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A. Not really! Horse latitudes are actually areas in which the winds blow lightly. They are similar to areas along the equator called "doldrums" (doldrums means dullness).

The name "horse latitudes" originated when ships from New England carrying cargoes of horses sailed through these calm areas.

Stranded between ports without enough wind, their water supplies became dangerously low. The thirsty crews threw horses overboard because they didn't have enough water to share. Some of the horses had already died from thirst.

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