Storey's Horse-Lover's Encyclopedia

by Burns, Deborah

• ISBN13: 9781580173360
• ISBN10: 1580173365
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: Storey Books

Summary

The horse world has many different "arenas," and even many professionals don't know the terms used outside their areas of expertise. Here, finally in one place, is a complete guide to everything horse-related - a guide that will be equally useful to a seasoned professional, a novice equestrian, and someone who just wants to know everything there is to know about horses.This hefty, fully illustrated, A-to-Z compendium is an indispensable answer book addressing every question a reader might have about horses and horse care. Covering breeds, tack, facilities, equine care and management, health and safety issues, riding styles and disciplines, shows, horse professionals and what they do, and much more, this book is a reference that will be turned to again and again. From stable design to practice lessons to choosing a riding instructor to loading a trailer, the information is presented in an easily accessible and easily understood manner and is accompanied by clear line drawings throughout.

Table of Contents

Preface	vi
AAEP to Azoturia	1	(12)
Back at the knee to Byerly Turk	13	(28)
Cadence to CVI	41	(34)
Daily feeding rations to Dystocia	75	(24)
Ears to Eyes	99	(22)
Face to Futurities	121	(44)
Gait to Gymkhana	165	(16)
Habronemiasis (summer sores) to HYPP (hyperkalemic periodic paralysis)	181	(28)
Icelandic horse to IVs for foals	209	(14)
Jaw to Jutland	223	(6)
Kabardin to Knots	229	(4)
Laceration to Lyme disease	233	(22)
Maiden class to Mycotoxins	255	(16)
Nails, for horseshoes to Nutrition	271	(6)
Oat hay, cautions to Oxyuris equi (pinworms)	277	(8)
Pace to Pyrantel tartrate (Strongid C)	285	(34)
Quagga to Quittor	319	(4)
Rabies to Rust	323	(20)
Sacking out to Synthetic saddle	343	(46)
Tack to Types of horses	389	(28)
Udder to Uveitis (moon blindness)	417	(6)
Vaccinations to Vulva	423	(8)
Waler to Working hunter	431	(16)
Xenophon to Zebra	447	(2)
Illustration Credits	449	(1)
Resources	450
Index:
of quotations	454
general	455

Excerpts

ENTRIES FROM PART OF SECTION "A"AAEP - * See American Association of Equine PractitionersAbrasion - An irritated, rough, or worn away area of the skin.Abscess - An inflammation surrounding a concentration of pus. An abscess can occur in various parts of the horse's body, but is most common in the hoof.* See HoofAcetylpromazine maleate (Acepromazine) - A tranquilizer that is injected into a horse's muscle and is sometimes used before stressful situations such as transportation by trailer; often called ace. Sometimes an unethical dealer might give a horse ace to make him appear well-mannered and calm. A veterinarian should always administer this medication, because different horses respond very differently. Generally, the product takes effect in less than half an hour and lasts a few hours. Never use ace on an excited horse, since it may make him more upset.Action - How a horse moves. Conformation classes evaluate action at the walk and trot, as well as overall body structure. In performance classes a horse's action is judged as a key ingredient of quality, performance, and brilliance. Judges look for straightness, easy landing of hooves, length of stride, and flexion and raising of knees and hocks.Different breeds emphasize different types of action. For example, American Saddlebred horses should exhibit sparkling, animated action. Dressage horses, on the other hand, are valued for relaxed, supple, balanced, light, and precise movement. Western Pleasure horses should move in a natural, relaxed, easy, comfortable style. * See also individual breedsAcupuncture - An ancient Chinese healing art, an alternative therapy used to treat horse health problems from arthritis to heaves to colic. It is considered beneficial when treating painful or chronic conditions that have not responded to standard medications. The treatment, administered by a licensed practitioner, consists of applying a thin needle or pressure to certain external points on the body in order to stimulate the flow of energy or release blocked energy. In addition to needles, weak electric currents, cold lasers, and ultrasound may be used. A veterinarian may combine acupuncture with traditional medicine to maximize benefits to the horse.Acupressure uses acupuncture points to achieve these metabolic "connections," but instead of inserting needles, pressure is applied to the skin above the relevant acupuncture points.Acute - A description of a condition that comes on suddenly and worsens rapidly. Essentially, any sudden onset of illness is in the acute stage when it first appears. It does not become chronic until it stabilizes and proves that it is a condition that will either remain an issue for the horse on a daily basis, or will recur with varying frequency.Acute laminitis - * See Laminitis"Adopt a Pony" programs - Programs offered at some stables, in which a sponsor pays for purchase and upkeep of ponies so that youngsters who otherwise could not afford to can learn to ride.African Horse Sickness - An equine disease endemic to much of Africa and parts of the Middle East that is transmitted by biting flies and mosquitoes. Symptoms include a high fever lasting several days and clearly apparent discomfort, with swollen eyelids and jugular veins. The disease can be fatal.Age - Thanks to improvements in health care, most horses now live into their twenties and, increasingly, into their thirties. The breed, the quality and consistency of care, and the attitude of horse and owner can still directly affect the animal's longevity.Older, experienced horses in their twenties can thus be valuable teachers, helping young riders develop their skills.Horses are slow learners but have excellent memories. They reach their "prime" at varying ages, depending on individual genetics, training, and a variety of other factors. Many show horses, including dressage horses, hunters, and polo ponies, are at their best when they are