Stable Vice's
What is Weaving and its effects, why do horse's do it, and what can you do to help it?
- Horse stands in one spot, sways rhythmically and swings head from side to side
- May stem from illness/pain, excess confinement, or boredom
- Increase turnout if possible
What is the incorrect way to lead a horse?
- Do not lead a horse with the lead rope in your left hand and you on the horses right side
What do you use for crossties?
- A tie with a quick release snap or tie the lead rope to a safety string that will break if to much pressure is applied
- Bailing twine
What are the 5 different ways for a horses ears to face and their meanings?
- Pointed forward (alert, listening, interested in something)
- Turned out to the side (asleep or relaxed)
- Turned Back (Listening to something behind them)
- Pinned Back (sign of anger/aggression)
- Rapidly Swiveling (Flicking back and forth, alert, trying to find source or smell)
Equine Psychology in Wild Horses
- Flight animals (Run when scared, and if running is not an option, they will fight)
- Herd behavior
- Designed to be in motion, they require daily exercise and movement.
What is pacing and its effects, why do horse's do it and what can you do to prevent it?
- Moves restlessly within stall; may walk along perimeter of stall or back and forth at a single wall or stall door
- May stem from illness/pain, excess confinement, or boredom
-Increase turnout if possible
What are crossties used for?
To hold the horse while you are grooming, washing, clipping, tacking up, vet work, farrier work, etc.
What is Equine Safety around the barn?
- Wide aisles
- Large, airy stall with windows
- Clean and organized - estimate clutter
- Free from obvious hazards
What are the 4 different types of equine Head Carriage and their meanings?
- Lowered/Neutral (relaxed and feeling good, or resting/sleeping)
- Very Low (Horse possibly does not feel well, consider other signs)
- Elevated (Focused on something in the distance)
- Shaking (Waving neck from side to side, aggressive behavior)
Equine Psychology - Domesticated Horses
- Nomadic Grazer (eat small amounts constantly, moving over wide territory)
- Put them in stalls, limit their grazing, feed concentrates, take away companions
- Clipping, Trimming, Shoeing, Blanketing
What is cribbing and its effects, why do horses do it, and what can be used to help it?
- May be a result of boredom, nervousness, lack of exercise, neglect or inattention
- Horse grabs onto edge of stall, fence, or other object with their teeth, then arch their neck and pull back, sucking in air
-Addictive behavior, can be learned
- Can cause significant damage to teeth, risk of splinters
- Prone to gastric ulcers
- Cribbing collar or muzzle can help
What are the rules for restraining?
- Never stand directly in front or behind the horse when restraining
- Two people: One person restrains the horse, the other performs the procedure or task
- OFF CROSSTIES and when restraining
- Safety is the main concern for both handler and horse
What are the 3 different kinds of equine body language in their eyes and their meanings?
- Soft eye (Generally relaxed, calm, content)
- Tension around eyes (Subtle sign, can indicate stress, fear, or discomfort)
- White of the eye showing (Very upset, scared, stressed) (Sometimes this is normal anatomy in horses)
What are the 3 different types of equine front leg movements and their meanings?
- Pawing (Variety of reasons: bored, impatient, uncomfortable, stressed/anxious, begging)
- Stomping (Indicated irritation or frustration)
- Striking (Forceful forward kick with a front leg, aggressive/defensive)
Horse's Basic Needs
Food, Water, Natural Light, Air/Ventilation, Clean/Dry stall, Turnout, Company (Other horses or animals.
What is pawing/stall kicking and its effects, why do horses do it, and what can you do to prevent it?
- Horse paws at the ground with front limbs or kicks out at stall walls with hind limbs
- May stem from excitement, frustration, boredom, confinement, or pain
- Can cause damage to the stall/facility
- May cause injury to the horse's including lacerations, fractures, sprains/strains, bowed tendons, hoof damage, and hoof bruising
- Try hanging rubber stall mats or padding around stall walls
Reasons to restrain, its purposes, and the 2 types of restraint?
- Confinement: In stall or grooming area
- Goal is for cooperation not dominance
- Their are physical and chemical restraint options
What are the 4 different types of tail movement in equine body language and their meanings?
- Raised or "Flagged" (Very excited or spooking)
- Clamped Down (Nervous or stressed, may also tuck hind quarters)
- Slow Swishing (Swishing at flies)
- Rapid Swishing (Irritated or angry)
What are the 3 different equine hind leg movements and their meanings?
- Resting (Relaxed and resting with one toe on the ground with hip dropped)
- Shifting weight (Indicates pain/discomfort)
- Raised/Kicked up (Indicates pain/irritation)
What is a Healthy Adult Horse?
- Bright and Alert
- Resting Temp between 99 and 101 degrees farenheight
- Resting heart rate between 24 and 40 beats per min (Avg. 36)
- Resting respiratory rate between 12 and 2- breaths per min (Avg. 14)
-Urine is clear or yellow in color
- Gums are light pink in color, spontaneous capillary refill (1-2 sec) when pressed
What is wood chewing and its effects, and why do horses do it, and what can you do to help it?
- Horse chews on stalls or fencing with front teeth
- Can cause significant damage to horse's teeth and increase risk of splinters and other mouth injuries
- Can also cause significant damage to stalls, fencing, barn, doors, etc.
- May be cause by a salt, fiber, or mineral deficiency
- May also be caused by boredom and extensive confinement
- Check nutrient levels with bloodwork, increase turnout if possible
What are the 4 types of restraint?
- Skin Twitch
- Upper Lip/Nose
- Chain: Over the nose or on the gums
- Sedation (Only administered by the vet)
What is equine vision?
*Horse's are a prey animal, which means their eyes are on the "sides" of their head, rather than in front (predator)
What are the 6 different muzzle equine body languages and their meanings?
- Licking/Chewing (Relaxed, comfortable, releasing endorphins)
- Flehmen (Horse will raise their head, curls their upper lips breathe in and blows air back out -response to smell, can also be a sign of colic)
- Flared Nostrils (During exercise but should return to normal shortly after, startled or nervous)
- Tight Mouth (Subtle sign, indicates worry, stress, or pain)
- Gaping Mouth, Teeth Showing (Subtle sign, indicates worry, stress, or pain)
What are some examples of Equine Safety?
- Stay alert and aware at all times
- Maintain a safe distance when around the horse
- Keep a hand on the horse when grooming and working around them
- Never stand directly in front or behind the horse (near shoulder is safest)
- When working on the lower legs squat, don't kneel
- Always wear boots, or closed toed shoes
- Pay attention to horse body language
- Watch eyes, ears, expression and overall behavior
- Beware of your body language (Stay calm, walk, and speak normally. No running, or screaming)