HORSE  HISTORY

 Over fifty eight million years ago the first ancestor of the horse lived n North America. This animal was called Eohippus, it had four toes on the two front feet and only three on its back. It stood only twelve inches tall . It liked to live in wet swampy areas.
 As time went on the Mesohippus evolved, this is the second stage of the horse evolution. The Mesohippus stood a foot taller then the Eohippus. It had three toes on all four of its legs.
 Equine experts and scientists think that there are several other stages after the Mesohippus. the last stage of the horse is named Equus Caballus, the horse that we know today.

PROPER NUTRITION

 All horses need a well balanced diet which must consist of water, some sort of grain (solid food) and a form of forage (hay, grass). He should have access to water  all the time, and grain and forage twice a day. He should get 2 flakes of hay a day, one for breakfast and one for dinner, with  a side dish of grain and to wash it all down, a nice cold bucket of water.
 A horse's protein and energy needs will depend on age, metabolism, and how much he works. All animals need five different types of nutrients. all of these are very important to  the animals body. These nutrients are: energy nutrients (carbohydrates, fats), protein, vitamins, minerals, and water.
 There are 2 types of solid food, Roughage's and Concentrates. However, there are many different kinds of Roughage's and Concentrates. Such as grazed forages, and hay, these are Roughage's. Some examples of Concentrates are: corn, oats, barley and grain sorghum. If you mix corn, oats and barley you get the popular grain called COB.
 Another essential need for a horses diet is water. His water should be clean and fresh. On average a horse will drink 10-12 gallons of water a day, depending on how much they work. In the summer a horse might drink more close to 15-20 gallons of water daily. A horse should NOT be watered when he is hot or just got done working, this may cause colic due to the sudden temperature change. If you need further information contact your Veterinarian or go to a Nutrition for Horses web site
 
 

FIRST AID

 Like any other animal horses can get hurt too. But what do you, do about it? Do you have a First Aid Kit? If so, do you have all the emergency items that you need? Here is a list of emergency items that you should have in your First Aid Kit:

   * is for items  that need to be sterile.

 1. Cotton Roll*
 2. Contact Bandage*
 3. Cling Wrap*
 4. Gauze  Pads ( assorted sizes)
 5. Adhesive Tape and Adhesive Wrap
 6. Leg Wraps
 7.  Sharp Scissors
 8. Hemostats
 9. Steel Cup or Container
 10. Rectal Thermometer  with String and Clip attached*
 11. Surgical Scrub and Antiseptic Solution
 12. Latex Gloves
 13. Flashlight and Spare Batteries
 14. Permanent Marker
 15. Pliers (to pull nails)
 16. 6î Diameter PVC cut in half the long way ( like a gutter) into lengths of 1-1 1\2 to 2 feet ( for emergency)

 Do you have all these items? Check to make sure. Now you have the items that should be in your First Aid Kit but how would you use them? I'm not going to tell you how to use everything on the list. I'm going to tell you what YOU should do i case of an emergency. in case of an extreme emergency you should remain calm. If it is a puncture wound and there is blood keep calm even though the sight of blood mat sicken you. If your horse isn't in the barn then  get a lead shank and lead him into the barn. If it is a severe wound call your Vet immediately. here are some situations where you should call your Vet:

A. There appears to be excessive bleeding.
B. The entire skin thickness has been penetrated.
C. The wound is near or over a joint.
D. Any structures underlying  the skin is apparent.
E. A puncture has occurred.
F. A chronic wound has occurred in the lower leg or at below knee or hock level.
G. A wound is very contaminated

 If you are not sure how t clean a wound the right way ask a barn friend or call your Vet.
 If your horse is healthy he will hold his head high, have bright clean eyes, his nose and ears should be clean and his coat will be shiny.
 
 
 

HOUSING

 For your horse's well-being he should live in a clean and safe stable, stall, and pasture\paddock. There are dangerous plants, insects, and even old farm machinery can be dangerous to a horse.

