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Horses. Terms. Foal: young horse – up to one year of age Filly: young female, up to 3 years of age Colt: young male, up to 3 years of age Gelding: castrated male horse Mare: mature female, 4+ years Stallion: mature male, 4+ years. History & Background.
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Terms • Foal: young horse – up to one year of age • Filly: young female, up to 3 years of age • Colt: young male, up to 3 years of age • Gelding: castrated male horse • Mare: mature female, 4+ years • Stallion: mature male, 4+ years
History & Background • Brought to North America by Columbus • Uses have varied - • Food • Military • Racing • Rodeo • Horse Shows • Agriculture • Transportation • 75% of horses in US for recreation/personal pleasure • 25% for ranching, racing, breeding, other commercial purposes
Classifications • Horses are measured in ‘hands’ – one ‘hand’ is 4 inches • Measured from ground to top of withers • 14-2 hands = 58 inches • Ponies are anything under 14-2 hands • Horses are anything at or over 14-2 hands
Classifications, continued • Donkey – also known as burros • Jack – male donkey • Jennet – female donkey • Mule – cross between a jack & mare • Hinny – cross between a jennet & stallion
Growth • Foaling – giving birth • Not one particular season that’s most common for foaling like there are with livestock, although higher conception rates in spring • Wean foals around 4-6 months of age
Digestion & Feeding • Monogastric System BUT also hind-gut fermenters • Horses can digest more forages than other monogastrics due to larger cecums • Cecum is a section of the colon where digestive bacteria break down roughage
Breeds • Over 300 breeds worldwide! Appaloosa • Quarter Horse Clydesdale • Shetland Pony Paint • Tennessee Walking Horse