Why Horses and Sharks Are Basically the Same (Kind Of)

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the classic horror flick Jaws. Of course, I’ll be seeing it in the theaters. But it got me thinking — horses and sharks might not be all that different…

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, the movie that forever made us think twice about getting into the water. While Spielberg’s shark, affectionately known as Bruce, became a pop culture icon, it got us thinking — and of course, when we think, we think about horses. Horses and sharks actually have more in common than you’d expect. So, in honor of half a century of cinematic shark terror, here’s a funny look at how horses and sharks are basically the same (kind of).

1. Constantly need snacks.
Horses want hay 24/7, sharks want… well, everything that moves.

2. Big teeth = big drama.
Whether it’s a nibble on your sleeve or a Hollywood feeding frenzy, those chompers get attention.

3. They spook easily.
Horses: “A plastic bag!!”
Sharks: “What’s that metal cage??”

4. Sleek, powerful, and oddly aerodynamic.
Horses on land, sharks in water—they both look like they’re built for race mode.

5. They make humans nervous.
Ride a horse for the first time = “This is terrifying.”
Swim with a shark for the first time = “This is terrifying.”

6. They don’t like when you touch their faces wrong.
Horses pin ears back. Sharks? …You might lose a limb.

7. They’re the stars of dramatic movies.
Horses = War Horse, Seabiscuit
Sharks = Jaws, Sharknado

8. Both have fan clubs.
Some people dream of galloping across fields; others dream of swimming with sharks. Both sets of people think the other is insane.