Term
| What are the four planes of the horse? |
|
Definition
| Dorsal (top/upper surface), ventral (bottom/abdominal), cranial (front/head), and caudal (back/tail/rear) |
|
|
Term
| What is the ratio of matter in bones? |
|
Definition
| 1 part organic matter and 2 parts inorganic matter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| dense connective tissue on the surface of the bone |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a union of 2 bones or cartilage |
|
|
Term
| what do ligaments, tendons, and a tough fibrous capsule provide? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| smooth dense blue substance covering joint surfaces |
|
|
Term
where are long bones found?
what do they do? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| where are short bones found?
what do they do? |
|
Definition
the knee and hock
help the shock of impact |
|
|
Term
where are flat bones found?
what do they do?
|
|
Definition
ribs, scapula, and some skull bones
enclose cavities containing organs |
|
|
Term
| what are some irregular bones? |
|
Definition
| unpaired bones like the vertebrae and some skull bones |
|
|
Term
| what are the 2 main divisions of the skeleton? |
|
Definition
the trunk/axial skeleton and the
limbs/appendicular skeleton |
|
|
Term
| what does the axial skeleton consist of? |
|
Definition
| the skull spine ribs breastbone pelvis and tail |
|
|
Term
| What is the skull divided into? |
|
Definition
the cranium and the face.
the cranium surrounds the brain and the face surrounds passages to digestive and systems
(i.e. mouth and nostrils) |
|
|
Term
| what is the foramen magnum? |
|
Definition
| a large opening through which the spinal cord passes and connects the skull to the first vertebra |
|
|
Term
| what kind of bones make up the cranium? |
|
Definition
| irregular or flat bones joined together by immovable joints |
|
|
Term
| what is the frontal bone? |
|
Definition
| it is the place where the head connects to the spinal column at the top of the head (poll) |
|
|
Term
| which region is the most flexible? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| what is the 1st vertebrae? |
|
Definition
| the atlas, extension and flexion of the neck |
|
|
Term
| what is the 2nd vertebrae? |
|
Definition
| axis, side to side articulation |
|
|
Term
| what is the atlas-axis joint? |
|
Definition
the yes-no joint.
atlas = yes
axis = no |
|
|
Term
| what forms the face of a horse? |
|
Definition
| bones form the framework of the mouth and nasal cavities. includes the upper and lower jaw or the maxilla and mandible |
|
|
Term
| Explain the maxilla and what it contains. |
|
Definition
six irregular cavities for the cheek and molar teeth. terminates in the premaxilla which contains 6 more cavities for upper incisors.
the macilla is connected to the nasal passage by the maxillary sinus which contains the roots of the 3 back molar teeth. |
|
|
Term
| explain the mandible and what it contains. |
|
Definition
attached to the cranium by a freely moving joint.
interdental space between the incisors and molars.
rough usage of bits can cause damage to the periosteum and possible mandible fracture. |
|
|
Term
| What is the vertebral/spinal column composed of? |
|
Definition
| irregular shaped bones bound together with ligaments and cartilage. |
|
|
Term
| What separates each vertebra from the skull to the tip of the tail? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| what is the spinal canal? |
|
Definition
| the main line of nerves that runs through the length of the spinal column |
|
|
Term
What are the 5 groups of the vertebral column?
how many vertebrae are in each? |
|
Definition
| cervical (7), thoracic (18), lumbar (6 or 5), sacral (5 fused vertebrae or sacrum), coccygeal or tail (15-21) |
|
|
Term
| What are the hips and how are they attached? |
|
Definition
| 2 large flat paired bones that form the pelvis. They are attached at the sacrum and circle around to enclose the pelvic cavity. |
|
|
Term
| What is the angle of the hip? |
|
Definition
| the angle formed by the line from the upper angle of the joint formed by the femur to the lower angle or the point of the croup to the point of the rump. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a cavity formed by the thoracic vertebrae, the ribs, and the sternum |
|
|
Term
| What does the chest (thoracic) cavity hold? |
|
Definition
| the heart, large blood vessels and nerves, lungs, and some of the trachea and esophagus |
|
|
Term
| what is the shape of the chest determined by? |
|
Definition
| the shape and length of the 18 ribs connected at the thoracic vertebrae |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a canoe-shaped prominence in the middle of the chest consisting of the 7-8 bony segments held together by cartilage |
|
|
Term
| what are the 3 categories of joints? |
|
Definition
| immovable, slightly movable, and freely moveable |
|
|
Term
| what is an immovable joint? example. |
|
Definition
joints directly united by connective tissue or fused bone that permit NO movement.
