The name "horse latitudes" comes from the sailing era, when ships would often become becalmed in this region. Without wind to propel them, ships would become stuck, and sailors would sometimes throw their horses overboard to conserve water and food.
Here's why:
* Low Wind: The horse latitudes are located at the descending limb of Hadley cells, where air is dry and sinking, creating a zone of high pressure with little wind.
* Stuck Ships: Sailors relied on wind to power their ships, and the lack of wind in the horse latitudes meant their ships could become stranded for extended periods.
* Conservation Measures: Without wind, ships couldn't move, and they needed to conserve resources. Throwing horses overboard was a desperate act to save water and food supplies, as horses were a significant burden in terms of both food consumption and water requirements.
So, while the name "horse latitudes" has its roots in the geographical location, it's not a true geographical term, but rather a historical nautical term related to the region's challenging sailing conditions.