Special Sub-Topic: Horse Anatomy And Health Click Here To Play: Horse Anatomy And Health

How many muscles does your horse have below the knee or hock?

0. There are no muscles from the knee and hock down. There are however lots of tendons and ligaments which run in front of and behind the cannon bone.

Which of these bones do you have, but your horse does not?

Clavicle. The horse does not have a clavicle (collar bone). The front legs are attached to the spine by muscle, tendon and cartilage.

Laminitis is a fairly common condition of horses and ponies. Which of these is NOT considered to be a cause of laminitis?

Not picking out the feet properly.. There are a whole host of things that can cause laminitis, poor farriery, toxicity, overload of soluble carbohydrates and the things mentioned above are just some of the causes of this painful condition. Although not picking out your horse's feet is not considered a contributing factor in laminitis, it can lead to things such as thrush and is an important part of caring for your horse.

There has been a lot of wet weather lately, and while grooming your horse, you notice that his lower legs seem hot and puffy. Also there are small, weepy scabs on them. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Mud Fever. Mud fever is caused by a bacteria called 'Dermatophilus congolensis'. This bacteria thrives in wet and muddy conditions which is why mud fever is most common in winter. There are lots of treatments available commercially, and there is lots that can be done to prevent an attack (such as applying a barrier cream if your horse is going to be exposed to mud.) Some horses are more susceptible to mud fever than others.

Where on your horse would you find the 'White Line'?

In the foot. The white line is easier to see in unshod horses. Usually about 3mm wide, it runs between the hoof wall and the sole. Farriers use it as a guide when nailing on the shoes.

You arrive at the stables one morning to find that your horse is scraping the floor, sweating, and keeps looking round at his belly. He doesn't look at all happy. What is the most likely cause of his discomfort?

Colic. There is more than one type of colic, and it is your vet's job to diagnose and treat. What you should do in this situation is to remove all food and water, then call the vet. As with most conditions, prevention is better than cure and good stable management can help to lessen the risk of colic, which can be fatal.

Where on your horse might you find a 'Galvayne's Groove'?

In the mouth. The Galvayne's Groove is a line that runs lengthways down the upper corner incisor. It can be useful in aging a horse, although not all horses actually get one.

Complete the well known horse saying, "The eye of the master maketh the horse..."?

fat. Like all animals, being overweight is not healthy, and can put extra strain on vital organs. It is up to the owner to monitor their horse's weight and adjust feed and exercise accordingly. As a rule of thumb, you should not see the ribs, but should be able to feel them easily by running a hand firmly along the horse's side.

What is an average, healthy, horse's TPR (temperature, pulse and respiration)considered to be when he is at rest?

100.5F, 36-42 bpm, 8-12bpm. These figures can vary greatly from horse to horse, and it is best to monitor your own horse's TPR for a week to see what is normal for him.

Great news, your mare is in foal! How long will you have to wait for your new arrival?

11 months. Gestation in horses is usually around 11 months or 340 days. One of the signs that your mare is ready to foal is 'waxing up'. This is when a clear waxy substance appears on the teats.