                                                        PASTURES

                    To make sure your pasture is always safe for your horse you should do the following
                    frequently.

  1.  Get rid of junk and farm machinery.
  2. Fill in all holes
  3. Get rid of any plants that could be harmful to your horse.
  4. Be ware when trees and bushes blossom fruit and berries
  5. Keep strangers away from your paddock
  6. Check your pasture's surrounding ( fence, rope, wire) for any hazardous breaks, bends or frees.
  7. Make sure your latch or gate is safe
  8. Beware of seasonal changes and how they affect your pasture
  9. Make sure that you have a shelter for your horse when he is out to  pasture, this will protect him from rain, snow, sleet and any other bad weather.
  10. Visit your your horse twice a day when he is out to pasture
  11. Make sure he has a proper amount of food and water for the time he    will be out.
  12. Don't put your horse out to pasture during hunting season.

 Any horse that is let out to pasture is a happy horse. However, that horse will not be happy if he is let out to an unsafe pasture. Do  the steps above to maintain a clean, safe pasture for your horse.
 

 STABLES AND STALLS

 When your horse is not out in the paddock he should live in a clean and safe stable and stall. Remember that there is not always going to be a person at the stable to watch your horse and any other horses that your horse may live with. Therefore,  you, as a responsible horse owner\lover should make sure your horse has a well built stable. To make sure of this check for the following:

  1. The materials and design is good
  2. Make sure the latches on feed room, tack room , and stalls are secure and safe
  3. Avoid automatic watercress and electric bucket heaters
  4. Make sure you have at least one fire extinguisher available
  5. You should know fire safety rules in the barn

 The most common stalls are 12 feet by 12 feet and 12 feet by 16 feet box stalls. These are roomy and and comfortable for your horse. to make sure your horses stall is safe look for the following:

  1. There are no nails or bolts sticking out from the walls
  2. The sides\walls of your stall should be smooth and have no splinters
  3. There are no sharp edges sticking out of the walls

GROOMING
 

 Grooming is essential if you want your horse to  and feel happy, healthy and look nice. You should groom your horse thoroughly every other day and give him a  brush every day. Make sure you have the proper tools, brushes, and any other things your horse may require to be groomed. Below is a list of all the tools and brushes you will need to groom your horse properly.

  1.  Curry Comb
  2. Hard Brush
  3. Dandy Brush
  4. Sweat Scraper
  5. Mane and Tail Comb
  6. Soft cloth for eyes, nose and ears
  7. Hoof Pick
  8. Fly Ointment\Repellent
 
 
 

BREEDS

                                                               QUARTER HORSE

  The Quarter horse is a very versatile breed. He is strong, intelligent, and very pleasant to look at.
   With a beautiful head and thick neck which proudly sits upon wide shoulders. Quarter Horses are known for their large strong rear ends which are great for their famous ìslide stopî in rodeos. this gorgeous breed can come in a wide variety of colors, such as: gray, black, bay, chestnut, roan and of course the color of Roy Rogers famous Quarter Horse Trigger, palomino.
  In rodeos and Western Riding events these horses are spectacular. They are often used on ranches and for herding livestock because of their speed and endurance. Quarter Horses are used for barrel racing, calf roping, and pole bending. This breed is a wonderful family companion.
 
 

THOROUGHBRED

  Thoroughbreds are known for their talent of Stadium Jumping and Professional Racing. Like the Quarter Horse they are very pleasant to look at.
  This breed tends to be thinner because many of them are or used to be racehorses. They can come in chestnut, gray, black, and bays.
  Thoroughbreds are spectacular at Stadium Jumping. Most jumpers are Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses or a mix of the to breeds. This breed is not often used for Rodeo events, however, they are sometimes used for Western Pleasure. Thoroughbreds are most popular for experienced riders because they tend to be testy at times.
 

              The clip art that you see on this page was found at  Wonderful World of Horses