Equine production

• Taxonomy


  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Perissodactyla
  • Family: Equidae
  • Genus: equus
• Species


  • Equus caballus - domesticated horse
  • Equus ferus przewalskii - only true wild horse alive today
  • Equus quagga - formerly Equss burchelli
  • Equus zebra
  • Equus grevyi - most horse-like zebra
  • Equus hemionus - also known as Onagers, Kiang
  • Equus asinus - sometimes referred to as E. africanus
• Horses are under the Family Equidae, from the Latin word for horse, equus
• The best known wild member of the horse family is the Zebra
• Donkeys and Mule are also included under the family Equidae
• Rhinoceroses and tapirs, nearest horse relatives both of which are odd toed creatures
• Horses have hair like humans, not fur
• Horses do not get fleas
• Horses are social animals and will quickly become feral and run in herds of hundreds when released in nature
• All "wild horses" and ponies (Equus ferus) including 'wild' Mustangs in the western United States are feral with two exceptions: Przewalski's Horse and the Tarpan
• In nature, horses breed every other year and foals are usually born with its eyes wide open and is able to stand unsupported within a few minutes of birth
• Evolution of horses


  • Hyracotherium (common ancestor of all horses today)
  • Mesohippus
  • Merychippus
  • Pliohippus
  • Equus
• Breed related terms


  • Coldblood
  • Hotblood
  • Warmblood
  • Pony
  • Hybrid
• Terms used to describe sexes

  • Mare
  • Brood Mare
  • Barren
  • Foal
  • Colt
  • Filly
  • Stud
  • Stallion
  • Gelding
  • Stag
• Miscellaneous terms


  • Breaking
  • Chesnut
  • Feathering
  • Frog
  • Girth
  • Hand
  • Tack
• Popular equestrian activities


  • Horse Shows
  • Dressage
  • Rodeos
  • Cutting
  • Polo
  • Combined Training
  • Fox Hunting
  • Driving
  • Gymkhanas
  • Distance Riding
  • Riding for the Handicapped
  • Pack trips/Dude Ranch Cross Country
  • Draft Horse Demos
• Points of a horse

  • Ears
  • Poll
  • Forelock
  • Mane
  • Crest
  • Shoulder
  • Withers
  • Heartgirth
  • Back
  • Barrel
  • Point of Hip
  • Loin
  • Croup
  • Flank
  • Thigh
  • Buttock
  • Quarter
  • Stifle
  • Gaskin
  • Hock
  • Cannon
  • Pastern
  • Coronet
  • Hoof
  • Fetlock
  • Elbow
  • Chesnuts
  • Knee
  • Forearm
  • Arm
  • Chest
  • Neck
  • Throat latch
  • Cheek
  • Muzzle
  • Face/Forehead
• Horse's eyes


  • Eye colors
  • Work independently and can see almost 180 degrees with each eye
  • Cannot see directly behind or in front
  • Protected by bony sockets, lids and lashes
• Parts of the hoof

  • Wall
  • White Line
  • Frog
  • Sole
  • Bars
  • Heel Buttress
  • Seat of Corn
• Breed differences


  • Northern Breeds (Cold bloods, Trotters, Draft Horse)
  • Southern Breeds (Hot bloods, Gallopers)
• Social organization
• Bars


  • The inward folds of the wall, originating from the heels at an abrupt angle
• Heel Buttress


  • Strong structure built up by the extremity of the heel and the bar
• Seat of Corn


  • Part of the sole between the heel walls and the bars which is a very important landmark used by natural hoof trimmers to evaluate the correct heel height
• Northern Breeds


  • Cold bloods
  • Trotters
  • Draft Horse
• Northern Breeds


  • Heavier built, with deep bodies, short stocky legs, small ears, large heads, thick coats and less reactive temperament
  • Adaptations for energy conservation and survival in a cold climate
• Southern Breeds


  • Hot bloods
  • Gallopers
• Southern Breeds


  • Graceful with long slender legs, fine coats, small heads, large ears and other physiological adaptations to aid in heat dissipation
  • Fast, highly reactive and enduring
• Social Organization Types


  • Type 1 Behavior
  • Type 2 Behavior
• Type 1 Behavior


  • Non-territorial family band of one stallion and up to six mares
  • Adaptation to unpredictable environmental conditions
• Type 2 Behavior


  • Males are territorial and adults do not form lasting bonds
  • Females may range over several males' territory and will accept mating from any of these territories
  • Adaptation to predictable but marginal semi-desert conditions
• Body Temperature


  • Stallion: 37.2 – 38.1℃
  • Mare: 37.3 – 38.2℃
  • Foal: 37.2 – 38.9℃
• Resting Heart Rate


  • Newborn: 80-120 bpm
  • Older Foal: 60-80 bpm
  • Yearling: 40-60 bpm
  • Adult: 28-40 bpm
• Resting Respiratory Rate: 10-14 breaths/minute
• Hydration Level


  • Capillary Refill Time: 1-2 sec.
  • Pinch Test: 1-2 sec.
• Urine Volume: 3-8ml/kg BW/day
• Urine Specific Gravity: 1.025-1.060
• Body Temperature


  • 38.9℃ (102℉): mild fever (except foals)
  • 40℃ (104℉): moderate fever
  • 41℃ (106℉): high fever
• Arteries to locate in taking horse's pulse

  • Facial Artery
  • Radial Artery
  • Common Digital Artery
  • Coccygeal Artery
• Mucous Membrane Color


  • Pale – low perfusion of blood indicating shock condition/anemia
  • Deep Red – congested membranes, also in shock condition with toxicity
  • Purple/Blue – low oxygen levels or serious toxicosis and possibly shock
  • Overly yellow – gums are normally slightly yellow but very yellow may indicate liver problem