HORSES

COLD BLOOD HORSES

• big and heavy horses
• meant to pull things or show
• wear heavy equipment
• from Northern Europe
• Some examples include: Shires and Clydesdales

HOT BLOOD HORSES

• smaller and thinner
• have lots of energy
• fast runners (racehorses)
• from Middle East and North America
• Some include: Thoroughbreds and Arabians

WARM BLOOD HORSES

• parents are hot blood and cold blood
• from Europe
• used for sporting (jumping and dressage)
• Some include: Pintos and Palominos

BABY HORSES

• A baby horse is called a foal
• From 1-4 years old a female is called a filly
• From 1-4 years old a male is called a colt

ADULT HORSES

• Horses become adults at 5 years old
• An adult female horse is called a mare
• An adult male horse is called a stallion
• A horse can live between 25-30 years old

SIZE OF HORSES

• Height is measured by hands (1 hand =4 inches)
• When measuring a horse, you start from the ground to the highest point of the shoulders (withers)
• The height and weight of horses can be different because of their breed
• Smaller horses can be between 14-16 hands (56-64inches) and weigh between 840-1,210lbs
• Larger horses can be as tall as 18 hands (72 inches) and weigh between 1,540-2,200 lbs

CARING FOR A HORSE

• Feed them hay, carrots, apples, and sugar cubes
• Give them plenty of water
• Keep their stall clean
• Groom them daily
• Make sure they get exercise everyday

RIDING TERMS

• Walk (slow pace)
• Trot (medium pace)
• Canter (fast pace)
• Gallop (very fast pace)

EQUIPMENT

• Saddle
• Bridle
• Halter
• Harness
• Horseshoes

ENGLISH RIDING

• Flat saddle without a horn
• Use both hands for reins
• Post
• Stirrups worn shorter
• From Europe

WESTERN RIDING

• High cantle or saddle with horn
• One hand for reins
• Stirrups are worn longer
• From American west

REFERENCES

• Holub, J. (2003). Why Do Horses Neigh? New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
• Ransford, S. (2002). Horse & Pony Care. New York: Kingfisher.
• Ransford, S. (2003). Horse & Pony Breeds. New York: Kingfisher.
• http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Horses

QUESTIONS FOR YOU! :-)

• Does the English saddle have a horn?
• What is one thing horses eat?
• Usually warm blood horses parents are ______ .
• Are cold blood horses light or heavy?
• What piece of equipment is used to steer with?