Chevaux

Humans and horses have shaped each other for over 5,000 years — no animal did more to move people, plough fields and win wars, and even now the horse is the ultimate partnership animal, sensitive enough to read a rider's shift of weight and honest enough to mirror their mood. Every breed here traces to that bargain, from 90 cm miniatures to Shires near a tonne, from desert Arabians bred for endurance to draft giants bred for pull. A horse is the largest commitment in this catalog: they are herd animals that need equine company, daily turnout and movement, acres or careful management of grazing, and a budget for farriery every six weeks, annual dental floating, vaccination and worming. Two rules underpin all horse health — the gut and the feet. Their one-way digestive system makes colic a genuine emergency, so steady forage (grass and hay) and constant fresh water come first; and because they carry half a tonne on four small hooves, obesity and the laminitis it triggers are the commonest preventable disease. Get grazing, forage and hoof care right and a well-kept horse is a partner for 25 to 30 years.