Last Updated on February 23, 2022 by Allison Price
Many people have been trying to understand why horses don’t have horns as their Equidae relatives for years. Strangely, many horses have horns in history. While this may seem absurd, it is possible.
Horses don’t need horns, as they evolved without them. Horses are successful because they have a high sense of awareness and a quick, agile body that allows them to avoid predators. Horses don’t need to have horns if they have these qualities!
If you are anything like me, the thought of a horse with majestic horns will bring to mind another magnificent creature: the unicorn. You might be surprised to know that not all horse breeds have horns. Keep reading for more information.
Are there horses with horns?
Horse breeds with protrusions on the foreheads of their horses can be mistaken for having horns. Horses don’t have horns. However, some horses may have bony growths at the front of their skulls.
Scientists believe these bony growths may be remnants of evolution horns. These horns are not as twisted as the ones we see in the mythical unicorns. However, they look more like the horns of cattle which are usually found in pairs.
The ungulates, hoofed animals with hoofed feet, can be divided into two groups: the Artiodactyls or the Perissodactyls. Artiodactyls include animals with horns such as deers, giraffes and antelopes. Perissodactyls includes horses, zebras and tapirs.
Horse breeds that have horns might be able to show them.
Horses are a variety of species. It’s not surprising that they come in different shapes. Some breeds have horns on the heads. These horned horses look like! Continue reading to learn more about the most popular types of horses that have horns.
Moyle horse
The Moyle horse is a special breed of horse. It’s known for its unique forehead that looks like little horns. They are a rare breed that can grow “horns”. Another thing that is amazing about these horses is their ability to outrun other breeds due to their extraordinary endurance.
Rex Moyle brought the Moyle breeds to America. This is how they got their name. They made the journey from Utah to Idaho and quickly gained popularity due to their unusual strength and larger than other equines.
This rare horse has larger ribcages and visceral organs than other breeds. They share a common ancestry with Spanish horse breeds according to DNA tests done in the 1990s. Their unusually free movement in their shoulders is also a result of these DNA studies.
Their forelegs are also slightly more forward than other breeds. Surprisingly, two other horse breeds have the so-called “horns”.
Datong horse breed
The Datong breed is a native of China. They date back approximately 4000 years. Because of their physical connection to the Dragon Horse, curious minds have been eager to learn more about this amazing species.
Dragon Horses are well-known for their endurance and two bony projections on the foreheads. They’re also known as “horns” in Chinese mythology.Fresco Tours, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Carthusian horse breed
Carthusian Horses, which are Spanish-bred, are the last of the horned horse breeds. They are one the most famous Spanish Horse lines and are well-known for having “horns” on their bodies.
They are the oldest remaining Spanish Horse strain and are well-known for their elegant looks, agility and other flawless traits.
This breed is different from others because the “horns” of these horses can be located in different places and form calcium-like deposits behind their ears.
Is a Unicorn a horse?
Many people have speculated for centuries that Unicorns are a mythical, pure creature with one spiraling horn. They project from their foreheads and look similar to horses or goats.
In reality, Unicorns and Horses are not the same thing. Here’s why.
- Horses are part of the Equidae Family.
- Many consider unicorns mythical creatures with cloven hooves.
Unicorns are often thought of as giant, white creatures that represent purity and grace. Their famous features include their wings, cloven hooves and beards that look like one on a goat.
Keep in mind, however, that every culture and religion has their own legends and beliefs about this magical creature. Unicorns were believed to have magical powers that could make poisoned water drinkable or heal those who are sick.
In Renaissance and Middle Ages, they referred to them as wild woodland animals that only virgins could capture. They believed the unicorn’s horns had magical and healing properties. They believed that Unicorns were the natural enemy to the Lion in places like Scotland.
They have used the Unicorn symbol in royal insignias ever since. Gold coins called “Unicorns” were also produced. These coins featured an image of the mythical creature at both ends.
Many people around the world, including Aristotle and Marco Polo, have discussed the existence of these Luminaries as more people began to read the Bible Old Testament, which mentions similar creatures.
However, unicorns and horses can be quite distinct. Unicorns are a legend and myth that has been around for centuries.
What is the closest thing you can get to a Unicorn’s appearance?
Although Unicorns are not real and can roam the earth with magical powers, some animals share similar characteristics to them.
