1. Selection of Horses
Chapter 31

2. Objectives Describe the characteristics of the horse industry
Describe the common breeds of horses
Describe the selection of a horse

3. Horses in the United States
In the U.S., 75 percent of horses are used for personal pleasure
Another 25 percent are used for ranching, racing, breeding, and commercial riding
The three main types of horse enterprises are breeding, training, and boarding stables

4. Horses in the United States (cont.)
The most popular breeds of horses
Quarter Horse
Thoroughbred
Paint
Appaloosa
Arabian

5. Horses in the United States (cont.)
The leading states in horse numbers
Texas
California
Florida
Oklahoma
Kentucky

6. Horses in the United States (cont.)
The horse industry brings in $39 billion in economic activity each year
Horses contribute to economic growth
Horses allow people to get exercise with riding
Horses help in releasing tension and help people gain a sense of responsibility

7. Selection of Horses Definition of Terms
Foal – either sex, up to 1 year old
Filly – female, less than 3 years old
Colts – male, less than 3 years old
Mare – mature female, 4 years and up
Stallion – mature male, 4 years and up
Gelding – castrated male

8. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Use of the Horse
Pleasure
Breeding
Working stock
Show
Sport

9. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Sources of Horses
Breeders
Private owners
Auctions
Dealers

10. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Age of Horse to Buy
Horses aged 5 to 12 years are in the prime of their lives
Horses in this range or older are good choices for inexperienced riders
Inexperienced riders may find riding young horses a challenge

11. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Sex of Horse to Buy
Stallions often hard to manage, control
Geldings or mares are better choices for pleasure riding
Geldings more steady, dependable, while mares more excitable

12. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Breed Selection
Some breeds more adapted to particular uses than others
Intended use of horse should narrow breed selection
Pleasure riding
Showing
Breeding

13. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Conformation
Feet, legs are the most important part of horse
The four basic colors of horses are
Bay
Black
Brown
Chestnut

14. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Face and Leg Markings

15. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Face and Leg Markings (cont.)

16. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Age of Horses
Approximate age can be determined by looking at the front teeth
Gait
Movement of the horse’s feet and legs
Pedigree
Greatest importance when selecting race and show horses

17. Selection of Horses (cont.)
Records
Breed association forms available for keeping records of registered horses
Price
Prices range from small amount to thousands of dollars
Prices vary with season

18. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies
American Paint

19. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
American Saddlebred Horse

20. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Andalusian

21. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Appaloosa

22. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Arabian

23. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Buckskin

24. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Cleveland Bay

25. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Connemara Pony

26. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Galiceno

27. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Missouri Fox Trotting Horse

28. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Morgan

29. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Palomino

30. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Pinto

31. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Pony of the Americas

32. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Quarter Horse

33. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Shetland Pony

34. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Standardbred

35. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Tennessee Walking Horse

36. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Thoroughbred

37. Breeds of Light Horses and Ponies (cont.)
Walking Pony

38. Breeds of Draft Horses
Clydesdale

39. Breeds of Draft Horses
Donkeys and Mules

40. Unsoundness and Blemishes
Defect that affects the usefulness of a horse
Most serious affects feet and legs
Blemish
Imperfection that does not affect the usefulness of a horse

41. Vices
After idleness and poor handling, horses can develop bad habits known as vices
Most common
Cribbing
Wind sucking
Halter pulling
Kicking