equine management systems Flashcards
Why are wild horses generally at a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries when compared to solitary?
Wild horses travel hundreds of miles to locate forage
Which pasture is more likely to be nutritionally dense- wild or solitary?
Wild forage
- Solitary: Barns may prioritize aesthetics of their pasture vs nutrient density (compared to natural environment)
Are wild or solitary horses more likely to develop behavioral issues?
Solitary
- hours of lone confinement in barn stall; some owners only have one horse, etc.
- horses innately are HERD animals
How does a horse’s living environment and husbandry relate to their use as a horse?
- Show horses: kept in a stall with limited turnout. May travel every week.
- Breeding horses: kept out in herds
- Owners w/ no property: pay to board their horses at stables and get taken out to ride, work, etc.
What are the two types of bedding used in horse stalls? Advantages (+) / Disadvantages (-) of each?
Straw; Wood shavings
Straw
- (+) = cheap & warm
- (-) = dusty, non-absorbent & high ammonia build-up levels
Wood shavings
- (+) = absorbent, cushiony
- (-) = dusty; if contains black walnut shavings, can lead to toxicity if ingested -> laminitis, colic
What are the two types of flooring used in horse stalls? Advantages (+) / Disadvantages (-) of each?
Dirt; Concrete
Dirt
- (+) = absorbent, cushiony
- (-) = impossible to disinfect
Concrete
- (+) = easy to clean
- (-) = very hard surface (uncomfortable)
Important factors when considering pasture turnout (7)
- size
- frequency
- fencing (y/n)
- available water source(s)
- available shelter (shade, precipitation)
- contact with other animals (horses, wildlife, pets)
- geographical location influences pasture characteristics / forage
How/when to assess a horse’s conformation (3) and why we do this.
- Pre-purchase exam
- Lameness / Neurologic exam
- Rapport with owner
Conformation relates to a horse’s musculoskeletal system and any abnormalities that may affect the horse’s movement / performance / overall well-being.
Horse tack
- definition
- examples
Tack: any equipment or accessories equipped on a horse with purposes of controlling the animal for its domestication use
- saddle
- harness
- bits
- stirrups
- reins
each discipline has its own specific tack
English versus Western Riding:
- uses
- rider position
English: fox hunting, racing; riser needs to be up/out of saddle, so there needs to be LESS security
Western: direct cattle on ranches; rider is securely sat in saddle for long durations
____ run @ a gallop / maximal intensity, while ____ move @ a trot.
__Thoroughbreds__ run @ a gallop / maximal intensity, while __Standardbreds__ move @ a trot.
Equus Africanus Asinus (donkeys & mules)
Donkey: list the behavioral and anatomical differences from horses.
Mule: define a “mule” vs a “hinny”
Donkeys
- Are more stoic & pain may be difficult to assess
- Different hoof and dental anatomies
- Have more regional adiposity / higher BCS than horses
Mules
- “Mule” = male donkey (Jack) + female horse (mare)
- “Hinny” = female donkey (Jenny) + male horse (stallion)
- BOTH are reproductively sterile
Equus Ferus Caballus (Domestic Horse)
Ponies versus Mini Horses
Pony - Conformationally different from horses; usually a size b/w horse and mini horse
Mini Horse - Conformationally similar to horses, just much smaller than horses
Mini horses are essentially bred to be identical to horses, just smaller
Interpret a horse that is 67”
Measurement is by hand, which = 4 inches
- 67” = 16 hands + 3 inches
- A horse = anything ≥ ____ hands
- A pony is anything ≤ ____ hands
- Horse = ≥ 14.3 hands
- Pony = < 14.2 hands
or 14 hands and 3 inches / 2 inches
Which equine discipline is most at-risk for infectious disease concerns?
Thoroughbred racing; harness racing (standardbred)
Which breed holds the largest global breed registry and was originally bred for sprinting?
American Quarter Horse
What health concerns is the Appaloosa predisposed to?
- Recurring uveitis
- Ocular squamous cell carcinoma
What breed is used for speed & flat racing?
Thoroughbreds
Equine Viral Arteritis most commonly affects these harness race horses:
Standardbreds
What does the Arabian breed excel at? What health concern do these horses have?
Excel @ endurance racing; predisposed to multiple hereditary disorders
The American Saddlebred is mostly predisposed to what health concern?
Developmental orthopedic disease
Which breed is known for it’s smooth, 4-beat walk and has health concerns associated with inhumane training methods and stoicism (i.e. for assessing pain)?
Tennessee Walking Horse
Which breed excels at Dressage, Hunters, & Jumpers?
Warmbloods (european sport horses)
Which breeds are used for work and are predisposed to laryngeal hemiplegia?
Draft Horses: Clydesdale, Belgian, Percheron
Laryngeal hemiplegia = paralysis of half of the larynx
In the U.S., most horses are used for what?
Recreational use
