Horse
For Educators: The Horse
The Horse examines the powerful and continuing relationship between the horse and humans. The exhibition explores the origins of the horse family, extending back over more than 50 million years. Examine early interactions between horses and humans that led to horse domestication and see how horses have, over time, changed warfare, trade, transportation, agriculture, sports, and many other facets of human life.
The Horse showcases spectacular fossils and cultural objects from around the world, including many from the Museum's extraordinary collections. This exhibition will include videos, computer interactives, hands-on activities, and touchable casts.
Educators Guide and Materials
More Resources for Educators
Use these free online resources to further explore themes presented in The Horse exhibition.
Activity
What Do You Know About Horses?
How much do you really know about horses? Test your equine knowledge with this interactive quiz. Don't worry, there's no grading—just a helpful look at the answers when you're done!
Science Bulletin
The Last Wild Horse: The Return of Takhi to Mongolia
This feature depicts the emotional reintroduction of Takhi to their last known home range in Mongolia's Gobi desert. The Takhi, also known as Przewalski's horse, is the last surviving horse species that has never been domesticated. An important national symbol for Mongolians, the Takhi also serves as an important case study for conservation biologists who struggle to support the viability of thousands of species on the verge of extinction.
Activity
Dress Up a Horse
Throughout time, people have dressed horses in different ways—sometimes for practical reasons, other times to reflect status or wealth. Explore the styles of horse dress from six world cultures.
Activity
Horse Gaits Flipbooks: Walk, Trot, and Gallop!
How many hooves of a trotting horse leave the ground at the same time? What about a walking horse or a galloping horse? Find out by making these photographic flipbooks.
Article
The Quest for the Perfect Tomato
The next time you eat a tomato, ask yourself: What would it taste like if there were a bit of flounder in it? Learn how scientists are using genetics to change the food you eat.
Article
Tree of Life
Investigate circular and 3D cladograms to see how scientists keep track of species and their evolutionary relationships.
Classroom Activity
Calculate Horsepower
Most car enthusiasts can tell you the horsepower of their favorite vehicle. But what does that measurement really mean? And what does it have to do with horses? Find out with this mathematical challenge.
Classroom Activity
Compare Hoof and Tooth Fossils
More than 35 million years ago, horses thrived in wet forests. Take a close look at horse fossils to see what paleontologists can learn from studying an extinct animal’s bones and teeth.
Article
Horse Power (SuperScience)
Try to imagine a world without horses. For starters, what would Paul Revere have used to make his midnight ride on, a cow?
Article
Horse Power (Science World)
Some scientists believe the fate of humankind was changed when humans first began to tame the wild horse. Learn more about how horses have shaped our world.