Horses Flashcards
1
Q
What is the scientific name for a horse?
A
Equus Caballus
2
Q
What are the 3 ‘bands’ that occur in horses social structure?
A
Harem/Offspring
- Stable core of mares ( >4 years old)
- 1+ Stallion
- Immature offspring
Mare & Offspring
- No stallions
- Together for around 6 months
Bachelor
- Young males
- Older males that are no longer in harem
3
Q
What are the 3 modern uses of horses?
A
Companion
Athlete
Work
4
Q
What is the underlying cause of the majority of horse problems?
A
Most issues with horses are man made as the way they now live goes against their instinctual and natural state.
5
Q
What are the issues with human dictated ‘herds’?
A
- No natural bands
-Unstable hierarchy - Separated based on age and/or gender
6
Q
Apart from herds what are other things that humans now dictate in a horses life that is unnatural?
A
Reproduction, exercise, diet, used individually, horse-to-horse contact
7
Q
Why do most donkeys that are referred to the vet put down?
A
They are prey animals so they mask their pain so well that when it is finally noticed it is too late
8
Q
What is the main way in which horses will communicate to each other?
A
Through their body language
This includes:
- facial expressions
- ear position and head height
- limb and tail movements
9
Q
What is the less common way in which horses communicate and what are their main reasons for using this?
A
They will use vocalisation (whinny, squeal, nicker, snort) for dominance, discipline, danger or separation
10
Q
Why do horses have strong flight or fight?
A
Because they are prey animals
11
Q
What are the 5 main signs of low arousal (calm) in horses?
A
- Ears neutral
- Ears occasionally moving
- Head level with withers
- Resting hind leg
- ‘Droopy’ bottom lip
12
Q
What are the 8 main signs of high arousal (excitement, stress, aggression) in horses?
A
- Head above withers (no longer level)
- Limbs moving
- Ears alert
- Ears flat against head
- Teeth bared
- Vocalisation
- Whites of eyes showing
- Tense neck muscles
13
Q
What are the two types of vision that horses have?
A
Monocular
Binocular
14
Q
Where are horses blind spots?
A
Directly in-front, behind or below their noses
15
Q
What is binocular vision?
A
Seeing with two eyes together to form a single image
16
Q
What is monocular vision?
A
The eyes work separately allowing a wider field of images on each side of the head
17
Q
What is the ‘near-side’ of a horse?
A
Its left side
18
Q
What is the ‘off-side’ of a horse?
A
Its right side
19
Q
Which side of a horse do you always work from?
A
The ‘near-side’ (LEFT SIDE)
20
Q
What are the two most common methods of restraining?
A
- Head collar and lead rope
- Bridle
21
Q
What are 4 less common forms of restraint?
A
- ‘Chifney’
- Chemical (sedation)
- Holding one leg
- Neck or nose twitch
22
Q
When, by law, are all equids required to have a passport?
A
6 months of age
23
Q
What must an equine passport contain?
A
Record of routine vaccines
If horse is intended for human consumption
Written narrative with drawn silhouette
Breeding history
Microchip number and owner details
24
Q
What organisations hold all horses passport info and microchip details and who manages this?
A
Held by: Central equine Database and National ChipChecker
Managed by: Equine Register for DEFRA
25
When writing a passport what must vets follow for certification and who supports the guidance on this?
10 Principle of Certification - RCVS
26
Can anyone make and certify an equine passport?
No, it must be done by a veterinary surgeon.
27
Where should microchips be placed?
In or adjacent to the nuchal ligament at the top of the left mid crest
28
What must you do prior to microchip implantation?
What must you do after implantation?
Scan the neck for presence of a microchip
Test that the microchip is functioning correctly
Re-scan the implantation site to confirm successful implantation
29
How should the microchip appear on the silhouette and on the narrative?
Silhouette: circled letter M, if the microchip moves the new location should be shown via an arrow attached to the microchip
Narrative: description of microchip location
30
What is the gestation period for horses?
When do horses hit puberty?
320-340 days
12-24 months
31
How would you describe these horses sex...
