Introduction to Equine Science AKA- Horses This presentation is from Virginia Tech and has not been edited by the Georgia Curriculum Office.

General horse use in U.S. 75% are owned for personal pleasure 25% are for ranching, racing, breeding, and commercial riding

Three main types of horse enterprises Breeding- breed mares and sell offspring Training- Train horses for show, competition, or racing Boarding stables- Facilities for keeping horses (feed and care)

U.S. Economics There is over ten million horses in the United states Over 16 billion dollars is spent in the horse industry annually Horse racing is the biggest spectator sport in the United States

Benefits of horses Contribute to economic growth Provide people with physical exercise Provide a release of tensions Responsibility Family activities (shows, pleasure) Competition (rodeos, racing, etc.) Work (ranch, farm, hunting, etc.) Fun/pleasure

Classification by height A hand is 4 inches Measured from ground to top of withers 14-2 hands = 58 inches Ponies are anything under 14-2 hands Horses are anything at or over 14-2 hands

General uses of a horse pleasure breeding working stock show sport

Purchasing a horse Breeders Private owners most reliable more expensive certified quality Private owners good or bad, depending on the reason they are selling the horse chance to get to know horse and owner their guarantee may only be as good as their word

Auctions Less reliable Hard to know soundness Who knows why it’s there Private horse sales a little more reliable

What to do when buying Find out horses history, pedigree if possible Find out how well it is broke and who broke it, if possible Age Does it have any problems or a history of problems (lameness, bucking, disease, etc.) Is it desirable in appearance

Watch it walk and check for soundness in legs Ride horse (you may want to have the owner ride it first) Check for bridle control, stops, athletic ability, other qualities that you desire

Age Younger horses usually need more training and a more experienced rider Older horses are usually calmer, well broke, and less experienced riders are needed Prime of life is 5-12 years old Many NFR roping horses are near or in their twenties

Sex of horse Mares Geldings Stallions Tend to be moody or flighty, especially when in heat and in presence of other mares Geldings More dependable and steady Stallions Hard to manage, especially in presence of a mare in heat

Breed Pick a breed that will satisfy your needs Quarter horses- rodeo, stock, racing Thoroughbred- racing Arabians- endurance Paints- color, show

Quarter Horse

Thoroughbred

Arabian

Paint