Horses 101

Some Basics

• Don't let a horse push you around, you could get seriously hurt. Be confident. Be in charge.
• When leading one horse, walk on the left side of the horse with two hands on the rope (one near the halter and the other holding the slack rope). 
• When leading a horse, make sure the rope is not wrapped around your fingers. If the horse spooks and pulls on it, you could injure your fingers.
• Do not lead more than 2 horses at once, even if you think you can manage it, because horses can be unpredictable. So take the extra tip for everyone safety, including your own.
• Double check that the stalls are latched when you put horses away, and that gates are latched when you put horses in the pastures.

Basic Equipment

Parts of an English Bridle

Parts of a Western Saddle

                      

Boots

              Horse Blanket and Fly Mask

   

                                                                                       

                                                        Curry Brush
                                                        Lunge Rope
                                                        Horse Crop

Horse Anatomy

Basic Terms

• Mare: Female horse
• Gelding: Male horse that's unable to reproduce
• Stallion: Male horse that's able to reproduce
• Filly: Female baby horse
• Colt: Male baby horse
• Hands (hh): Unit of measurement equal to 4 inches

(some)Breeds

•Thoroughbred: Large, expressive eyes; exceptionally long, sloping shoulders; fine-boned legs with small hooves; thin skin. Bred primarily for racing, also excels at dressage, eventing, and jumping; possesses great stamina and courage; bred extensively to improve other breeds

•Morgan: Fine head with arched neck; well-defined withers; long, sloping shoulders; muscular hindquarters. Descended from one prepotent stallion; noted for its versatility; possesses great stamina.

•Quarter Horse: Short, fine head with a straight profile; short back; long, powerful croup and shoulders; well-muscled thighs, gaskins, and forearms. One of the most popular breeds; noted for its agility and quick bursts of speed; adapts easily to any riding discipline

•Arabian: Head profile is uniquely concave (dished), tapering to a dainty muzzle; wide-set, large eyes; long, graceful neck; short back; flat croup with distinctive high tail carriage. Has refined almost every breed worldwide; considered one of the most beautiful horses; noted for its stamina, excels in endurance competitions

•Paint: Two color patterns—overo and tobiano—determined by location of white markings, developed from quarter horse, thoroughbred, and paint breeds; versatile riding horse

•Appaloosa: Several color patterns: snowflake, leopard, marble, frost, and blanket; black and white striped hooves. Descended from the spotted horses of the Nez Percé Indians; influenced by Arabian and, most recently, American Quarter Horse blood

Colors