Did you know that horses and humans have a lot in common? For one, both species enjoy a good roll in the hay. And what about that love of apples? Horses and humans alike just can’t get enough of them!
Seriously now, there are actually quite a few things that horses and humans have in common.
Let’s find out what they are!
What Do Horses and Humans Have In Common?
Here are 10 more things that horses and humans have in common:
- We’re both mammals
- We’re both social creatures
- We both like living in herds
- We both love to run and exercise (horses more than us)
- We can both be stubborn when we want to
- We both protect our young and take care of our elderly and sick
- We both give birth to one or two offspring
- We’re both sensitive and feel pain and pleasure
- We both raise our young for a long time
- We both get spooked by sudden movements or loud noises
Let’s take a close look at each of these 10 things that horses and humans have in common.
#1. We’re both mammals
Horses and humans are both mammals. This means that we’re both warm-blooded creatures that bear live young. We also have hair and produce milk to feed our young.
In fact, the word “mammal” comes from the Latin word “mamma,” which means “breast.” And mammals have mammary glands, which are what we use to produce milk for our babies.
It was the domestication of many types of mammals, like horse and cows, that helped humans transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers and settled civilizations.
#2. We’re both social creatures
Horses and humans are both social creatures. This means that we both thrive when we’re around other members of our own species. We both like to live in groups, and we both form strong bonds with others.
Sometimes we are just as happy (or happier?) with the company of someone from another species. For instance, humans have pets like dogs and cats, and horses have what are called “companion animals.”
These are usually donkeys or ponies, but they can also be other types like goats. In fact, goats called “calming goats” are often used to calm horses down.
#3. We both like living in herds
Being social creatures, it’s no surprise that both horses and humans like living in herds. In the wild, horses live in herds. Herds not only provide protection from predators, but they also offer a support system and companionship. Even domesticated horses exhibit herd behavior.
Likewise, humans are also social creatures that like to live in groups. We have families, we live in communities, and we often work in teams. Even introverts need some social interaction to recharge and maintain their sanity.
#4. We both love to run and exercise (horses more than us)
Another commonality between horses and humans is that we both love to run and exercise.
In the wild, horses spend a lot of their time running and grazing. Horses run for many reasons including for fun, to exercise, to play, and to escape predators. And they can run fast. In fact, horses can run very fast with the world record set in 2008 at 43.97 mph.
Now while horses are built for running, we humans too (some of us more than others!) are made to move. Regular exercise is good for our mental and physical health. It helps to reduce stress, improve our moods, boost our immune system, and, if we’re lucky, helps us live longer.
#5. We can both be stubborn when we want to
Every horse owner knows that horses can be quite stubborn creatures. When they don’t want to do something, they will often plant their feet and refuse to budge. No matter how much you try to coax them or pull on the reins, they’re not going to move until they’re good and ready.
Likewise, anyone who has kids also knows that humans too can be very stubborn. Try to get a toddler to do something they don’t want to do and you’ll know what I mean. Even as adults, there are times when we can be quite stubborn and set in our ways.
While this isn’t always the greatest of traits, it is still something that horses and humans have in common.
#6. We both protect our young and take care of our elderly and sick
Part of the social behavior of humans and horses is that we both protect our young and take care of our elderly and sick.
Horses are very protective of their young and will do whatever they can to keep them safe from harm. This includes running away from predators and even fighting off other animals that threaten their young.
Similarly, humans are also very protective of their young. We go to great lengths to keep our children safe from harm. We also take care of our elderly and sick. This is part of what it means to be a civilized society.
#7. We both give birth to one or two offspring
Humans and horses have similar procreation and birthing habits in that we both usually give birth to one or two offspring.
Unlike other mammals, like dogs and cats, which can have litters of several offspring, horses and humans usually only have one or two babies at a time. This is likely because it takes time for our offspring to mature and be able to fend for themselves.
And so having a litter of foals or babies would not only be impractical it would be harmful for the propagation of the species which is the goal of having babies.
#8. We’re both sensitive and feel pain and pleasure
Like humans, horses are sensitive creatures and make their emotions shown. When they are happy, they will neigh, whinny, and nicker. When they are excited, they may prance or paw the ground.
When they are annoyed you will see their ears pulled back and they may even bite. When they are frightened or aggressive they will throw their head back and show the whites of their eyes.
Even though the way we humans express our emotions may be different from the way horses do, the fact is that we share the same capacity to feel pain and pleasure.
#9. We both raise our young for a long time
Another point that humans and horses have in common is the long period of child-raising.
Foals stay with their mothers for the first year of their life and then they are weaned. After that, they may stay with their mothers for another year or two before they are fully independent.
Similarly, human babies are also dependent on their parents for a long time. They are born helpless and need their parents to care for them and meet their needs. It takes years for them to become independent and able to fend for themselves.
This long period of child-raising is likely due to the longer life spans that humans and horses enjoy.
#10. We both get spooked by sudden movements or loud noises
Being prey animals, horses and humans are both easily spooked by sudden movements or loud noises. This is an evolutionary trait that has helped us both survive as species. In fact, horses are famously afraid of many things, not just their natural predators.
Being scared helps us to be more cautious and alert to potential dangers. It also helps us to flee when necessary. While this trait can sometimes be a nuisance, it is still something that horses and humans have in common.
The Bottom Line
Even though we are two very different species, there are still many things that horses and humans have in common. We’re both mammals, we’re social animals and we like living in herds. We both communicate using sounds and body language.
We take care of our young and we raise them for a long time. We’re both sensitive and feel pain and pleasure. And we both get spooked by sudden movements or loud noises.
So next time you’re around a horse, remember that you have more in common with them than you might think.
