Horse Management Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering horse gaits, grooming, tack, fencing, housing, and basic care from the lecture notes.

What is the foundation gait of the horse and how many beats does it have?

The walk; it is a four-beat gait.

During the walk, give one common sequence in which the horse’s feet strike the ground.

Right hind, right front, left hind, left front (each foot hits independently).

How many beats are in a trot and which legs move together?

Two beats; the diagonal pairs of legs (right front with left hind, left front with right hind) move together.

Describe the proper diagonal pairing in a trot.

Right fore & left hind strike together, followed by left fore & right hind (or vice-versa).

What distinguishes the canter/lope from the trot in terms of beat count?

The canter/lope is a three-beat gait, whereas the trot is two-beat.

When circling to the right, which lead should a horse take at the canter?

The right lead.

Give the footfall pattern for a right-lead canter.

1) Left hind, 2) Right hind & left front together, 3) Right front.

How many beats are in a gallop and why is it considered different from the canter?

Four beats; the additional beat makes it a distinct, faster gait rather than just a faster canter.

Outline the footfall pattern of a right-lead gallop.

1) Left hind, 2) Right hind, 3) Left fore, 4) Right fore.

Name four horse breeds commonly known for performing natural gaits.

Quarter Horse, Paint Horse, Appaloosa, Thoroughbred (others include Arabian, Saddlebred, Morgan).

Which breed is famous for the running walk and how does this gait differ from a normal walk?

The Tennessee Walking Horse; the running walk is faster with a gliding motion and hind-foot over-step of 12–18 inches.

What is the slow gait and which breed traditionally performs it?

A four-beat lateral stepping pace performed by the five-gaited American Saddlebred.

Define the pace gait.

A lateral two-beat gait where the right front & right hind strike together, then the left front & left hind together, causing side-to-side sway.

What is the rack gait noted for in the show ring?

A snappy four-beat gait with high leg flexion and flashy foreleg lift, valued for speed and animation.

Give two reasons grooming is important beyond appearance.

Prevents chafing/sores and allows handlers to check for injuries while building trust.

Which grooming tool is used first to loosen dirt and stimulate skin oils?

The curry comb.

Which grooming brush is stiff-bristled and removes dirt raised by the curry comb?

The dandy brush.

Which brush has soft bristles for removing fine dust particles?

The body brush.

Why might the grooming tool for manes differ between short and long manes?

Short, pulled manes use a wide-toothed comb, while long manes/tails are finger-combed or brushed to avoid breakage.

What purpose does a sweat or water scraper serve?

To remove excess water or sweat from the horse’s coat.

Give two reasons electric clippers are used on horses.

Clipping a bridle path for better bridle fit and trimming excess hair at the fetlock to reduce mud collection.

What general term describes equipment placed on a horse for riding or work?

Tack.

How is fastening a saddle to the horse termed in U.S. versus English terminology?

Cinch (U.S.) or girth (English).

Name the two main classifications of saddles.

English saddles and Western saddles.

What safety issue is associated with stirrups?

A rider’s foot can become caught in a stirrup, posing a risk of being dragged.

What are halters primarily used for and why aren’t they used for riding?

To lead or tie horses; they lack a bit and offer insufficient precision and control for riding.

How do English bridles differ from Western bridles in construction?

English bridles usually have a cavesson noseband and fewer adornments; Western (eastern in notes) bridles often lack a noseband, use split reins, and have decorative silver.

What is a double bridle and what bits does it use?

An English bridle using two bits—one snaffle and one curb—simultaneously.

What is a hackamore and when is it commonly applied?

A bit-less headgear that uses a heavy noseband; often employed in training young horses and in Western, endurance, or some English disciplines.

Describe the purpose of a longeing cavesson.

A specialized halter/noseband for longeing a horse in a large circle for exercise or training.

What is the primary communication function of reins?

They transmit the rider’s or driver’s directional commands to the horse’s head via the bit or halter.

Why should a horse never be tied by the reins?

Reins can break easily and the bit in the sensitive mouth can cause severe pain if the horse pulls back.

Where does a bit rest in a horse’s mouth?

On the bars (the interdental space between incisors and molars), not on the teeth.

What is the key difference between a direct pressure bit and a leverage bit?

Direct pressure bits (snaffles) act only on the mouth via straight pull; leverage (curb) bits use shanks to multiply pressure, affecting poll and chin groove.

Give one example of a direct pressure bit.

A snaffle bit.

How does a curb bit amplify pressure compared to a snaffle?

Its shanks create leverage that increases force on the mouth, poll, and chin groove.

Name the two basic harness styles used to attach a horse to a load.

Breast strap harness and collar-and-hanes harness.

What is the main function of a breastplate on a riding horse?

To keep the saddle from sliding back or sideways.

What problem does a martingale prevent?

It prevents a horse from raising or tossing its head too high, avoiding evasion of rider commands.

Which type of martingale adds leverage to the bit?

The running martingale.

List two nerves affected by the leverage action of a curb bit.

The trigeminal nerves (via the chain) and the minor palatine nerve (via mouthpiece port).

According to general safety guidelines, how tall should a field fence for horses be?

54–60 inches (about 5 feet).

Why should wire fences have a visible top rail or ribbon?

To improve visibility and deter horses from leaning over or running into nearly invisible wire.

What is the greatest danger associated with barbed wire fencing for horses?

Severe injuries and lasting scars from the barbs.

Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of electric fencing.

Advantage: inexpensive, easy to install, highly visible. Disadvantage: if electricity fails it is easily broken, so not ideal as a sole boundary fence.

Why is wood fencing considered one of the safest options?

It is highly visible and less likely to cut a horse, making it ideal for paddocks and pastures.

What stall size is recommended for an average riding horse (900-1100 lbs)?

12 × 12 ft.

How much manure does a horse typically produce each day?

About 15 lbs (6.8 kg) plus several gallons of urine.

Give two key safety considerations when designing a horse barn.

Electrical safety and adequate ventilation (others include fire prevention, door design, flooring).

What is a run-in shelter and how should its open side be oriented?

A three-sided pasture structure for weather protection; the opening should face away from prevailing winds.

What stall flooring material requires rubber mats due to hardness on legs?

Concrete floors.

Name three common bedding materials for stalls.

Straw, wood shavings/products, hemp (others: peat moss, shredded paper, rice hulls).

Why should feed rooms keep grain in closed containers?

To keep feed clean and inaccessible to vermin.

What is the primary advantage of outdoor housing regarding labor cost?

Lower construction and daily labor costs compared to intensive stall management.

How large should the opening be at the bottom of a fence to prevent hoof entrapment?

8–12 inches.

Which fencing material is safest but most expensive and low-maintenance?

Metal pipe fencing (or solid masonry; pipes noted as safe but expensive).

Name two items you would find in an equine first-aid kit for limb injuries.

Gauze/leg wraps and cold packs (others include duct tape, splint materials).

Define “tacking up.”

Equipping a horse with tack such as saddle, bridle, etc.

What is the size recommendation for a foaling stall relative to a regular stall?

At least double the size of a standard stall for the respective horse (e.g., twice a single-stall footprint).

What is longeing and what length of line is typically used?

Exercising or training a horse in a large circle around a handler; a 25–30 ft line (longe line) is used.