Kids are fascinated with horses, and for good reason. They are amazing workers, and long time friends. Teach your kids about horses with these ideas.

Horses are quite amazing animals. They are graceful and hard workers. No wonder so many professions rely on these sturdy creatures to help make work easier. Use the suggestions below to supplement your child's learning about horses.

Objective

Children seem fascinated by all sorts of animals. One animal that is quite popular among kids is the horse. This lesson will teach young children about horses and how they can help people.

Materials

• Books about horses from your local library
• Corks
• Toothpicks
• Glue
• Felt or foam
• Scissors
• Yarn
• Ingredients for recipe below

Fact File

1. The colors and patterns on a horse all have different names to describe the coat or pattern.
2. A chestnut horse refers to a golden brown horse with a lighter or darker tail than the mane, while a black horse simply means the horse is solid black.
3. Flea-bitten means that horse is white with small specks of black that show up as the horse ages.
4. A horse looses its baby teeth just like a person.
5. Horses primarily consume hay and water, although they do enjoy fruits and vegetables.
6. A horse can eat up to 28 pounds of food every day.
7. There are many breeds of horses including the Arabian, Painted, Don Horse, Palomino, the Hequ, Welsh, Thoroughbred, and the Russian Heavy Draft.
8. The horse has been domesticated since 3000 or 4000 BC.
9. Humans recognized how helpful horses could be many years ago and horses have worked for humans since as transportation, farm work and more.

Activities

Make a Cork Horse

You will need one large cork, and one small cork. You will also need scrap yarn for your horse, toothpicks, 2 small beads for eyes and glue.

Start by placing one toothpick in one end of the large cork. Angle it up slightly for the neck of the horse. Put the small cork here for the head. Put the other toothpick in the other end of the cork and push downwards for the tail. Place four toothpicks on the underside for the legs. Decorate the head using yarn for the mane and beads for the eyes. If you have craft foam, cut small pieces for ears and glue into place. Add a yarn tail.

Make Your Own Horse Treats

These are special treats for your favorite horse.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• Grated vegetables or fruits such as apples or carrots

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Start by mixing the sugar, flour and fruits. Stir well. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Cook for 15 minutes. These should be crunchy when done.

Field Trip Opportunity

Take a horse back riding lesson: You probably have a place that is near you that offers horseback riding lessons. This is a great way to see a horse in action and learn the basics of horseback riding. Call a local ranch or equestrian center near you.

See working horses: A trip to a farm or a ranch will show your kids how horses can help people. Most of these places are more than happy to offer a tour.

Wrap-Up

Think Quest: This is an excellent site that contains helpful and easy to read information about horses. It also has printable games and other activities.

Kids Horses: If it is about horses, you can find it here. This site offers lots of tips and advice about horses as well as grooming help, poems, printables and more.