ANS 110: Uses

What is a halter?

Piece of tack worn on a horse's head while leading, tying, and grooming

What is a lead shank?

Piece of rope used to lead horses

What side do we lead horses from? Why?

The left, as this is the side the military mounted from due to their swords

Why is it important that we groom a horse?

Prepare for tack/being ridden, help with circulation, relieve muscle tightness, and identify injuries

What do we use to groom a horse?

Curry comb, hard brush, soft brush, hoof pick, mane/tail brush

What is a curry comb used for?

Used in circular motion to lift dirt and increase circulation

What is a hard brush used for?

Used to remove dirt

What is a soft brush used for?

Removes dust and smaller particles, can be used on face and legs

What is a mane and tail brush used for?

Removes debris from mane and tail, can also shorten and thin mane

What is a hoof pick used for?

Used to remove dirt and other debris from the hooves

What is tack?

Equipment used on horse for riding or other work

What are the two types of bridles?

Hackamores and bit bridles

What are the two types of bits?

Snaffles and curbs

What is a snaffle bit?

Reins attach directly to piece in horse's mouth, applies pressure to the corners of the mouth

What is a curb bit?

Has shanks that the reins attach to, applies pressure to poll, bars, and roof of mouth; used most in western riding USES LEVERAGE

How long is Thoroughbred Flat Racing?

5 furlongs to 2 miles

How long is one furlong?

220 yards

What are the 3 big English Races in Thoroughbred Flat Racing?

2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, St. Leger Stakes

What are the 3 big US races in Thoroughbred Flat Racing?

Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes

Where is Thoroughbred Flat Racing also possible?

France, Ireland, Middle East, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia

What is Thoroughbred Flat Racing supported by?

Gambling

What type of gambling system does the US use?

Pari-Mutuel System

What is the Pari-Mutuel System?

Betters get a payoff based on odds; can wager win/place/show/combination; percentage goes to track for costs

What are some different types of Thoroughbred Flat Racing?

Maiden races, handicaps

What horse holds the current record for 6 furlongs?

Twin Sparks (2009)

What horses hold the current records for 1 mile?

Dr. Fager (1968) and Narjan (2003)

What horse holds the current record for 1.5 miles?

Secretariat (1973)

What is Steeplechasing?

Thoroughbreds over 2–4 miles with fences to jump; popular in Europe

Where did Steeplechasing’s name come from?

Going from church steeple to church steeple

What are the big Steeplechase races?

Grand National (England) and US Grand National (Belmont Park)

What are smaller Steeplechase races called?

Hurdles or point-to-points

What is Standardbred Racing?

Standardbreds race in trots or paces over 1 mile; popular in NE US, Ontario, Scandinavia

What do Standardbreds wear to keep the desired gait?

Hobbles

What races are in the Trotter Triple Crown?

Hambletonian, Yonkers Trot, Kentucky Futurity

What races are in the Pacer Triple Crown?

Cane Pace, Messenger Stakes, Little Brown Jug

What are the pacing records?

Always B Miki (2016) and Lather Up (2019)

What are the trotting records?

Homicide Hunter (2018)

What is Quarter Horse Racing?

Quarter Horses race a quarter mile at 45–55 mph in under 20 seconds

What is Endurance Racing?

Horses (often Arabians) ridden 50–100 miles

What is the big race for Endurance Racing?

The Tevis Cup (100 miles over rocky terrain)

What is the average speed in Endurance? What are the gaits?

12 mph at walk, trot, and canter

What is required during Endurance races?

Vet checks for water, food, safety, and lameness

Where did English Disciplines originate?

England and Europe

Describe what is unique about English disciplines

Two hands, direct contact, posting trot, snaffle bit common, formal attire

Where did Western Disciplines originate?

The US

Describe what is unique about Western disciplines

One-hand riding, loose reins, sit trot, curb bit common, casual attire

What is showjumping?

Test of height and speed; first round 12–16 jumps; clear rounds go to jump-off for fastest clean time

What are showjumping speed classes?