Female under 4 years
Female over 4 years
Uncastrated male under 4 years
Uncastrated male over 4 years
Castrated male of any age
Filly
Mare
Colt
Stallion
Gelding
32
What is the gestation period for a donkey?
When do donkeys hit puberty?
340 to 370 days
12-24 months
33
How would you describe these donkeys sex...
Female
Male
Jenny
Jack
34
What is the offspring from a Jack and a Mare called?
A mule
35
What is the offspring from a Stallion and a Jenny called?
Hinny
36
When measuring a horse what is one hand equal to?
4 inches
37
When measuring a horse where do you take the measurement from?
From the ground to the highest point of the withers
38
How many HH must a horse be to be considered a horse?
How many HH must a horse be to be considered a pony?
14.3 hh or over
14.2 hh or under
39
What are the definitions for these equine terms...
Yearling
Broodmare
Dam
Sire
Yearling: Horse between 12-24 months old (thoroughbreds, 1st jan after birth date)
Broodmare: female horse kept specifically for breeding
Dam: mother of horse/pony
Sire: father of horse/pony
40
When describing a horse what is the difference between type and breed?
The type of horse refers to its function, the breed of horse refers to what is is
ie. Breed: Shire horse
Type: Draught horse
41
What colour pen should be used to indicate a white marking on a passport silhouette?
Which pattern indicates a white marking on a passport silhouette?
If a white mark has a border of mixed colours and white hairs, how do you indicate this?
Red
Scores
Hatching
42
What are lay terms and can they be used when describing equine markings on a passport?
Lay terms are terms such as 'sock' and 'stocking' but these can NOT be used on the passport, they must be described using their anatomical location
43
Apart from white markings what are other characteristics that could be recorded on both the silhouette and narrative of the passport?
Flesh marks, 'prophets thumb', acquired marks eg. scars, brand, freeze mark, whorls, black spots on white markings
44
What are whorls and how are they drawn on the silhouette of the passport?
Whorls are areas of hair that change direction or flow and they are shown by marking an X
45
What are the two types of equine housing that exist?
Individual
- traditional stabling
- American barns
Group
- crew yards
46
What are the advantages to individual housing (especially traditional)?
What are the advantages to group housing?
They are ideal for box rest and prevention of disease spread
Allow more natural environment as horses are kept in small social groups
47
What would a well-designed stable include?
- suitable size (horse should be able to lie down both laterally and recumbently for REM sleep)
- adequate ventilation and drainage
- free from draughts and water damage
- allows free access to water (adults drink up to 50L a day)
48
How big should a stable be for horses over 14.3hh?
12ft by 12ft
49
What are the basic bedding requirements for horses?
Must be free from dust as its bad for the respiratory systems, must be non-edible (straw is a big no for bedding)
50
What is beneficial about 'grass-kept' horses?
Able to show natural behaviours like foraging, increases exercise and fitness, enables horse-horse contact, brakes up routine
51
What does good grassland management look like?
Access to fresh clean water, well-maintained field, regular removal of droppings to reduce risk of endoparasites, appropriate well-maintained fencing, natural or artificial shelter, appropriate stock density
52
What is the minimum numbers of acres recommended per horse?
1-1.5 acres
53
What are some of the consequences associated with poor grassland management?
reduced access to appropriate nutrition, increased risk of injury and disease, increased risk of endoparasites, development of undesirable behaviour
54
What is a poached field?
A field with lots of churned up mud resulting in no grass and a high risk of injury or illness
55
What causes mud fever in horses?
Standing constantly in wet soggy mud (shows as red sores just above hoof)
56
What are 3 poisonous plants for horses that can be found in the UK?
Ragwort, Oak, Sycamore
57
What is the mortality of ragwort, oak and sycamore for horses if ingested?
Ragwort: Fatal due to late onset clinical signs
Oak: Severe illness (must consume large quantities)
Sycamore: Rapid onset of clinical signs, deterioration within 6-12 hours, mortality rate of 75%
58
What are the lasting effects ragwort digestion can cause to horses?
Irreparable liver damage
59
What in oak/acorns causes illness to horses once ingested and what does it cause?
Tannic acid, it causes signs of colic and/or can kill them due to toxicity
60
Why must ragwort be removed before it flowers?
