▲ 1254 ▼ Cheeky (mander.xyz) submitted 2 years ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz 224 comments fedilink hide all child comments
[–] atocci@lemmy.world 149 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (64 children) Wait what's the deal with the horses? I want to feel good about myself today. Edit: Wow, those bastards have it rough. permalink fedilink source hideshow 64 child comments replies: [–] Septimaeus@infosec.pub 195 points 2 years ago (38 children) Their genetics have sacrificed nearly every aspect of basic resiliency for maximum speed on the plains. Most of the work caring for horses is keeping them from accidentally killing themselves. Full disclosure: I worked as a stable hand as a child in exchange for riding lessons. Will never ever own a horse. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 38 child comments replies: [–] gibmiser@lemmy.world 71 points 2 years ago (30 children) What preditor was so fast horses had to evolve to that extent?? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 30 child comments replies: [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 80 points 2 years ago (19 children) Big cat. You're aware of the cheetah? Just picture that but not in Africa permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 19 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 39 points 2 years ago (18 children) You know what really caught me up: where are horses native to? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 18 child comments replies: [–] bstix@feddit.dk 67 points 2 years ago (2 children) There are wild horses on the Mongolian steppes. All other horses are domesticated. Even the free horses in USA and Australia are descendants of domesticated horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 years ago (1 child) PBS Eons has a couple good videos on both horse evolution and domestication. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent [+] psud@aussie.zone 2 points 2 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (12 replies) [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 28 points 2 years ago (4 children) Us. They basically tried to beat pursuit predation by outrunning the distance humans will be willing to track over. It did not work, they went extinct in North America because of how much it did not work. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago* (3 children) Large predatory flightless birds probably didn't help either. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] rockerface@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago Ah, sweet home Caelid permalink fedilink source parent [–] Dutczar@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 years ago* (1 child) "What are those? I know predatory and flightless birds, but both?" I have looked it up before posting, I learned something new today. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent [–] bstix@feddit.dk 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Human. Not for food, but because they always choose to breed on the Porcshe over the Toyota Hilux for racing. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* The wording here makes it sound like we hunted horses for the specific purpose of having sex on them, and honestly, I'd probably be running as fast as a car if that kept happening to me too! permalink fedilink source parent [–] match@pawb.social 6 points 2 years ago the mongols permalink fedilink source parent [–] PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) Saber toothed tigers and shit permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 5 points 2 years ago Saber toothed shit is a serious reason permalink fedilink source parent [–] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 63 points 2 years ago Same for rabbits. The are basically as much lean muscle that can fit on the lighest possible skeleton. If you pick up a rabbit wrong, they can snap their own back with the momentum from kicking their back legs. permalink fedilink source parent [+] fossilesque@mander.xyz [S] 50 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children) [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] lath@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Some people love caring for fragile things. Boosts their self-esteem. It can also break them when they fail. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Flocklesscrow@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago *one reason permalink fedilink source parent [–] klemptor@startrek.website 7 points 2 years ago Same here haha permalink fedilink source parent [–] jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 32 points 2 years ago (1 child) Basically a 900LB Cocker Spaniel that's afraid of it's own farts and will eventually kill every single tree within reach. I also will never own horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment load more comments (1 reply) [–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 94 points 2 years ago (9 children) Sometimes they will die because they can’t puke. Also broken legs are usually fatal even with vet care. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 9 child comments replies: [–] LennethAegis@fedia.io 114 points 2 years ago (8 children) To add on why broken legs are fatal: its because horses are so big, that even with a sling, they cannot support themselves well on 3 legs. And lying down is also not an option as their own weight will crush their internal organs if they stay down for too long. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 8 child comments replies: [–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 60 points 2 years ago (1 child) Oh, wow, I had always thought that shooting a horse with a broken leg was an act of brutal expedience, not mercy. