Equine Flashcards
equine scientific name
equus caballus
foal
baby horse
filly
young female < 4 years
colt
young male < 4 years
stallion
intact male
gelding
castrated male
yearlings
1 year old horse
mare
adult female
what type of hoofstock are horses?
perissodactyla
light horse breeds
athletes
used for performance (racing, riding)
usually hot bloods (known to be more nervous and energetic): Arabians, Thoroughbreds
draft horses
known as cold bloods
large boned and heavy bodied breeds for heavy work
have calm disposition
ex: Clydesdales, Percherons
warm bloods
produced by crossing hot and cold blood horses to produce calmer temperaments but with athletic ability
ex: Trakehner, Hosteiner
ponies
smaller, temperament is typically conducive to kids
ex: stocky miniature, Shetland ponies
some ponies are proportioned similar to horses due to breeding with horse breeds
donkeys
equids that are descendants from African wild ass
burro
donkey of Mexican descent
smaller than most donkeys
mule
created by breeding a mare with a male donkey
considered sterile animals
flehman response
lifting upper lip when smelling to keep scent in
cats and horses have
how are horses measured (height)?
by hands from top of the hoof to top of the withers
about how tall are ponies?
~ 14 hands high
how do you approach a horse?
on the left side and let them know you’re there (close contact, gentle touch)
speak quietly, avoid sudden movements
look at ears to make sure horse is focusing their attention on you
how do horses control their ears?
can move ears independently
ears pinned back
stressed
how should you let a horse smell you?
hand palm up with fingers flat
sensitive areas on a horse
withers, flanks, legs, nose, ears
how should you not approach a horse?
going under the horse or directly behind (should be 15 ft from hind end)
don’t stand between a horse and a solid object
what behavioral signs indicate that a horse is upset?
whites of eyes visible, teeth showing
what does a swishing tail indicate?
could indicate irritation and about to kick
locomotive terms from slowest to fastest
trot, canter, gallop
horse stocks
confines a horse’s movements
how do you get a horse into a stock?
put on lead rope and halter, then lead the horse towards the stock, look forward while leading, stay on outside of stock to the left
lead shanks/chains and twitches
chains are used over the nose, under the chin, in the mouth, or under the lip
twitch applies pressure with intent to distract attention or induce endorphin release (only apply a twitch if the horse is haltered and has a lead rope in case the horse spooks)
are lead shanks/chains typically used in vet med?
not often used due to discomfort and possible harm to lip/gum tissue