Basic knowledge of horse breeds and breeding

Understanding of proper conformation and unsoundness

Appreciation of various gates Knowledge of horse feeds and feeding Comprehension of horse management,

housing, and diseases in horses

Domesticated for >5000 yrs. What has been their role?

Many breeds have been developed for the various wants/needs of man

Light horse breeds› Racing, riding, exhibitions› Name some breeds and other functions

Draft horses› Large and powerful› For heavy work

www.ansi.okstate.edu/BREEDS/index.htm

Reproduction› Sexual maturity

12-18 mos. In light breeds 18-24 mos. In draft breeds

› 21d estrus cycle during breeding season Estrus behavior for 5-7d Ovulation during the last two days

› 10% are multiple ovulations/only .5% twinning rate

340d gestation cycle Mares can be bred back 5-12d after foaling Selection

› Should be based upon the desired offspring› Selection for other reasons will often result in

unsoundness› Ideal environments for breeding programs

Ample pasture/forage

Ample Exercise Either natural or regular schedule Maintain proper condition Maintain sound feet/legs

Worked in conditions for which they are bred Close observation is critical

Purchasing› Know your needs/abilities› Pre-purchase exam› Keep records› Sales contract

› Feet & Legs Most important functional parts of the horse Observe for correctness/unsoundness Ideal conformation

Front-line from point of shoulder through center of: Knee Pastern Cannon Foot

Rear-line from point of buttocks through center of: Hock Cannon Pastern Foot

› Hoof Essential for soundness Regular cleaning, trimming, shoeing (every

6-8 wks.) Grow .25-.5 in/mo.

Unsoundness› Any defect interfering w/ the usefulness of

the horse› Caused by:

Injury, improper nutrition, genetics, poor conformation

› Blemishes Defect that detracts from appearance Doesn’t affect usefulness

Walk› 4 beats› Each foot strikes the ground independently

Trot› Two-beat› Diagonal

LF/RR hit ground in unison, etc.› Straight travel w/ no swaying

Pace› Two-beat› Lateral

Both R/L hit ground in unison› Is swaying from side to side

Gallop› 4-beat› Fast

Canter› 3-beat› Two diagonals hit at same time, while other

hind leg and lead leg hit at different times Rack

› 4-beat› For showing purposes

http://www.funnysnaps.com/igait.html

Running walk› Fast ground walk› Unique to the Tennessee Walker› Gliding motion› Hind leg oversteps front footprint by 12-

18”

Horses have natural shock absorbing mechanisms› Feet› Legs

Abnormalities› Interference

Toeing out› Paddling

Toeing in› Overreaching

Hind foot hitting front heel Stumbling

› Forging Hind foot hits shoe on front foot

› Which is least critical?

› Inspection of teeth Notice wear order of teeth Full mouth at five yrs. of age

Need both forages and concentrates Mechanical action of chewing grinds

the feed, so not necessary for cracking or rolling

Stomach only 10% of digestive capacity

60-70% of protein & sol. Carbos. Digested in S.I.

80% of fiber digested in the Cecum & colon› L.I. accounts for 60% of digestive capacity

1 – Poor 2 – Very Thin 3 – Thin 4 – Moderately Thin 5 – Moderate 6 – Moderate to Fleshy 7 – Fleshy 8 – Fat 9 – Extremely Fat

Overfeeding and obesity is discouraged Pregnant mares

› High forage diets are sufficient in first two trimesters w/ little grain supplementation

› Last trimester-more concentrate (oats, corn, barley)

› Do not drop below BCS 5 Lactating mares have the highest

nutritional requirements of any horse Evaluate feeds (hay) carefully for

quality, maturity, aroma, color, texture› Test if possible

Colic› Common digestive disorder causing severe

abdominal pain Gas Decrease gut motility Parasites Ulcers Twisted gut Ingestion of sand

› Caused by: Abrupt diet changes Change in exercise regimen Change in housing

› Signs of colic Pawing Pacing Rolling

› Treatment of colic Varied treatments Veterinarian care recommended

Breeding› Be aware of any uterine problems due to

foaling› Can check if a mare is in heat by exposing

them to a stallion, and observing behavior Violent reaction-not in heat Stand, squat, and urination-in standing heat

› Cleanliness is vital Natural service

Both mare and stallion should be cleaned and washed

Mare’s tail wrapped

› Stallion use Breeding on 1st day of standing heat, and

days 3 & 5 Stallions can service twice daily for a short

time, or once daily for 1-2 mos. AI use can improve stallion management and

mating programs

Foaling› Normal foaling time is in spring› Clean, straw-bedded box stall, or on clean

pasture› Normal presentation should result in

delivery w/ no problems or assistance necessary

› Abnormal presentations Breech

Assistance should be given No head presentation

Push foal back in and bring head along w/ front legs

› Foal should be carefully monitored after birth Clear nostrils & mouth of mucus, membranes Dry if weather is cold Dip umbilical cord in iodine to prevent infection

› Pregnant mares should be exercised regularly Weaning

› Remove mare› Leave foal in box stall, or secure fenced lot for

safety› High quality hay and concentrate should be

provided

Castration› Do not do at weaning› Castrated male called a gelding› Safer for handling than stallions› Testicles are exposed, clamped, and cut› Careful observation and cleanliness is

necessary Identification

› Tattooing› Freeze branding› Hot iron branding› Electronic implants

Care of Working Animals› Proper cool-down period after exercise or

work› Do not go directly to feed

Can cause colic or founder

› Provide extra energy› Protect against founder

Consider drainage, accessibility, labor intensity, durability, air quality, exposure

Place hay rack at head height Grain feeder in separate location Water bucket on outside wall Stall size

› Foaling stalls 14 X 14

› Regular stalls 10 X 10 minimum Appropriate for size of horse

Tack room› Necessary for storage and care of

equipment Stock

› Care for injured or horses needing treatment, breeding, palpation, injections

› Protection for handler

Sanitation is key› Clean stalls› Clean horses

Vet assisted planning Bacterial infections

› Tetanus› Strangles (distemper)

Highly infectious respiratory disease› Rhinopneumonitis or Arteritis

Abortion causing› Vaccinations can aid in prevention

Viral infections› Equine Encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness)

Affects the brain Transmitted by mosquitoes, and horse to horse

› Influenza Airborne Fever, cough

› West Nile Mosquitoes and birds Depression, loss of coordination, tremors,

paralysis

Parasites› Pinworms

Consumed in contaminated feed/water Irritation of the anus May observe tail rubbing

› Bots Larval eggs laid on hair coat Skin irritation If ingested can burrow into body tissue, and

stomach› Strongyles

Attach to walls of L..I.

Eggs passed in feces, hatch, and larvae swallowed on blades of grass

Can cause arterial clotting

› Ascaris Worms S.I. Eggs also passed in feces Larvae carried to liver/lungs Cause intestinal blockage

› Deworming should be done 2-4 times per yr. Rotate types of wormer

Strongyles