Horses An introduction on basic terminology, colors, markings, purpose, and general information

Basic Information Horses have a gestation period of 340 days (11 months – wow!) Horses are non-ruminates, however they do have a CECUM! The cecum is somewhat like the rumen in which it helps with digestion Because feed passes through horses more rapidly there is lower digestion efficiency

How did the horse become domesticated? Man’s only contact with a horse was a hunter in search of food for about a half a million years Other animals were used for draft purposes before the horse - Oxen and donkeys Excavations show that the horse became more important in the economy of the people of steppes north of the Black Sea Tame horses were first kept for meat They eventually became docile and began to carry goods for nomadic tribes

What about horse domestication in the United States? When the Spanish explorers came to the Americas in the early 1500’s, they brought many horses with them on their voyage The Spanish colonization depended on the horses and they recognized the value By the late 1800’s the horse was an important element to life in America -They hauled goods and moved people, which created a market for horse related goods

Horses in Today’s Society As technology increased, the number of draft horses decreased - Large trucks took place - Tractors and machines Less horses are used for transportation because of vehicles They’re mostly used for luxury purposes 75% are owned for personal pleasure 25% are for ranching, racing, breeding, and commercial riding

Characteristics

Body Colors – 5 Basics Black: has fine, black hair on the muzzle Brown: very dark but will have tan or brown hair on the muzzle or flanks Bay: varies from yellowish tan to bright mahogany – a dark bay is almost brown Chesnut: is red with variations from a light yellow to a dark liver color – brilliant red-gold and copper shades are also considered chesnut White: is pure white and remains the same color all of its life

Body Colors – 5 Variations Dun – is a yellow color, it can vary from a mouse (grullo) to golden - always have a stripe down their backs Gray – a mixture of black and white hair Palomino – golden with light mane and tail – vary from light yellow to a bright copper Pinto – also known as a Paint – has more than one color (spotted) Roan – white hairs mingled with one or more other hair colors (blue, red, strawberry)

Facial Markings Top: L-R Blaze, Stripe, Stripe (or thin blaze) and Snip, Irregular Blaze, Interrupted Stripe, Bald Face Bottom: L-R Faint Star, Star, Star and Snip, Irregular Star, Snip, Lip Marking

A “bald-faced horse”

A horse with a blaze

A horse with a star, interrupted stripe, and snip

A horse with a star

What’s the big deal with colors and facial markings? The colors and facial markings help determine the breed of the horse There are several breeds that look similar, but if you can determine the color and its markings, it will make it easier to figure out what breed it is