Chapter 18: Equine and Draft Animal Breed Identification and Production Management

Chapter 18: Equine and Draft Animal Breed Identification and Production Management

Chapter Objectives

  • Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to:

    • Define common veterinary terms relating to the horse.

    • Describe the biology of the horse.

    • Identify common breeds of horses and draft animals.

    • Distinguish the different classes of horses.

    • Discuss the purpose and uses of draft animals in society.

    • Discuss the nutritional needs of horses.

    • Describe normal and abnormal behaviors of horses.

    • Describe housing, facility, and equipment requirements for horses.

    • Explain how to properly and safely restrain horses for veterinary procedures.

    • Discuss the necessary health care and veterinary practices of horses.

    • Describe breeding practices with horses.

    • Discuss common diseases of horses.

    • Discuss common parasites of horses.

    • Define common veterinary terms related to draft animals.

Veterinary Terminology

  • Mare: Adult female horse.

  • Stallion: Adult male horse capable of reproduction.

  • Maiden: Female horse that has not been bred.

  • Foal: Young newborn horse.

  • Foaling: Labor or birth process of horses.

  • Equine: Veterinary term for horses.

  • Jenny: Female donkey.

  • Jack: Male donkey.

  • Mule: Cross of a female horse and a male donkey.

  • Hinny: Cross of a male horse and a female donkey.

Biology of the Horse

  • Horses belong to the genus and species Equus caballus.

  • Biological classification:

    • Diet: Herbivores.

    • Class: Mammals.

    • Digestive system: Nonruminants with a relatively small stomach;

    • Long intestinal tract and enlarged cecum, lacks gall bladder, not capable of vomiting.

    • Physical characteristics: Hoofed animals;

    • Hoof wall composed of hard material similar to fingernails, continually grows and requires trimming.

    • Thermoregulation: Endothermic (warm-blooded).

Breeds of Horses

1. Categories of Horses

  • Riding Horse:

    • Ridden for pleasure and showing purposes.

    • Breeds: Quarter horse, Paint, Appaloosa, Tennessee walking horse.

  • Gaited Horse:

    • Classified by movement in their gait; rhythmic gaits minimize rider’s movement.

    • Breeds: Tennessee walking horse, American saddlebred, Rocky Mountain horse.

  • Stock Horse:

    • Hardy, athletic, multipurpose animals, agile, sure-footed, fast, and durable.

    • Breeds: Quarter horse, Appaloosa, Paint horse.

2. Other Breeds

  • Hunter and Jumper:

    • Tall, athletic, muscular with speed and endurance.

    • Breeds: Thoroughbreds, various warmbloods.

  • Racehorse:

    • Bred for speed, primarily for racing.

    • Breeds: Quarter horse, thoroughbred, standardbred, Morgan horse.

  • Pony:

    • Small, gentle, intelligent horses typically suited for children.

    • Breeds: Shetland, Welsh, pony of the Americas.

  • Draft Horse or Workhorse:

    • Large muscular horses bred to pull heavy loads (typically over 1500 pounds).

    • Characteristics: Wide, deep, large-boned structure with a low center of gravity.

    • Breeds: Belgian, Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, Suffolk.

  • Donkey, Burro, or Ass:

    • Size: Gray and pony-sized with long ears and a bristle-like coarse coat.

    • Nature: Tough, versatile, potentially stubborn.

  • Mule:

    • Hybrid of a female horse and a male donkey; looks like a large donkey.

    • Nature: Tough draft animals, powerful, typically docile; withstand heat well and are less sensitive to digestive issues and leg injuries.

Polling Activity & Considerations

  • Suggested Breed for Riding: Options include Quarter horse, American saddlebred, Pony of the Americas, Morgan horse.

  • Modern Use of Draft Animals: Discussion points on whether they should still be employed for work purposes, with varied opinions possible.

  • Breed Selection Considerations:

    • Purchase price.

    • Cost of care and maintenance.

    • Size, disposition, breed, gait, purpose, gender, color.

Nutrition of Horses

Nutritional Needs

  • Grains: Oats, corn, wheat, or barley mixtures; provide adequate energy and protein.

  • Commercial Quality Feed: Comes in grain or pellet formulas;

    • Nutritional content: 10-12% protein, 5% fat, 80% carbohydrates.

  • Common Supplements:

    • Soybean meal or linseed oil for skin and coat conditioning.

    • Mineral or salt block, Vitamin A for inadequate pasture/hay sources, Vitamin B for horses stalled indoors.

  • Feeding Guidelines:

    • Feed 1 pound of protein per 1000 pounds of body weight.

    • Typically fed twice daily, accompanied by adequate pasture or hay.

  • Dehydration Risk: Horses can easily dehydrate;

    • Electrolytes can be added to food/water sources.

    • Avoid drinking immediately after exercise to prevent severe stomach pain.

  • Draft Animals: Require 8-10 gallons of water daily and increased nutrients post-work.

Continued Nutritional Considerations

  • Post-exercise protocols include:

    • 1-2 hours of rest before food or water after work.

    • Avoid working for 45-60 minutes post-feeding to ensure digestive comfort.

Knowledge Check

  • Necessary supplement for horses with poor or inadequate pasture: Answer: Vitamin A.

  • Alternate suggestions:

    • Salt block for salt needs.

    • Electrolytes for dehydration risk.

