Equine Husbandry

Question 2

What type of animal is a horse classified as?

Answer 2

Herd animal

Question 3

What are wild horses’ breeding bands called?

Answer 3

Harems

Question 4

What are groups of all male horses called?

Answer 4

Bachelor bands

Question 5

Who usually leads the social hierarchy in a horse herd?

Answer 5

Dominant mare

Question 6

What are the primary forms of communication in horses?

Answer 6

Whinnying, nickering, grooming

Question 7

How do horses generally respond to danger?

Answer 7

Prefer to flee; fight only when unable to flee

Question 8

How do horses learn behaviors?

Answer 8

Learned as a foal from Dam & rest of herd

Question 9

What can cause a horse to be scared or worried?

Answer 9

Failing to read the horse correctly and poor communication

Question 10

What do most horses do before they fight?

Answer 10

Give several warnings

Question 11

What key regions of body language should be observed in horses?

Answer 11

• Ears
• Eyes
• Nose
• Neck & head
• Tail
• Posture

Question 12

What does it mean when a horse’s ears are pricked forward?

Answer 12

Alert or awake

Question 13

What does it indicate when a horse’s ears are drooping or floppy?

Answer 13

Dozing, content, relaxed and/or happy

Question 14

What does it mean when a horse’s ears are laid back?

Answer 14

Requesting something, concentrating/focusing

Question 15

What does pinned back ears signify in a horse?

Answer 15

Annoyance or anger

Question 16

What does it indicate when a horse’s ears are multidirectional?

Answer 16

Hesitancy or confusion

Question 17

What does swiveling ears indicate in a horse?

Answer 17

Heightened state of anxiety or alertness

Question 18

What does a worry line in a horse’s eyes indicate?

Answer 18

Nervousness

Question 19

What does it mean when a horse shows no white of the eye?

Answer 19

Nervous

Question 20

What are the signs that a horse is scared?

Answer 20

• Whites showing
• Head up
• Eyes wide
• Worry lines showing

Question 21

What does a flared nostril indicate in horses?

Answer 21

Alarm, fright, after heavy exercise, something of interest

Question 22

What does a pinched nostril signify?

Answer 22

Anger, pain or something of great concern

Question 23

What does an arched neck indicate in horses?

Answer 23

Hesitant or mildly alarmed

Question 24

What does a horse’s head being positioned up beyond normal indicate?

Answer 24

Fear/alarm or extreme agitation

Question 25

What does a horse's head tilted to the side with ears pinned back signify?

Answer 25

Very angry

Question 26

What does an extended and tilted head indicate?

Answer 26

Requesting

Question 27

What does swishing of the tail (not at flies) indicate?

Answer 27

Angry, agitated or total happiness

Question 28

What does a flagged tail signify?

Answer 28

Extreme fear or delight

Question 29

What does a clamped tail indicate?

Answer 29

Fright

Question 30

What does relaxed muscle posture in a horse signify?

Answer 30

Chill

Question 31

What does tense muscle posture in a horse indicate?

Answer 31

Alert

Question 32

What do squeals and grunts in horses typically represent?

Answer 32

Aggression or excitement

Question 33

What does a snort from a horse indicate?

Answer 33

Sees or smells something

Question 34

What does a whinny signify?

Answer 34

Locating herd or excitement

Question 35

What does soft whickering indicate?

Answer 35

Reassurance

Question 36

True or False: Horses can detect human emotions.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

What is essential for achieving a calm environment with horses?

Answer 37

Be self-aware of tone, volume, body language (relaxed posture, normal breathing pattern)

Question 38

What are the two blind spots when approaching a horse?

Answer 38

Directly in front and behind

Question 39

List some causes of stress or fear in horses.

Answer 39

* Loud noise * Sudden movement * Herd instinct to signs of others * Pain * Anticipation of pair/conditioned response

Question 40

What are some behaviors included in a horse's fight response?

Answer 40

* Barging * Biting * Kicking * Striking * Bucking * Rearing

Question 41

What is the primary use of a headcollar in horse handling?

Answer 41

Basic form of restraint, allows horse to control direction and pace

Question 42

What is the purpose of a snaffle bridle?

Answer 42

More control of direction and pace needed (riding and driving)

Question 43

What is a chifney bit known for?

Answer 43

Severe bit known as the 'anti-rearing' bit

Question 44

Fill in the blank: Twitches can be used to release _______.

Answer 44

Endorphins

Question 45

What are the types of rugs used for horses?

Answer 45

* Turn out rugs (waterproof) * Stable rugs (quilted but non-waterproof) * Fleece rugs (thin) * Exercise rugs (for warmth)

Question 46

What are brushing boots used for?

Answer 46

Inside leg protection

Question 47

What is the purpose of tendon boots?

Answer 47

Tendon protection

Question 48

What do overreach boots minimize?

Answer 48

Risk of pulling a shoe off

Question 49

What is the function of travel boots?

Answer 49

Whole leg protection

Question 50

What are the uses of bandages in horse care?

Answer 50

* Warmth * Support * Protection * Immobilisation * Keep dressing in place

Question 51

What is included in a basic grooming kit for horses?

Answer 51

* Body brush (all over) * Dandy brush (not for sensitive areas) * Hoof pick * Plastic curry comb (remove thick mud and cleans body brush) * Rubber curry comb (thick mud and loose hair) * Mane comb * Sponge (face and bum)