Hippophobia is an intense and irrational fear of horses. People with this phobia feel extreme anxiety around horses, even if the animals are known to be calm and well-trained. To avoid potential harm, such as being kicked, bitten, or thrown, they often steer clear of horses altogether. This fear may extend to other hoofed creatures, including ponies, donkeys, and mules. A common trigger for this phobia could be an incident involving a fall from a horse, which explains the saying that one should immediately get back on a horse after falling.The term "hippophobia" comes from the Greek words "hippos," meaning horse, and "phobos," meaning fear. The Greek root "hippos" also led to the English word "hippodrome," which refers to the oval racecourses used in ancient Greece and Rome for horse and chariot racing. In modern times, "hippodrome" can describe any arena or building designed for performances and events.Another term for the fear of horses is "equinophobia," a combination of Latin and Greek origins. It is derived from the Latin "equus," meaning horse, and the Greek "phobos," meaning fear. The Latin root "equus" has also given rise to English terms like "equoid" and "equine," both of which relate to horses.Additionally, a common form of clubfoot involves the heel being raised and turned inward, similar to the positioning of a horse's hoof.
