common equine terminology

Question 1

chestnut

Answer 1

• waxy growth on the inside of the horses’ legs (above the knees on the forelegs, below the hocks on the hind legs)
• no scientific reason for their presence

Question 2

colic

Answer 2

abdominal pain

Question 3

conformation

Answer 3

body form and condition

Question 4

cribber

Answer 4

a horse that grabs a fixed object with the front teeth and pulls back while making a grunting noise (eg, fence, stalls)

Question 5

cross tying

Answer 5

method of using 2 ropes to secure a horse so that the head is level

Question 6

cryptorchid (aka ridgeling)

Answer 6

a stalon with one or both testicles are retained in the abdomen

Question 7

Dam

Answer 7

female parent horse

Question 8

drench

Answer 8

to administer liquid orally, using a drenching bottle or large dose syringe

Question 9

farrier

Answer 9

aka blacksmith
- a persone who cares for horses’ hooves (includes trimming and shoeing)

Question 10

floating

Answer 10

• filijng down the ‘points’ on the mollars and pre mollars (performed by vet)
• points develop when the upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw (teeth don’t align properly, through chewing and grinding the teeth unevenly and form point

Question 11

Galvayne’s groove

Answer 11

• mark on the labial surface of the tooth (surface of the tooth facing the lips)
• used to determine age (usually appears around 11 years old)

Question 12

Hand

Answer 12

• measures 4” (measure horse from the withers down)

Question 13

Heavy/Draft horse

Answer 13

• an equine that stands over 17 hands AND weighs more than 1400lbs

Question 14

hobble

Answer 14

type of restraint in which either the front or hind feet are placed in straps to keep them from moving

Question 15

January 1st

Answer 15

• date used by many breeds as a common age determinant (for this reason many breeders try to foal out their mare early in the new year)

Question 16

light hores

Answer 16

an equine that stands 14.2-17.2 hands and weighs 900-1400lbs

Question 17

nearside

Answer 17

• the left side of the horse (the side where the horse is tacked up and led from)

Question 18

offside

Answer 18

the right side of the horse

Question 19

proudflesh

Answer 19

a raised lump of granulation tissue that is excessive (raised beyond the wound surface)

Question 20

sire

Answer 20

male parent of a horse

Question 21

sound
(when refering to a hores)

Answer 21

a horse that doesn’t exhibit any signs or symptoms of lameness or respiratory problems

Question 22

twitch

Answer 22

mode of restraint where a device is twisted on the upper lip or muzzle

Question 23

whorls

Answer 23

changes in hair pattern
(eg, cow licks)

Question 24

windsucker

Answer 24

like cribbing, but the horse exhibits the same behavior without grabbing a fixed object in the front teeth (can lead to teeth problems, poor condition, impaired digestions, and colic

Question 25

winking

Answer 25

opening of the labia to expose the clitoris while the female assumes a mating position