SECTION B Lungeing, Insurance, Contracts and The Older Horse

Question 1

Why might you choose to use side reins?

Answer 1

Promote a more correct outline. Provide the horse with a consistent contact. Promote better bend and straightness and balance.

Question 2

Discuss the advantages / disadvantages to lungeing in a saddle or a roller

Answer 2

Saddle- more realistic experience, allows them to experience more weight, allows the sensation of stirrups, less attachment places
Roller- more attachment places, easier to use lunging aids, lighter

Question 3

What equipment would you use to lunge a horse in, and why?

Answer 3

Bridle with no nose and, lunging caves on, side reins, saddle, breastplate, brushing boots

Question 4

Discuss the workload for lungeing a horse with a level of fitness similar to Smudge.

Answer 4

Walk for a few circles on each rein, stretches the shoulders
Trotting to loosen up the joints
Canter to stretch the muscles, engage back, hindquarters
Don’t overdo it

Question 5

Discuss the workload for lungeing a horse with a fitness level similar to Rosie pony.

Answer 5

Walking with a little bit of trotting with some transitions and build it up slowly

Question 6

Discuss the workload for lungeing a horse that is fit enough for Novice BE one day events.

Answer 6

20 mins maximum, poles, spirals, transitions, longer cnaters

Question 7

Discuss your reasoning for using / not using canter when lungeing a horse. Give examples for each

Answer 7

Not in a young or weak horse due to lack of balance
Yes in fit , experienced horses as they can balance themselves enough

Question 8

How might you recognise that a horse was not coping with the work on the lunge?

Answer 8

Intense breathlessness, lack of balance, weakness, lack of power

Question 9

Why might you lunge a horse off the bit?

Answer 9

If they are really strong, gives more control

Question 10

Discuss different ways of attaching your lunge line to the horse.

Answer 10

Lunge cavesson off either front or side rings. Looped through inside bit ring and clip on outside. Wrapped round inside bit ring and then clipped to other side. Two lunge lines

Question 11

Are there horses that you would not lunge off the bit? If so, which horses? And why?

Answer 11

Young horses because it provides uneven bit pressure.

Question 12

What would you consider to determine if a horses is sufficiently exercised at the end of a lunge session?

Answer 12

Does the horse look less fresh? Have u gone through a reasonable programme for the horses type? Has the horse begun to stretch? Quality work? Warm? Heart and respiratory rate increased?

Question 13

How can you tell if the horse is become tired during a lunge session?

Answer 13

Stop stretching, r might start stretching more, hanging head low, stiff, dragging its feet, falling in, falling out, résistent to go forwards

Question 14

What points would you consider ensuring your own safety when lungeing?

Answer 14

Wearing helmet, boots, gloves, letting other people know how long you are planning to be

Question 15

In what ways could lungeing compromise the welfare of the horse?

Answer 15

They are falling to the inside so it is not going to be great for their inside joints. They are going to need to be balanced as otherwise they are going to fall

Question 16

Discuss use of the tack / equipment that might compromise the welfare of the horse?

Answer 16

Side reins will cause damage to the horse if not used correctly. If lunging aids such as pessoas are not fitted correctly they will be at risk of rangling

Question 17

What types of insurance is it sensible to have when keeping horse at home?

Answer 17

Public liability and veterinary insurance

Question 18

Which types of insurance should be mandatory, and which might be nice to have?

Answer 18

Public liability should be mandatory, veterinary is recommended

Question 19

If you kept your horse at livery, what types of insurance might you have?

Answer 19

Public liability

Question 20

Why is it sensible to have a livery contract?

Answer 20

Ensures that both the livery yard owner and the horse owner are in agreement

Question 21

Who benefits from having a livery contract?

Answer 21

The yard owner and the livery

Question 22

Can you give some examples of how a livery contract could vary?

Answer 22

Dependent of size of livery yard, type ( full, part, diy)

What about amount of turnout, whhen they can use the arena, what they are responsible for etc etc. Come up with some examples.