Behavior of Horses

Normal and Abnormal Behaviors

  • Herd Dynamics: Hierarchy or pecking order is critical.

  • Social Behaviors:

    • Seek comfort from proximity to others.

    • Suspicious nature; capable of detecting nervousness.

  • Sensitivity: Not accustomed to loud noises potentially causing startling reactions.

  • Field of Vision: Almost 360 degrees; condition-based reactions.

Signs of Behaviors

  • Normal Reactions: Kicking, bucking, rearing, striking, biting when startled.

  • Happy Indicators: Ears forward, relaxed tail, calm expression.

  • Angry Indicators: Ears pinned back, teeth bared, flicking tail, stomping, kicking, bucking.

Draft Animal Behavior

  • Instinctual Traits: Typically gregarious; prefer group settings.

  • Stress Management: Stressful working alone; teamwork is crucial to prevent injuries; must establish pecking orders.

Basic Training for Horses

  • Horses learn various disciplines; issues arise from inexperienced trainers leading to behaviors like kicking, rearing, and bucking.

  • Essential commands:

    • Lead on a rope and be tied adequately.

    • Work on a longe line for basic movement training.

    • Health and condition are critical to prevent injuries.

Equipment and Housing Needs

Facilities for Horses

  • Shelter Needs:

    • Run-in Shed: At least three sides; protects from elements.

    • Barn: Stalls must be at least 10 feet by 10 feet and 8 feet high.

    • Cross Tie Areas: Should be 5 feet wide, reinforced for safety.

    • Equipped with water supply & electricity.

    • Pastures: Require high-quality fencing, minimum of 1 acre per horse, particularly for draft animals which need specialized equipment (e.g., harness, hame straps, bridle).

Restraint and Handling

Restraint Techniques

  • Calming Strategies: Use a soft, low tone; approach horses calmly, allow them to smell your hands, scratch necks gently.

  • Halter Application:

    • Steps to placing halter properly, followed by securing lead rope while leading by walking near the horse’s left.

  • Additional Techniques:

    • Distraction through gentle ear manipulation, eye covering, or body rubbing to keep the horse calm.

    • Restraint may also employ equipment like a twitch or chain shank for control.

Handling Protocols

  • Horses have blind spots; maintain calm and slow movements; respect horse's body language and personal space.

  • To manage discomfort: raising hands to chase a running horse or understanding pony behavior is vital.

Common Behavioral Problems

Chewing Issues

  • Excessive Chewing: Often linked to boredom, nervousness, or nutritional deficiencies; can damage property and lead to health issues such as dental problems or colic.

  • Cribbing: Involves chewing on objects and sucking in air; often learned out of stress or imitation.

Grooming Requirements

  • Regular Grooming: Essential for maintenance; includes brushing, bathing, and hoof care.

  • Necessary Grooming Tools: Body brush, mane/tail brush, curry comb, hoof pick, body sponge, sweating scraper, and various sprays/equipment.

Basic Health Care and Maintenance

  • Preventive Care: Constant monitoring for health issues or lameness; adherence to a quality exam, vaccine, and deworming schedule.

  • Daily Practices: Clean stalls and rotate pastures routinely to prevent infestations and maintain a sanitary environment.

  • Health Monitoring:

    • Annual comprehensive physical exams; testing for EIA every 6-12 months.

Dental Care

  • Unique Dental Characteristics:

    • Growth patterns and dental changes inform age; floating and occlusal equilibration techniques needed for health maintenance.

Hoof Care and Castration

  • Hoof Care: Managed by farriers; routine trimming every 4-6 weeks and daily cleaning to avert discomfort.

  • Castration: A standard procedure for manageable handling, commonly performed around 6 months of age.

Assessment of Lameness

  • Assessment Procedure: Conducted by a veterinarian; involves evaluating the horse's movement through walking or jogging.

  • Types of Gaits:

    • Walk: Relaxed four-beat gait.

    • Jog/Trot: Two-beat gait varying by riding style.

    • Lope: Western three-beat gait.

    • Canter: English three-beat gait.

    • Gallop: Four-beat fast gait with distinct foot placements.

Vaccination Protocols

  • Vaccination Schedule: Initiate in foals starting at 4-5 months, followed by boosts and annual vaccinations based on exposure risks.

  • Deworming Practices: Regular deworming regimen in foals; continued throughout their adult life with rotation in products.

Reproduction and Breeding

Breeding Practices

  • Estrus information: Begins at 12-15 months, breeding best after 4 years; mares can breed into their 20s based on health.

  • Evaluation Pre-Breeding: Important for both broodmares and stallions to assess reproductive health and quality.

  • Labor Indicators: Observable signs leading to foaling aid in detecting health concerns; necessary actions post-foaling.

Common Diseases and Parasites

Disease Overview

  • Common Diseases: Colic, laminitis, equine infectious anemia, equine encephalomyelitis, equine influenza, tetanus.

  • Common Parasites: Roundworms, bots, strongyles, pinworms.

Summary

  • The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding equine health and management for horses and draft animals, highlighting the diverse care they require for optimal health and productivity in various roles.

Clinical Situation and Reflection

  • Emily and Dr. Reese confront ethical treatment dilemmas regarding financial decisions on care. Questions prompt moral reflections on veterinary practice, decision-making skills, and the health welfare of equine patients.

  • Self-assessment should focus on challenging concepts, daily care reflections, and skills assessment for improvement.