Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Equine Evaluations > Horse Evaluation > Flashcards

Horse Evaluation Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 5 points of horse evaluation?

A

-Planned use (performance, pleasure, breeding?)
-Behavioral characteristics
-physical characteristics (health, color, movement, conformation?)
-genetic characteristics (pedigree, production records)
-cost

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How does planned use affect your priorities for selection?

A

-athleticism vs temperament?
-beginner vs advanced?
-pleasure vs. competition?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How does planned use affect your breed selection?

A

-work horse vs. stock horse vs. sport horse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How have breeds/types been developed?

A

to have physical characteristics consistent with their primary intended use (size, muscling, overall shape/proportions, speed, strength, endurance, agility)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

“Ideal” for one breed/type =

A

different than another breed/type

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

“Ideal” characteristics can vary from breed to breed but…

A

we can use similar techniques to evaluate those characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Lameness

A

an irregularity in an individual horse’s normal gait that often involves the limbs and is often associated with pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What do we need to know to identify lameness?

A

what the horse’s normal gait is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Gait defect (fault)

A

A deviation in limb movement from the ideal which may or may not be associated with pain and can be normal for a particular horse (horses can develop these because of lameness to avoid pain)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

To identify gait defects what do we need to know first?

A

the “ideal” for the type/breed of horse we are evaluating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Examples of gait defects:

A

a horse may move their limbs to the outside in their individual movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Unsoundness

A

a characteristic that impairs the ability of a horse to fulfill a specific purpose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do we need to know to determine if a horse is unsound?

A

the horse’s purpose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Examples of unsoundness

A

-blindness
-old tendon injury
-asthma
-reproductive issues
-a filly injured on the track that heals cannot race again but she can be sound enough for breeding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Conformation

A

close study of the form of the horse (con = to study; formation = giving form or shape to something)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Conformation defect (fault)

A

a deviation from the “ideal”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

To be able to identify conformation defects what do we need to know?

A

the “ideal” for the type of horse we are evaluating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Examples of conformation defects:

A

saddlebreds should have a very upright neck, if they have a low or straight neck it is a conformational defect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Blemish

A

a characteristic that affects the appearance of the horse but not its ability to function or fulfill a purpose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Examples of blemishes:

A

-scars
-eye problems (that don’t effect vision)
-sometimes hearing problems
-brands sometimes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Is conformation evaluation all about the legs?

A

No! the legs only function because of whats above them, the body is just as important as the legs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Conformation characteristics

A

-symmetry
-structure
-balance
-height, breadth, muscling, quality (sex)
-breed characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Dynamic symmetry

A

in motion, symmetry of limbs, body position

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Examples of dynamic symmetry

A

do the left and right move together/in the same way?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Static symmetry

A

relationship of left and right
-are they mirror images of each other?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the best gaits to evaluate symmetry in?

A

walk and trot (symmetrical gaits)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How to observe dynamic symmetry

A

-are legs taking the same step length?
-are legs lifting off the ground to the same height?
-are legs stretching forward the same distance?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

How to observe static symmetry

A

from the front:
-ears
-eyes
-notrils
-muzzle
-chest/muscling
-forearms/muscling
-knees
-cannons
-ankles
-pasterns
-hooves
from behind:
-hips
-stifles/muscling
-hocks
-tail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What could a lack of dynamic symmetry do?

A

-may affect performance
-may indicate lameness (sudden loss of symmetry)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What could lack of static symmetry do?

A

may affect dynamic symmetry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is structure?

A

angle, alignment, length

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What does structure affect?

A

-dynamic balance
-dynamic symmetry
-stride length
-power and efficiency
-force distribution within the body and limbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What makes up structure?

A

where the skeletal parts are in the horse
-angle
-alignment
-length
of bones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

How do we observe structure?

A

from the side, front, and rear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Describing words for structure of the torso:

A

-deep
-good
-bad
-sloped

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Shoulder structure

A

scapula and humerus
-where the scapula joins with the humerus and where the humerus ends in the forearm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Shoulder length

A

the length of the scapula (top of scapula to where the scapula joins the humerus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Deep shoulder

A

the humerus joining the leg to the top of the shoulder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Comparing the shoulder between young and old horses:

A

it is hard to do because the shoulder gets longer as they grow older

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Shoulder slope

A

-ideal angle is 45 degrees
-length of scapula joins a line parallel to the ground at a 45 degree angle at the point of the chest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

More upright (straighter) shoulder

A

bigger angle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

More sloping shoulder

A

smaller angle/ gentler slope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Shoulder angle

A

angle between the scapula and the humerus (open/large angle vs. closed/smaller angle)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Pigeon chested

A

leg is set slightly back from the chest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What is the ideal shoulder for a saddlebred?