Once it flowers it is already releasing seeds
61
What in sycamore causes illness in horses?
The toxin Hypoglycin-A or HGA
62
How many sycamore seeds must horses consume for it to be fatal?
30g
63
Why do horses eat sycamore seeds?
They only chose to eat them when there isn't enough grazing available to them
64
What does routine pasture management involve?
Frequent removal of droppings (removes worms found in poo so horses don't ingest them again)
Fertilising and 'topping' pasture
'Resting' paddocks
Routine harrowing
65
What are the essential daily checks that must occur to maintain good grassland?
Checking water access
Checking fence damage
Checking for, debris, poisonous plants, rubbish etc.
66
What are the main impacts that horses have on the environment?
- Overgrazing and/or overstocking
- High parasite burden due to high faecal load
- Destruction of turf
- Disposal of waste bedding
- Carcass disposal
67
How can equine carcasses be disposed?
- Cremation
- Abattoir
- Hunt kennels
(- They cannot usually be buried)
68
What are the two types of equine rugs?
Stable rugs
- for stable, warm, not waterproof
Turnout rugs
- for girls, protective, waterproof
69
Why do horses wear boots?
What are the 5 types of boots?
Protects distal limb
- Tendon boots (for foreleg, jumping)
- Overreach boots
- Brushing boots
- Travel boots
- Fetlock boots (for hindleg, jumping)
70
Tail bandaging
How long can they be left on for?
What could cause tubing or sores if not ensured before bandaging?
When would owners tail bandage?
When would vets?
No more than 3 hours
Tail must be dry
Owners - for travel or before competing
Vets - to keep clean and out of way often for things rectal themed
71
Where are horses measured from when assessing height?
What is the form of measurement?
What is the maximum height for ponies?
The minimum height for horses?
ground to top of withers
hands high (hh)
Ponies = breeds which are 14.2 hh or below at maturity
Horses = breeds which are 14.3 hh or over at maturity
72
What are the two ways different body condition scoring methods?
What are two other methods to measure weight?
5-point (asses 3 main areas then all scores (0-5) added and divided by three)
9-point (assess 6 main areas the all scores (0-9) added and divided by 6)
Weight tape - not 100% accurate but can monitor fluctuations (lowest point of withers and close to elbow)
Electronic scales
73
How long should a twitch be applied for?
Short periods, ideally no longer than 5 minutes
74
When fitting a rug, which straps should be secured first?
Which straps often cross over when fastened?
Which order are straps undone when removing a rug?
Chest fastenings
Under belly straps
In reveres order, so from back to front
75
What is the purpose of a stable bandage?
What do brushing boots help to prevent?
When would over-reach boots be used?
To reduce swelling
Protect the tendons from knocks, scratches and bruises
To protect the heels of the front feet from being hit by the back feet in young horses or horses with long strides
75
Label the following horses in evolution:
76
When did the hyracotherium emerge?
What did its fore and hindlimb consist of?
What were its teeth adapted for?
How big was it?
52 million years ago
Fore = 4 toes ending in small hooves (useless 5th)
Hind = 3 toes ending in small hooves (useless 1st and 5th)
Browsing soft fruit and foliage
Size of fox
77
When did the mesohippus emerge?
What did its fore and hindlimb consist of?
What were its teeth adapted for?
How big was it?
35 million years ago
Fore + Hind = 3 toes ending in small hooves (useless 1st and 5th)
Teeth more for gracing diet
Legs longer, more suited to running in open areas
78
When did the merychippus emerge?
What did its fore and hindlimb consist of?
What were its teeth adapted for?
How big was it?
23 million years ago
Fore + hind = 1 hoof (3rd toe) 2nd and 4th present but small and don't touch ground
Teeth have higher crown due to predominant grazing
Increased body size
79
When did the pliohippus emerge?
What did its fore and hindlimb consist of?
What were its teeth adapted for?
How big was it?
15 million years ago
Fore + hind = 1 hoof (3rd toe) 2nd and 4th present but non-functional and hardly visible
High-crowned teeth for grazing
Increase in body size and lateral eye location
80
When did the Equus emerge?
7 million years ago
All current equids fall into 7 species of this genus!
