EQSC Unit 3

Walk

4-beat gait; each foot hits the ground independently: right front, left hind, left front, right hind

Trot

2-beat diagonal gait; legs move in diagonal pairs

Canter/Lope

3-beat gait; one diagonal pair moves together, others independently; has right and left leads

Gallop

4-beat gait; fastest gait; has a lead leg

Back

2-beat diagonal gait; similar to trot but in reverse

Conformation

The physical appearance of a horse based on the arrangement of muscle, bone, and tissue

Balance

How proportionate a horse is; judged by neck, back, shoulder, and hip

Structure

Skeletal correctness; affects function and longevity

Quality

Refinement and smoothness; includes breed and sex character

Muscling

Evaluated from the side; refers to development in areas like forearm, shoulder, stifle, and gaskin

Ideal Back

1:2 ratio top to bottom; short, strong, and level

Ideal Neck

2:1 ratio top to bottom; thin, ties high to shoulder, proportional

Ideal Shoulder

45-degree slope; impacts stride and connection to pastern

Stallion Traits

Prominent jaw, bolder features, muscular but not fat neck

Mare Traits

Big eyes, slender/elegant neck, refined head features

Splay-footed

Winging in

Pigeon-toed

Winging out

Unsoundness

A defect affecting the horse’s usefulness

Blemish

A visible defect that doesn't impact performance

Bucked Shins

Inflammation of front cannon; often temporary

Bowed Tendon

Swelling at back of cannon bone; 20% become sound

Splints

Damage between metacarpals; may become blemish

Navicular Disease

Pain in navicular bone; degeneration-related

Laminitis/Founder

Inflammation of hoof laminae; painful, serious

Stifled

Patella fixation; can recover or need surgery

Stringhalt

Involuntary leg flexion; "goose stepping"

Curb

Enlarged plantar ligament; usually a blemish

Bog Spavin

Joint swelling; related to straight hocks

Bone Spavin

Bone growth on hock; stress-related

Posture Changes

Pointing foot, shifting weight

Performance Clues

Tripping, irregular gait, head bob (front), hip hike (hind)

Parasite Symptoms

Rough coat, weight loss, diarrhea, colic

Ascarids

Large roundworms; affect young horses

Large Strongyles

Migrate through organs; no resistance

Small Strongyles

Local migration; diarrhea, resistance common

Pinworms

Tail rubbing; all ages

Bots

Larvae attach to stomach; control by grooming and management

Ticks

Common on ears; can cause anemia and disease

Mites

Cause mange; treated with ivermectins

Outdated Program

Frequent rotation and treatment of all horses

Anthelmintic Resistance

Result of over-treatment; reduced drug effectiveness

Daily Hoof Care

Inspect for cracks, clean heel to toe before and after riding

Periodic Trimming

Every 4–8 weeks; maintains shape and angle

Dental Problem Signs

Weight loss, quidding, bit resistance

Uneven Wear Issues

Hooks, ramps, steps, points

Floating Teeth

Smooths sharp edges, prevents discomfort

Horse Needs

Physical (shelter, food), social, chemical, biological

Stall Dimensions

Horse: 10x10 ft or larger, height: 9 ft, door width: 4 ft

Fire Safety

Fire-retardant paint, remove flammable items, clear exits, sprinkler systems

Unsafe Fencing

Barbed wire, fences with protrusions or traps