Section D Tacking Up for Dressage and Healthcare

Question 1

What conformation problems have proved difficult to resolve when fitting a saddle previously?

Answer 1

Very low and very high withers, lack of shoulders

Question 2

When would you use a double bridle?

Answer 2

At dressage levels equivalent and above Elementary

Question 3

What do you consider about the structure of the mouth before you choose a bit?

Answer 3

size of tongue, length of lips, width of mouth, conformation of the soft palate.

Question 4

How can the length of the curb bit shanks affect the action of the bit?

Answer 4

The longer the shank the more pressure it puts on the poll

Question 5

How does a double bridle work?

Answer 5

The bradoon acts directly on the horse’s tongue, the bars of the mouth and the lips. It is the main rein for steering and restraining the horse. The curb should lie just below the bradoon

Question 6

What points do you consider when selecting a saddle?

Answer 6

Usage eg dressage, jump etc. Shape of horse. Size of horse. Budget.

Question 7

What, in your opinion, are the dis/advantages of different types of girths?

Answer 7

Stud girths- protect the horse chest from stud marks. Can be bulky
Sheepskin girths- better for sensitive skinned horses. Can make them sweat more
Leather girths- easy to clean. Can be bulky

Question 8

Explain how and why the leg protection differs for some of the major sports?

Answer 8

Dressage usually wear brushing boots and overreach boots for protection when horses extend their stride however boots are not allowed in the competition ring. Showjumpers tend to wear open fronted tendon boots. They are made with a hard shell to provide further protection and shock absorption. They are mainly designed to protect the tendons. Cross country horses wear brushing boots to protect them from knocks on hard jumps. They also tend to wear overreach boots to protect them further.

Question 9

What kind of problems can arise from using leg protection incorrectly?

Answer 9

Poorly fitted boots can cause rubs which can be irritating for the horses. Poorly deigned boots lacking ventilation such as sheepskin boots can heat the tendons.

Question 10

Where are wolf teeth located and why are they considered a potential problem?

Answer 10

Just in front of the first cheek tooth. More common on the bottom jaw but can be on top too

Question 11

Explain how to examine a horse’s teeth safely?

Answer 11

Standing on the horse’s left side, facing the horse, and using your left hand, with your right hand on the headcollar, lift the side of the lip

Question 12

What programme of care should be in place for a horse’s mouth?

Answer 12

They should see a vet or equine dental technician every 6 months to check their teeth

Question 13

How might dental care differ in an older horse?

Answer 13

They may need to see one more often as their teeth are going to be more prone to breakages and problems

Question 14

Describe how you would examine for wolf and sharp teeth.

Answer 14

Put your thumb in the mouth to check for the wolf teeth in the upper jaw, in front of the cheek teeth. Sharp points, with thumb on the inside of the mouth.

Question 15

What symptoms might a horse show if it is uncomfortable in its mouth?

Answer 15

Opening their mouth whilst being ridden, smiling whilst being ridden, quidding, difficulty chewing, salivanting excessively, being off food, bad breath, swelling

Question 16

How often might you use an equine dental technition?

Answer 16

At least yearly, checked every 6months

Question 17

Why is it necessary to bandage the opposite leg when bandaging for first aid?

Answer 17

Gives both legs the same weight distribution. And tendon support

Question 18

How long do you leave it on, and what is the danger of leaving the bandage on too long?

Answer 18

Remove it and check the leg every 12 hours, and the danger of leaving it on too long is that you can get rubs.

Question 19

What are the areas of the horse’s limb we have to be mindful of when bandaging?

Answer 19

Back of hock, back of knee because they are bony areas and they get rubs easily. Areas of high motion, areas pf little flesh cover.

Question 20

What is bio security?

Answer 20

The prevention of disease spreading into a yard

Question 21

Why is bio security necessary?

Answer 21

For the safety of horses to prevent the spread of disease through different yards

Question 22

Where should bio security be used?

Answer 22

Everywhere in the horses environment. It is to prevent spread of contagious diseases.

Question 23

Please explain the difference between contagious and infection.

