Veterinary Medical Terminology: Horse Sense

Horse Taxonomy

  • Scientific Classification

    • Horse: Equus caballus

    • Donkey: Equus asinus

    • Mule: Crossbreed of a female horse and a male donkey

    • Pony: Equus caballus

Types of Horses

  • Measurement of Height

    • Hand: Unit of measure for horse height, equal to 4 inches

  • Categories of Horses by Height

    • Draft Horses: Typically over 17 hands

    • Light Horses: Usually greater than 14.2 hands

    • Miniature Horses: Typically less than 8.2 hands

    • Ponies: Usually between 11.5 and 14 hands

Modes of Movement

  • Key Terms

    • Beat: The time when a horse's foot touches the ground

  • Gaits of Horses

    • Walk: 4 beat gait

    • Canter: 3 beat gait

    • Gallop: Fast 4 beat gait

    • Trot: Fast 2 beat gait

    • Pace: Fast 2 beat gait, laterally

Riding and Performing

  • Equitation: The art of riding horses

  • Types of Riding

    • English Riding: Saddle without a horn, uses both hands

    • Western Riding: Utilizes long stirrups and one-handed riding

  • Equestrian Events

    • Gymkhana: A series of timed games on horseback

    • Barrel Racing: Competitive event using barrels as markers

    • Endurance Racing: Races longer than 100 miles

    • Sprint Racing: Distance less than 0.25 miles

    • Thoroughbred Racing: Races range from 0.5 to 2 miles

Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease Terminology

  • Dental Conditions

    • Bad Mouth: Malocclusion where the upper and lower teeth do not meet, includes undershot and overshot conditions

    • Galvayne’s Groove: A mark on the labial surface of equine teeth, used to estimate age; typically appears around the age of 10

  • Laminitis: Inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof, also known as Founder

Important Anatomy Terms

  • Flehmen Response: Reaction where a horse curls back its upper lip to enhance its sense of smell

  • Guttural Pouch: A unique structure of the horse’s throat

  • Hindgut: Portion of the digestive system

  • Stay Apparatus: Structural mechanism in the horse's legs that allows them to sleep while standing

  • Winking: The movement of a horse's vulva during estrus

  • Bagging Up: The process of udder filling in preparation for lactation

  • Quidding: The act of a horse chewing food and then spitting it out

Identification Markings and Characteristics

  • Face Markings

    • Star: A small white mark on the forehead

    • Stripe: A vertical white mark down the face

    • Snip: A white mark on the muzzle

    • Blaze: A wide white stripe down the face

    • Bald: A very wide white marking over the entire face

  • Leg Markings

    • Sock: White marking reaches the ankle

    • Stocking: White marking reaches the knee or hock

    • Additional markings include coronet, pastern, and heel markings

Equipment Used in Horse Management

  • Bridle: Part of harness including the bit, reins, and headstall

    • Components of the Bridle

    • Brow Band: Part that fits across the horse's forehead

    • Nose Band: Part that encircles the nose

    • Headstall: Strap that holds the bit in place

    • Throatlatch: Secures the bridle under the throat

    • Bit: Inserted in the horse's mouth for control

    • Cheek Piece: Part attaching the bit to the headstall

Management Terms in Equine Care

  • Cribbing: A vice in which a horse grasps an object with its teeth and applies pressure

  • Twitch: A restraint device twisted on the upper lip or muzzle to calm the animal

  • Float: An instrument used to file down the sharp edges of a horse’s teeth

  • Farrier: A professional who trims and shoes horses' feet

  • Longeing: The exercise of a horse attached to a long rope, usually in a circular manner

Terms for Unsoundness in Horses

  • Many terminologies are used within the industry to describe various unsound conditions affecting horses. Specific terms may vary based on the nature and diagnosis of the condition.

Vaccinations for Horses

  • Equine Vaccination Types

    • Equine Encephalomyelitis: Includes EEE, WEE, and VEE strains

    • Equine Influenza: Common viral infection affecting horses

    • Equine Protozoal Myelitis (EPM): Neurological disease caused by protozoan parasites

    • Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA): Viral disease affecting horse immune system

    • Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): Bacterial infection causing gastrointestinal illness

    • Rabies: Viral disease that affects the brain of mammals

    • West Nile Virus: Mosquito-borne viral infection that can lead to neurological problems

Additional Medical Terms for Horses

  • Additional medical terminology and definitions can be found throughout the text for deeper understanding of equine health.