A

very sloped shoulder because they pick their legs up so high (easier to get vertical to the ground)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What type of shoulder would jumping horses need?

A

a sloped shoulder to get their legs up and out of the way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

A long sloping shoulder with an open angle gives the horse what type of movement?

A

a longer stride and more freedom of movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

A straighter shoulder gives horses what type of movement?

A

shorter stride (good for barrel racing and pole bending)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

How does a sloped shoulder influence the neck set?

A

a higher set neck

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

How does a straighter shoulder influence the neck set?

A

a lower set neck

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Length of the hip

A

from the point of the hip to the end of the pelvis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What does a longer hip mean?

A

more are for muscles (more muscles = more power)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Slope of the hip

A

the slope of the line from the point of the hip to the end of the pelvis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Flatter hip

A

hip length is closer to parallel to the ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Steeper hip

A

hip length is pointing more down towards the ground (better for broodmares)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Angle of the hip

A

angle between the pelvis and where the femur articulates with it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What does the angle and structure of the hip affect?

A

the placement and reach of the hindlimb (where the power comes from)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What does the position of the pelvis and femur affect?

A

the ability of the horse to engage the hind end

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

The front end is lifted by the…

A

rear!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

What is the only thing supporting the front end of the horse to the hind end?

A

the lumbar vertebrae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

The back is what to the horse?

A

the bridge and transmits the lifting action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

A long back is…

A

unsupported

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

A short back is…

A

ideal (unless too short) because there is less area that is unsupported

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

Length of back

A

from the withers to the point of the hip

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

A line from the shoulder joint to the front of the hoof should be…

A

perpendicular to the ground
-lower forelimb is aligned underneath the scapula with the radius and cannon mostly perpendicular to the ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

Camped under

A

when the front legs are set slightly back from the perpendicular line straight to the ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

What does a long forearm allow?

A

reach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

What does a short cannon bone allow?

A

it is strong and allows low foot flight (less effort)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

What is the length desire of the front legs for horses?

A

a long forearm and a short cannon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

When is the front leg the strongest?

A

when the radius, carpus, cannon, and fetlock are aligned for more even force distribution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

What distributes forces more evenly in the front leg?

A

a flat cannon, knee, and radius

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

A speed/big jumps what may happen to the knee

A

it may be hyper-extended

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

What is the role of the pastern and fetlock?

A

drop down to absorb concussion and then spring back

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

Back pasterns are what compared to front pasterns?

A

a bit more upright

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

What angle are foals pasterns?

A

more upright (sink over time)

76
Q

Flexural defects

A

angles are too large or too small

77
Q

What could flexural defects increase?

A

-forces on bones
-forces on soft tissues
-or distributes forces unequally

78
Q

How are flexural defects observed?

A

from the side

79
Q

Buck-kneed/Over at the knee

A

knee is set forward

80
Q

Calf-kneed/back at the knee

A

knee is set back

81
Q

Two types of pasterns

A

upright or sloping

82
Q

Some combinations of characteristics can increase what?

A

risk of injury
ex: short upright pasterns + calf knees + heavy body = more forces focused on lower limbs

83
Q

Structure of the hind limb from the side:

A

-hindlimb is aligned underneath the buttocks
-the hock and stifle have moderate angulation

84
Q

What does placement of the hind leg effect?

A

the ability to engage easily, but may also predispose to interference

85
Q

Camped out behind:

A

hind leg is set behind the point of the buttock

86
Q

Desirable structure of hind leg?

A

a long tibia (+ gaskin) and short cannon

87
Q

What does a long tibia and short cannon allow?

A

reach with strength and agility

88
Q

Post-legged behind

A

a straight stifle and/or a straight hock (usually together)

89
Q

How is the hind leg aligned?

