THe Australian stock horse compared with other general modern horses and ponies (perform & record #7)
Similarities
- All horses and ponies have 4 legs - Same shape of the head – difference: some have slightly larger and smaller heads than the Australian Stock Horse - Many hairs attached to the back of the neck - Same Diet – grass, hay, and grains - Temperament – some and ponies are calm, responsive, good just like the Australian stock horse - Strong legs - most horses and ponies have strong legs like the Australian Stock Horse |
Differences
- Temperament - some horses and ponies are very wild and aggressive - Color - the Australian stock horse has a general chestnut color while other breeds of ponies and horses have different colors like brown, black, white, etc. - Size and Weight - the Australian Stock Horse is about 6 feet tall weighing about 1,200 pounds while other horse breeds and ponies range from 200-1, 200 pounds. - Size of eyes - the Australian Stock Horse breed has large eyes located at the top of their heads while other horse and pony breeds (like the Bali pony) have small eyes that make it difficult to see predators |
different horses and ponies and their adaptations (perform & record #8)
Different horses and ponies have different adaptations that are specific to their environmental factors. For instance, Shetland ponies that developed on the exposed islands north of Scotland adapted to have thick, shaggy coats that protected them against the elements. Certain kinds of horses have also been bred to adapt and perform specific tasks. Large and heavy-muscled horses do heavy duty work while slender horses, like the Arabian horse, are excellent for speed and endurance. The Shire horse was bred to be large, as a result selective breeding its joints and muscles have adapted to take on the strains of this increased size. All horse share common adaptations, one of them being a defence against irritation caused by insects. Horses fling their tails around their hindquarters to prevent the insects from biting. Another adaptation is their body's ability repair their hooves. Hard, rocky, and rough grounds cause horses' hooves to wear down. As a result, their hooves grow at a fast rate of about 0.25 inch per month. Finally, horses' large bodies and the general physical strain that they endure due to their environment automatically require a strong heart. The size of the heart differs in smaller and larger breeds; generally, larger breeds have larger hearts while the smaller breeds have smaller hearts.