EX: cranium bones |
|
|
Term
| What are slightly moveable joints? |
|
Definition
joints with a pad of cartilage connecting the 2 bones, allowing for a little movement.
EX: many of the vertebral joints |
|
|
Term
| what are freely moveable joints? |
|
Definition
joints with a cavity between the 2 bones
EX: carpus |
|
|
Term
| Name the joints in the foreleg and what bones they include. |
|
Definition
Shoulder (scapula and humerus)
elbow (humerus, ulna, and radius)
knee (radius, carpal bones, and the 3 metacarpals)
fetlock (cannon, 2 sesamoid, first phalanx)
pastern (1st and 2nd phalanges)
coffin (2nd phalange/coffin bone and navicular) |
|
|
Term
| name the joints of the hind leg and their components. |
|
Definition
hip (hip bone and femur)
stifle (femur, patella, and tibia)
hock (tibia, tarsal/hock bones, and metatarsal bones)
*fetlock, pastern and coffin joints- same as foreleg* |
|
|
Term
| what does the appendicular skeleton consist of and what is it used for? |
|
Definition
| the forelegs and hindlegs and is used for moving, grooming, defense, and feeding |
|
|
Term
| How are the forelimbs connected to the appendicular skeleton? |
|
Definition
| only muscles. no skeletal attachment |
|
|
Term
| What happens when the heel of the foot hits the ground in movement? |
|
Definition
| the heel hits first, then the toe. quarters near the back of the foot by the frog expand. the short pastern bone rotates down and back against the digital cushion. the cushion expands out pressing against the lateral cartilages, spreading quarters more. short pastern presses cushion down against the frog. |
|
|
Term
| what happens when the toe of the foot hits the ground in movement? |
|
Definition
| the toe comes down and a direct compression is sent upward through the horn tubules that make up the hoof wall. these tubules are built in a spring-like spiral pattern meant to absorb and yield to the compressive force. |
|
|
Term
| how is the coffin bone conneced to the hoof wall? |
|
Definition
| insensitive laminae of the horn wall are interlocked with the sensitive laminae and attached to the coffin bone. the coffin bone "hangs" in a lamnar sling inside the hoof. |
|
|
Term
| What happens when the whole foot has hit the ground? |
|
Definition
| the hoof wall absorbs the upward force from the ground at te same time the frog, digital cushion, coffin bone, and laminae absorb the downward force of the body. the total force equals 0 if all is working properly. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any condition that interferes with the function and performance of the horse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an unattractive condition that usually does NOT interfere with the horse's performance/function but occasionally may slightly interfere with the action of the horse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| stress and strain places unevenly on the legs |
|
|
Term
| What causes unsoundness and what is a result? |
|
Definition
| poor conformation resulting in soundness problems throughout the horse's lifetime, stress or strain placed unevenly on the legs or an injury can also cause unsoundness. will cause a horse to go lame/unsound |
|
|
Term
| What are some causes of unsoundness? |
|
Definition
| some disease or affliction in the joints, tendons, ligaments, or muscles. Also due to excessive stress and strain beyond the endurance of the bone or muscle, injury to a bone or joint, inherited conditions, or nutritional deficiencies. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| periodic ophthalmia. Inflammation of the inner eye due to a Vit B deficiency. Impairs vision and treatment most often does NOT work |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fistula (lesion or sore) on the poll. acquired from a bruise or persistent irritation in the poll region |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| when horses can NOT keep food in their mouth while chewing. Caused by bad teeth, bad gums, or paralysis in the tongue. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| various jaw or tooth misalignments. monkey mouth (underbite), parrot mouuth (overbite) |
|
|
Term
| what are fistulous withers? when should you treat it? |
|
Definition
| inflammation or sores on the withers. treat immediately |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| wasting away of theshoulder muscle covering the scapula |
|
|
Term
| what is knocked down hip? |
|
Definition
| fracture of the external angle of the hip bone. Lowering of the hip that can be identified by standing directly behind the horse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| passage of a portion of intestine through the opening in the abdominal muscle. common near the umbilicus and sometimes in the scrotum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soft bilge at the top of the hock caused by distention of the joint capsule |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| bony bulge at the bottom or inside of the hock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| thickening of the back surface of the leg above the fetlock. Usually superficial flexor, deep flexor, and suspensory |
|
|
Term
| What is a capped elbow or shoe boil? |