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago It's sad, but it's common medical practice in modern horse hospitals: permalink fedilink source parent [–] frosty99c@midwest.social 27 points 2 years ago Also, don't they need to run to move food through their digestive tract? Or to force themselves to cough if they have something stuck in their lungs? I think there is some sort of dependency of basic functions that relies on the movement of their lungs/stomach going back and forth while running that they can't easily do if they just stand in one place all day permalink fedilink source parent [–] Couldbealeotard@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Also their blood gets pumped through their hooves, and to much weight on one hoof can impede blood flow through their body. permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (4 replies) [–] Kowowow@lemmy.ca 77 points 2 years ago (2 children) The term healthy as a horse is mostly survivorship bias permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] elxeno@lemm.ee 39 points 2 years ago (1 child) From what i read here there's no unhealthy horse, it's either healthy or dead. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago "So, Timmy, do you want to be healthy as a horse?" permalink fedilink source parent [–] klemptor@startrek.website 30 points 2 years ago (10 children) They only have 4 toes total. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 10 child comments replies: [–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 41 points 2 years ago (1 child) And they run around at 60mph on the tips of their toenails. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 years ago I mean, humans run around on something that birds would consider knees, and stupidly try to support their entire body weight using only half their legs. permalink fedilink source parent [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 years ago (7 children) Humans have multiple toes because our ape ancestors used their toes like fingers. Having multiple, separate toes is probably bad for survival unless you're using toes to manipulate tools. Animals that have distinct toes include apes, geckos, mice, raccoons and similar animals which need them to grip onto surfaces or to manipulate things. There are predators which have separate toes because they're a place to mount claws: eagles, cats, etc. There are animals that have separate toes with webbing between for swimming. But, for a lot of animals, separate toes aren't really useful, so they've evolved away: elephants, rhinos, giraffes, horses, cows, etc. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] Seleni@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (3 children) Yeah, but at least most of those still have multiple toes to spread the weight around. Horses decided to get rid of that completely. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (2 children) Spreading the weight around using toes doesn't seem to be a useful strategy. It's also not something that humans do. Human toes are not at the weight-bearing part of the foot. And, while I'm sure toes are somewhat involved in agility, having individual toes doesn't seem to be. In fact, if you look at apes like gorillas and chimps, it's pretty clear that our toes have been getting shorter and less important as we've been evolving as upright-walking creatures who don't live in trees. Instead, the sole of the foot, which used to be much more like the palm of a hand, has been getting longer and sturdier. If you have separate toes, you have multiple fragile things that can break or be torn off. If you have one mega-toe it's going to be sturdy. That's probably why the heaviest animals have the fewest / smallest toes. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments load more comments (2 replies) load more comments (3 replies) [–] Kowowow@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 years ago The term healthy as a horse is mostly survivorship bias permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Septimaeus@infosec.pub 195 points 2 years ago (38 children) Their genetics have sacrificed nearly every aspect of basic resiliency for maximum speed on the plains. Most of the work caring for horses is keeping them from accidentally killing themselves. Full disclosure: I worked as a stable hand as a child in exchange for riding lessons. Will never ever own a horse. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 38 child comments replies: [–] gibmiser@lemmy.world 71 points 2 years ago (30 children) What preditor was so fast horses had to evolve to that extent?? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 30 child comments replies: [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 80 points 2 years ago (19 children) Big cat. You're aware of the cheetah? Just picture that but not in Africa permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 19 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 39 points 2 years ago (18 children) You know what really caught me up: where are horses native to? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 18 child comments replies: [–] bstix@feddit.dk 67 points 2 years ago (2 children) There are wild horses on the Mongolian steppes. All other horses are domesticated. Even the free horses in USA and Australia are descendants of domesticated horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 years ago (1 child) PBS Eons has a couple good videos on both horse evolution and domestication. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent [+] psud@aussie.zone 2 points 2 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (12 replies) [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 28 points 2 years ago (4 children) Us. They basically tried to beat pursuit predation by outrunning the distance humans will be willing to track over. It did not work, they went extinct in North America because of how much it did not work. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago* (3 children) Large predatory flightless birds probably didn't help either. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] rockerface@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago Ah, sweet home Caelid permalink fedilink source parent [–] Dutczar@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 years ago* (1 child) "What are those? I know predatory and flightless birds, but both?" I have looked it up before posting, I learned something new today. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent [–] bstix@feddit.dk 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Human. Not for food, but because they always choose to breed on the Porcshe over the Toyota Hilux for racing. