half-brother, half sister: horses out of the same dam but by differentsires. Horses with the same sire and different dams are not considered
half-siblings.
halter: like a bridle, but lacking a bit. Used in handling horses around
the stable and when they are not being ridden.
the stable and when they are not being ridden.
hand gallop: a gallop of moderate speed.
hand ride: urging a horse with the hands and not using the whip.
hand: four inches. A horse’s height is measured in hands and inches from
the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g. 15.2 hands high is
15 hands 2 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands.
the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g. 15.2 hands high is
15 hands 2 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands.
harrow: implement or unit with pulling teeth or tines used to rake and
loosen the footing in an area.
loosen the footing in an area.
heaves: emphysema.See chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
heel crack: a crack on the heel of the hoof. Also called a “sand crack.”
helmet: shock-absorbing head gear worn by riders to prevent head injuries.
hematoma: a blood-filled area resulting from injury.
hock: a large joint just above the cannon bone in the rear leg that
corresponds to the level of the knee of the front leg. Equivalent to the
human ankle joint.
corresponds to the level of the knee of the front leg. Equivalent to the
human ankle joint.
homebred: a horse bred by his owner.
hoof: the foot of the horse. Consists of several parts that play an
integral role in supporting the weight of the horse.
integral role in supporting the weight of the horse.
horse: when reference is made to sex, a “horse” is an ungelded male five
years old or older (i.e., a stallion).
years old or older (i.e., a stallion).
horsing: behavior of a mare in heat (in season). See estrus.
Hyaluronic acid: a normal component of joint fluid. Also can be manmade
intra-articular medication used to relieve joint inflammation (Adequan™ or
Legend™).
intra-articular medication used to relieve joint inflammation (Adequan™ or
Legend™).
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP): an inherited disorder of certain
lines of Quarter horses, most noticeably those related to the late halter
stallion Impressive. Affected horses seem normal between attacks. These
can be mild or severe, and last from a few minutes to several hours, and
seem to be triggered by work stress, anxiety, cold, and/or eating a diet
high in potassium. Signs may include occasional skin rippling, localized
muscle twitching, violent body-wide tremors, sweating, panting, passing
loose manure, hindlimb weakness and collapse. Sever episodes can be fatal
due to heart failure. Diagnosis is confiemed through genetic blood
testing. There is no cure, but frequency and severity of attacks can be
reduced with careful management and diet adjustment to reduce potassium
levels.
lines of Quarter horses, most noticeably those related to the late halter
stallion Impressive. Affected horses seem normal between attacks. These
can be mild or severe, and last from a few minutes to several hours, and
seem to be triggered by work stress, anxiety, cold, and/or eating a diet
high in potassium. Signs may include occasional skin rippling, localized
muscle twitching, violent body-wide tremors, sweating, panting, passing
loose manure, hindlimb weakness and collapse. Sever episodes can be fatal
due to heart failure. Diagnosis is confiemed through genetic blood
testing. There is no cure, but frequency and severity of attacks can be
reduced with careful management and diet adjustment to reduce potassium
levels.
icing: 1) a physical therapy procedure, properly known as “cryotherapy.”
2) when a horse stands in a tub of ice or when ice packs are applied to
the legs to reduce pain and/or swelling.
2) when a horse stands in a tub of ice or when ice packs are applied to
the legs to reduce pain and/or swelling.
icterus: yellow discoloration of skin and mucus membranes (gums, eyelid
rims, inner surface of vulva) due to accumualtion of pigments normally
metabolized by the horse’s liver. Causes can include liver disease,
hemolytic anemia, snakebite, ingestion of certain potential toxins such as
red maple leaves, onions, or phenothiazine drugs and fasting. Treatment
usually is focused on addressing the underlying problem.
rims, inner surface of vulva) due to accumualtion of pigments normally
metabolized by the horse’s liver. Causes can include liver disease,
hemolytic anemia, snakebite, ingestion of certain potential toxins such as
red maple leaves, onions, or phenothiazine drugs and fasting. Treatment
usually is focused on addressing the underlying problem.
identification: involves a system of recognition of several types of
markings by the horse identifier. Marking’s are noted on an animal’s breed
registry papers and usually range from coat color, lip tatoos, hair
whorls, cowlicks, white markings, night eyes, scars and brands.
markings by the horse identifier. Marking’s are noted on an animal’s breed
registry papers and usually range from coat color, lip tatoos, hair
whorls, cowlicks, white markings, night eyes, scars and brands.
IgG: Immunoglobulin.
IM: abbreviation for intramuscular, an injection given in a muscle.
impaction: a type of colic caused by a blockage of the intestines by
ingested material. Constipation.
in foal: pregnant mare.
in the bridle: see on the bit.
inferior check ligament: a ligament that runs from the back of the knee or
the hock to the deep digital flexor tendon.
the hock to the deep digital flexor tendon.
influenza: a viral infection that causes a highly contagious
upper-respiratory disease. Signs can include fever, dry cough, watery
nasal discharge, decreased appetite, muscle soreness, enlarged lymph nodes
and swollen legs. The rule of thumb is to rest a minimum of three weeks,
or one full week for every day the horse had a fever, whichever is longer.
Influenza vaccine is usually recommended up to four times per year,
depending on the incidence of the disease and the horse’s exposure to
other horses.
upper-respiratory disease. Signs can include fever, dry cough, watery
nasal discharge, decreased appetite, muscle soreness, enlarged lymph nodes
and swollen legs. The rule of thumb is to rest a minimum of three weeks,
or one full week for every day the horse had a fever, whichever is longer.
Influenza vaccine is usually recommended up to four times per year,
depending on the incidence of the disease and the horse’s exposure to
other horses.
insensitive laminae: the layer just under the wall of the hoof; similar to
the human fingernail. It is an integral structure that helps to attach the
hoof wall to the underlying coffin bone.
the human fingernail. It is an integral structure that helps to attach the
hoof wall to the underlying coffin bone.
intra-articular: within a joint.
irons: see stirrups.
ischemia: a deficiency of blood supply that may be temporary or permanent.
Caused by shutting down of the blood vessels.
Caused by shutting down of the blood vessels.
isolation barn: a facility used to separate sick horses from healthy ones.
IV: abbreviation for intravenous; an injection given in the vein.
From: www.aaep.org