horses Page 297

Ah, horses—those majestic beasts that have been both our best mates and our back-breaking burdens for centuries. If you’re after the lowdown, they’re large, hoofed mammals, typically standing around 1.4 to 1.8 metres tall at the withers and weighing between 400 to 1,000 kilograms. Used for everything from racing to farm work, their speed can top 88 km/h in short bursts. Owning one means daily feeding, grooming, and a mortgage-sized vet bill.

For buying, Tradingpost and PuppyList (yes, that PuppyList) might surprise you with listings, but expect prices anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a sad-looking pony to tens of thousands for a thoroughbred.