11/02/2008

Vocabulary Sunday

HALTER
A piece of tack that is placed on the horse's head so that he can be lead around or tied up. It is made of webbing, leather, or rope. A halter should not be left on a horse that is turned loose. A horse can catch his halter on something and rip up his face, or panic and pull until he hurts himself. The horse can also roll or paw and get a leg caught in the halter; he will roll around and fight until his leg gets loose, or, more commonly, he accidentally breaks his leg or neck. Halters left on will always irritate the horse's skin and cause the hair to come out; they may also make sores on the horse, or, when left on a growing horse, may cause perminent facial deformities as the horse grows too large for his halter.Halter is also a showing event in which horse's bodies are judged on their conformation, shape, body type, and in some cases color. Showmanship is like halter, but usually it is judged on the handler's abilities to control the horse, and the horse's cleanliness, more than the horse's conformation.
HEIGHT
How tall a horse is from the bottom of its hoof to the top of the withers. Horses are NOT measured to the top of their heads as they can move their heads up, down, and around making an accurate measurement impossible. A horse's height is measured in HANDS (1 hand equals 4 inches).
NAVICULAR BONE
A tiny bone located in the hoof between the coffin bone and short pastern (the first and second phalanxes).
NAVICULAR DISEASE
A degenerative disease in which the navicular bone deteriorates, causing pane and lameness. At present there is no cure for Navicular Disease, however the disease and pain can be managed to prolong the horses use. (this is what Harley has)
QUARAB
A cross between a Quarter Horse and an Arabian.
QUARTER CRACK
A crack in the horse's hoof that runs from the coronet band down.
QUARTER HORSE
A breed of horse that originated in colonial America that was bred from Spanish and Thoroughbred stock. Originally these horses were used for racing distances of a quarter mile, and that is how they got their name. Today the Quarter Horse is the most popular breed and is used for everything from racing to rodeo to jumping. Their athletic body type makes them very versatile for use in a wide range of disciplines. The breed registry is the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association).
QUIDDING
When a horse drops parts of chewed food from its mouth. Usually a sign of mouth pain or teeth that need floating.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

3 comments:

Strawberry Lane said...

QUIDDING: Thanks, a new one for me. That is what my rescue horse, Shadow, does. Now I know what to call it.

Two more months before the vet can do his teeth, by then his hind quarters should be strong enough, according to the vet.

Amanda said...

Great post. Wish I was not as familiar with navicular as I had to get (as we both have had to :o(). Has it ever been definitly found out what causes it?

Strawberry Lane said...

P.S. to your comment on my post about the rescue horse:

Thanks for your suggestion about the chiropractor. I've heard others mention that, but it is something I've never tried.

When Shadow gets more padding on those bones, I just might give that a try.

From your description of your appy, it sure sounds similar. By the way, did you say "42 year old appy" ?!

 

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