ANSC 1401 - Horses

Dr. Jackson's General Animal Science 1401 course at TTU: Horses

Stallion

Sexually mature, male horse. Typically used for breeding.

Colt

Sexually immature, male horse.

Mare

Sexually mature, female horse.

Filly

Sexually immature, female horse.

Gelding

Male horse castrated before reaching sexual maturity. It is typically done to avoid the issues brought on by testosterone.

Why do people castrate male horses?

To reduce aggressive behavior, prevent unwanted breeding, and make handling easier. (Testes produce testosterone… the cause of the unwanted behaviors)

Foal

A young male or female horse until weaned at 4 to 6 month of age.

Equine

Refers to horses—species name.

Jack

Male donkey

Jennet (Jenny)

Female donkey

Mule

Offspring of a Mare mated to a Jack.

Hinny

Offspring of a Jenny mated to a Stallion.

Stud

A term used to describe a male used specifically for breeding. It is also a place where stallions are housed.

Hand

Unit of measurement for the height of horses.

1 hand is equal to 4 inches

Gait

The pattern in which a horse moves its feet/hooves.

What’s the difference between English and Western tacks?

English tack is generally ligher and more streamlined, designed for precision and control. Western tack is heavier and more robust, suited for long rides and roping.

English saddles lack horns, so the riders will be holding the rein with two hands, and the reins will be slimmer and sleeker.
Western saddles have horns, the riders will hold the rein with one hand, and the bit is usually less compact—built for comfort.

Is this a Western or an English Tack?

English

Is this a Western or an English Tack?

Western

Is this a Western or an English Tack?

English

Is this a Western or an English Tack?

Western

Is this a Western or an English Tack?

Western

Is this a Western or an English Tack?

English

What kind of Gait is the Walk?

A 4-beat gait meaning the horse’s feet/hooves move independently. It is the slowest and most fundamental.

What kind of Gait is the Trot?

A 2-beat diagonal gait performed in English Tack.

• It is the most efficient.

What kind of Gait is the Jog?

A 2-beat diagonal gait performed in Western Tack.

• Level, smooth sensation.

What kind of Gait is the Pace?

A 2-beat lateral gait

• Teeter-totter sensation

• Only recognized in standardbreds

What kind of Gait is the Canter?

A 3-beat gait where 2 feet/hooves move simultaneously while the other 2 move independently

• Preformed in English tack

• Can also be called a gallop

• Can manipulate the lead foot/hoof

What kind of Gait is the Lope?

A 3-beat gait where 2 feet/hooves move simultaneously while the other 2 move independently

• Preformed in Western tack

What kind of Gait is the Running Walk?

A trained specialty gait only seen in the Tennessee Walking Horse.

• It is an Artificial Gate.

What Gait is this horse performing?

Walk

What Gait is this horse performing?

Running Walk

What Gait is this horse performing (English Tack)?

Trot

What Gait is this horse performing (English Tack)?

Trot

What Gait is this horse performing (Western Tack)?

Jog

What Gait is this horse performing?

Pace

What Gait is this horse performing (English Tack)?

Canter

What Gait is this horse performing (Western Tack)?

Lope

What Gait is this horse performing (Western Tack)?

Lope

What are the characteristics of a Sorrel/Chestnut colored horse?

A red-bodied horse with a lighter/same colored mane and tail.

What are the characteristics of a Bay colored horse?

A reddish/brown-bodied horse with a black mane and tail.

What are the characteristics of a Palomino-colored horse?

• Considered a breed & a color

• Have to have a yellow body & a white mane & tail

• Less than 15% dark hair

• Nicknamed ”lightened sorrel"

• Compete in shows for color

What are the characteristics of a Black colored horse?

A pitch-black horse with a black mane and tail

• Body will slightly (if at all) show red the sunlight.

What are the characteristics of a Brown colored horse?

Dirt brown bodied horse with a brown/black mane and tail

• Can see hints of red in the sunlight.

What are the characteristics of a Grey colored horse?

Solid or Dappled grey body with lighter gray, even white mane and tail.

What color is this horse?

Sorrel/Chestnut (AQH)

What color is this horse?

Bay

What color is this horse?

Sorrel/Chestnut

What color is this horse?

Buckskin

What color is this horse?

Bay

What color is this horse?

Black

What are the characteristics of a light breed of horse?

• 14.2 hands

• 900-1200 lbs

• Riding and leisure

What are the characteristics of an American Quarter Horse (AQH)?

• U.S. Origin

• It is the most popular breed in the U.S.

• It is typically a solid color.

