Intro to equine

Introduction to Equine Science

Horse BreedsBy Heather Nursement

Major Types of Horses• Pony• Light Horse• Heavy Horse

Average Heights:•Pony: 12hh•Light Horse: 16hh•Heavy Horse: 19hh

http://www.emu.edu/students/jlb264/Breeds_of_and_Family_of_horses.htm

Compilation: AECD, California || For more veterinary stuff visit www.techyvety.com

http://www.geraldbrimacombe.com/UK%20-Ireland/Scotland%20-%20Shetland%20Pony-Shetland%20Is.jpg

How Horses are Measured

• Horses height is calculated in hands• 1 hand= 4 inches• The measurement is taken from ground level to the highest point on the

horses withers • Formula: 4 x WH + FH = Inches high

– WH= whole hands– FH= any fraction of height left over

• Example: A horse is 15.2 hh4 x 15 + 2= 62 inches

http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/horsehandsconverter.html


Ten Major Breeds of Horses

(Focusing on Light Horses)

Shetland Pony• They mature up to

42 inches (about 11hh)

• Very hardy and versatile

• Smallest pure breed in the world

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/shetland/index.htm

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/shetland/index.htm


Clydesdale Horse• Draft horse originally

used as a farm workhorse

• Used for short and long distance haulage everywhere

• Usually solid color with four white legs

• Still labeled “At Risk” by the Rare Breeds Society

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/clydesdale/index.htm

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/clydesdale/index.htm


American Quarter Horse• Stocky build, heavy

muscling and compact appearance

• Old fashioned type and racing type (looks like a well muscled Thoroughbred)

• Most popular breed because they are level headed, sure footed and steady

• Come in all colors and range in height from 14hh to 16hh

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/quarterhorse/index.htm

www.carterperformancehorses.com

www.quarterh.com


Thoroughbred Horse• Everything about them is

long: long, smooth muscles, long forearms, long, sloping shoulders, long loins, long legs

• They average 15hh-16.2hh in height

• They are the greyhounds of the horse world and should look athletic

• Fine boned with thin skin• Great stamina and

strength

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/thoroughbred/index.htm

www.maggiesmenagerie.net


Morgan Horse• Smaller horses,

averaging 14.1hh to 15.1hh

• They appear longer than they are tall, despite the shortness of their back

• Elastic gaits which give the feel of power

• Noted for their great stamina and soundness

• Courageous, docile, playful and affectionate

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/morgan/index.htm

www.horses-and-horse-information.com

www.mtphiloinn.com Compilation: AECD, California || For more veterinary stuff visit www.techyvety.com

Mustang• Full in colors and

combinations, sizes and builds

• Tough, strong, agile, sound, and quick to learn

• May be adopted through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

• Takes time to earn their trust, but once they have a sense for your loyalty they learn easily

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/mustang/index.htm

www.premierpub.com


American Paint Horse• Sound conformation, versatile athletic

ability and intelligent• Stock horse body type• American Paint Horse Association

(APHA)• Those that meet the bloodline

requirements must have a “qualifying area” of a white spot on a dark horse or a dark spot on a white horse (if neither, they are considered Breeding Stock)

• 3 registered color types:– Overo: Overos often have bold

white head markings, such as a bald face. Also, an overo’s body markings will be irregular and scattered, and one or all four legs will be dark. The horse’s tail is usually one color.

– Tobiano: The tobiano pattern is distinguished by oval or round spots that extend down the neck and chest of the horse. Generally, the legs are white, at least below the knees and hocks. The tail is often two colors.

– Tovero: Characteristics of both tobiano and overo

www.horsedirectory.com.au

www.horses-arizona.com Compilation: AECD, California || For more veterinary stuff visit www.techyvety.com

Appaloosa Horse• White sclera around eyes,

striped hooves, sparse and short mane and tail, and mottled skin around the nostrils and genitalia

• Average 14.2hh to 16hh• Types of Appy patterns:

– Blanket– Spots– Blanket with spots– Roan blanket– Roan blanket with spots– Solid– Leopard– Snowflake– Frost

• Widely stereotyped as being a little crazy or loopy!

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/appaloosa/index.htm

www.inseparabile.com

www.equides.free.fr


Arabian Horse• Range from 14.2hh to

16hh• Sleek, elegant and

classy• Dished faces, level

croups and move like they’re floating

• “Mitbah”-curved arc where the head and the neck meet

• Intelligent and affectionate and have incredible endurance

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/arab/index.htm

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/arab/index.htm


Standardbred Horse• Often described as

honest• Medium build, ranging

in size from 14.2hh-17.2hh

• Plain, rugged and capable of performing any job

• Fastest harness racing breed

• Great stamina and virtually “bomb-proof”

http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/standardbred/index.htmhttp://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/standardbred/index.htm


Intro to equine

Education

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