Exploring the Equine Industry

Lesson #5

Common Core/Next Generation Science Standards Addressed

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.2a - Introduce a topic and organize ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Bell Work

• Are horses ruminant animals?

• Why would you look a gift horse in the mouth?

• What equipment do you need to properly ride a horse?

Student Learning Objectives

• Identify equine terminology.• Discuss equine marketing options and

economic importance.• Explain selection of superior animals.• List necessary equipment, supplies, and

facilities for proper care of equine.• Describe characteristics of horse breeds.• Understand basic riding and safety

concerns.

Terms

• bridle

• colt

• draft horse

• filly

• foal

• gelding

• hand

• light horse

• mare• overo• pony• saddle• stallion• stud horse• tack• tobiano

What are some terms you may need to know to understand horses?

• Horses are also referred to as equine.• Horses, ponies, donkeys, & mules are

members of the horse family.• Hand

– unique measurement for horses – 4 inches or 10.2 centimeters

• Height of horses– measured from ground to highest point of the

withers in hands

What are the classifications of horses?

• Light horse– used for riding or racing– stands 14.2 to 17 hands high– weighs between 900 and 1,400 pounds

• Draft horse– used for work– stands 14.2 to 17.2 hands tall– weighs over 1,400 pounds

Equine Terms

• Filly– Thoroughbred female under 4 years of age or

any other breed under 3 years of age

• Stud horse– male that is kept for breeding

• Foal– horse of either gender that has not been

weaned

More Horse Terms

• Gelding– male horse that has been castrated before

reaching sexual maturity

• Mare– mature female horse

• Stallion– mature male horse

• Colt– male horse that is not mature

Horse Parts

How are horses important to the economy?

• Estimated there are over 9.5million horses in the United States.

• Years ago horses were important because they were used for work.

• Horses have become primarily used for companionship, racing, riding, and breeding.

How are horses important to the economy?

• Racing horses is a very popular spectator sport– billions of dollars spent by horse owners to

purchase best race horse– millions spent by spectators trying to predict

the winners

• Horseback riding is popular– outdoor enthusiasts– used as therapy for healing certain injuries– ranches use to monitor and round-up cattle

How are horses important to the economy?

• Breeders are constantly work to improve bloodlines.– thousands of shows from small to national – farms breed mares to sell offspring for racing

or shows

• Horses are also companion animals– make good pets– give owners a large sense of accomplishment

through training

How do I know what horse to buy and where to get it?

• Several uses:– shows– racing– working– pleasure riding– breeding

• no horse can be used for all these

• Considerations:– age– sex– breed– color– conformation– markings– previous training– intentions– facilities– money to spend

How do I know what horse to buy and where to get it?

• Age– inexperienced riders

may have problems with young animals needing training

– not safe to buy a horse the owner can’t handle

– up to 12 years old are considered to be in the prime of their life

• Sex– stallions are often

harder to control– geldings tend to be

docile– mares are usually less

gentle

• Breed– research breed to

decide if breed fits your desires

• Registered vs. Unregistered– registered more

expensive– registered resale value

is higher

• Conformation– feet and legs is

important– influence the way a

horse moves and how long it will be useful

How do I know what horse to buy and where to get it?

How do I know what horse to buy and where to get it?

• Color variations– Dun

– gray

– roan

– pinto

– palomino

• Purchase from:

– breeders

– private owners

– dealers

– auctions

What will I need to have to care for my horse?

• You will need:– housing– feed equipment– grooming equipment– saddles– bridles– time– dedication

What will I need to have to care for my horse?

• Housing– protect from sun, wind,

excessive cold, and other weather

– need 10 X 12’ stalls– keep stalls secure,

clean & dry– need open space for

exercise

• Feed & Equipment– hay & grain– minerals & vitamins– Keep feed above the

ground– watering buckets or

automatic waterers• Do not use equipment

that allows horses to drink too much water at one time.

What will I need to have to care for my horse?

• Grooming– buy high quality equipment– tack needed

• equipment for horses

• hoof pick

• mane & tail comb

• body brush

• bathing supplies

• halter

• Saddle– a padded leather seat

placed on a horse for the rider to sit on

– not required for riding but only experienced riders should ride bareback

• Bridle– part of the harness placed

on the horse’s head and is for controlling and guiding the horse

Paints

• used for racing, shows, pleasure, & stock purposes

• two color patterns– Tobiano

white legs below the knees and hocks, regular spots and heads are marked like a solid-colored horse

– Overovariable head markings, one or more leg is dark colored, scattered body markings

American Paint Horse Association, P.O. Box 961023 Fort Worth, TX 76161-0023

Arabians

• Originated in Arabia• 850 to 1,100 pounds

at maturity• Color may be bay,

gray, chestnut, and occasionally black or white

• Used for pleasure, racing, and showing

Arabian Horse Trust 12000 Zuni Street Westminster, CO 80234-2300

Quarter Horses• Originated in the United

States• named for short

stretches they originally raced

• Colors may be black, brown, bay, sorrel, dun, chestnut, buckskin, gray, roan, and grullo.

• Used for riding, showing, racing, and stock horses.

American Quarter Horse Association P.O. Box 200 Amarillo, TX 79168

Belgians

• Originated in Belgium• Colors are bay,

chestnut, or roan.• 15.2 to 17 hands tall• weighs 1,900 to 2,200

pounds at maturity• mainly used for their

power

Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America P.O. Box 335 Wabash, IN 46992-0335

Clydesdale

• Originated in Scotland• Colors are mainly bay

and brown with white markings

• averages 16 to 17 hands tall

• 1,700 to 1,900 pounds at maturity

CLYDESDALE BREEDERS OF THE U.S.A.17346 KELLEY RD.PECATONICA, IL. 61063

What are riding and safety concerns?

• Riding is a good form of exercise that is very enjoyable. By understanding the behavior of horses and providing proper training to the horse and rider, riding will be safe and fun.

Guidelines• Don’t startle or scare a horse and always approach from

the left side.• You should keep horse under control but discipline in a

humane fashion.• Your horse always needs to know your intentions so that

it knows what it is suppose to do.

Riding Guidelines

• Never tease an animal and always be calm and gentle with it.

• Always wear clothing that will protect you.

• Walk beside the horse when leading it, mount the horse from the left side, and take extra care when strangers are near.

• When new horses are introduced, take precautions so they do not fight.

Riding Guidelines

• Slow down when riding in areas that could injure the horse. If conditions are excessively rough, get off the horse and walk it.

• Spend enough time training and exercising the horse so you know the horse’s temperament and horse will be in good shape.

Review

• What are some terms you may need to know to understand horses?

• How are horses important to the economy?• How do I know what horse to buy and where to

get it?• What will I need to have to care for my horse?• What are the characteristics of common horse

breeds?• What are riding and safety concerns?

The End!