World Horse Day 2025: 10 Amazing Facts And Why Horses Still Matter Today

Last Updated:July 11, 2025, 07:30 IST
World Horse Day 2025 Whether ploughing fields on organic farms or offering therapy to hospital patients, horses continue to serve the world.
World Horse Day 2025: On June 3, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 79/291, declaring July 11 as World Horse Day.(AI generated image)
World Horse Day 2025: Horses have contributed to humans for thousands of years. This magnificent creature has helped shape civilisations, transport people and goods, fight battles, and even heal hearts. From ancient nomads on the Eurasian steppes to modern Olympic arenas and backyard barns, horses have left an indelible mark on human history. Even in today’s high-tech world, their contributions may be quieter, but they remain deeply valuable.
Whether ploughing fields on organic farms, patrolling national parks with mounted rangers, or offering therapy to hospital patients, horses continue to serve the world.
As the world gears up to celebrate World Horse Day on July 11, we take a moment to honour one of humanity’s oldest and most loyal companions—the horse. Look below for the history, significance, 10 facts, and why horses still matter in the modern world.
World Horse Day 2025: History
On June 3, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 79/291, declaring July 11 as World Horse Day. The resolution encourages governments, schools, businesses, and individuals to recognise the importance of horses and address the issues they face in the modern world.
World Horse Day 2025: Significance
Celebrated globally on July 11, World Horse Day is more than a celebration. It is a tribute to the vital role horses have played and continue to play in our lives. It’s a day to recognise their enduring legacy, raise awareness about their welfare, and celebrate the unique bond between horse and human. It’s a call to protect the long-standing friendship, which still helps feed us, support our economies, and lift our spirits.
World Horse Day 2025: 10 Interesting Facts
- Horses can sleep both standing up and lying down.
- They have powerful memories. Horses can remember people, places, and other horses that they have met even years before.
- Foals are able to walk within a few hours of birth and can run within a day.
- Horses have a nearly 360-degree field of vision, as they have an average eye diameter of around 2 inches (5 cm).
- Their stomachs are relatively small in size, and so horses need to eat throughout the day to get the nutrition they need.
- Horses can communicate through body language. They use their ears, tail, and posture to express their intentions and emotions.
- Several wild horses have the ability to cross rivers and other water bodies to access food and resources.
- They are social animals and often form close bonds with other horses. If they are separated from their herd, they can become anxious or depressed.
- Horses have excellent hearing. They can rotate their ears 180 degrees to detect sounds in different directions.
- Despite their large size, horses consume five to ten gallons of water per day.
World Horse Day 2025: Why Horses Still Matter In The Modern World
- Food & farming: Horses continue to be vital for rural livelihoods, particularly in supporting agriculture and other essential tasks.
- Jobs & rural income: Working horses help 600 million people work, study and live with less physical burden.
- Therapeutic Programs: Horses are used in therapeutic riding settings, providing physical and emotional benefits for individuals with disabilities.
- Culture & tourism: They are also important in the tourism industry, with many farms and ranches offering horseback riding tours and hiking.
- Sports: Above all, horses are involved in sports like equestrianism, racing, and polo.

Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect…Read More
Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect… Read More
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