What adaptations do horses have that help them survive the environment they live in?

Answer 1

They must adapt to new feed and new areas. If they are domestic they need to get used to new people and their style of riding. Depending on the rider they must be sensitive or quiet when asked. In the wild,they must adapt to watch for predetors and to eat quickly. Also,they don't always get water when they need. All horses need to get used to a new smell or feeling such as saddle blanket or dog. They all have to adapt to new horses as well.
Horses have a great many adaptations.

Horses occupy a niche. They specialise in poor quality grass that many animals won't eat. This reduces competition. Because the grass is so poor horses have grown very large. This is because the larger the animal the less energy it needs to extract from its food (think of a hummingbird or shrew, constantly eating), so the large horse can make do on the poor quality grass. The horse also needed to develop a way to digest the tough grass. It uses caecal digestion; bacteria break down the food. The horse also needs to eat almost constantly and doesn't digest its food as thoroughly as a cow or sheep, in order to get enough nutrients from its diet. The horse has sensitive lips to help select the best grasses.

The horses larger size also means that it is faster, which is important as a prey animal. The horse used to have several toes, but now has just one, known as a hoof. This increases the horse's top speed. The horse developed a longer jaw so it could see over the tops of grass stems while eating. The horses eyes are also placed on the sides of its head, giving it good all round vision to watch for predators. Horses also live in groups (a stallion and several mares, his harem). This means while some horses are relaxing others can keep guard. Horses have far better hearing and smell than us to help watch for danger.

Answer 2

It depends on what type of habitat it is really. Like if a horse from let's say, Central America suddenly went up to Alaska for the entire winter, their coat may thicken to keep themselfs warm. Now, if that same horse went from Alaska, to Hawaii for the summer, it's coat would become much thinner to keep themselfs cool.

Answer 3

they take time to get used to it.

in some cases depending on the weather of the area; like in Arizona due to the heat they wont have as thick of a coat as a horse living up in Kentucky.

The horse living in the hotter climate will need more water due to the heat as well

Answer 4

haha - we're learning this stuff in science: it depends on what the horse's environment is... but generally it has strong hooves to walk on either dry deserts, or other places like that (mustangs) also, it has strong legs to help defend itself from predators its long tail (if not cut) can bat away flies and other pests its head is designed so the horse can see from many angles, its delicate ears can swivel (idk if i spelled that correctly) around to hear from different directions ok your welcome for the answer hope you like my answer!!!!

Answer 5

it just stays there but if a preditor comes it hits it

Answer 6

Horses havea dapted in many ways:

when humans own them (demestic horses) we blanket them- more vonerable to the cold or heat. Add dietary supliments to their diet

Answer 7

Horses have adapted to their environment by growing longer coats in cold temperatures. They also get along with each other, so they can live together in packs.

Answer 8

Their long legs give them the ability to escape from predators. Their short fur keeps them unheated in hot climates.