blooded' types. All modern breeds are derived from these two types, including the light, fast, spirited breeds typified by the modern Arabian, and the heavier, slower, and calmer working breeds such as the English shire horse. Ponies are a breed of horse that stand less than 14.2 hands (56.8 inches/144.3 cm) high.

The horse (Equus caballus) has had a bigger impact on human societies than any other animal. They have been used in war, work, travel and leisure, and are still a very important part of civilization today.

Life span
Horses typically live for 20-25 years.

Distribution and Habitat in the wild
Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) is the only true wild horse, and other wild horses are actually feral. Unfortunately, this species is listed by the IUCN as 'Extinct in the Wild', although there are specimens in zoos. Original horse populations were once found in the steppe regions at the bottom of the Black Mountains, Eurasia. Domesticated horses occur throughout the world.

Behaviour in the wild
Horses live in harem-based social systems, with males (stallions) dominating a group of females (mares). When male foals reach adulthood, they join bachelor herds until they can gain ownership of a harem.

Horses feed on grass, although if they are domesticated, their diet is supplemented with grain.

Females give birth to one foal (occasionally twins and rarely triplets) after an 11-month gestation period. The foal can stand within half an hour and it stays close to her side for the first few days of life. Foals are weaned after seven months.