Riding Level Study Guides

The horse is one of 10 living species of Equidae (sometimes known as the Horse Family). Horses have been domesticated between 4000 and 2000BC for work and transportation. Today, in most nations the horse is used for recreation and sporting more than work.

The horse's basic anatomy doesn't differ greatly than most 4-legged livestock animals. Horses have 2 ears, eyes, and nostrils, four legs with hooves and a tail. Unlike cattle and goats, horses have a single stomach with no chambers, and it is relatively small for the size of animal (at about 4 gallons). A full sized horse is 14.3hh or taller; ponies measure 14.2hh and smaller. The average horse moves in four gaits; a walk, trot, canter, and gallop.

Horses are herd animals and require companionship. If another horse is not available, horses have been known to bond with other livestock. Because of their lengthy life expectancies (over 25 years), horses can make excellent life-long companions for humans. Many horses are intelligent can be trained to do simple tricks and play with their owners. However, when frightened, a horse's first response is to run away.

It is important to groom a horse as often as necessary to promote health. Horses kept clean on a daily basis often require little heavy grooming; a light brushing with a soft brush will do. For a horse that has sports of tried mud and dirt, it's best to start with a rubber or plastic toothed grooming brush called a curry comb. Once the dried mud is removed, you can move onto a soft brush to finish the coat and bring out it's shine. Brushing the mane and tail with a comb is also important, however, it is best to speak softly or hum to the horse when working around it's back end, so it knows where you are, and always be sure to leave at least 6 feet of space when walking behind the horse. Stand to the side then brushing out the tail, so if the horse kicks he will not connect with you. Clipping helps keep the horse's mane, whiskers, and coat neat as well. Many horse owners clip a bridle path behind their horse's ears to keep the hair from tangling in the halter or bridle. This often requires tying the horse with a loose knot so the groomer may use both hands to clip. If you choose to give your horse a full body clip year-round, it is recommended you give your horse a blanket to help keep him warm in cold weather.
Turn out is important for a horse's overall physical and mental health. This gives them time to be loose so they may excercise at their leisure and provides them time to play with their herd. Turn-out time also helps to prevent the horse from developing bad habits, such as cribbing, windsucking, and being destructive to his stall. When leading a horse to their turn-out, it is important to walk to the side next to their head so they may see. Be sure the halter fits the horse well and is safe to lead the horse out. Never leave a halter on a loose horse, as they can injure themselves if the halter is caught in a fence or other objects.
While your horse is out, take the opportunity to clean his stall and water bucket. Horses require fresh, clean water and should have their water buckets cleaned several times a week to prevent bacteria growth. If you horse is in his stall more than he is outside, his stall should be cleaned daily to lessen the probability that he could contract a parasite.

Horses have very sensitive systems and are delicate creatures, despite the work they can perform. If you exercise your horse regularly, he needs to have proper care and nutrients to insure his body has what it needs to keep up with the performance required of him. Keeping a mineral block handy will permit him to add minerals to his diet as needed. If energy levels are a concern, corn-based feeds will provide an excellent source of energy, and it is advised you also increase his carbohydrates and protein. In addition, breeding stallions need a fair amount of Vitamin A.
Of course, many easy keepers do well on pasture forage. Overfeeding or improper feeding can lead to severe problems. Founder occurs when the laminae of the hoof becomes inflamed, and this is most often due to massive intake of carbohydrates. Over-treating horses, especially with molasses and other sugar-based treats, can lead to cavities in the teeth.
One of the most frightening and fatal dietary problems is colic, the most common of which is impaction colic. If your horse displays the common signs of lack of interest in food and water, lying down, pawing the ground and staring at their sides, it is extremely important to call the Veterinarian right away before the impaction turns fatal.

Proper care, recognition, and treatment of illness and injury is essential for your horse to thrive.

  Maintenance for your horse's health is very important; as the saying goes 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Horses should be de-wormed every 3 months and vaccinated twice a year, more frequently if they show or have frequent contact with other horses they do not live with. Worms can become encrusted in the stomach, causing a myriad of serious problems. Vaccinations help prevent horses from getting common illnesses, such as the Rhino virus and West Nile Virus. The Rhino Virus can be recognized as it has similar symptoms as the common cold does in humans, though left unchecked it can cause paralysis and lost foals in pregnant mares. The West Nile Virus is more serious, and more often fatal. Fever, inability to swallow, paralysis, impaired vision, and convulsions can occur in a horse infected with West Nile. Because there is no cure for West Nile, it is extremely important to vaccinate against the disease.
Keeping your pastures clean is necessary to maintain good health. Horses left standing in mud can develop an infection in the hoof called Thrush, and succumb to Mud Fever, which causes painful bleeding sores on a horse's legs. Destruction of poisonous plants is also important (if you fear you horse has ingested a poisonous plant, watch for difficulty breathing and loss of interest in food. Call your Vet immediately). Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, also known as EPM, is a neurologically damaging and fatal disease carried by opossums and raccoons, transmittable to horses when a horse grazes where an opossum or raccoon has left droppings. If your horse is allergic to bee stings, it would benefit the horse greatly to install bee traps in your barn and next to the gate of his turnout, to help prevent stings.
Some diseases cannot be easily prevented, and testing must be performed to insure your horse is not a carrier. HYPP, or Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis Disease, is a muscular disease inherited from a horse's parents, and afflicted horses often suffer from muscle weakness, paralysis, and sudden heart attacks. SCID, or Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, is also known as "Bubble Boy Syndrome". Affected horses are born with a severely impaired, or effectively no immune system. Horses suffering from SCID often die as foals from inability to fight off common bacteria, virus or infection.
Horses are also prone to injury. Nearly every rider has sometime in their life had experience with a thrown shoe. If this occurs, you should use a boot to protect your horse's hoof. If a boot is not available, pad the hoof with cotton and securely wrap it, and call your farrier. Bowed tendons are another common injury, usually occurring when a horse has a 'bad step'; a trip, or a step into a hole. While bowed tendons never completely heal, by allowing a horse time to rest, giving them Veterinary prescribed anti-inflammitories, and taking them on short walks to build up strength will allow them to again lead a fairly normal life with light riding. Veterinary guidance and supervision is very important while your horse heals from a bowed tendon.

When mounting your horse in an active arena with other riders, you should: Ask somebody to hold your horse while you mount; Use a mounting block

When riding, the best footwear you can use is: A sturdy boot with a short heel

A red ribbon tied to a horse’s tail at a show means: The horse might kick

It is important that a rider of any age wear their helmet any time they are on a horse: True

Why do western boots have high heels?: To prevent the foot from sliding through the stirrup

What is a Martingale used for?: To control the horses head

It is safe to leave a horse’s halter on when he is turned out in pasture: False

If your horse is participating in rigorous demanding work, he should have: Splint Boots

The bit was developed before the nosebands: True

Riding gloves can: Prevent blisters; Protect your hands against the elements; Give you a better grip on the reins

What is a peacock stirrup?: A safety Stirrup

According to the January 2008 regulations, any youth rider competing at an FEI sanctioned event must do what if they loose their helmet?: They must stop, dismount, and secure their helmet before continuing