Exam 1 Flashcards
(80 cards)
Arrange the following geologic time periods from oldest to most recent: Pliocene, Oligocene, Paleocene, and Miocene
Paleocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene
List four trends documented in the evolution of the horse
- Reduction in # of toes
- Increase in size of cheek teeth
- Lengthening of face
- Increase in body size
List the following ancestors of today’s horse in order of their appearance on Earth: Pliohippus, Eohippus, Mesohippus, and Merychippus
Eohippus, Mesohippus, Merychippus, Pliohippus
Where and when was Prezwalski’s horse discovered?
It was discovered in 1879 in the remote valleys of Mongolia
Name three horses/horse like animals mentioned in mythology/legends
Pegasus: wild-winged horse
Unicorn: an animal with the legs of a buck, the tail of a lion, the head and body of a horse, and a single horn in the middle of its forehead
Centaur: half horse and half man
Name three horses made famous by the movies/TV
- Flicka
- Black Beauty
- Mr. Ed
List the scientific name for the horse and three of its close relatives, such as the zebra or donkey
Equus Caballus: the true horse
Equus asinus: the true asses and donkeys of northern Africa
Equus burchelli: the ‘typical’ zebra
Equus hemionus: the desert adapted onagers of Asia and the Mideast
Name two factors that caused an increased demand for draft horses during the history of the United States
The rise in agricultural demands meet a need for horses that had both strength and speed. They also were needed for transportation of people and goods.
Name the zoological kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species for the domestic (true) horse
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Genus: Equus
Discuss how the development of the wheel influenced humans’ uses of the horse
Wheeled wagons were originally drawn by oxen, onagers, and donkey hydrides. The first draft horses rapidly gained popularity because of their speed. As a result of the domestication of the first draft horses, they were used for pulling chariots used in warfare and hunting.
How did horse racing start in the United States?
In colonial America, town rivalry was centered around horse racing. The first Kentucky derby was on May 17, 1875
Describe how the Romans influenced the use of horses
The Roman army changed from an infantry to a predominately cavalry-led force.
What 20th century events have changed how horses are used in this century?
New interest in public health, rising real estate values, and improvement in electric and gasoline powered alternatives to horsepower combined to mark the rapid decline of horses’ significance in the city.
Describe the events during the 19th century/early 20th century events that caused the number of horses to steadily increase in the United States.
- The draft horse played a significant role in the growth of urban America, because the US was in transition from an agrarian to an urban society. As the cities grew, so did the need for mass transportation.
- Commercial Uses:
-Heavy horses hauled cargo unloaded at city terminals by railroads, steamships, and canal boats, and they distributed the goods produced in urban factories. - Fire protection:
-Horses were required for urban fire departments; by 1906, NYC had 1,500 fire horses
-Fire horses were almost always draft crosses selected for speed and strength
-Transportation: horses were often used for a variety of transportation needs such as taking a family into town, or hauling goods to the market - Agriculture:
-Horses became the leading farming work animal in the US
What effect did the Middle Ages have on the use of horses
With the increase in hostility between kingdoms and a rise in religious wars/barbaric invasion, the use of chariots decreased. As a result, horses started to develop new roles, particularly in agriculture. Additionally, hunting on horseback became a popular sport, especially in Norman France.
Discuss the concept that Spanish conquistadors reintroduced the horse to America
- The Spanish colonization depended on horses, and the Spaniards recognized the tactical value of the animal.
- Although the horse is believed to have been originated in North America, none survived prehistoric times except possibly those that emigrated to Asia over an ancient land bridge near modern-day Alaska.
Name the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed
- Byerley Turk
- Darley Arabian
- Godolphin Arabian
Name five color breeds of horses
- Bay: very common color, black points (legs, mane, tail)
- Chestnut
- Brown
- Black
- Dun
How long is the measurement of 1 hand?
A hand is equal to 4 inches; measured from the top of their withers to the ground
What is a breed?
- Development of specific, desirable characteristics through selective breeding
- Common ancestry that breed true to produce common characteristics such as function, conformation, and color
Light
12-17.2 hh, 900-1,400 lbs.,
Used primarily for riding, driving, showing, racing, or utility on a farm/ranch
Draft
14.2-17.2 hh, 1,400 lbs. or more
Used primarily for heavy work/pulling loads
Ponies
14.2 hh or less, 500-900 lbs.
Possess a distinct conformation on a reduced scale
Either draft, heavy harness, or saddle type
Warmblood
does not relate to horses with a certain blood temperature
Refers to the overall temperament of light-to-medium horse breeds
Fine bonded and suitable for riding
In some countries, they are distinguished as a horse having a strain of Arab breeding
Some groupings classify all light horses as warmbloods
