Wednesday 23 September 2015

What is it about horses?

Their size, their innate gentleness (usually), their smell, the sounds they make (munching, whinnying, whickering, even snorting), the kissablity of that velvety bit above the nostril, and almost best of all, their eyes.

Did you know that horses have the biggest eyes of any mammal? That doesn't mean biggest in comparison with the rest of the horse, but biggest. Full stop. Not many people know that; even horsey people.

Above are Blue's eyes (and some of the rest of Blue). I was admiring them today. Lovely, aren't they (or the one you can see)?

38 comments:

  1. Deep, I'd say. I don't know any horses, but they always seem to know me when I meet them. (I think I've blogged about this in the past.)
    But then, I was born in 1942, and I'm sure you know whose year that was...

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  2. I've actually always been a bit afraid of horses. They are quite beautiful though. I should spend more time around them!

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    1. It always surprises me how many people are afraid of horses. I think it's because many people don't have much to do with them, which is sad.

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  3. I like his look and the eye I can see. I hope he will be a real pleasure to you and not throw you to the ground willy-nilly!

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    1. I've stayed on so far, Jill, which is more than can be said for the poor girl who bought my last one!

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  4. Blue is beautiful. I love horses too, always have, since someone lifted me onto one at the age of 5 and I thought 'WOW!' I love the smell of them too - everything about them. I used to ride a lot when I was younger but sadly I don't any more. But I'll rectify that one day!

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  5. I love horses but have never thought of kissing one. It could be how Dave started with pigs.

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    1. That's a really unedifying thought, Adrian. How could you?

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  6. As we have tonnes of windfall apples at the moment, I'm seeing more of the horses than usual. I think they're beginning to like me too.

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  7. That surprises me; I thought donkeys and cows have eyes of more or less the same size as horses. Do horses' eyes come in different colours like those of humans, too?
    There aren't any horses in my circle of friends these days, but every time I am out walking and I come past somewhere with horses, I stop to admire them and talk to them, if they let me.

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    1. Most horses have brown eyes, Meike. Some coloured (ie piebald or skewbald) horses have pale blue eyes, which I really don't like. Or quite often, one of each, which is worse.

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  8. I am not very keen on horses, never having had much to do with them. When I was a teenager, my friend and I were " talking" to a horse over a fence when it leant down, and grabbed a mouthful of her cotton skirt and wouldn't let go!

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    1. Where we used to swim in the Thames, as children, there was a carthorse that used to pinch our towels and go charging off with them waving like banners. Happy days...

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  9. He is beautiful and he looks a truly gentle soul xx

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  10. I never come across horses in my life, but Blue does look very gentle. I hope he is easier for you to ride and gives you many more years of pleasure.

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  11. I hate walking on public footpaths that cross fields which have loose horses in them. Caution is my watch word, They are so big - like giant dogs and can easily injure ramblers. So no - I don't share your affection for the creatures.

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  12. I hate walking on public footpaths that cross fields which have loose horses in them. Caution is my watch word, They are so big - like giant dogs and can easily injure ramblers. So no - I don't share your affection for the creatures.

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    1. YP, you are a wimp. Stand still and they will dodge, skid and come back to sniff your pockets for polo mints. Then you can kiss one if that rocks your boat.

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    2. I think this is pretty unlikely, YP. I've certainly never heard of it happening. (Though I'm not as rude as Adrian.)

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  13. Blue is absolutely beautiful, Frances. I love the wisdom and patience in horses' eyes, but the velvety bit you mention is my favourite part of all.

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  14. Can you reply quicker Frances? I've got to go to work now and I like reading your replies.

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    1. Adrian, much as I love you, I have other things to do besides replying to your (very welcome) comments. You just have to be patient, like everyone else.

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  15. I grew up around horses but hadn't realised that about their eyes.

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    1. Every few people do, Patsy. It was a Useful (?) Fact I happened upon.

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    2. I'm rather at a loss as to why it might be a useful fact although I found it an interesting one.

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    3. You're probably right, Graham, although it might be useful for a pub quiz?

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  16. I'm not frightened of horses per se: just of falling off them.

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    1. I know what you mean, Graham, and have the scars to prove it.

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