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But I’m only going to do small animal work….
But I’m only going to do small animal work….
But I’m only going to do small animal work….
You may not plan to do it.
But people will turn to you in an emergency.
They’ll forgive you if you don’t know everything.
They won’t forgive you if you don’t know anything
Lesson 1—Equine Orientation
Objectives1. To develop an understanding of the horse’s interactions with humans and other horses.2. To utilize this understanding to improve veterinary care and minimize patient stress.
Family : Equidae
• Equus caballus– The horse as we know
it
– 32 pairs of chromosomes
Family: Equidae
• Equus przewalski– Przewalski’s Horse
– The only true wild horse remaining
– 33 pairs of chromosomes
Make the Distinction
Captive
Domesticated
Make the Distinction
Feral
Wild
Family: Equidae
• Equus asinus– Donkey/jackass
– 31 pairs of chromosomes
Family: Equidae
• Equus hemonius– Onager/Wild Ass
– 27 pairs of chromosomes
Family: Equidae
• Equus burchelli– Plains Zebra
– 22 pairs of chromosomes
Family: Equidae
• Equus grevyi– Imperial Zebra
– 23 pairs of chromosomes
Family: Equidae
• Equus zebra– Mountain Zebra
– 16 pairs of chromosomes
Hybrid species-Mule
• Mare X Ass= Mule• Jennet X Stallion=Hinny
• Mules are more common than hinnies due to logistics of breeding
• Mule or Hinny may be male or female phenotype
• Almost always sterile
So, what’s the point?
• All of these animals, despite their obvious differences, are equines.
• The principles of equine medicine and surgery apply to all of them.
Equine Psychology
• Priorities—in order of importance to the
horse– Safety– Food– Comfort– Play/Socialization
Safety
• If a horse does not feel safe, its handler is not safe.
• A horse cannot learn while frightened.
• The instillation of fear is not an appropriate training technique.
Safety
• “Don’t worry, he’s more afraid of you
than you are of him”
A recipe for disaster
Food
• Bribing a horse with food—don’t do it!– The ‘reward’ should never precede the desired
behavior– If food is used as a ‘reward’ randomize
delivery to avoid biting behavior
Comfort
• Physical and emotional comfort– Training zone
– Given a choice, the horse will choose comfort
– Horses are not ‘approval seekers’ but ‘comfort seekers’
Psychology of the Herd
• Dominant stallion ‘leads’ herd from the rear
Play
• Necessary for good mental health
• Vices develop when play is denied
• Play can be used as a reward for desired behavior
Defense Mechanisms
• FLIGHT
• Aggression– Biting
– Kicking
– Striking
Physiologic Adaptations
• Sensory– Visual
• Almost 360 degree visual field
• Horizontal pupillary opening=extensive peripheral vision
• Retina composed predominantly of rods; few cones– Excellent night vision
– Color recognition minimal—blue/red/gray
Field of Vision
Monocular field
146 degrees
Blind spot
Binocular field
65 degrees
Blind spot
Physiologic Adaptations
• Auditory– Ears move independently
• Ability to accurately localize origin of sound
• Ability to listen to several discrete noises
Physiologic Adaptations
• Olfactory– Highly developed sense of smell
• Identification of herd members
• Recognition of reproductive status
• Note: A horse will recognize you if you’re wearing different clothes; if you change your scent he may not.
Physiologic Adaptations
• Tactile– Grooming behavior crucial to herd structure
• Social bonds
• Hierarchy
“It took me 35 years to learn that women and horses don’t like to be patted.”
Pat Parelli
Human Animal Interaction
• Animals treat people the way they treat other animals.
• People make the mistake of treating animals they way they treat other people.
Equine Body Language
• Threatening behavior
– Pinned ears
– Bared teeth
– Turning away
– Lifting of hind leg
Equine Body Language
• Compliant/Submissive Behavior– Ears forward
– Chewing
– Standing still
Human Body Language
• Eye contact• Physical approach
– Movement/gestures
– Voice
• Physical contact– Where?
– How?
Terminology
• Horse/Stallion: Intact male 5 years old or older• Colt: Intact male less than 5 years old• Gelding: Neutered male of any age• Rig/Ridgling: Cryptorchid male• Mare: Female 5 years old or older• Filly: Female less than 5 years old• Foal: Either sex from birth to weaning• Weanling: Either sex--weaning to 12 months• Yearling: Either sex--12-23 months
Terminology
• Maiden– A horse of either sex that has not won a race– A female that has not yet had a foal
• Stud: Male used for breeding
Terminology
• Hand– Horse’s height is measured at the withers (the
highest fixed point on the body)– The measurement is made in ‘hands’– A hand equals 4 inches
• 1 inch =.1 hand
• Therefore a horse that measures 15.3 hands is 63” (or 5’3”) high at the withers
16.3 hands
16 x 4 = 64 + 3 ------ 67”Or 5’ 7”
Terminology
• Near side
• Off/far side– Horses are traditionally handled from the left.
The horse’s left side is his near side, the off side is his right side.
Color
• Bay– Brown hair
– Black mane & tail
– Black points• Muzzle
• Lower legs
• May have dorsal stripe
Color
• Chestnut/Sorrel– Red hair
– Red or flaxen mane & tail
– No black markings
– White markings on face and legs are acceptable
Color
• Grey
Grey hair
NOT mixture of black & white hairs
Born dark (black) and lighten with age
Color
• Black– All black hair
– May have white markings
– Any brown hair in tail, on muzzle, or flank indicates dark bay or brown coloring not black
Color
• Dun/Buckskin– Tan haircoat
– Black mane & tail
– Black points
– Black dorsal stripe
Color
• Palomino– Blond hair
– White mane & tail
– May have white markings on face and legs
Color
• Roan– White hairs interspersed in
coat• Red roan: chestnut & white
• Blue roan: black & white
• Bay roan: bay & white
Head Markings
• Star • Star and snip •Star, strip and
snip
Head Markings
• Blaze •Bald face
Leg Markings
Identification
• Lip Tattoo
Identification
• Freeze Brand– Liquid nitrogen
– Hair regrows white
Identification
• Heat brand– Thermal burn
– Hair does not regrow
Identification
• Whorls or cowlicks
Identification
Foal certificate
Identification
• Chestnuts– Night Eyes
Identification
• Microchip– Installed in middle
third of the neck in the nuchal ligament
Identification
• Department of Agriculture– 6-month equine health
permit
– ‘driver’s license’ for horses
Breeds
• Quarter Horse• Paint Horse• Arabian Horse• Thoroughbred• Appaloosa
www.imh.org/imh/bw/home2.html