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Worldwide, horses play a role within human cultures and have done so for millennia. Horses are used for leisure activities, sports, and working purposes. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that in 2008, there were almost 59,000,000 horses in the world, with around 33,500,000 in the Americas, 13,800,000 in Asia and 6,300,000 in Europe and smaller portions in Africa and Oceania. There are estimated to be 9,500,000 horses in the United States alone. The American Horse Council estimates that horse-related activities have a direct impact on the economy of the United States of over $39 billion, and when indirect spending is considered, the impact is over $102 billion. In a 2004 "poll" conducted by Animal Planet, more than 50,000 viewers from 73 countries voted for the horse as the world's 4th favorite animal.
Communication between human and horse is paramount in any equestrian activity; to aid this process horses are usually ridden with a saddle on their backs to assist the rider with balance and positioning, and a bridle or related headgear to assist the rider in maintaining control. Sometimes horses are ridden without a saddle, and occasionally, horses are trained to perform without a bridle or other headgear. Many horses are also driven, which requires a harness, bridle, and some type of vehicle.
The horse is an animal long prized for its strength, speed, and beauty. Horses have served man in battle, at work, on the hunt, and in sports. Stone Age man drew pictures of horses on cave walls, and from the days of ancient civilizations to modern times horses have been among the most popular of all subjects for paintings, sculpture, and tapestries. The horse also has a prominent place in mythology and literature.
Even after death the horse serves man. Horsehide provides a fine quality leather. Hair from the mane and tail is used for stuffing furniture and can be woven into a stiff fabric used in tailoring. Horse meat is made into food for dogs and cats, and is eaten by people in some parts of the world. Other products derived from horses are gelatin, glue, and medical serums.
Horses and humans interact in a wide variety of sport competitions and non-competitive recreational pursuits, as well as in working activities such as police work, agriculture, entertainment, and therapy. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Humans provide domesticated horses with food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists such as veterinarians and farriers.
Facts; Horses spend more energy lying down and "Old Billy," was the oldest recorded horse that lived to be 62.
