Even though people in America don't use horses to get around much anymore, there will still be lots of places for you to go see horses in the future. One of these places is the zoo! Did you ever go to the zoo and wonder if the animals like to live in pens, corrals, or cages? All kinds of animals from other countries or different habitats are often displayed at a zoo for people to see.

Many times these animals live in zoos because some of them are unable to still live in their original homelands. A few of them are called rare or endangered species and they are able to receive the special foods and treatment they need in this protected environment. The zoo also provides them with a safe place to raise their young.

Certain members of the horse family already live in zoos like the horse's cousins: zebra, onager, donkey, mule, and burro. You can try making your own zoo collage using animal pictures from magazines, a piece of poster board and glue stick to arrange and glue down all of your pictures of animals.

Petting Zoos

What kinds of animals would you expect to see in a petting zoo? Most petting zoos include ponies. They also have cows, sheep, chickens, goats, and rabbits. Although it may seem strange to see so many different animals sharing the same barns and corrals, it isn't as odd as you might think. Herds of animals that live in the wild are many times made up of different animals like zebras, ostriches, and gnus.

Time For Some Zzzzz's

Which critter sleeps in which stall tonight? Follow the paths over and under to find out.

These animals choose to live together and use their special senses to protect one another. The zebra, like the horse, has a wonderful sense of smell; the ostrich is able to see movement at a great distance; and the gnu turns its head toward any dangerous-seeming sound. They all alert the herd when they fear something so the herd can move quickly away. If you aren't anywhere near a petting zoo, how about visiting the fair when it comes around? A lot of fairs have petting zoos included in their events.

Pony Rides

Children have always loved pony rides. They usually ride them at circuses, zoos, carnivals, or fairs. Many ranches also offer rides for their smaller customers. Ponies are the best choice for the beginning rider because a pony's build is smaller than a regular horse, so it is easier for the rider to climb on and stay on.

Have you ever heard of pony runs? A pony run is like the relay fund-raisers held at schools, only you would be riding your horse a certain distance to raise money for some worthwhile cause. If you're not involved in a pony run, how about joining a pony club to meet and share information with other people who like ponies? Some pony clubs organize rides for people who love horses and like to ride with other people in groups.

Living Together

What animal would you like for a pet? Most kids would say a dog. Other than the dog, a man's next best friend in the animal world would probably be a horse. People and horses have shared the Earth for millions of years, and will continue to work together in the future. They have been partners in work and in play, and many people could not have even survived without their horse, like the pioneers, cowboys, and Native Americans in the West.

There are specialized groups that help mentally and physically challenged people adapt to their world through horse riding therapy. Just riding a horse for a short time can help people to relax and feel safe and loved by being so close to a kind animal.

As time goes on, people are providing special places for horse to live in like sanctuaries or preserves so they are able share the planet with humans in safety. Some of these places conduct tours for city dwellers hoping to see a glimpse of these bands of wild horses.