A

underneath the buttocks with the cannon bone perpendicular to the ground

90
Q

Sickle hocked

A

point of buttock and hock line up, but the lower leg is more forward

91
Q

Ringbone

A

extra bony growth on pastern in response to irritation/trauma
-appears as a bump on the front end of the pastern
-can happen if the extensor tendon gets irritated

92
Q

Sidebone

A

calcification of the collateral cartilage that affects the function of the hoof
-deals with the medial and lateral collateral cartilages
-can be painful
-flexibility decreases

93
Q

Bone spavin

A

boney growth in the hock (medial side) joint
-makes the hocks look boxy

94
Q

Ideal structure of the limbs from the front:

A

limb aligned in a straight column perpendicular to the ground
-distributes forces evenly through the limb
-swings forward and back in a straight path

95
Q

What happens when a limb is not aligned in a straight perpendicular column

A

-the limb will not swing straight
-forces will be concentrated in one part which can predispose that part to lameness

96
Q

Base wide

A

-legs set to the outside of perpendicular to the ground
-forces concentrated more towards the inside

97
Q

Base narrow

A

-legs set to the inside of perpendicular to the ground
-forces are concentrated more towards the outside

98
Q

Rotational defects

A

limb is aligned but rotated in or out (usually out)

99
Q

What is and isn’t affected by rotational defects?

A

-limb flight is affected
-force distribution is still relatively even (unless very extreme)

100
Q

Angular defects

A

limb is not aligned; something is out of alignment

101
Q

What can be affected by angular defects?

A

both force distribution and limb flight (often easier to identify in the walk vs. standing)

102
Q

Toed in/out from knee down

A

angular defect

103
Q

Toed in/out from fetlock down

A

angular defect

104
Q

Knock kneed/carpus VALGUS/In at the knee

A

-increases tension forces on the inside of the limb
-increases comprehensive forces on the outside of the knee (carpal bones)

105
Q

What type of angular defect gets worse as the horse gets older?

A

carpus varus and toed in

106
Q

Toed out with base narrow

A

-limb wings in and feet are close together so interference may occur
-rope walking or plaiting

107
Q

Toed out with base wide

A

-forces are concentrated on inside (medial)
-limb wings in but feet are apart so interference is not as common

108
Q

Toed in with base narrow

A

-foot moves out (wings out) so less chance of interfering than with TO-BN
-puts force on outside of limbs
-paddling

109
Q

Offset cannon/bench knee

A

knee is aligned correctly under the forearm but the cannon is off-set (usually to the outside) under the knee
-medial/inside bears more weight

110
Q

Splints

A

a bone growth that forms on the cannon, usually associated with a splint bone and the cannon

111
Q

What can predispose horses to splints?

A

conformation characteristics that caused unbalanced forces on one side or the other of the cannon (bench knee, toed out base narrow, carpus valgus)

112
Q

How else can splints form?

A

as a result of interference

113
Q

Offset cannon with Crooked/offset knee

A

knee and cannon will have increased forces

114
Q

Cow hocks

A

hocks are pointed in towards each other

115
Q

Stands-close

A

feet and hocks are close together

116
Q

What will defects in the rear legs affect?

A

forces generated for pushing

117
Q

What are horses with cow hocks predisposed to?

A

osteoarthritis of the hock and forming bone spavin

118
Q

What are horses with sickle hocks and straight hocks predisposed to?

A

bone spavin forming

119
Q

Shape of front feet

A

round and flat (for shock absorbtion)

120
Q

Shape of hind feet

A

oval and concave (for pushing off)

121
Q

Size of the hoof

A

should be appropriate to size of the horse

122
Q

Ideal shape of front and hind hooves

A

front = round-ish
rear = more triangular/oval
-straight dorsal wall
-wide heel
-concave sole

123
Q

Balance of hoof

A

-dorsal - palmer
-medial - lateral

124
Q

What is affected by a narrow heel and narrow frog?

A

shock absorption

125
Q

Straight dorsal wall

A

ideal, flat line from coronary to ground (unlike a dished hoof)

126
Q

Dorsal-palmar balance

A

lines on top, middle, and bottom of hoof are parallel

127
Q

Medial-lateral balance

A

coronary band is approximately parallel to the ground
-medial and lateral wall are approximately the same height and length

128
Q

Front two hooves and hind two hooves should be…

A

symmetrical

129
Q

Dynamic balance

A

balance during movement
-distribution of weight on limbs under various circumstances/gaits

130
Q

Static balance

A

“conformational” balance from the side, the relationships among the parts of the horse (do all the parts fit together?)
-may affect dynamic balance

131
Q

“The center of gravity”

A

center of the withers straight down
-from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks
-where do the two lines intersect?

132
Q

“The hill”

A

relationship between the top of the withers and the buttocks

133
Q

Uphill

A

when withers are higher than the croup

134
Q

Downhill

A

When the croup is higher than the withers

135
Q

What are the consequences of being downhill?

A

the horse doesn’t come far off the ground when they trot and there is more force on their front end

136
Q

“Rule of thirds”

A

3 relatively equal sections would be well balanced

137
Q

Is a bigger hind end or front end better?

