Hector & Chino

The domestic horse varies in size enormously, between the Shire Horses, which you will see on this farm, and the tiny Shetland pony. Their internal workings are identical.

The Horse family consists of Zebras, Donkeys, a tiny number of wild horses, as well as the wide-spread species of Domestic Horse.

Horses eat grass and other vegetation. They bite the grass off (unlike the cow that pulls it with its tongue). They are fussy grazers leaving lavatory areas to get longer and overgrown while biting down the eating areas tightly.

Horses have been used widely in warfare and as pulling animals and carriers of loads. This farm was tilled by horses until the 1950’s. The stables are now an office, and the barbecue and Food Barn steps were built from the stable cobbles.

The horse has been a favourite animal to try to prove an evolutionary link via the fossil-record, small, horse-like so called Eohippus (dawn horse). But recent research shows that the 3-toed Eohippus is better classified as Hyracotherium or a Hyrax (small, rabbit-like animal). This leaves the Horse family on its own, as one of God’s amazing created ‘kinds’.

Both Hector and Chino have a condition called ‘Sweet itch’, meaning they are sensitive to midge bites, which is why they may look a bit scruffy sometimes, or rub on the gate to scratch. This is a common problem worldwide in horses. Vets are currently trying to develop a vaccine. We treat outs with a soothing cream and natural anti-fly spray.