Answer 23

Contagious spreads between horses and infection is caused by microorganisms.

Question 24

How can we protect horses against contagion?

Answer 24

Vaccinations up to date, reducing contact with horses of unknown disease status and newly acquired horses, not sharing drinking buckets at horse shows, keeping as much distance between unknown horses,
Not sharing feed buckets, bits. Isolation of sick horses.

Question 25

What measures could you put in place in your yard to protect horses from infection?

Answer 25

Vaccinations up to date, reducing contact with horses of unknown disease status and newly acquired horses, not sharing drinking buckets at horse shows, keeping as much distance between unknown horses,
Not sharing feed buckets, bits. Isolation of sick horses.

Question 26

What is involved in protecting your horse from tetanus?

Answer 26

Getting tetanus jabs every 6 months

Question 27

Explain the importance of protecting your horse from flu.

Answer 27

We don’t want horses t be sick for their welfare.
Not able to do their jobs
Can spread to other horses
Costs money to isolate them.

Question 28

What are the current guidelines for flu vaccinations when competing at Pony club competitions?

Answer 28

Question 29

Describe what you look for in a passport to check that a horse is up to date with its vaccinations.

Answer 29

The vaccination section at the back of the passport, you can see what, when, where and what it was for.

Question 30

Describe the symptoms that may show a horse has a problem with the upper respiratory tract.

Answer 30

Cough, respiratory noise, nasal discharge, difficulty swallowing

Question 31

How do you decide whether the problem is minor, or whether it may be more serious?

Answer 31

Breathing problems, being off their food, weight loss, temperature, not swallowing properly, nosebleeds

Question 32

How do you know whether bleeding is severe or not?

Answer 32

Colour, artery is most serious as it spurts. Vein gushes. Capillaries ooze.

Question 33

Have you ever dealt with severe bleeding, what did you do?

Answer 33

No but I would, check there is nothing stuck out so that when I put pressure on the wound it doesn’t push it in. Keep pressure on. If bleeding goes through the material put another on the top.

Question 34

Describe soft tissue injury.

Answer 34

Muscles, ligaments, tendons, connective tissues. Reduced function, pain, swelling,

Question 35

Where on the horse do you find soft tissue injuries?

Answer 35

Muscles, ligaments, tendons, connective tissues

Question 36

What soft tissue conditions can the owner treat, and which conditions require veterinary assistance?

Answer 36

Vet: areas over joints, suspected tendon and ligament injury’s
Owner: muscles, connective tissues

Question 37

How can the owner treat some conditions?

Answer 37

Hot and cold therapy’s, massage, controlled excercise, stretches, time, rest

Question 38

Please name some of the treatments that a vet might suggest soft tissue

Answer 38

Rest, cold therapy, anti inflammatory, laser, therapeutic ultrasound, shockwave, reintroduction to controlled excercise, stem cells

Question 39

Have you had any experience of soft tissue treatment, what was involved?

Answer 39

Yes, tendon injury. Cold hosing, rest, in hand walking.

Question 40

Please describe a couple of skin conditions.

Answer 40

Mud fever, cellulitis, sweet itch, ringworm, rainscald

Question 41

Give some idea of treatments for some skin conditions.

Answer 41

Mud fever- keep them in the dry, anti biotics or anti-inflammatoires, barrier creams
Ring worm- oral anti fungal drug or anti fungal shampoo

Question 42

Have you any experience of treating a skin condition, what did you do?

Answer 42

Sweet itch, they wear a boet rug, sweetch itch vaccine, steroid creams, cavaesse.

Question 43

A horse develops little lumps under the skin. Please tell me what you might consider and what you would do.

Answer 43

rain scald, clean with chlorohexidine and put a rug on them. nettle rash, give it time and it should go away. could use cold compresses

Question 44

Please explain how you would recognise an eye problem.

Answer 44

squinting, have gunk coming out of their eye, red, swollen, eyelashes uneven.

Question 45

How can you prevent an eye problem from getting worse?

Answer 45

put a fly mask on to prevent irritation, keep them in a darker stable, clean away discharge, provide the medication if given by vet, un dusty hay and shavings