Horse Husbandry

Question 1

What does arousal refer to when it comes to horses? Why is it important?

Answer 1

how alert a horse is; important because levels of high arousal are usually associated with unwanted dangerous behaviors

Question 2

What do you look at to determine horse arousal is a high level?

Answer 2

1. elevated head
2. backwards rotation of eye
3. ear angled back, sideways or rotated down
4. tension of face muscles
5. muscular tension in rest of body
6. flexing one or both hind legs (crouching)
7. hyper vigilant behavior (looking for escape route)
8. frozen still
9. Fidgety
10. horse does steps that are jerky and fast

Question 3

What are some signs that there is tension in face muscles?

Answer 3

elongated lips, more prominent chin, furrow/more wrinkles on upper eyelid

Question 4

What are the three things that high arousal in a horse can come out as?

Answer 4

Fight, Flight or Freeze

Question 5

What should you do before approaching a horse?

Answer 5

assess the horse’s behavior and decide arousal level. talk to it as you approach it, approach its neck from the side

Question 6

When leading a horse what should you never do with the rope?

Answer 6

1. let the rope touch the ground
2. wrap the rope around your hand
3. place fingers inside of rings or buckles in head collars

Question 7

When tieing up a horse what should you tie it to?

Answer 7

a piece of baler twine/string because should be able to break away if needed

Question 8

When trotting up or walking a horse what should you do?

Answer 8

1. position self mid neck on left side
2. use both hands to hold the rope
3. when horse starts walking release pull tension and when stop release backwards tension

Question 9

When adjusting a halter what should you remember?

Answer 9

1. noseband lie 2-3 fingers width below horse check bone
2. two fingers space between nose band and horse face

Question 10

What are reasons for grooming?

Answer 10

1. Cleanliness
2. improve appearance
3. promote health
4. prevent disease
5. maintain condition
6. helps bonding between humans and horses

Question 11

What are reasons for clipping?

Answer 11

1. increase heat loss by conduction
2. horse is easier to clean
3. less likely to be chilled due to long, wet coat after exercise
4. able to work longer and faster without distress associated with winter coat

Question 12

What do you need to remember when putting on a rug?

Answer 12

1. fold it correctly
2. put high on withers so pull in hair direction
3. fix chest straps
4. belly straps (not tangled)
5. tail and leg straps (cross)

Question 13

How should you take off a rug?

Answer 13

opposite movements of how put it on

Question 14

How do you measure a height of a horse?

Answer 14

from withers to ground

Question 15

how much is one hand of measurement in cm?

Answer 15

10.2 cm

Question 16

What are the horses front leg joints distal to proximal?

Answer 16

1. pastern
2. fetlock
3. carpal/knee
4. elbow
5. shoulder

Question 17

What are the back leg joints distal to proximal?

Answer 17

pastern
fetlock
tarsus/hock
stifle
hip

Question 18

What is a colt?

Answer 18

a male horse or pony up to the age of four

Question 19

What is a stallion?

Answer 19

a male horse or pony after the age of four

Question 20

What is a filly?

Answer 20

female horse or pony up to age of four

Question 21

What is a mare?

Answer 21

a female horse or pony after age of four

Question 22

What is a gelding?

Answer 22

a castrated male horse

Question 23

How often should a farrier come and visit a horse?

Answer 23

6-7 weeks

Question 24

What are reasons to shoe a horse?

Answer 24

1. high workload horse
2. prevet stone bruising

Question 25

What are problems with shoeing a horse?

Answer 25

the shoe isn’t flexible like the rest of the shoe

Question 26

What is day to day hoof care?

Answer 26

1. pick out horse off
2. put hoof oil on it to prevent cracks in summer
3. sealant to prevent damage from moist ground