Horse

Class: Mammal
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Species: Equus caballus

Ungulates are a group of mammals that support their body weight on the tips of their toes (that is, on their nails — hence the name ungulate). For this reason, they have developed a hoof to protect the limb.
They are divided into:

• Artiodactyls = even-toed ungulates (such as cows, deer, pigs, and wild boars).
• Perissodactyls = odd-toed ungulates (such as horses).

Did you know that...

…it’s a prey animal!
Despite its large size and the fact that no one hunts it anymore, the horse still retains its ancient instinct to flee from danger.
Its large, mobile ears allow it to hear from far away; its wide nostrils help it select the best grass; and its eyes are its lifesavers — placed laterally, they give it a 350° field of view. They are also deep-set, allowing the horse to see even at night thanks to a system that enhances low light.

…it’s a herbivore, but it doesn’t ruminate!
Although it eats grass and hay, its digestive system works differently from that of other herbivores, such as cows. Ruminants digest grass several times through a complex, four-chambered stomach.
The horse, however, originally evolved as a carnivore (see yellow box) with a single stomach and later became a herbivore. It adapted to its new diet by developing a very long and delicate intestine to digest plant fibers.

Continue your visit and find out if it has a wild ancestor living in the forest!

Its prehistoric ancestor is called Eohippus...

…and it was very different! It stood only 40 cm tall, had 4 toes, was a carnivore (with a single-chamber stomach), and lived in humid forests — where it was part of the menu of many predators.

Scan and play!
You’ll find more fun facts and insights.

How to behave?

To get along with me, remember that I’m not a toy: sometimes I don’t want to be touched, or I may get scared by something I don’t understand.
Respect my mood and learn to read the signals I send you.
Here are the main ones!

✅ Ears forward
I’m telling you that I’m calm and interested in your presence. You can approach me, but don’t shout or make sudden movements!

❌ Ears back
I’m warning you! I’m scared, and if you come too close, I might bite. I’m not mean — something is just making me nervous. Please be patient!

⚡ Don’t enter the enclosure!
The fence is electrified.

👃 Flehmen
I’m smelling you!

⚠️ Blind spots
I’m like a truck! If you approach from behind or put your hand between my eyes, I can’t see you — and I might kick or bite out of fear.

🚫 DON’T FEED ME WITHOUT ASKING.