HORSE STUDY GUIDE

• Parts of the Horse

• Bits

	Eggbutt Snaffle: non-leverage, most gentle kind of bit because it cannot pinch the corners of the mouth
	Loose Ring Snaffle: non-leverage, rings will rotate through the holes so that bit will stay in natural position for the horse
	Full Cheek Snaffle: extended cheek pieces help lead direction and stop bit from being pulled through the mouth
	Pelham: a Curb bit or a leverage bit. This bit is designed to combine the action of the two bits in a double bridle and is generally used with two pairs of reins. The curb chain provides pressure under the chin.
	Kimberwick: A ported bit used for leverage which only requires one pair of reins. The bump, or port, is to apply pressure on the roof of the horse's mouth and the bars in such a way that corresponds to the horse's poll.

• The Basics

Body Temperature: 100.8°F
Pulse: 32-44 beats per min.
Respiration: 8-16 breaths per min.

Walk: The horse’s four legs are placed on the ground in a regular succession. The sequence of the footfalls is left fore, right hind, right fore, left hind. The walk is a four beat gait.

Trot: The horse’s diagonal legs move at the same time so that the footfall sequence is then left fore with right hind and right fore with left hind. The trot is a two beat gait.

Canter: One foreleg leads the gait while the other foreleg and its diagonal hind leg move together and the other hind leg moves independently. This gives the footfall sequence of right hind, left hind and right fore, and then left fore (left lead). There is a brief period of suspension after the leading foreleg leaves the ground. The canter is a three beat gait.

Gallop: The horse’s stride lengthens and the suspension time increases. Due to the increased speed, the two legs that move together in the canter are unable to, and the hind leg will hit the ground just before its diagonal foreleg. The footfall sequence of this would be right hind, left hind just before right fore, and then left fore (left lead). The gallop is a four beat gait.

•The Figure Eight

The figure eight is made up of two equal sized circles joined by a small straight center point. The center point should be initially established by approaching at a sitting trot and halting at the center point. The first circle should made in the clockwise direction. Canter your first circle and then change leads through the walk at the center point. Finish your second circle, making sure to pick out markers along the ring to help you direct your horse back to the established center point, and halt again at the center point. For a figure eight at the trot, you change diagonals at the center point. When traveling in the clockwise direction, the horse should be bent on a right indirect rein with your right leg at the girth and your left leg behind the girth (the reverse for counterclockwise). In this way, the inside rein and leg bend the horse around the circle while the outside rein and leg keep the horse from drifting outwards.