Horse Scientific Name: The True and Official Classification

What is the scientific name of a horse? The scientific name of a wild horse is Equus ferus, and the domestic horse is Equus ferus caballus.

The domestic horse scientific name is Equus ferus caballus. Horses are mammals in the Equidae family, characterized by high speed, endurance, and a long history of domestication. The scientific name of horse facilitates the accurate classification of these animals under biological taxonomy for scientists and researchers.

Scientific Classification of Horses

Domestic horses can be classified under the following system of classification:

The scientific name of horses follows the binomial nomenclature system, which helps to distinguish them from other Equidae species, such as zebras and donkeys.

Common Horse Scientific Name Meaning

The scientific name Equus caballus can be broken down as follows:

• Equus: This is the genus that horses, zebras, and asses, belong to.
• caballus: This species name specifically refers to the domestic horse.

Therefore, Equus caballus means domestic horse, placing the horse in the donkey family but identifying it as a separate species.

Horse Scientific Name Pronunciation

Pronunciation of Equus caballus:

• Equus: EH-kwus or EEK-wus (both are correct depending on region)
• caballus: kaˈbal-lus

Put together, it’s commonly pronounced as:

• (EEK-wus kaˈbal-lus) or (EH-kwus kaˈbal-lus)

That is how most scientists and veterinarians would say the name formally.

🐴 Interesting Facts About Horses

1. Horses sleep standing up:
   • Known as a unique mechanism that locks the horse’s limbs, it is much easier to rest because the horse does not have to fall.
2. Horses have an almost 360-degree vision:
   • With large eyes on their heads, horses have the widest field of vision. They practically see all around their body.
3. They determine a horse’s age through its teeth:
   • When birth records are not available, veterinarians try to estimate their approximate age by examining their teeth.
4. Horses use body language to communicate:
   • They use their ears, eyes, tail, and overall posture to express their emotions. Take pinned ears, for example; they usually indicate that the horse is angry or upset.
5. Horses have excellent memories:
   • They retain memories of people, places, and other animals for many years. This plays an important role when it comes to trusting humans.

List of horse breeds