1. History, Uses, and Terminology
Equine Science
History, Uses, and Terminology

2. History
Horses traveled to the Americas with Columbus on his second voyage. They were necessary for transportation and to carry the early Spaniards on their expeditions.
The horses that escaped or were abandoned reverted to a wild state and increased in numbers to become the mustang bands found by early adventurers and Native Americans as they moved west.

3. History (cont.)
Horses contributed much to the early colonization of America.
As agriculture developed, larger horses were introduced and these gradually replaced oxen as the preferred draft animals.

4. Uses of the HORSE through history
As a source of Food
In 2014, horse slaughter was made illegal in the U.S.

5. Military purposes
Chariots, knights in armor, cavalry

6. Past time & sports
Olympic Games, races

7. A new era of recreation and sports
Rodeos, Horse Shows, Races

8. Agricultural & commercial uses

9. Transportation

10. Horse Terminology ACTION – how a horse moves its feet and legs
COLT – A male foal
CONFORMATION – structure, form, & symmetrical arrangement of parts
DAM – the femal parent of a horse
DRAFT HORSE – a large horse used for pulling; 15 – 17 hands, over 1500 lbs

11. Horse Terminology EQUITATION – the art of riding horseback
FARRIER – a horse shoer
FILLY – an immature female horse (up to 3 years)
Foal -
GELDING – a castrated male horse
HAND – a unit of measurement; 4 inches

12. Horse Terminology
HORSEMANSHIP – are of riding a horse and understanding it’s needs
LIGHT HORSE - any horse used primarily for riding or driving, all breeds except draft, hands, 900-1,300 lbs.
MARE – a mature female horse
PONY – a mature horse under 14.2 hands
SIRE – the male parent of a horse
STALLION – a mature male horse

13. Today’s Horse Types
Draft, Light, and Pony

14. Donkey/Mule Terminology
ASS – the correct term for the animal commonly known as a donkey
JACK – the male Ass
JENNET – the female Ass
DONKEY – English term for Ass
MULE – cross between a Jack and a female horse
HINNY – cross between a Jennet and a male horse