|
Definition
| blemish at point of the elbow caused by injury from a shoe while lying down |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| large callus at point of hock from bumping hocks during transport. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| small fractures in the knee cased by high amounts of stress on knee. Seen mostly in athletic horses |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| common in hind legs. Severe strain resulting in inflammation or shortening of the tendons and forward position of the ankle joint |
|
|
Term
| What are contracted feet? |
|
Definition
| heels lose ability to contract/expand when in motion. Caused by improper shoeing, lameness, dryness. Horses with narrow and long feet are most likely to get it. |
|
|
Term
| What is a contracted heel? |
|
Definition
| heel becomes narrower than normal |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| reddish spots on the horny sole of inside front feet near bars. caused by bruises, bad shoeing, and contracted feet. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| foot is too straight and hoof is too upright. usually associated with a problem like a contracted deep digital flexor tendon due to injury, bad nutrition, or heredity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| enlarged back of the leg bellow the hock caused by trauma that causes inflammation and thickening in the plantar ligament. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| conformation lacks natural concave curve to the sole. sole is flat and has more contact with the ground. can cause sole bruises causing lameness |
|
|
Term
| What is navicular disease? |
|
Definition
| inflammation of the navicular bone and bursa. caused by lingering lameness and should be treated by a vet. seen in navicular channels in radiographs. can be hidden by "nerving" a horse |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soft swellings on the front or sides of the fetlock joints due to injury to the joint capsule of the fetlock due to tearing of the joint causing inflammation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| chronic inflammation in coffin bone, usually front. continuous pounding of feet, sole bruising, or laminitis. Found over the toe of the coffin bone, caused by decrease in density of the bone because of trauma. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| sore on the foot anywhere along the coronet band. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| bony enlargement of the pastern bone. occurs either at the pastern joint or the pastern coffin bone joint close to the coronet band. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| calcification of the cartilage of the foot that can cause severe pain when excess tissue fractures. At increased risk due to location and structure. Result form wear, injury, or abuse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| inflammation of the interosseous ligament holding splint bones to the cannon bones. occur mostly on inside of forelimbs near top of splint bones, below knee. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a displaced patella of the stifle |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| nervous system disease causing sudden lifting or jerking upward of hind legs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| when joint is carried through an abnormal range of motion causing injury to a ligament |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soft enlargement in the hollows of the hock. can be pressed from side to side |
|
|
Term
| What is an upward fixation of the patella? |
|
Definition
| patella moved above normal position and is locked. prevents horse from flexing its stifle and hock will be extended. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soft enlargements at the ankle joints and due to enlargement of synovial sacs |
|
|
Term
| What are some suspensory issues? |
|
Definition
| suspensory ligament is critical to the movement of a horse. Injury can occur in tendon or branches. Injury is often recurring |
|
|
Term
| How to treat a suspensory injury? |
|
Definition
| Shock wave therapy is a new one but there is research being done on stem cell therapy to help repair and treat suspensory tears. |
|
|
Term
| What is the difference between wind sucking and cribbing? |
|
Definition
| Wind sucking is sucking wind to stomach while putting mouth on something. Cribbing is just resting mouth on an object like a pole or fence. Cribbing can be done without wind sucking but wind sucking cannot be done without cribbing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Shifting weight from one front foot to the other and can make a horse useless if extreme. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| pacing along wall in a stall and induces fatigue and reduces horses condition |
|
|
Term
| What characterizes a muscle? |
|
Definition
| their property of contracting and changing shape when simulated |
|
|
Term
| What determines the degree of contraction of muscles? |
|
Definition
| back impulses signaled by one or more nerve signals from the brain |
|
|
Term
| What does the correlation between nerve signals and back impulses allow? |
