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.

Question 15

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

Question 16

How often might you use an equine dental technition?

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

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

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?

Question 23

Please explain the difference between contagion and infection.

Question 24

How can we protect horses against contagion?

Question 25

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

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.

Question 28

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

Question 29

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

Question 30

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

Question 31

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

Question 32

What problems are not related to illness?

Question 33

How do you know whether bleeding is severe or not?

Question 34

How does this relate to the type of blood vessel that is bleeding?

Question 35

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

Question 36

Explain what you would do with a cut that was bleeding badly.

Question 37

Describe soft tissue injury.

Question 38

Where on the horse do you find soft tissue injuries?

Question 39

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

Question 40

How can the owner treat some conditions?

Question 41

Please name some of the treatments that a vet might suggest

Question 42

Please describe some of the treatments for soft tissue injuries.

Question 43

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

Question 44

Please describe a couple of skin conditions.

Question 45

Give some idea of treatments for some skin conditions.

Question 46

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

Question 47

Please explain what ring worm looks like and how it should be treated.

Question 48

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

Question 49

Please explain how you would recognise an eye problem.

Question 50

What problems can you treat yourself, and what problems require veterinary attention?

Question 51

How can you prevent an eye problem from getting worse?

Question 52

What steps would you take to help a horse heal as fast as possible?