A

a bigger hind end, so the back and front end don’t have to fully support it

138
Q

“The square”

A

relationship between the overall length and height of the horse

139
Q

“The ratio”

A

depth of the body compared to the length of the legs

140
Q

What are the consequences of taller than length legs due to long legs and a short back?

A

the horses are more susceptible to forging

141
Q

What are the consequences of a horse that has short legs and a deep body?

A

can exert a lot of force on the front end

142
Q

“The trapezoid”

A

the idea that a horse should have a shorter back with a longer underbody/line

143
Q

The trapezoid extended to a triangle

A

where do the lines meet over the back? Middle or towards the front or back?

144
Q

“Ideal” balance depends on what?

A

the circumstances
-lower set body might be better for working cattle
-a large shoulder might be better for horses that pull
-longer legs than depth of body might be good for saddlebreds

145
Q

Height and breadth varies by…

A

breed and discipline

146
Q

What moves the limbs?

A

muscles

147
Q

Is more muscle always better?

A

no, it depends on the horse’s type, gender, discipline, etc.

148
Q

Main landmarks for muscling:

A

-neck
-back
-forearm
-pectoral muscles/chest
-shoulder
-gaskin
-butt
-hip

149
Q

What type of shape should muscles create when viewing a horse from behind?

A

a trapezoid (shorter up top and more muscle down towards the gaskins)

150
Q

What does the neck affect?

A

balance

151
Q

What is the length of the neck?

A

where the neck leaves the shoulder to the head

152
Q

What do you look for in necks?

A

-length
-shape
-set (high, straight, low?)

153
Q

What does a trim throatlatch allow?

A

a lot of flexibility

154
Q

What does a thick throatlatch do?

A

less flexibility, if flexed it may constrict the windpipe

155
Q

Ewe neck

A

upside down neck/neck curves upwards

156
Q

What traits should be looked at in the head?

A

-eyes
-ears
-shape
-length
-width

157
Q

What are good characteristics of eyes?

A

big and set on the corner of the head

158
Q

Withers can be:

A

-“well-defined”
-too flat “mutton”
-high/sharp (shark fin)

159
Q

What type of withers do young horses normally have?

A

flatter, they will develop as they grow

160
Q

Appearances of tendons and ligaments:

A

-tight/well-defined
-full/meaty

161
Q

Substance/ bone words:

A

-light bone
-heavy bone
-flat bone
-coarse/round bone

162
Q

What is the most important characteristic of conformation evaluation?

A

it depends on the horse’s planned use

163
Q

Other than identifying ancestors, pedigree analysis involves what?

A

-quality of the athletic performance of individual mares and stallions in the pedigree
-quality of the athletic performance of progeny of the mares and stallions in the pedigree

164
Q

What types of accurate records are better for performance records?

A

-the more objective (non-opinionated) the better
-the more complete the better

165
Q

What is necessary for performance records:

A

must have a basis of comparison
-records of contemporary horses
-the more complete the better

166
Q

What % of thoroughbreds in a foal crop will actually race?

A

60-70%

167
Q

What % of a thoroughbred foal crop will win a race?

A

30-40

168
Q

Racing classes:

A

-claiming races
-allowance/conditioned races
-stake races (may have a nomination fee or fee to start)

169
Q
A
170
Q

Non-black type stakes race

A

usually stakes with low purses, or have some significant restriction (ex: only horses sold at a specific sale)

171
Q

Black type races

A

-usually purses of more than $60,000-75,000+
-horses than win earn “BLACK TYPE”
-horses that place 2nd or 3rd earn “Black Type”

172
Q

Graded stakes

A

highest quality black-type stakes
-G1
-G2
-G3

172
Q

Listed stakes (L)

A

second highest quality black type race
-can be eligible to race in graded stakes if proven high quality

173
Q

Non-graded, non-listed stakes

A

-still blacktype just not as elite

174
Q

Restricted (R)

A

black-type race where only certain horses can run

175
Q

What % of races are G1 stakes?

A

less than 0.5%

176
Q

What % of a foal crop will win a G1 stakes race?

A

less than 0.4%

177
Q

What % are graded stakes races

A

1.25%

178
Q

What % of a foal crop will win a graded stakes race?

A

1%

179
Q

What % of races are black type?

A

about 5%

180
Q

What % of a foal crop will win a black type race?

A

3-4%

181
Q

Average

A

winning a race

182
Q

Far above average

A

winning a black type stake

183
Q

Elite

A

winning a G1 race

184
Q

Any black type win is considered…

A

above average

185
Q
A

Equine Evaluations (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions