Horse Production Who among us has not as a child asked Santa Clause to bring us a pony on Christmas day?

Number horses in the U.S and rank of states – conflicting reports out there. USDA NASS 2007: 1.Texas 2.California 3.Kentucky 4.Oklahoma 14. Minnesota

There are 5 to 10 million horses in the U.S. (9.2 million according to a 2005 study.) 1. Top 5 states a. Texas b. California c. Florida d. Oklahoma e. Kentucky

According to the American Horse Council Foundation. In 2005 there were 182,000 horses in Minnesota. Which ranked Minnesota 19 th in the U.S. Minnesota ranks 21 st in human population.

A 2004 survey showed there were 155,000 horses in Minnesota. Which ranked Minnesota 9 th in the U.S. ( ueHorsesMN.pdhttp:// ueHorsesMN.pd Hard to know exactly where Minnesota ranks.

Horse for sale listings: america/united-states/map/

Number of registrations for top nine breeds of horses 1985: 284, : 160,000

B. Horse terminology 1. Colt – male prior to puberty 2. Filly- sexually immature female 3. Mare – sexually mature female 4. Stallion – sexually mature male 5. Gelding – castrated male

B.Horse terminology (cont.) 6. Jenny – female donkey 7. Jack – male donkey 8. Hinny – cross between a stallion and a jenny 9. Mule – cross between a mare and a jack (Jack on mare is more fertile mating than stallion on jenny. Mules tend to be heavier muscled than hinnys.)

Horse terminology (cont.) 10. Hand – a unit of measure to describe height in horses. 1 hand = 4 inches. A horse that is 14.3 hands is 14 hands,3 inches or 59 inches. A 60” horse is 15 hands. 11. A male mule is named _John_ 12. A female mule is named _Molly_ Mules are sterile, sure footed, healthier, and work longer, jump higher. Male mules are gelded.

Horse sense is the thing a horse has, which keeps it from betting on people. - W. C. Fields

Head – should be attractive, alert, and smart looking

Crest on neck – more pronounce in males. Arabians have more of an arch to the neck. Neck should be refined and tapered (pencil- like)

Withers: should be prominent.

Shoulders and pasterns need to have about a 45º slope.

Back should be short and strong.

Gaskin muscle should be well developed

Legs and feet are the most important in conformation evaluation.

1 2

D. Gaits of horses Beats 1. Walk 4 3 feet on ground at all times 2. Trot Pace 3. Canter 4. Gallop 1 3

D. Gaits of horses Beats 1. Walk 4 2. Trot 2 diagonal gait Pace 2 parallel gait

D. Gaits of horses Beats 1. Walk 4 3 feet on ground at all times 2. Trot 2 diagonal gait Pace 2 parallel gait 3. Canter 3 4. Gallop

D. Gaits of horses Beats 1. Walk 4 3 feet on ground at all times 2. Trot 2 diagonal gait Pace 2 parallel gait 3. Canter 3 4. Gallop 4 all 4 feet may be off the ground at one time. 2 1

Western vs. English tack Heavy vs. Light weight Saddle horn No saddle horn

Western English Stirrups vs. Stirrup Irons Cinch Girth

Snaffle bitCurb bit Although there is no “standard” definition that everyone agrees on; the snaffle breaks in the middle and is a non-leverage bit, and so does not amplify the pressure applied by the reins. English vs. Western Closed reins vs Split reins

Levered snaffle bit or curb bit that breaks in the middle? Either may be a correct description of this bit.

A set of split reins attached to a western style snaffle bit

How to ride a horse: Step One - Mount the horse. Step Two - Stay mounted

Mutton Bustin’!

F.Identification Methods 1. Lip tattoo Used at racetracks 2. Chestnut system 3. Branding system – usually under the mane a. hot – kills hair growth and leaves a scar b. cold – destroys pigmentation in hair 4. Photo

F.Identification Methods 1. Lip tattoo 2. Chestnut system 3. Branding system – usually under the mane a. hot – kills hair growth and leaves a scar b. cold – destroys pigmentation in hair 4. Photo

F.Identification Methods 1. Lip tattoo 2. Chestnut system 3. Branding system – usually under the mane a. hot – kills hair growth and leaves a scar b. cold – destroys pigmentation in hair 4. Photo

F.Identification Methods 1. Lip tattoo 2. Chestnut system 3. Branding system a. hot b. cold hair 4. Photo 5. Micro chip scanner Loaded in syringe

Chestnut

A Sorrel is just a lighter Chestnut. Some argue that it is a Chestnut. Genetically, they are both “ee”.

Bay A horse knows when you are happy. He knows when you are proud. He also knows when you have a carrot

Buckskin

Palomino

H. Reproduction 1. Estrus cycle is 22 days (18 to 24) 2. Duration of estrus is 3 to 7 days 3. Gestation is 336 days 4. Mares usually come into heat 7 to 10 days after foaling 5. On average, pregnancy rates is mares is only about 50%

6. Breeding methods a. Pasture – put stallions and mares together b. Hand mating – very controlled. Mare is haltered and hobbled. Tail is wrapped. Rear end is washed. Stallion is haltered and genitalia washed. c. A.I. – increasing in popularity.

7.Determination of Pregnancy 1. does not return to estrus 2. palpation at 21 days 3. blood test to measure pregnant mare serum (PMS). 4. ultrasound can also check for twins.

The End