Happy Lunar New Year!
- ejharpist
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
It's the year of the Horse (and the Fire Horse) so I wanted to share some amazing horse facts to celebrate.
When I think of horses, I am reminded of...
One of our favorite lullabies, "All the Pretty Little Horses" sung here by Starling Arrow.
Horses are highly intelligent, and are very social.
Horses have evolved a lot over time; the earliest ancestors lived around 55 million years ago.
Horses can see in almost every direction (to keep them safe), since their eyes are on the side of their heads.
The recovery efforts of many who have helped Przewalski's horses return to the wild.
Cholla, the painter horse
"Happy New Year" painted by Cholla Horse hooves are constantly growing - they grow a new set of hooves every year. They don't have nerve endings in their hooves, so healthy trimming is okay!
Horse eyes are about 8 times larger than human eyes.
Wild horses of Assateague Island are descendants of the horses brought their in the late 1600s by settlers.
When a horse gallops, all four of its legs briefly lift off the ground - maybe flying horses aren't so far-fetched of an idea?
Since I was born in the year of the Monkey, it also seems fun to share some monkey adventures.
This past year, I was lucky enough to see baby monkeys - squirrel monkeys in the Children's Zoo (at the Bronx Zoo) and a new silvered langur (who starts life a bright orange). Watching a troop of monkeys playing is such a joyful experience, I feel honored to have seen these new babies! Look carefully to see the baby squirrel monkey clinging to its mama's back.
There are so many types of monkeys - Old World and New World - monkeys who swing through trees and monkeys who like to lounge in hot springs. Sadly, some people keep monkeys as pets or use them in science. I hope all monkeys get to be free and happy.
Enjoy this peaceful moment with Snow Macaques in Japan
Year of the Monkey 1908, 1920... every 12 years up until 2016 and looking ahead to 2028!
Here are a few typical traits of those born in the year of the monkey, according to The New Astrology by Suzanne White.
"They are stable, upstanding creatures who blaze trails and love animals. Monkey people are the nicest people you want to know, but when Monkeys get into mischief, hold your hats!"
Here are some monkeys that I have had the joy of seeing in person.
Whatever animals you align with, whether through astrology or other reasons, I hope you can find ways to show our animal friends some love.
Fascinating horses and monkeys, Oliver. Thanks for introducing them to us!
Thank you for sharing the link to "All the Pretty Little Horses", one of my favorite lullabies too. It's an exceptionally lovely melody. I learned about horses spending time with my dear friend Gillian on Whidbey Island. We spent time in relationship, playing games with them, similar to how they would engage with other, in order to respect whether they wanted us on their backs or not. Thanks again for the time and energy you devote to your wonderful blog!