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* The wording here makes it sound like we hunted horses for the specific purpose of having sex on them, and honestly, I'd probably be running as fast as a car if that kept happening to me too! permalink fedilink source parent [–] match@pawb.social 6 points 2 years ago the mongols permalink fedilink source parent [–] PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) Saber toothed tigers and shit permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 5 points 2 years ago Saber toothed shit is a serious reason permalink fedilink source parent [–] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 63 points 2 years ago Same for rabbits. The are basically as much lean muscle that can fit on the lighest possible skeleton. If you pick up a rabbit wrong, they can snap their own back with the momentum from kicking their back legs. permalink fedilink source parent [+] fossilesque@mander.xyz [S] 50 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children) [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] lath@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Some people love caring for fragile things. Boosts their self-esteem. It can also break them when they fail. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Flocklesscrow@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago *one reason permalink fedilink source parent [–] klemptor@startrek.website 7 points 2 years ago Same here haha permalink fedilink source parent [–] jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 32 points 2 years ago (1 child) Basically a 900LB Cocker Spaniel that's afraid of it's own farts and will eventually kill every single tree within reach. I also will never own horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment load more comments (1 reply)
[–] gibmiser@lemmy.world 71 points 2 years ago (30 children) What preditor was so fast horses had to evolve to that extent?? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 30 child comments replies: [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 80 points 2 years ago (19 children) Big cat. You're aware of the cheetah? Just picture that but not in Africa permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 19 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 39 points 2 years ago (18 children) You know what really caught me up: where are horses native to? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 18 child comments replies: [–] bstix@feddit.dk 67 points 2 years ago (2 children) There are wild horses on the Mongolian steppes. All other horses are domesticated. Even the free horses in USA and Australia are descendants of domesticated horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 years ago (1 child) PBS Eons has a couple good videos on both horse evolution and domestication. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent [+] psud@aussie.zone 2 points 2 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (12 replies) [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 28 points 2 years ago (4 children) Us. They basically tried to beat pursuit predation by outrunning the distance humans will be willing to track over. It did not work, they went extinct in North America because of how much it did not work. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago* (3 children) Large predatory flightless birds probably didn't help either. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] rockerface@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago Ah, sweet home Caelid permalink fedilink source parent [–] Dutczar@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 years ago* (1 child) "What are those? I know predatory and flightless birds, but both?" I have looked it up before posting, I learned something new today. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent [–] bstix@feddit.dk 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Human. Not for food, but because they always choose to breed on the Porcshe over the Toyota Hilux for racing. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* The wording here makes it sound like we hunted horses for the specific purpose of having sex on them, and honestly, I'd probably be running as fast as a car if that kept happening to me too! permalink fedilink source parent [–] match@pawb.social 6 points 2 years ago the mongols permalink fedilink source parent [–] PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) Saber toothed tigers and shit permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 5 points 2 years ago Saber toothed shit is a serious reason permalink fedilink source parent
[–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 80 points 2 years ago (19 children) Big cat. You're aware of the cheetah? Just picture that but not in Africa permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 19 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 39 points 2 years ago (18 children) You know what really caught me up: where are horses native to? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 18 child comments replies: [–] bstix@feddit.dk 67 points 2 years ago (2 children) There are wild horses on the Mongolian steppes. All other horses are domesticated. Even the free horses in USA and Australia are descendants of domesticated horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 years ago (1 child) PBS Eons has a couple good videos on both horse evolution and domestication. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent [+] psud@aussie.zone 2 points 2 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (12 replies)
[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 39 points 2 years ago (18 children) You know what really caught me up: where are horses native to? permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 18 child comments replies: [–] bstix@feddit.dk 67 points 2 years ago (2 children) There are wild horses on the Mongolian steppes. All other horses are domesticated. Even the free horses in USA and Australia are descendants of domesticated horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent [–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 years ago (1 child) PBS Eons has a couple good videos on both horse evolution and domestication. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent [+] psud@aussie.zone 2 points 2 years ago [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (12 replies)
