ANBI 320 Equine: Lecture 1

Key terms and definitions from the ANBI 320 Equine Science introductory lecture.

Hippology

The study of the horse.

Hippophagy

The eating of horses and horse meat.

Hippotiptic curve

The arc described by an involuntary dismount from a horse.

Hippotomy

The dissection or anatomy of a horse.

Hippotherapy

The use of horses in physical or mental therapy.

Hippodrama

On-stage productions with live horses.

What characteristics of a horse made it desirable for domestication?

• durability to travel far distances

• simple easy diet that is easily accessible

• strength and powerful bodies that aid in farming help and heavy pulling

• intelligence and sociable nature

Perissodactyla

An order of odd-toed (3-5), non-ruminant (simple single compartment stomach) ungulates

contains 3 families : Equidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Tapiridae.

Ungulate

An animal with hoovesthat belongs to a diverse group of mammals (primarily large animals)

Equidae

A family of cursorial mesaxonic quadrupeds containing approximately seven species of asses, zebras, and horses.

Mesaxonic

Having weight bearing centered on a central digit (middle finger or toe).

What are the countries with the highest horse populations?

1. USA - 10.7 million

2. Mexico - 6.4 million

3. Brazil - 5.8 million

4. Mongolia - 4 million

5. China - 3.8 million BUT it varies every year

6. Kazakhstan - 3.5 million

*know the top 3!

What are the top 3 countries of horses per 100 people / capita

1. Mongolia - primarily a horse based culture , very central to their lifestyle

2. Iceland - important for transportation and meat

3. Uruguay

What are the top 3 countries of horses per square kilometre?

1. Sierra Leone

2. Cuba

3. El Salvador

what percentage of the worlds equids are working animals?

90% → they are critical to the livelihood of the countries in developing countries

What are the roles of equids in the developed world?

the remaining 10% of horses are used for recreational, sport and racing

other roles they’ve served : transportation, leisure activities, and therapeutic purposes.

The Core (Equine Industry)

The segment of the horse industry driven directly by horse ownership and horse use.

ex. Supplying Horses: breeders, horse dealer’s , auction horses , lease or rental ( tourism) , breed associations (control the registry of horses)

Horse Use (riding / driving ) : trainers instructors, tourism

Support (Equine Industry)

The segment of the horse industry that provides goods and services in the form of feed and care

Includes care providers such as vets, farriers, physiotherapy, boarder, massage therapist, rehabilitation, chiropractor, dentist

Good and service providers: research, journalism

*most people in the horse are in this role!

*this role makes more money!

Largest player in the global horse industry

Thoroughbred racehorse

HHP

High Health High Performance; a standard/framework that facilitates the rapid global movement of horses for competition.

EDFZ

Equine Disease Free Zones; designated geographic areas established to help manage and minimize disease transmission risk during international horse transport.