Equines

Equus caballus

Equus asinus

January 1st

wall of hoof no longer parallel with distal-most bone of limb

4 inches. (2.5 cm in an inch)

the ground (palmar surface) to the withers

caudal to pinnae

dorsal surface. Caudal neck

highest point of caudal dorsum (rear end)

hip, stifle, hock (tarsus)[carpus/knee], fetlock, pastern

mini is in proportion. Dwarf is out of proportion.

under 8 hands. American Miniature Horse--teeth are normal size, back legs longer than front.

10-14 hands. Shetland Pony--Wide set eyes, relatively short limbs

14-17 hands. Thoroughbred. Powerful hindquarters, high-strung. (Tennessee Walker--rearward angle to rear limbs, Hanovarian)

17-19 hands. Clydesdale. Long rounded muzzle, long hair over hooves. Stockier, legs thicker.

• hot bloods (arabians, thoroughbreds) have a faster metabolism and bursts of energy.
• cold bloods have slower metabolism and are steadier. (Draft horses)
• warmbloods are a cross (Hanovarian)

like a light horse but less muscled than a thoroughbred (not a sprinter)

foal. Born January 1st

suckling

weanling. Weaned at 3-6 months, usually.

• colt-male
• filly-female

stallion

gelding

mare

yearling

aged or mature horse

mule. Sterile

Jack and Jenny

mule and hinny

Equus zebra. Grevy's (round ears) and Burchell's (pointy ears)

formal form of riding, looks at beauty of form

obstacle courses, speed, agility

on grass

on dirt. Kentuky derby

trot. Done with little cart called sulky

• dehydration - can lose 2 gallons of sweat per hour. Lathering.
• hyperthermia--fever when exercising or under anesthesia
• Monday morning disease, or "tying up"--super sore muscles after a hard run and a day off.

4 beats, equal time between steps

two beats, diagonal legs hit ground simultaneously

two beats, legs on same side hit ground together, faster than a trot. This is the natural gait of standardbreds.

fastest gait. 4 beats, not symmetrical. first foot is the lead. All four off the ground at one time.

horses are seasonally polyestrus. every 21 days in spring and summer.

pregnant female. "in foal"

11 months.

when colostrum appears on tips of nipples just before foaling.

heat 7-12 days after foal is born. Next heat 21 days later

a mare who has not yet had a foal or a horse that has not yet won a race.

"get"

stand at stud

horse that tests to see if a mare is in heat

large enough for the horse to turn around in

horse can't move around.

monogastric herbivore. cecal digestion of mostly fiber with some fruit and grains. LOTS of water. a 1000 lb horse needs 5-10 gallons of water a day.

hypsodont--keep growing through life. Can overgrow if jaw not lined up.

small sharp tooth with no purpose. Usually removed.

to file off the points where they don't meet up properly (hypsodont)

cheek side of tooth

tongue side of tooth

face-collar to catch and hold horse

halter with rope

twist of rope around upper lip, applies enough pressure to release endorphins and relax animal.

legs wide apart, neck forward, head down, pelvic limbs straight up

tissues that support the wall of the hoof

can be metal or rubber. There are corrective shoes for laminitis. Can fix split hoof with nails and wire.

outside body

inside body

endoparasite. Fly larvae.

endoparasite. GI worm.

rabies, tetanus, Eastern or Western Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Disease (neuorologic diseases), Rhinopneumonitis/influenza, Equine viral arteritis (often fatal viral inflammation of arteries)

mosquitos or biting flies spread. Coggins test identifies. Test required at horse shows. Treatment is quarantine or euthanasia.

heaves. Get heave line. Usually from allergies or viral disease. Seen in race horses.