|
Definition
| it allows the horse to move smoothly and not stagger |
|
|
Term
| What are muscles (flesh/meat wise) and what percent of the body weight do they make up? |
|
Definition
| they are either red flesh or lean meat and make up about 50% of the body weight |
|
|
Term
| Where is skeletal muscle attached and what does it allow the body to do? |
|
Definition
| attached to the bony levers and allows the body to move voluntarily |
|
|
Term
| Where does the skeletal muscle attach its fleshy fibers? |
|
Definition
| directly to a bone, but usually the main part ends at both ends in a tendon |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| When the ends of a muscles fleshy fibers ends and forms a cord-like structure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| avoids inefficient and bulky thickenings at the knee. hocks, and fetlocks. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| allows several large muscles to attach on one small area of bone |
|
|
Term
| How are skeletal muscles usually arranged? |
|
Definition
| in opposing sets, one bending the limb, and the other straightening it. both sets are active at the same time but to different degrees |
|
|
Term
| why can voluntary muscles contract for only a short time? |
|
Definition
| they become fatigued and require rest |
|
|
Term
| describe the blood supply to a contractile portion of a muscle vs. the denser tendons. |
|
Definition
| the contractile portion of a muscle has a large supply of blood and the denser tendons have a limited supply |
|
|
Term
| What is the origin (muscles)? |
|
Definition
| the point of attachment of the body of most muscles to some bone |
|
|
Term
| Where do tendons of the muscle attach? |
|
Definition
| they attach to some other bone after passing one or more joints |
|
|
Term
| What is an example of muscles in sets? |
|
Definition
| the extensor and flexor muscles |
|
|
Term
| What is the action of the extensor muscle? |
|
Definition
| extends a joint and brings the bones into alignment |
|
|
Term
| what is the action of the flexor muscle? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What causes a muscle to act as two different muscles for different joints? |
|
Definition
| when the point of origin and insertion of a muscle are separated by 2 or more joints, the muscle may act as a flexor for one joint and an extensor for another joint. |
|
|
Term
| What is different about these opposed muscles? |
|
Definition
| they do not act simultaneously in opposition but successively |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a synovial sac through which a tendon passes that secretes synovia to lubricate the tendon |
|
|
Term
| What is the tendon bursa? |
|
Definition
| a synovial sac interposed between the tendon and the surface it passes over in a change of direction. same purpose as a tendon sheath but tendon is not surrounded by the synovial sac |
|
|
Term
| Where are tendon sheaths and bursa found? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the same about the synovial membrane and synovia secreted in the sacs |
|
Definition
| they are the same as those in the joints |
|
|
Term
| What is the suspensory ligament? |
|
Definition
| very strong flat structure from back of the knee to end of the cannon bone down the back of the leg in the groove between the splint bones |
|
|
Term
| What happens to the suspensory ligament when it reaches the fetlock? |
|
Definition
| it divides into to 2 rounded branches attached to the upper and outer part of the corresponding sesamoid bone and pass downward/forward around to the front of the long pastern to join at a point of union with the extensor tendon attached to the front of the coffin bone |
|
|
Term
| What are the two phases of movement in a horse? |
|
Definition
| swing phase and stance phase. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| when the horse swings his leg out to get in position for the next stride |
|
|
Term
| What is the stance phase? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What muscle pulls the leg forward? |
|
Definition
| the brachiocephalicus muscle |
|
|
Term
| What muscles work simultaneously to undergo complex maneuvering? |
|
Definition
| the serratus muscles (serratus cervicis and serratus thoracis) |
|
|
Term
| What does the serratus thoracis do? |
|
Definition
| it contracts, pulling down and bock on the upper end of the scapula to help rotate the leg forward. |
|
|
Term
| What happens simultaneously with the serratus thoracis? |
|
Definition
| the serratus cervicis relaxes. |
|
|
Term
| what is the simultaneous movement of the two serratus muscles called? |
|
Definition
| reciprocal muscle activity |
|
|
Term
| What happens to the muscles as the leg swings forward? |
|
Definition
| it flexes/bends at the carpus |
|
|
Term
| What happens once the leg is fully protracted? |
|
Definition
| the serratus cervicis begins to contract while the serratus thoracis relaxes |
|
|
Term
| What happens after the leg is fully protracted? |
|
Definition
| the brachiocephalicus relaxes while the latissimus dorsi contracts |
|
|
Term
| What is the latissimus dorsi? |
|
Definition
| the reciprocal muscle to the brachiocephalicus and the widest muscle of the back |