81
Arabian
82
Thoroughbred
83
What is the name for the breeding registry for thoroughbreds in the UK?
General stud book
84
Connemara
85
Warmblood
86
Irish Draught
87
Welsh pony and cob
Section A: Also known as the Welsh Mountain Pony. Smallest of the Welsh breeds and may not exceed 12.2 hands high (hh)
Section B: Also known as the Welsh Pony. Slightly taller than the Section A but not exceeding 13.2 hands high (hh)
Section C: Also known as the Welsh Pony of Cob Type. Heavier and more compact than the Section B, but still not exceeding 13.2 hands high (hh)
Section D: Also known as the Welsh Cob. Largest of the Welsh breeds and must be taller than 13.2 hands high (hh)
88
Clydesdale
88
Cob
88
Cleveland bay
89
New Forest
90
Shetland
91
Fell
92
Suffolk Punch
93
Exmoor
94
Highland
95
Hackney
96
Shire
97
Dartmoor
98
Eriksay
99
Dales
100
What are some non-sporting roles horses are involved in?
What are some different sporting disciplines?
Roles:
- food
- transport
- military
- farming
- haulage
Sport:
- thoroughbred racing
- dressage
- show jumping
- eventing (dressage, showjumping, cross country)
- leisure
101
Who is responsible for overall governance, administration and regulation of the British horse racing industry?
British Horseracing Authority (BHA)
102
Which organisation is not directly associated with equine health and welfare but aims to widen participation within the British horseracing industry and create a sustainable future for the sport?
The Jockey Club
103
Who must all Thoroughbred horses bred to race in Britain and Ireland must be registered with and who maintain the The General Stud book for their breed?
Wetherbys
104
Who is the non-departmental public body which collects a statutory levy from horseracing bookmakers?
(money goes to lots of schemes like improving equine breeds and advancement in vet science)
The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB)
105
Who is the national governing body for all horse sports in the United Kingdom and what international governing body are they affiliated with?
British Equestrian
An affiliate to the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI)
106
Which organisation is a key point of contact on equine welfare in the UK?
Which organisation combined the work of British Horse Industry Confederation and the Equine Sector Council for Health & Welfare in the UK?
The national equine welfare council
British horse council
107
What legislations oa this stage do I need to be aware of?
- Veterinary Surgeon Act 1966
- The Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 and Farriers Registration (Amendment) Act 1977
- The Equine Identification Regulations (England = 2018, Scotland Waled NI = 2019)
108
How many Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) are there within the United Kingdom (UK)?
There are currently 81 UK Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs). Information collected by PIOs is held on the Central Equine Database, which is subsequently managed by the Equine Register.
109
Under which 'Schedule' of The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 are exemptions listed?
Schedule 3 of this act provides detailed guidance on treatment and operations which may be given, or carried out by, unqualified persons. Several amendments have been published which aim to clarify tasks which can be safely delegated to a number of individuals such as, qualified or student veterinary nurses.
110
At what age must an equine passport be issued?
Under current legislation, horse owners must apply for an equine passport within six months of the equids birth. However, the requirement to register a horse is governed by the location of the Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) to whom the owner submits an application. For example, PIOs in England must abide by The Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018, meaning the deadline for passport applications is within six months of a foals birth or before 30 November of the year in which they were born, whichever date occurs later.
111
When did the microchipping of equids become compulsory in England?
From 1 October 2020, the microchipping of all equines in England became compulsory; this includes those equines born on or before 30 June 2009. Equines born after 30 June 2009 should already be microchipped as this was mandated by previous legislation.
Microchipping in Scotland and Wales became compulsory slightly later in:
Scotland: 28 March 2021
Wales: 12 February 2021
112
All trained farriers must be registered with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) in order to be legally permitted to practice farriery.
True or False
TRUE
The 1975 Farriers Registration Act requires all farriers in England, Wales and Scotland to be registered with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) which is based in Peterborough. The Council is a statutory regulator undertaking the responsibilities set out in the Act which involves maintaining a register of farriers eligible to practise, regulating farriery education up to the point of registration, and regulating professional conduct. Any unregistered person shoeing a horse (in addition to enrolled Farriery Apprentices, Veterinary Surgeons, supervised student Veterinary Surgeons and those giving first aid in an emergency situation) is acting unlawfully.
