Horse latitudes are the areas at roughly 30 degrees North and South of the equator where the Westerlies and Trade Winds diverge.

Definition

Noun

  • The latitudes of approximately 30 to 35 degrees North and South of the equator where winds are light and capricious.

Origin

18th century. Possibly owing to the idea that sailing ships becalmed in these waters would throw the horses they were carrying overboard to save water. The term could also come from the Spanish name El Golfo do las Yequas (The Gulf of Mares); possibly referencing the temperamental nature of Arab mares.

Comments

Nearly as feared as the doldrums, but a fact of life in the Age of Sail. Thankfully, we have no need to throw horses overboard these days because of the invention of water distillation plants and desalinators.

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.