Equine Flashcards
Behavioural characteristics of horses
Flee when they perceive a threat
Establish hierachy based on dominance & submission
Strong social bonds
Equine housing types
Traditional stabling
Crew yard
American barn
Grass kept
Equine housing requirements
Suitable stable size
Free access to water
Adequate ventilation
Bedding = shavings, cardboard or straw
Equine nutritional requirements
Hind-gut fermenters
Most digestion occurs via continual microbial fermentation in caecum & colon
Non-ruminant herbivores
Good quality forage should form majority of diet
Hay, haylage & grass
Trickle feeders
Eat little but often
High fibre diet
Outline grassland management of horses
Access to fresh & clean water
Good fencing
Good quality grass
Droppings removed weekly
Appropriate stocking density
Access to shelter
Environmental impact of horses
Overgrazing
High parasite burden
Destruction of turf
Carcass disposal
Disposal of waste bedding
Equine heart & resp rate at rest
Heart rate = 28-44 bpm
Resp rate = 8-16 bpm
Key equine non-infectious diseases
Tetanus
Life-threatening
Caused by toxin from Clostridium tetani
Key equine infectious diseases
Equine influenza
Highly contagious viral disease
Effects respiratory tract
Strangles
Respiratory disease
Caused by bacteria Streptococcus equi
Equine herpes virus
Contagious respiratory virus
Some strains can cause neurological disease & abortion
Equine preventative health care - vaccinations
Horses should be vaccinated against Equine Influenza & Tetanus annually
Some other vaccinations compulsory for competitions
Equine preventative health care - farriery
Feet trimmed & replacement shoes every 4-8 weeks
Frequency depends on work level & surfaces worked on
Farriers work closely with vets when remedial shoeing is required
Equine preventative health care - anthelmintics
Worming against wide range of equine parasites
Small & large roundworm, small redworm, tapeworm, lungworm
Equine preventative health care - dentistry
Equine teeth grow continuously
Molars grind laterally – causes sharp hooks to develop
Teeth should be examined at least once a year by vet surgeon or equine dental technician
Hooks rasped & general oral health assessed
3 main areas assessed in equine body condition scoring
Neck, ribs, pelvis
What are abnormal repetitive behaviours in horses
Not goal orientated
Rarely seen in wild
No function
Causes vary but include:
Pain, Stress, Maternal separation, Lack of social contact, Inappropriate environment &/or diet
Can’t be learnt by watching other horses
List common equine abnormal repetitive behaviours
Wind-sucking – gulping in air
Crib-biting – grasping surface with teeth followed by gulp of air
Box-walking – constant movement around stable
Weaving – rocking body or swinging neck side to side
Thoroughbred key organisations
British Horseracing Authority (BHA) - responsible for overall governance, administration & regulation of British horseracing industry
Jockey Club – aims to widen participation within British horseracing & create sustainable future for sport
Wetherbys – all thoroughbred horses bred to race in Britain & Ireland registered & maintain general studbook for thoroughbreds
Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) - collects levy from horseracing bookmakers & applies funs to schemes such as improving equine breeds & advancement of vet science
Sport horse industry key organisations
British Equestrian – national governing body for all horse sports in UK
Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) - international governing body of equestrian sports
Coordinates calendar of events, disciplinary procedures & doping controls
Oversees training of British international judges, stewards, veterinary professionals & course designers
Equine welfare key organisations
National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) - key point of contact on equine welfare in UK
British Horse Council – engages with UK ministers & government officials to discuss equine identification, breeding, abandonment & disease surveillance
Veterinary surgeons act 1966
Only qualified veterinary surgeons can perform acts of veterinary surgery
Certain exemptions for:
Veterinary students
AI technicians
Equine Dental technicians
Registered veterinary nurses
Farriers registration act 1977
Only trained & registered farriers can perform acts of farriery
Act doesn’t apply to foot trimming when shoe is not required
Exceptions:
Farrier apprentices
Veterinary surgeons
Trainee veterinary surgeons (supervised)
Persons rendering immediate first-aid in event of veterinary emergency
Equine identification regulations 2018
All equids must have passport by 6 months of age which
Describes animal by breed, colour & species
Lists all vaccination
Names registered owner
Details whether animal is intended for human consumption
Passport applications are completed by qualified veterinary surgeons
Keeper must ensure passport accompanies horse when:
Its moved out of UK
Used for competition or breeding
Moved to new premises or keeper
Consigned to slaughter for human consumption
Equine evolution names & adaptations
Hyracotherium –> Mesohippus –> Merychippus –> Pliohippus –> Equus
Forelimb: 4 toes ending in small hoof like appendages –> single hoof (3rd toe)
Hindlimb: 3 toes ending in small hoof like appendages –> single hoof (3rd toe)
Teeth adapted for browsing –> high-crowned teeth suited to grazing
Breed & use
Arabian
Endurance racing
Breed & use
Thoroughbred
Horseracing
Breed & use
Connemara
Versatile
Breed & use
Warmblood
(Hanoverian, Holsteiner, Belgian & Dutch warmblood, Oldenburg)
Showjumping & dressage
Breed & use
Irish draught
Showjumping & eventing
Breed & use
Welsh pony & cob
Riding & driving
Breed
Cob
Color
Dun
Color
Roan
Color
Palomino
Color
Appaloosa
What is the difference between Piebald and Skewbald
Piebald is white on black
Skewbald is white on any other color
Both Piebald and Skewbald are examples of Pinto horses
What are the roles/uses of horses
Thoroughbred racing
Dressage
Show jumping
Eventing
Leisure
What are current equine issues
Obesity:
Rates as high as 70%
Increases risk of laminitis & hyperlipaemia
Impairment of normal thermoregulation
Anthelmintic resistance:
Horse owners not always careful when deworming
Mortality with intestinal worms high
No new deworming products under development
Use of horses for sport:
Sustainability of equestrian sports under increased scrutiny