Fastest time wins; a knocked pole adds time

What are Puissance showjumping classes?

High-jump classes where final fence increases in height

What is the current Puissance showjumping record?

7 ft 10 in

What is Equitation?

Rider’s position and skill judged on flat and over fences

What are Hunter classes?

3–4 over-fence classes and 1 under-saddle class judging style, movement, and conformation

What does Dressage mean?

French word for “training”

What is Dressage?

Pattern of precise movements judged on quality of movement and subtle cues; scored out of 100

What are the movements in Dressage?

Walk, trot, canter (collected/extended), half pass, piaffe, passage, tempi changes, pirouette

What is the half pass?

Horse moves laterally at trot or canter

What is the piaffe?

Horse trots in place

What is the passage?

A slow-motion elevated trot

What are tempi changes?

Flying lead changes every 1 or 2 strides

What is a freestyle?

Dressage routine set to music

What is fox hunting?

Riders and hounds track a fox across terrain

Since true foxhunting is usually illegal, what do riders do instead?

Drag or trail hunting with pre-laid scent

What is Eventing?

Three-phase test: dressage, show jumping, and cross country

What is the cross country phase of Eventing?

2–4 mile course with 20–40 natural obstacles

What is polo?

Team sport of 4 riders scoring by hitting a ball into a goal

What are chukkas in polo?

7-minute periods; horses changed every chukka; 4–8 chukkas per match

How many ponies are required for each rider in polo? How many chukkas can each pony play?

At least 2 ponies; each can only play 2 chukkas per game

What is Saddleseat?

Discipline showing high-stepping gaits

What breeds are common in Saddleseat?

Saddlebreds, Tennessee Walkers, Arabians, Morgans, Hackneys

What types of classes are in Saddleseat?

3-gaited, 5-gaited, park, pleasure, equitation

What is Barrel Racing?

Cloverleaf pattern around 3 barrels for fastest time

What is Bronc Riding?

Rider stays on 8 seconds; score out of 100 (50 horse, 50 rider)

What is team roping?

Two riders rope head and heels of calf in timed event

What is cutting?

Horse/rider isolate a cow from herd

What do cutting horses usually exhibit?

Cow sense

What is penning?

Team moves a specific cow into a pen

What is reining?

Tests athletic ability of ranch-type horse

What are the movements in reining?

Small slow circles, large fast circles, flying changes, rollbacks, spins, sliding stops

What are trail classes?

Navigate obstacles like gates, bridges, rails

What is western pleasure?

Judged on horse’s rideability, manners, temperament, way of going at walk, jog, lope, and sometimes gallop

What is western equitation?

Judged on rider ability in western disciplines

What is western dressage?

Dressage tests using western tack and gaits

What is gymkhana?

Games for young riders—barrels, poles, relays, keyhole

What is combined driving?

Single/pair/four horses over dressage, marathon, and cones phases

What is dressage in combined driving?

Circles, figure-eights, diagonals at walk/trot/canter

What is cross country marathon in combined driving?

Obstacles like water, hills, tight turns

What is obstacle cone driving in combined driving?

Accuracy through cones with balls on top; must be clean and in time

What are draft horse competitions?

Teams hitched to large carriages judged on performance and manners

What are draft horse pulls?

1–2 horses pull increasing weights a set distance

What is carriage driving?

Single/pair/four horses pulling fine carriages, judged on presentation, manners, performance

What are fine harness classes?

Emphasis on high-stepping gait and elegance

What are roadster classes?

Horses shown at racing gaits but judged, not raced

What is vaulting?

Gymnastics on horseback on a 15 m circle at canter

Why are horses becoming common guide animals?

They have longer lifespans and can be suitable alternatives

How are horses used for physical therapy?

Help build core strength and provide freedom of movement

How are horses used for mental/emotional therapy?

Provide emotional support, confidence, benefit for autism, PTSD, behavioral disorders

How are horses used for ranch work?

Cow work, plowing with hitches, transporting materials

How are horses used for mounted police?

Crowd control, border patrol, search and rescue; e.g., RCMP