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Horse Facts - A Little Basic Anatomy

March 6th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

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I wrote an article for another publication a couple of days ago about Laminitis, a crippling condition.  It occurred to me when doing this that among the horse facts any owner should know are a few basics of anatomy so I have put together some thoughts here. If you want  to be sure that you are looking after your horse in the best way possible you should undertake some basic study of horse anatomy. You can do this by studying on your own or you can speak to your vet to find out the basics.

One basic thing that most horse owners know but rarely remember is that  laying down is not easy on your horse.  A horse’s body is  not intended to lay down for long periods of time, which is why you should be aware  that if your horse is laying down, there is probably something wrong with him.  If a horse lays down for any amount of time they  risk damage to their internal organs, so if you observe this you should call your vet immediately and discuss it with him.

A  horse’s legs are probably the most easily damaged part of his anatomy. They carry his weight, and support him while he is sleeping, despite the fact that they are very thin. If a horse gets a broken leg, there will potentially be many problems because he won’t be able to lie down to rest it, which means that the healing process can be quite painful and long drawn out. What this means for you is that you have to be sure to always care for your horse’s legs and feet.  Hoof care is a also critical and warrents a whole topic to itself

Another thing that you must  take care of  is your horse’s skin and coat.  You should focus on them because they protect your horse and help keep him happy and healthy.  You should be grooming your horse daily, and especially after each time you ride him.  Make sure his coat is clean and his mane and tail are free of tangles and any bits of twig or briar that may have caught whilst you were out.

Horses are incredible strong animals with very bodies that are designed to work well when being ridden or just running free.  Don’t take advantage of your horse’s willingness to work and overtire him.  He needs his rest just as much as you do.  There is a great deal more to be said on horse anatomy but these few short tips will add to your store of horse facts and help keep your horse healthy.

Horse Facts - Types and Breeds

February 5th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

There are many types and breeds of horse and pony which can often be confusing to the true Equestrian, never mind the lay person. I felt it might be useful to give a brief description of the differences which will lead on to a more detailed occasional series of articles on each of the different breeds – Horse facts if you like.The principle difference between a horse and a pony is known by most people – above 14.2 hands = horse, below = pony but this is not strictly true as many small breeds are classed as horses because of other characteristics, as they say ‘rules are for guidance’. Stud Books vary in their criteria and each should be judged individually. For example the Fallabella is a miniature horse, not a pony.

Breeds are a slightly more thorny issue, generally a breed is defined as a ‘viable true-breeding population’, such as Andalusian or Percheron. Some newer breeds of horse do not strictly fall into that category yet but are still classified as breeds. It is generally held that most domesticated horses today spring from one of four wild species, the warmblood or forest, the oriental, the draft and the Tarpan, from these have developed the hundreds of different types of horse in the modern world.

In addition to the true breeding type there are also what are called ‘colour breeds’ and the only criteria for inclusion in the Stud Book is adherence to the colour – any foals not conforming will not be eligible, examples are the Palamino and the Buckskin. Some, such as the Appaloosa have a preferred colour but it is not a breed requirement.

Types of horse are different again, the best way to describe it as a group of horses that have similarities of appearance or temperament such as Cobs, Hacks or Sport Horses. There are many ‘types’ whose names come down from history though we rarely use those terms today. Horses were not classified by breed but by type in the past – lovely names such as Destrier, Jennet, Palfrey and Hobby. The Hobby Horse was not always a wooden toy but a lightweight horse, maybe just under the 14.2 hands classification, that was bred in Ireland from Spanish stock. They were highly prized as cavalry mounts employed in light skirmishing, often covering as much as 70 miles a day in a form of guerrilla warfare – a little know horse fact.

Welcome to the Easy Equestrian

February 4th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

This is a site for all things Equestrian. If you are interested in horses, riding, equestrian sports - in fact anything remotely equine this is the place for you. I have been riding since I was a small child, I fell off my first horse more years ago than I care to remember and I would like to share my love for horses and riding with you. I believe a happy and healthy horse is the privilege of every rider so I will be sharing all the knowledge that I have gained with you - and maybe a few tales of my adventures along the way. I hope you will enjoy it and share your tales with me.

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