Horse Breeding and Management

About this book

The contents of this volume were written to provide a basic understanding of the production, care and biology of the horse. It covers the history of the horse throughout evolution, as well as the development of the modern day breed. The principle of successful management is also dealt with, discussing such matters as how to select the horse, the relationship of conformation to movement, behavior, reproduction, the newborn foal, nutrition, footcare and parasite control. The book's extensive coverage of the care and potential problems of the newborn foal is rare, as is its indepth information on evolution. Each chapter was written by an expert in the topic covered. The chapter on nutrition presents the latest data on nutrient requirements and how to avoid problems in this area. Hence this volume should be of value to horse-owners and handlers as well as to animal scientists.

Contents

General Preface. Preface to Volume C7. 1. The Evolution of the Horse (D. Bennett). Historical introduction. Environmental factors on the evolution of grazing equids. Competition and predation as factors in the evolution of grazing equids. Structural adaptations necessary for mammalian grazing. Structural adaptations necessary for fleeing predators in open environments. Evolution in the equid skull. Evolution of the equoid dentition. Evolution of the axial skeleton in equids. Evolution of the appendicular skeleton in equids. References. 2. Origin and Distribution of Living Breeds of the Domestic Horse (D. Bennett). Scientific names of the horse, Equus Caballus, and its subspecies. Introduction: perspective on the Przewalski horse. The origin of the genus Equus. The origin and zoogeography of Equus Caballus. The domestication of the horse. The extinction of the horse species in the wild. Geographic stability and the origin of breeds. The multiple origin of modern horse breeds. The thoroughbred: and enlightening example. Horse breeding since the Renaissance. References. 3. Horse Behavior (K.A. Houpt). Social organization. Sexual behavior. Maternal behavior. Abnormal behavior. Training and learning. Management. References. 4. Conformation Analysis (D. Bennett). Introduction. Conformation defined. The purpose for judging conformation in horses. The effects of domestication. Horselike movement: gaits and paces. Conformation of the loin. Conformation of the croup. Conformation of the back. Conformation of the withers. The tail. The torso from the top. Conformation of the hind limb. Conformation of the pelvis. Conformation of the hind limb, as seen from the side. Conformation of hind limb in rear view. Conformation of the neck. Conformation of the head. Conformation of the shoulder and breast. Conformation of the arm. Conformation of the forearm, carpus and cannon. Conformation of the pasterns and fetlock joints. Conformation of the foot. Conformation and rate of skeletal maturation. Conformation and training. Overall balance and harmony. Determining the value of a horse. 5. Gaits (J.W. Evans). Introduction. Walk. Trot. Pace. Canter. Run. Back. Analysis of gaits. Defects in movement. References and bibliography. 6. Foot Care (K.D. Butler). Foot structure and function. Trimming and shoeing the normal foot. Principles of corrective trimming and shoeing. References. 7. Genetics of the Horse (A.T. Bowling). Introduction. The chromosomes of the horse. Chromosomal variation. Genetic variation detected in blood components. Genes determining coat color and texture. Genetic diseases and carrier testing. Linkage map. Genetics of performance. Conclusion. References. 8. Reproductive Physiology of the Stallion and Jack (D.L. Thompson). Introduction. Anatomy of the reproductive tract and spermatozoa. Endocrinology. Sperm production. Semen collection, evaluation and processing. Breeding soundness evaluation. Infertility problems. References. 9.

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