[–] bstix@feddit.dk 67 points 2 years ago (2 children) There are wild horses on the Mongolian steppes. All other horses are domesticated. Even the free horses in USA and Australia are descendants of domesticated horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent
[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 56 points 2 years ago* (1 child) You're right! But also, horses were native to North America but they went extinct 10,000 years ago and weren't introduced until much more recently. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent
[–] thurmite@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago Don’t tell that to a Mormon permalink fedilink source parent
[–] PyroVK@lemmy.zip 22 points 2 years ago (1 child) PBS Eons has a couple good videos on both horse evolution and domestication. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent
[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago It’s just a damn good series in general as well permalink fedilink source parent
[–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 28 points 2 years ago (4 children) Us. They basically tried to beat pursuit predation by outrunning the distance humans will be willing to track over. It did not work, they went extinct in North America because of how much it did not work. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago* (3 children) Large predatory flightless birds probably didn't help either. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] rockerface@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago Ah, sweet home Caelid permalink fedilink source parent [–] Dutczar@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 years ago* (1 child) "What are those? I know predatory and flightless birds, but both?" I have looked it up before posting, I learned something new today. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago* (3 children) Large predatory flightless birds probably didn't help either. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] rockerface@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago Ah, sweet home Caelid permalink fedilink source parent [–] Dutczar@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 years ago* (1 child) "What are those? I know predatory and flightless birds, but both?" I have looked it up before posting, I learned something new today. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Dutczar@sopuli.xyz 7 points 2 years ago* (1 child) "What are those? I know predatory and flightless birds, but both?" I have looked it up before posting, I learned something new today. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent
[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago They are known as terror birds. Think of a ten foot tall ostrich with a flesh tearing beak like an eagle. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae permalink fedilink source parent
[–] bstix@feddit.dk 11 points 2 years ago (1 child) Human. Not for food, but because they always choose to breed on the Porcshe over the Toyota Hilux for racing. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* The wording here makes it sound like we hunted horses for the specific purpose of having sex on them, and honestly, I'd probably be running as fast as a car if that kept happening to me too! permalink fedilink source parent
[–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago* The wording here makes it sound like we hunted horses for the specific purpose of having sex on them, and honestly, I'd probably be running as fast as a car if that kept happening to me too! permalink fedilink source parent
[–] PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago (1 child) Saber toothed tigers and shit permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 5 points 2 years ago Saber toothed shit is a serious reason permalink fedilink source parent
[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 5 points 2 years ago Saber toothed shit is a serious reason permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 63 points 2 years ago Same for rabbits. The are basically as much lean muscle that can fit on the lighest possible skeleton. If you pick up a rabbit wrong, they can snap their own back with the momentum from kicking their back legs. permalink fedilink source parent
[+] fossilesque@mander.xyz [S] 50 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children) [deleted] permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] lath@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Some people love caring for fragile things. Boosts their self-esteem. It can also break them when they fail. permalink fedilink source parent [–] Flocklesscrow@lemm.ee 11 points 2 years ago *one reason permalink fedilink source parent [–] klemptor@startrek.website 7 points 2 years ago Same here haha permalink fedilink source parent
[–] lath@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Some people love caring for fragile things. Boosts their self-esteem. It can also break them when they fail. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 32 points 2 years ago (1 child) Basically a 900LB Cocker Spaniel that's afraid of it's own farts and will eventually kill every single tree within reach. I also will never own horses. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment load more comments (1 reply)
