Equidae Domestic and Wild
Categories of Equidae
The horse (Equus ferus caballus)is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature, Eohippus, into the large, single-toed animal of today. Humans began domesticating horses around 4000 BCE, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3000 BCE. Horses in the subspecies caballus are domesticated, although some domesticated populations live in the wild as feral horses.
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Behavior
Horses are prey animals with a strong fight-or-flight response. Their first reaction to a threat is to startle and usually flee, although they will stand their ground and defend themselves when flight is impossible or if their young are threatened.
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Other Breeds
The domestic donkey is a hoofed mammal in the family Equidae, the same family as the horse. It derives from the African wild ass, Equus africanus, and may be classified either as a subspecies thereof, Equus africanus asinus, or as a separate species, Equus asinus.
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Feral Horses - Wild Horses
The wild horse (Equus ferus) is a species of the genus Equus, which includes as subspecies the modern domesticated horse (Equus ferus caballus) as well as the endangered Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii, sometimes treated as a separate species i.e. Equus przewalskii).
The European wild horse, also known as the tarpan, that went extinct in the late 19th or early 20th century has previously been treated as the nominate subspecies of wild horse, Equus ferus ferus, but more recent studies have cast doubt on whether tarpans were truly wild or if they actually were feral horses or hybrids.
Evolution of the horse
The oldest known fossils assigned to Equidae were found in North America, and date from the early Eocene epoch, 54 million years ago. They were once assigned to the genus Hyracotherium, but the type species of that genus is now regarded as a palaeothere. The other species have been split off into different genera. These early equids were fox-sized animals with three toes on the hind feet, and four on the front feet. They were herbivorous browsers on relatively soft plants, and already adapted for running. The complexity of their brains suggest that they already were alert and intelligent animals. Later species reduced the number of toes, and developed teeth more suited for grinding up grasses and other tough plant food.
What to Do if You Find a Sick or Injured Horse or Donkey or Pony
1. Consult a Vet
Consult a vet if you suspect that your horse is in pain, ill or injured - a change in the way your horse behaves can be an early sign that something's wrong.
A small scrape or cut can be treated at home, but any time there is a serious injury you need to immediately call your vet. It’s hard sometimes to tell the difference, but there are some obvious physical symptoms that will require a vet visit including:
- Obvious broken bones and other fractures
- Areas with a lot of swelling, throbbing, or very hot to the touch
- Deep cuts, puncture wounds, or heavy bleeding
- Injuries around the sensitive areas of the face, like the eyes, nose, and mouth
2. Basics Of Horse First Aid
We always recommend keeping a comprehensive horse first aid kit in the stable and taking a small version with you anytime you ride. These kits can be bought online or you can put them together with recommendations from your veterinarian. However, they typically all have the following items:
Gauze pads
Bandages
Duct tape
Leg wraps
Fly mask
Hoof testers
A wound cleansing spray like Lavender Cleansing Spray
It’s also good to keep a pocket first aid guide, you can find them at any online bookstore. Make sure that any time you use something from your first aid kit you replace it, so you have it for the next time.
3. Warning Signs That Your Horse is Sick
Changes In Behaviors Of a Sick Horse
Horses are generally cheerful and active creatures, especially jumper horses. But, when they are sick, the first thing you would notice is the drop in their energy. They would become less active than usual, and seek solitude. They may get irritated or gloomy. Notice their ears. Your equine friend usually moves back and forth its ears while sleeping but you will notice the ears are pushed back when they are sick. They would breathe heavily, have respiratory problems, or may also develop changes in their bowel habits.
Sudden Weight Loss May Indicate That Your Horse is Sick
Horses generally have a big appetite, especially the jumper horses as they get enough exercise and training daily. A sick horse often will lose its appetite and you can notice its lack of interest in eating right away. It is also possible that it loses weight even though it eats well. If the horse is eating well and still losing weight suddenly, it might be the malicious worms in its stomach causing a digestive problem. Get expert advice from a veterinarian if you notice it looks weak immediately.
Do Your Horse Have A Fever?
A digital thermometer handy, and learn how to perform a rectal temperature check. The environment, time of the day, etc. would also affect its body temperature. 38.6 celsius (101.5 degrees Fahrenheit) should be the optimum temperature to match for an adult horse.
Change in Coat Quality
This is a relatively apparent sign anyone can notice. An unhealthy horse will exhibit a dull coat. When sick, your horse’s usually lustrous shiny fur coat will turn dull with dry, flaky skin underneath. Notice the skin underneath while washing it properly. You may also notice an excessively greasy coat if your horse is sick.
Back Issues
There are many other warning signs like coughing, itching, oral hygiene, etc. but you need to take good care of your horse’s back. Any kind of back issue will cause a major problem in your horse training and obviously is very dangerous for your equine companion.
Bruising, muscle tension, soreness, etc. can occur due to a misfit saddle, or a mismatched rider. Pick the right fit for you when browsing through jumper horses for sale and consult with an expert horse jumping barn. You may also notice that your horse is showing resistance or aggression when saddled, strained movement, and dropping to one side. Such an issue can also result in injury for the rider later on. So, be very cautious.
It's your Responsibility!
It’s your foremost responsibility to take care of your equine friend and keep a close eye to detect any signs of illness. Your jumper horses will only be as good as healthy they are. A reliable horse jumping barn checks up on your horse every day to identify any behavioral or otherwise changes. Yes, if your horse is sick, they would tell you through their behaviors and bodily functions.