Question 23

How might we observe we are looking at an older horse?

Answer 23

Lack of condition, lack of muscle, poor coat quality, aged teeth, grey hairs around eyes and muzzle

Question 24

Do all older horses look the same? Outline some of the differences you might see.

Answer 24

Some may have more muscle tone than others due to whether they are still being ridden or if they are retired. Also some may be fatter if they are good doers. Some horses will have especially poor coat quality due to it being dull and curly due to Cushings

Question 25

How might an older individual’s fitness level affect the way he looks?

Answer 25

If the horse is fitter then it will be in a better weight condition than an unfit horse. It will also have much better muscle tone than horses that are not in ridden work due to it working the muscles properly in order to build them

Question 26

When might a horse no longer be able to work to his usual routine?

Answer 26

They can develop illnesses such as arthritis where they will be stiffer and may not want to jump or be ridden altogether.

Question 27

How would you make the decision to retire a horse from ridden work?

Answer 27

If a horse is clearly not enjoying their work and you have investigated as much as you see suitable for them, and they have still made no improvement or still font seem to be enjoying it then you would have a discussion with your vet to see if there is anything else they can do or whether it would be the best idea to retire them.

Question 28

What injuries might require a horse to be retired?

Answer 28

Injuries that are going to have a long lasting effect on the horse and cause it pain when being ridden. Or jnjuries that are going to make it unsafe for them to be ridden. Such as sight loss, severe tendon injuries, damage to ligaments,

Question 29

Can you discuss any conditions that may indicate a horse is no longer capable of work?

Answer 29

Arthritis will cause stiffening which will make it harder for a horse to work. Laminitis will mean that a horse needs to be on box rest and therefore will not be able to perform work.

Question 30

What are the pros and cons of retiring horses?

Answer 30

Pros- safer for the horse ( if ridden work was comprising their safety)
Cons- can cause boredom for horses. Harder to make them lose weight if needed.

Question 31

What are the dis/advantages of retirement to the horse’ owner?

Answer 31

Pros- less money to keep
Cons- can’t ride them, have to find somewhere to keep the horse, can to really sell a retired horse so usually end up keeping them forever ( even if they aren’t really in a situation to)

Question 32

Discuss the dis/advantages of retirement from the horse’s point of view?q as a

Answer 32

Advantages: lack of pain from being ridden, less strain on body
Disadvantages: bored, lack of routine, more likely to become obese, increased risk of EMS, lack of muscle, movement is harder, arthritis could worsen,

Question 33

What have you seen or heard about horses that have not thrived in retirement?

Answer 33

Describe Rosie pony

Question 34

Why might we consider euthanasia?

Answer 34

If a horse is living in pain/ discomfort and there is nothing that can be done within reason/ budget to make them any more comfortable

Question 35

What are some of the signs following an injury may indicate that a horse should be put down?

Answer 35

Not healing properly, still in pain, potential to need a surgery or treatment which the owner cannot afford eg colic surgery

Question 36

What are your thoughts on pain relief versus euthanasia?

Answer 36

Depends on the severity of the problem and how well the pain killers manage it

Question 37

When might a chronic condition indicate euthanasia?

Answer 37

If pain killers or medicines aren’t working. When the condition is confirmed as progressive and quality of life and welfare are significantly effectef

Question 38

What conditions in an older horse would you be able to tolerate before deciding upon euthanasia?

Answer 38

Arthritis that is controlled or manageable by medication. Cushings disease, slowly progressing weight loss,

Question 39

Can you describe two different types of euthanasia?

Answer 39

Injectable euthanasia and shooting

Question 40

What would be your preferred method of euthanasia and why?

Answer 40

Injectable as I feel that it is a less harsh way for the horse to die as it is in a more calm environment, usually in their field or somewhere where they are used to

Question 41

Is it legal to bury your horse at home?

Answer 41

No

Question 42

What options are available for body disposal?

Answer 42

Incineration and taken to the hunt kennels