[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 94 points 2 years ago (9 children) Sometimes they will die because they can’t puke. Also broken legs are usually fatal even with vet care. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 9 child comments replies: [–] LennethAegis@fedia.io 114 points 2 years ago (8 children) To add on why broken legs are fatal: its because horses are so big, that even with a sling, they cannot support themselves well on 3 legs. And lying down is also not an option as their own weight will crush their internal organs if they stay down for too long. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 8 child comments replies: [–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 60 points 2 years ago (1 child) Oh, wow, I had always thought that shooting a horse with a broken leg was an act of brutal expedience, not mercy. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago It's sad, but it's common medical practice in modern horse hospitals: permalink fedilink source parent [–] frosty99c@midwest.social 27 points 2 years ago Also, don't they need to run to move food through their digestive tract? Or to force themselves to cough if they have something stuck in their lungs? I think there is some sort of dependency of basic functions that relies on the movement of their lungs/stomach going back and forth while running that they can't easily do if they just stand in one place all day permalink fedilink source parent [–] Couldbealeotard@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Also their blood gets pumped through their hooves, and to much weight on one hoof can impede blood flow through their body. permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (4 replies)
[–] LennethAegis@fedia.io 114 points 2 years ago (8 children) To add on why broken legs are fatal: its because horses are so big, that even with a sling, they cannot support themselves well on 3 legs. And lying down is also not an option as their own weight will crush their internal organs if they stay down for too long. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 8 child comments replies: [–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 60 points 2 years ago (1 child) Oh, wow, I had always thought that shooting a horse with a broken leg was an act of brutal expedience, not mercy. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago It's sad, but it's common medical practice in modern horse hospitals: permalink fedilink source parent [–] frosty99c@midwest.social 27 points 2 years ago Also, don't they need to run to move food through their digestive tract? Or to force themselves to cough if they have something stuck in their lungs? I think there is some sort of dependency of basic functions that relies on the movement of their lungs/stomach going back and forth while running that they can't easily do if they just stand in one place all day permalink fedilink source parent [–] Couldbealeotard@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Also their blood gets pumped through their hooves, and to much weight on one hoof can impede blood flow through their body. permalink fedilink source parent load more comments (4 replies)
[–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 60 points 2 years ago (1 child) Oh, wow, I had always thought that shooting a horse with a broken leg was an act of brutal expedience, not mercy. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago It's sad, but it's common medical practice in modern horse hospitals: permalink fedilink source parent
[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago It's sad, but it's common medical practice in modern horse hospitals: permalink fedilink source parent
[–] frosty99c@midwest.social 27 points 2 years ago Also, don't they need to run to move food through their digestive tract? Or to force themselves to cough if they have something stuck in their lungs? I think there is some sort of dependency of basic functions that relies on the movement of their lungs/stomach going back and forth while running that they can't easily do if they just stand in one place all day permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Couldbealeotard@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago Also their blood gets pumped through their hooves, and to much weight on one hoof can impede blood flow through their body. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Kowowow@lemmy.ca 77 points 2 years ago (2 children) The term healthy as a horse is mostly survivorship bias permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] elxeno@lemm.ee 39 points 2 years ago (1 child) From what i read here there's no unhealthy horse, it's either healthy or dead. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago "So, Timmy, do you want to be healthy as a horse?" permalink fedilink source parent
[–] elxeno@lemm.ee 39 points 2 years ago (1 child) From what i read here there's no unhealthy horse, it's either healthy or dead. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] sukhmel@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago "So, Timmy, do you want to be healthy as a horse?" permalink fedilink source parent
[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago "So, Timmy, do you want to be healthy as a horse?" permalink fedilink source parent
[–] klemptor@startrek.website 30 points 2 years ago (10 children) They only have 4 toes total. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 10 child comments replies: [–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 41 points 2 years ago (1 child) And they run around at 60mph on the tips of their toenails. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 years ago I mean, humans run around on something that birds would consider knees, and stupidly try to support their entire body weight using only half their legs. permalink fedilink source parent [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 years ago (7 children) Humans have multiple toes because our ape ancestors used their toes like fingers. Having multiple, separate toes is probably bad for survival unless you're using toes to manipulate tools. Animals that have distinct toes include apes, geckos, mice, raccoons and similar animals which need them to grip onto surfaces or to manipulate things. There are predators which have separate toes because they're a place to mount claws: eagles, cats, etc. There are animals that have separate toes with webbing between for swimming. But, for a lot of animals, separate toes aren't really useful, so they've evolved away: elephants, rhinos, giraffes, horses, cows, etc. