HORSES HORSES This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner .
Transcript
HORSESHORSES
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is
permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Normal behavior in a horseNormal behavior in a horse
• Herd Animal
• Touch– Rely on touch with other horses
• Nuzzle – Friendship and acceptance
– Groom each other
• Smell– Better sense of smell than humans– Can smell the “fear smell” of a human
• Body and facial language– Fear – Flare their nostrils and flatten ears– Aggression – Similar to fear but will also open their
mouth, raise a leg, and/or clamp down their tail.
• Oral Communication– Snort – Followed by an intense stare can be a way of
alerting that danger is near or making sure others are not under threat.
– Nickering – Friendly; between horses and humans– Neigh – Loudest and most commonly used
• Locate other horses or announce their presence.
• Flight Instinct– Horses may react to unfamiliar objects and
circumstances by spooking, or fleeing, from the object of fear.
• Blind Spot– Horse can not see behind them or directly in
front of them.
APPROACHING A HORSEAPPROACHING A HORSE
• Approach from the left side (shoulder area)
• Talk to the horse as you are approaching, let them know that you are there.
• Watch body language (ears especially)
• In our barn, Shasta has no right eye, so be sure you are speaking to her if you are on that side.
Walking behind a horseWalking behind a horse
• Be sure to continue talking to the horse, lets them know where you are
• Place a hand on the horse as you are walking toward the rear– Keep your hand on the horse at all times as
you are walking behind– The closer you are to the horse, the safer you
are.
CribbingCribbing
• Horses exhibit a behavior called cribbing as an “anxiety” trait or OCD type behavior.
• Uses upper teeth to grab a stationary object– Arches the neck– Pulls backwards while swallowing air and
grunting– Can cause colic
COLICCOLIC
• Colic = Abdominal pain– Could be build up of gas– Could be impaction (sand)– Enterolith– Parasites– Variety of causes
COLIC SYMPTOMSCOLIC SYMPTOMS• Pawing and/or scraping • Stretching • Frequent attempts to urinate • Flank watching: turning of the head to watch the stomach
and/or hind quarters • Biting/nipping the stomach • Pacing • Repeated lying down and rising • Rolling (Will not usually shake when they get up)• Groaning • Excess salivation • Loss of appetite • Decreased fecal output • Increased pulse rate • Dark mucous membranes
• Symptoms – lameness – can affect all 4 feet. Shift weight to back legs with front legs extended (typical founder stance). May refuse to stand or walk.
• Digital pulse – bounding (should not feel pulse easily)
FOUNDERFOUNDER• Causing factors:
– Excess of carbs (too much grain, lush pasture)
– Excessive weight– GI problems and stress/shock
TEETH FLOATINGTEETH FLOATING
• Teeth continuously grow
• As they chew – they wear the teeth into “points”
• Can cause damage to cheek and tongue.
• May see grain fall out of mouth when trying to eat.
