P et Horse s Wild Ho rses Wild horses have been tamed by humans for thousands of years They help us work and we ride them for pleasure Last Wild Horses The Przewalski’s PER-zhih-VAHL skeez horse of Mongolia is the last truly wild horse left in the world All the other wild horse breeds have been domesticated Other wild breeds such as the mustang of North America the brumby of Australia and the sorraia of Spain and Portugal are related to horses that escaped from captivity and have lived wild for many years These are called feral horses s There are only 400 Przewalski’s horses living wild in Mongolia and China 4
Work and Ride Many horses are bred to do a certain job For example heavy Clydesdale horses are bred to pull wagons and plows Some horses are bred for people who want to ride for fun and in competitions such as rodeos and horse shows Domestic horses such s as this American paint horse are trained for competitions How Many Hands Horses are measured in hands from the ground to the highest point of its withers where the neck meets the back A hand is 4 in 10 cm The smallest horses are ponies They are usually under 14 2 hands high A pony is under 14 2 hands s high while a horse is taller 5
W here Can I Learn to Ride Learning to ride a horse is exciting and great exercise But it can be very expensive and looking after a horse takes up a lot of time Learning to Ride Buying a horse and the riding equipment you will need is very costly Some riding stables may offer free or reduced price lessons if you help care for the horses If you want your own horse you could contact a horse charity to see if you can rescue a horse Do It When you choose a horse make sure it is suitable for your riding ability If you are a beginner you do not want a horse that gets very excited and enjoys fast gallops You can learn how to ride safely t at a local riding school 6
Stable and Pasture Not all horses need a stable but they must have a fenced paddock with a water supply and a shelter where they can lie down in a dry area Wild horses live in herds and do not like to be alone The same is true for pet horses They should be kept with another horse or pony or even a sheep or goat You can keep your horse in a livery yard This is ideal if you cannot visit your horse every day because other people will be there to look after it If you work at a local stable you s will learn a lot about horses and how to look after them Renting a stable for your horse t at a livery yard means it will be with other horses 7
