Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Level 3

1. Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Level 3 Dr. Amy Burk University of Maryland Extension Horse Specialist Kristen M. Wilson University of Maryland Extension Horse Specialist Rev. 8/16/11

2. Knowledge Testing Schedule • Written Test • Copies from County Extension Office • Allow 45 minutes • Oral Practicum • Cover information on the knowledge testing sheet for each level • Everything else covered on the written test

3. Knowledge Level Sections • Breeds, Conformation, Movement • Grooming and Bandaging • Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge • Nutrition • Stable Management and Safety • Tack and Equipment • Transportation and Travel Safety

4. Parts of Horse

5. Breed Types Light Breed Know different characteristics that define breed type Draft Breed

6. Coat Colors • Variations of the gray coat color- i.e. rose gray, steel gray, dapple gray, flea bitten gray etc.

7. Front Leg Conformation (Horses, 2000)

8. Hind Leg Conformation (Horses, 2000)

9. Conformation Faults

10. Grooming • Give reasons for clipping a horse, and name and describe at least 3 types of body clips that can be used • Describe safety precautions for bathing

11. Trimming/Clipping for Show • Face hair • Ears • Bridle path • Fetlock • Coronet band

12. Body Trace Hunter Blanket Body Clipping

13. Bathing a Horse Never stand directly in front or behind a horse when bathing them Have the horse securely and safely tied or have someone hold them Keep the hose out from under the horse’s feet Go slowly… don’t surprise them!

14. Reasons for Bandaging • Protection of the legs, particularly while riding or trailering the horse • Prevention of swelling after the horse works • For treatment and protection of injuries

15. Protective Boots Bell Boots Splint Boots Ankle Boots

16. Health/Veterinary Care • Name and describe 1 type of wound and how to treat it, especially those that need veterinary attention • Explain why a regular vaccination plan is necessary and identify 3 diseases you would vaccinate your horse against each year • Know signs that a hoof needs to be trimmed • Locate parts of the hoof

17. Equine Wounds • Lacerations • tearing of the skin, often require stitches • Abrasions • usually caused by rubbing, and will remove the epidermis, not as serious • Punctures • deep, narrow wounds that are usually caused by nails or splinters

18. Vaccinations (Hill, 1997. Horse Health Care)

19. Vaccination Schedules

20. Hoof Care

21. Parts of the Hoof

22. Nutrition • Basic rules for feeding • Know how feeds are measured (including units) • Explain feeding schedule to include amounts of roughage and concentrates for a particular horse or pony

23. Basic Feeding Rules • Feeding horse’s properly takes knowledge of their digestive anatomy and physiology • Feed small forage-based meals frequently • Avoid abrupt changes in feed • Avoid poor quality feeds and forages • Offer fresh clean water and trace mineral salts at all times

24. Weighing Feeds Important to measure by weight, not volume!!

25. Types of Diets Forage Concentrate

26. Forage • Very important for proper digestion • Types of hay: • Legume • Grass • Mixed • Horse will consume 1 ½ to 2% of body weight per day

27. Common Hay Species Timothy Orchardgrass Alfalfa

28. Concentrate • Used to: • Supplement and balance nutrients in forages • Supplement higher caloric needs of working and lactating horses

29. Stable Management and Safety • Appropriate care of a horse after strenuous work including: cooling out, inspection of legs, watering and feeding • Proper stall sizes for a horse and pony • Management practices to prevent the spread of disease • Safety concerns to consider when attaching a hay net/bag

30. Care After Strenuous Exercise • Horse should be walked until all vital signs are back to normal • Inspect legs for any injuries • Limit access to feed and water

31. Stall Dimensions and Designs • Horse: 12x12 feet • Pony : 10x10 feet • The stall should be free of any sharp objects, the doors should shut securely, and no electrical wiring should be exposed

32. How to Tie a Hay Net • The most important thing to emphasize is that it stays out of the way of the horse’s feet • It is run through a mounted ring, and then the excess tied up in a quick release knot

33. Equine Disease Control Program • Optimize health and nutrition plans for animals • Use rodent, parasite and vector control programs throughout the year • Do not allow horse access to streams and waterways • Contract with a veterinarian and clearly post their contact information

34. Equine Disease Control Program • Communication is key • Limit human access to barns if they are not clientele or workers • Clean and disinfect barns, stalls and equipment regularly • Discard all manure and bedding from stalls that house sick horses

35. Equine Disease Control Program • Become familiar with common diseases that affect horses • Identify symptoms with the onset of a disease • Vaccination Plan • Deworming Plan

36. Tack and Equipment • 2 areas on tack that should be checked for safety • Types of bits • Identify a tie-down, breast strap, martingale, and breastplate • Types of blankets and their purposes

37. Unsafe Tack http://www.newrider.com/Library/Misc_Tips/tack_safety.html

38. Horse Bits

39. Other Equipment Martingale Breast Plate Tie-Down Breast Strap

40. Horse Blankets

41. Proper Loading/Unloading

42. References and Resources • Approved resources for state contests • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Basics for Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Intermediate Horsemanship through C Level, by S. E. Harris • USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Advanced Horsemanship Through A Level, by S. E. Harris