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

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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. General uses of a horse
pleasure
breeding
working stock
show
sport

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. Quarter Horse

16. Thoroughbred

17. Arabian

18. Paint