• They are incredibly versatile and primarily known for rodeo.

• They are popular in cutting/roping.

• They are the fastest in a quarter mile.

What are the characteristics of an Arabian Horse?

• Light weight

• Originated in Egypt

• Known as a desert horse; carried people across the sand.

• Known for speed and stamina

• Expressive

• Variety of colors

• Dished face, longer and arched neck, high tail setting, large feet

What are the characteristics of a Thoroughbred Horse?

• Originated in England

• Used for racing, polo, dressage, and 3-day events

• Noted for speed, stamina, and agility

• Good for jumping

• Used to maintain other breeds

What are the characteristics of a Morgan Horse?

• Developed in England by Justin Morgan

• Arabian x Thoroughbred

• Used for English pleasure and Stock

• Level hips, notable neck, tail will depend

What are the characteristics of a Standardbred Horse?

• U.S. Origin

• Well-known for speed, endurance, and fitness

• Trotters and Pacers

• Smaller than a Thoroughbred

What are the characteristics of a Saddlebred Horse?

• Originated in Kentucky as a plantation horse

• The “peacock” of the light breeds

• Expressive, animated, confident, formality, showy, elitist.

• Used for showing and recreation

• Known for ease of riding

What are the characteristics of a Tennessee Walking Horse?

• Originated in Tennessee

• Owns the Running Walk

• Big feet

What are the characteristics of a Paint Horse?

• Dictated by their white coloring

• Must have one spot above their knee larger than a silver dollar

• Can be bred with Thoroughbreds, AQH or other Paints

• 3 different patterns in Paints

— Overo

— Tobiano

— Tovero

What are the characteristics of an Overo Horse?

• Genes/Inheritance are unpredictable

• White splotches DONT cross its back

• Bald (white head) except for around it’s eyes.

• Eyes are blue.

What are the characteristics of a Tobiano Horse?

• Very predictable genes/inheritance

• White splotches across it’s back

• Typically have dark eyes

• Colored heads

What are the characteristics of a Tovero Horse?

• Overo x Tobiano

• Blue-eyed

• Sometimes bald

• White will cross it’s back

What are the characteristics of a Pinto Horse?

• Shares the same color requirements as a Paint

• Very inclusive breed

• Exceptions: Appaloosas or Draft Horses

• Golden rule: All Paint horses can be a Pinto, but not all Pinto horses can be a Paint

What are the characteristics of an Appaloosa Horse?

• Developed in Idaho by Nez Perce Native Americans

• Requirements:
  - White scelra (area around the eyes)
  - mottled fur (Uneven mixture of dark and light)

  - Irregular spots
  - Hooves striped vertical

• Two basic color patterns
  - Blanket (on the rump)
  - Leopard (all over)

What are the characteristics of a Buckskin Horse?

• All are Quarterhorses

• Coloring came exclusively from them

• Have yellow bodies with black manes & tails

• 3 other patterns are considered Buckskin
  - Dun
  - Red Dun
  - Grulla

What are the characteristics of a Dun (Buckskin) Horse?

• Mouse color with a black dorsal stripe

• “Diluted Bay"

What are the characteristics of a Red Dun (Buckskin) Horse?

• Red color with a black dorsal stripe

• “Diluted Sorrel"

What are the characteristics of a Grulla (Buckskin) Horse?

• Grey color with a black dorsal stripe

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Breed: Paint

Tovero

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Morgan

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Breed: Paint

Overo

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Leopard Appaloosa

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Breed: Paint

Overo

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Palamino

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Dun Buckskin

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Arabian

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Buckskin

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Grulla Buckskin

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Saddlebred

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Breed: Paint

Tobiano

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

American Quarter Horse

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Tennesse Walking Horse

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Red Dun Buckskin

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Pinto

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Pinto

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Grulla, AQH

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Thoroughbred

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

American Quarter Horse

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Appaloosa

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Breed: Paint

Tobiano

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Morgan

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Saddlebred

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Red Dun

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Standardbred

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Tovero

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Dun

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Breed: Paint

Overo

What breed (pattern) is this horse?

Tennesse Walking Horse

What are the characteristics of a Draft breed of horse?

• 17.2 Hands average (Range: 16-19 hands)

• 1,500 to 2,000 lbs

• Large and Thick bones with heavy necks and heads

• Developed as War Horses

  • Working horses in underdeveloped countries

  • Used Recreationally and as pets in America

• Calm and Gentle nature

• Used in athletic events pertaining to children and elders

• Used as Nurse Mares

What is a Half-Draft?

A horse that’s a mix between a Draft horse and a Light horse.