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] Seleni@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (3 children) Yeah, but at least most of those still have multiple toes to spread the weight around. Horses decided to get rid of that completely. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (2 children) Spreading the weight around using toes doesn't seem to be a useful strategy. It's also not something that humans do. Human toes are not at the weight-bearing part of the foot. And, while I'm sure toes are somewhat involved in agility, having individual toes doesn't seem to be. In fact, if you look at apes like gorillas and chimps, it's pretty clear that our toes have been getting shorter and less important as we've been evolving as upright-walking creatures who don't live in trees. Instead, the sole of the foot, which used to be much more like the palm of a hand, has been getting longer and sturdier. If you have separate toes, you have multiple fragile things that can break or be torn off. If you have one mega-toe it's going to be sturdy. That's probably why the heaviest animals have the fewest / smallest toes. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments load more comments (2 replies) load more comments (3 replies)
[–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 41 points 2 years ago (1 child) And they run around at 60mph on the tips of their toenails. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 1 child comment replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 years ago I mean, humans run around on something that birds would consider knees, and stupidly try to support their entire body weight using only half their legs. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 years ago I mean, humans run around on something that birds would consider knees, and stupidly try to support their entire body weight using only half their legs. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 years ago (7 children) Humans have multiple toes because our ape ancestors used their toes like fingers. Having multiple, separate toes is probably bad for survival unless you're using toes to manipulate tools. Animals that have distinct toes include apes, geckos, mice, raccoons and similar animals which need them to grip onto surfaces or to manipulate things. There are predators which have separate toes because they're a place to mount claws: eagles, cats, etc. There are animals that have separate toes with webbing between for swimming. But, for a lot of animals, separate toes aren't really useful, so they've evolved away: elephants, rhinos, giraffes, horses, cows, etc. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 7 child comments replies: [–] Seleni@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (3 children) Yeah, but at least most of those still have multiple toes to spread the weight around. Horses decided to get rid of that completely. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (2 children) Spreading the weight around using toes doesn't seem to be a useful strategy. It's also not something that humans do. Human toes are not at the weight-bearing part of the foot. And, while I'm sure toes are somewhat involved in agility, having individual toes doesn't seem to be. In fact, if you look at apes like gorillas and chimps, it's pretty clear that our toes have been getting shorter and less important as we've been evolving as upright-walking creatures who don't live in trees. Instead, the sole of the foot, which used to be much more like the palm of a hand, has been getting longer and sturdier. If you have separate toes, you have multiple fragile things that can break or be torn off. If you have one mega-toe it's going to be sturdy. That's probably why the heaviest animals have the fewest / smallest toes. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments load more comments (2 replies) load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Seleni@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (3 children) Yeah, but at least most of those still have multiple toes to spread the weight around. Horses decided to get rid of that completely. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 3 child comments replies: [–] merc@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (2 children) Spreading the weight around using toes doesn't seem to be a useful strategy. It's also not something that humans do. Human toes are not at the weight-bearing part of the foot. And, while I'm sure toes are somewhat involved in agility, having individual toes doesn't seem to be. In fact, if you look at apes like gorillas and chimps, it's pretty clear that our toes have been getting shorter and less important as we've been evolving as upright-walking creatures who don't live in trees. Instead, the sole of the foot, which used to be much more like the palm of a hand, has been getting longer and sturdier. If you have separate toes, you have multiple fragile things that can break or be torn off. If you have one mega-toe it's going to be sturdy. That's probably why the heaviest animals have the fewest / smallest toes. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments load more comments (2 replies)
[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago (2 children) Spreading the weight around using toes doesn't seem to be a useful strategy. It's also not something that humans do. Human toes are not at the weight-bearing part of the foot. And, while I'm sure toes are somewhat involved in agility, having individual toes doesn't seem to be. In fact, if you look at apes like gorillas and chimps, it's pretty clear that our toes have been getting shorter and less important as we've been evolving as upright-walking creatures who don't live in trees. Instead, the sole of the foot, which used to be much more like the palm of a hand, has been getting longer and sturdier. If you have separate toes, you have multiple fragile things that can break or be torn off. If you have one mega-toe it's going to be sturdy. That's probably why the heaviest animals have the fewest / smallest toes. permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Kowowow@lemmy.ca 9 points 2 years ago The term healthy as a horse is mostly survivorship bias permalink fedilink source parent