113
According to The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, an act of 'veterinary surgery' is defined as ...
The diagnosis of diseases in, and injuries to, animals
The giving of advice based upon a diagnosis
The medical or surgical treatment of animals
The performance of surgical operations on animals
All of the above
All of the above
Section 19 of The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 defined 'veterinary surgery' as:
'The art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall be taken to include:
a. the diagnosis of diseases in, and injuries to, animals including tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes;
b. the giving of advice based upon such diagnosis;
c. the medical or surgical treatment of animals; and
d. the performance of surgical operations on animals.’
114
Only Category 1 and 2 equine dental procedures can be performed by Equine Dental Technician (EDTs) who have trained and passed an examination approved by DEFRA.
True or False
TRUE
At present all diagnostic and treatment procedures in the horse’s mouth are considered to be Acts of Veterinary Surgery under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. However, there is no specific legislation regulating who can perform an equine dental examination. In Great Britain, a wide variety of people perform equine dental procedures, with some being well trained and appropriately qualified Equine Dental Technicians (EDTs), and others being very inexperienced people who have had minimal training.
To protect the welfare of horses, the RCVS, with the assistance of recommendation agreed bythe British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT), developed a grading system of procedures that describes which procedures which could be safely delegated to suitably qualified EDTs (those who have passed an approved DEFRA examination).
This resulted in the following three categories:
Category 1: Those procedures which an individual can perform after recognised training without specific attainment of qualifications
Category 2: Additional procedures suitable for delegation to an EDT who has trained and passed an examination approved by DEFRA
Category 3: Procedures that can only be performed by qualified veterinary surgeons
115
What is the mostly used far,ework for the assessment of animal welfare including horses?
116
What are the 3 F's of equine welfare?
1. Freedom to move and perform natural behaviours
2. Friends, social animals so need regular contact with own species
3. Forage like hay, haulage and grass to ensure good diet and reduce disease risk
117
Which section of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 uses an adapted version of the 'Five Freedoms' framework to outline specific needs that must be met by those responsible for the care of an animal?
Section 9
118
How many species of the genus 'Equus' exist today?
Seven
119
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) governs how many independent member bodies?
18
120
Warmblood horses are predominantly used for which equestrian sporting discipline?
Dressage
121
National Hunt Racing
122
Irish Draught
123
What coat colour is this?
124
What coat colour is this?
125
What coat colour is this?
126
What coat colour is this?
127
What coat colour is this?
128
What coat colour is this?
Piebald
129
What coat colour is this?
Cream/Cremello
130
What coat colour is this?
Skewbald
131
What coat colour is this?
Dun
132
What coat colour is this?
Palomino
133
What coat colour is this?
Roan
134
Name each of the white markings:
A. Star
B. Stripe
C. Blaze
D. Snip
E. Interrupted Stripe
F. White Face
135
136
What would you call or how would you describe the circled black markings (A is on the hoof, B is on the legs)?
Black/Dark marks/spots
137
Identify the poisonous plant and what is can cause:
Ragwort
- irreparable liver damage
- often fatal as late onset of clinical signs (colic)
(must be removed at stage a as once it flower it releases seeds)
138
Identify the poisonous plant and what is can cause:
Oak
- accords contain tannic acid
- serve illness if large quantities consumed
139
Identify the poisonous plant and what is can cause:
Sycamore
- Atypical Myopathy (AM) or Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM)
- caused by ingestion of the toxin Hypoglycin-A (HGA) (only need to eat 30g for it to be fatal)
- rapid onset of clinical signs
- Deterioration within 6 -12 hours (mortality rate of 75%)
(to remove seeds must be handpicked out of the field) horses tend to eat these when there isn't enough grazing
140
What type of feeders are horses?
What type of diet are horses evolved to?
What does lack of a suitable diet lead to?
'Trickle-gut' hind-gut fermenters
- cannot be without forge for more than 3-4 hours
High-fibre
Negative impact on physical and mental health
141
What does equine forage consist of?
