Ostriches and horses are both known for their speed and endurance when running. But which animal is actually faster? There has been much debate over whether an ostrich or horse can run faster in a sprint or over longer distances.
Maximum Speed
When looking at maximum speed over a short distance, ostriches have been measured running up to 70 mph (113 km/h). This is faster than a Thoroughbred race horse, which has been clocked at around 43 mph (69 km/h) at their fastest. So in a short sprint, the ostrich easily outruns the horse.
However, horses are capable of sustaining faster speeds over longer distances. The endurance and stamina of horses is legendary, while ostriches tire quickly at their top speeds. Over longer racing distances, up to 2 miles (3.2 km), a fit Thoroughbred or Arabian horse is faster than an ostrich could manage at those distances before tiring.
Built for Speed
Both ostriches and horses have anatomical adaptations that allow them to run very fast:
Ostrich
- Powerful long legs for striding
- Muscular thighs for propulsion
- Lightweight bones
- Rounded body shape to reduce drag
- Ability to utilize elastic energy in tendons while running
Horse
- Long sturdy legs for fast galloping
- Larger muscles in hindquarters for propulsion
- Lighter bones than other mammals of similar size
- Sleek, aerodynamic body shape
- Flexible ligaments store energy on impact and return it during stride
These physical attributes enable both animals to run very quickly for their large sizes. The ostrich uses its powerful legs to take long fast strides. The horse gallops smoothly with its sleek body and muscular hindquarters.
Environmental Differences
Another factor to consider is that ostriches and horses have adapted to different environments which suit their running style:
- Ostriches thrive on the open plains of Africa. With plenty of room to build up speed, their long strides eat up the ground.
- Horses originated on the steppes of Central Asia, where they could gallop for long distances migrating or escaping predators.
If racing on an open track or plain suitable for its stride length, an ostrich may have an advantage over a horse. But on a more confined track optimized for horses, the horse’s galloping speed comes to the fore.
Racing Facts
There have been some races staged between ostriches and horses to try and settle which is the faster animal:
- In the 1880s, a series of races were held in England. Over distances from 100 yards to 1 mile, the horses always prevailed over the faster-starting but less enduring ostriches.
- More recently in the 1970s, an ostrich and horse sprint race was held in California over 440 yards. The ostrich won comfortably.
- Racing enthusiasts point out that these races prove that over short sprints, the ostrich is faster. But as the distance increases, the superior stamina of the horse wins out.
Role of Jockeys and Riders
Another aspect to consider is that horses are ridden by jockeys who know how to get the best performance from their mount during a race. The rider can motivate the horse to run faster strategically during a race. An ostrich running alone without a rider does not have this advantage. With a jockey, a horse may be able to pace itself better over longer distances.
Conclusion
The evidence indicates that ostriches can run faster than horses in short bursts over distances less than 1⁄2 mile. But over longer sprint or endurance distances of a mile or more, horses are faster runners. The ostrich’s superior maximum speed gives it the advantage in a short dash. But the horse’s mix of speed and superior stamina wins out over longer distances. So a horse and rider team would likely defeat an ostrich in a distance race of a mile or more.
References
[1] Carpenter, Rhonda. What Are the Maximum Speeds of a Thoroughbred Horse & an Ostrich? SportsRec, https://sportsrec.com/369979-what-are-the-maximum-speeds-of-a-thoroughbred-horse-an-ostrich.html, Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.
[2] Hill, Cherry. How Fast Can a Horse Run? Natural History Museum, https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-fast-can-thoroughbred-racehorses-run.html, Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.
[3] Hobgood, Will. Ostrich vs. Horse: Who Would Win? Runner’s World, https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20851505/ostrich-vs-horse-who-would-win/, Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.
[4] Lebourg, Alexis. Top 9 Fascinating Facts about Ostrich Anatomy. Wildlife Articles, https://wildlifearticles.co.uk/top-9-fascinating-facts-ostrich-anatomy/, Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.
[5] Silva, Melissa. Ostriches & Horses: How Do They Compare? Animals Mom.me, https://animals.mom.me/ostriches-horses-compare-8142.html, Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.
[6] West, John and Evans, Dennis. Biodynamics – Why a Duck’s Quack Doesn’t Echo. Popular Mechanics, Jan. 2000, https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a16145/biodynamics-why-a-ducks-quack-doesnt-echo/, Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.