|
|
Term
| What happens in the forearm during movement? |
|
Definition
| the muscles, especially the extensor carpi radials, assist in swinging the leg by extending the carpus in preparation for puttin the foot on the ground |
|
|
Term
| What happens during the movement of the leg after it is lifted off the ground? |
|
Definition
| the leg swings down and back, retracting/pulling back. |
|
|
Term
| What happens while the leg is swinging backwards? |
|
Definition
| the foot impacts the ground, propelling the horse forward |
|
|
Term
| How does the horse make himself move faster/slower? |
|
Definition
| he retracts the leg faster/slower |
|
|
Term
| What is the foot always doing during a sudden sliding stop? |
|
Definition
| it is always retracting when it impacts |
|
|
Term
| What is the primary function of the forelegs? |
|
Definition
| to support weight, absorb shock, and lift the horse from the ground during the flight phase of the stride |
|
|
Term
| What is the secondary function of the foreleg? |
|
Definition
| to assist in moving the horse forward |
|
|
Term
| What legs (fore or rear) provide the most force? |
|
Definition
| the rear legs provide the most propulsion |
|
|
Term
| What is the most important characteristic in equine selection? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the four components of conformation? |
|
Definition
| balance, structural correctness, breed and sex character, and muscling |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the skeletal framework of the animal being judged |
|
|
Term
| What are the main reference points to determine balance? |
|
Definition
| sloping shoulder, top to bottom line ratio, neck, prominent withers, square hip, long croup and hip |
|
|
Term
| What is the most critical part of balance? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What does the slope of the shoulder affect? |
|
Definition
| the length of the shoulder |
|
|
Term
| What does a long back coincide with? |
|
Definition
| the short neck of a straight shouldered horse |
|
|
Term
| What is the ideal withers for an Am QH? |
|
Definition
| The withers are sharp and slightly higher than the croup |
|
|
Term
| What is the ideal hindquarter of a QH? |
|
Definition
| should appear square and full when viewed from the side. Is as full and as long across the horizontal plane of the stifle as it is from the point of the hip to the point of the buttocks. |
|
|
Term
| What is the ideal side view of the hindquarter on a QH? |
|
Definition
| the line from the butt to the ground should touch the hocks, run parallel to the cannon bone and be slightly behind the heel. |
|
|
Term
| What is the difference between suckle-hocked and post-legged? |
|
Definition
| Sickle-hocked has too much angle in the leg. Post-legged is too straight of legs |
|
|
Term
| What should be the widest point of the horse when viewed from the rear? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What should the imaginary line from the butt to the ground bisect? |
|
Definition
| the gaskin, hock and hoof |
|
|
Term
| Is it critical that the horse be perfectly straight from the ankles down when viewed from the rear? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the difference between bow-legged and cow-hocked? |
|
Definition
| bow-legged is toed in from behind. cow-hocked is bowed in at the hocks and cannons are not parallel |
|
|
Term
| How should the ideal horse stand? |
|
Definition
| on a straight column of bone with no deviation |
|
|
Term
| What is the most serious leg condition? |
|
Definition
| back at the knees (calf-kneed) |
|
|
Term
| What should the imaginary line drawn from the point of the shoulder to the toe bisect? |
|
Definition
| the knee, cannon bone, and hoof |
|
|
Term
| What is splay-footed and what does it cause? |
|
Definition
| Splay footed is toes out which causes the horse to wing-in |
|
|
Term
| What is the most serious structural incorrectness of the front legs? Why? |
|
Definition
| Wing-in because it tends to interfere with the opposite hoof as it moves |
|
|
Term
| What is pigeon toed and what does it cause? |
|
Definition
| the horse is toes in and causes the horse to paddle out |
|
|
Term
| What causes a horse to be bench-kneed? |
|
Definition
| If the cannon bone is off centered to the outside |
|
|
Term
| What are some common blemishes that judges should notice when evaluating a horse? |
|
Definition
| splints, wind puffs, ringbone, bowed tendons, and curbs |
|
|
Term
| What is more important to be penalized for when judging a horse? incorrect structure or tissue changes? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is type when referred to a horse being judged at halter? |
|
Definition
| overall body style and conformation unique to a specific breed |
|
|
Term
| Where are femininity and masculinity most easily recognized? |
|
Definition
| the head and throat latch areas. Hard to define, easy to recognize |
|
|
Term
| What is the purpose of the the muscling portion of judging? |
|
Definition
| to find the horses with adequate muscling for the breed. |
|
|
Term
| What muscle groups are compared to decide muscling? |
|
Definition
| stifle, gaskin, and forearm |
|
|