- grass
- hay or haylage
- 'chaff' (dried chopped forage)
- root succulents and by-products (eg. sugar beet)
142
What does equine hard feed / cereal / concentrates consist of and when would horses need this?
- cereal based mix of pellets
- includes essential minerals and vitamins
- fed is additional energy required
- can be life-stage and exercise dependant
143
Identify the following horse parameters:
HR
Resp. Rate
Rectal temp.
Mucous membrane colour
Digital pulse
HR - 28-44bpm
RR - 8-16bpm
RT - 37.5-38.5ºC
MMC - salmon pink
DP - absent/very weak
144
Where are intra-muscular injections administered in a horse?
Trapezius muscle
Pectoral
Gluteal muscle
Semimembranous
Semitendanous
145
Where are subcutaneous injections administered in a horse?
Loose skin in front of scapula
146
Where are blood samples and IVs placed in horses?
Jugular vein
147
What are the anatomical landmarks for IM injections in the Trapezius and Gluteals?
Trapezius - edge of scapula, cervical spine and nuchal ligament. Aim is to inject in the triangle approximately a hands width above the shoulder blade, around half-way between the nuchal ligament and cervical vertebrae
Gluteals - tuber coxae, tuber ischium and tuber sacrale. Aim is to inject into centre of triangle formed by these landmarks.
148
How could medicine be orally administered to a horse?
Syringe/drenching
Added to feed
Nasogastric tube
149
What should horses be vaccinated against annually?
As a minimum: Equine influenza (anual), tetanus (every other year)
Both need annual boosters
If competing some other vaccinations are required (eg. flu)
150
What key non-infectious disease should we be aware of in horses?
Tetanus
- life-threatening bacterial disease
- often fatal
- caused by toxin from Clostridium tetani
151
What key infectious diseases should we be aware of in horses?
Equine Influenza
- highly contagious
- effects rest. tract
Strangles
- resp. disease
- caused by bacteria Streptococcus equi
Equine Herpes Virus
- contagious respiratory virus
- some strains can cause neurological disease and abortion
152
What are the main recommendations for maintaining biosecurity with horses?
Routine monitoring of health
Isolating new arrivals (minimum of 21 days)
Preventing direct contact off yard
Ensuring good hygiene
153
How does preventative foot care work with horses?
How does preventative dental care work with horses?
Feet seen by a registered farrier every 4-8 weeks (frequency depends on the horse)
farriers work closely with vets
Teeth grow continuously, molars grinder down laterally but should be examined at least annually by a vet or registered equine dental technician who can advise what to do
154
What endoparasites can be found in horses faeces?
What are the two types of worming for horses?
Small and large roundworm
Small redworm (image a)
Tapeworms
Traditional
Intelligent
- strongly encouraged
- routine faecal worm egg counts every 8 – 12 weeks
- only worm if deemed necessary (200 eggs per gram)
155
What has 'stable vices' been changed to?
What are 'stable vices'?
What are the two catorgories they can fall under?
abnormal repetitive behaviour
Behaviours that are abnormal, not goal orientated, mo apparent ‘function’ and are rarely seen in ‘wild’ populations
Oral and locomotive
156
What are the 2 common oral stereotypical behaviours?
Wind-sucking
- arching the neck and gulping air
- no contact with surfaces
Crib-biting
- grasping surface with teeth and pulling back
- can be followed by a gulp of air
157
What are the 2 common locomotive stereotypical behaviours?
Box-walking
- Constant repetitive movement within stable
- eg. circling
Weaving
- rocking body and/or swinging the neck side to side
158
What can cause stereotypical behaviours in horses?
Self-soothing mechanism taught by themselves (cannot be taught by others)
Indicates sub-optimal conditions in current or previous environments
Causes could be...
...inappropriate diet or feeding practices
... limited social contact
... locomotive restrictions due to inappropriate housing
... abrupt inappropriate weaning methods
159
Can stereotypical behaviours be prevented?
What are some physical preventions?
Not really, preventative measures can cause more stress. It is better to try and ensure that their welfare requirements are being best met (housing, husbandry/management, social, diet and feeding behaviour).
Physical prevention:
- cribbing strap/collar
- aversive liquids
- anti weaving bars
Definitely not surgical prevention.
160
