US Horse IndustyUS Horse Industy

John Shelle

Types of Horse EnterprisesTypes of Horse Enterprises

Boarding Stables Pay-to-Rides Lessons Training

Race Show

Stallion Stations Breeding Farms

First five types of farms are primarily service oriented, operator may not own any horses.

Breeding farm is product oriented, has the lowest opportunity for success.

Types and Breeds of HorsesTypes and Breeds of Horses

Three basic types Draft Horses Light Horses Ponies

All are Equus caballus Same number of chromosomes Interbreed easily Selection pressure has resulted in variation

Draft HorsesDraft Horses

Field work, pulling competitions, show hitches

Small relatively stable population in the US

Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales are most numerous

15 to 18 hands 1400 to 2500 pounds

Light HorsesLight Horses

Riding, show, racing, ranchwork Largest number of horses in the US Arabians, Morgans, Quarter Horses,

Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds, etc. 13-2 to 17-2 hands 850-1500 pounds

PoniesPonies

Youth mounts, pets, show Small population in the US and is

decreasing Shetland, Hackneys, Welsh, POA’s (Pony

of America)

Donkeys and MulesDonkeys and Mules

Donkey, Equus asinus Labor, show, pets Very important for labor internationally small and light

Mules Hybrid cross between Equus asinus x Equus

caballus Normally sterile Excellent work animal

Draft Horse BreedsDraft Horse Breeds

Belgian

Clydesdale

Percheron

Most numerous, heavy farm use, pulling competition, chestnut

Most recognized, show horse, flashy, feathering on legs

2nd most numerous, farm use, black and gray

Light Horse BreedsLight Horse Breeds

Arabians

Morgans

Quarter Horse

Oldest breed, used in development of other breeds, endurance

Developed in NE US, foundation one horse, multipurpose

Most numerous, developed in SW US, ranch horse, sprint racing

Light Breeds (continued)Light Breeds (continued)

Standardbred

Thoroughbred

Harness race horse, very prevalent in MI

Racing on the flat and over fences, greatest athlete, developed in England, 2nd oldest breed

Other Light Horse BreedsOther Light Horse Breeds

WarmbloodsHanovarians, Lipizzans, Dutch Warmblood, Trakehners

Color BreedsPaints, Pintos, Appaloosa, Buckskins, Palominos

Variety of breeds, used as sport horses, excellent athletes

Mostly stock type, color primary criteria for registration

Pony BreedsPony Breeds

Shetland

Hackney

Developed on the Shetland Islands, worked mines, most numerous, youth mount

Coach horse, greatest animation in way of going, show pony, developed in England

Pony Breeds (continued)Pony Breeds (continued)

Welsh Pony

POA (Pony of America)

Developed in Whales, miniature Arabian, youth mount

Stock type, developed in the US, youth mount, miniature Appaloosa

Horse ProductionHorse Production

Parturition (gestation 340 days) Range (pasture) - Southwestern US, limited

human involvement, similar to beef cow-calf production

Stall (inside) - Eastern, Midwestern, western US, human involvement may be extensive, frequent observation

Parturition (continued)Parturition (continued)

Foaling management varies with value of horses and owners concerned

Dystocias are rare, but are emergencies Foaling season may dictate care in

Midwest (January 1st birth date)

Foal CareFoal Care

Foal is up and active very quickly usually less than 1 hour

Colostrum very important, most foals will nurse within 1-3 hours

Foal heat scours (7-9 days of age) Dry feed, begin at about 2 weeks,

significant quantities about 1 month

Foal Care (continued)Foal Care (continued)

Milk production falls off at about 45 days, to optimize growth foal needs supplementation ( 14% CP concentrate, good quality hay)

Health care Vaccinate - Mare before foaling (increase

antibodies in colostrum), Foal 1month of age Deworming - Foal at 1 month and once per

month until 1 year of age

WeaningWeaning

Varies by breed and owner preference Two considerations

Growth rate Mental attitude (socialization)

Three to four months ideal, some may be on mare for 6 months

Method (stress mare not foal) Cold turkey Progressive

Weanling CareWeanling Care

Group feeding 12-14% CP concentrate, good quality roughage Enhances socialization and provides unlimited

exercise Individual housing

Usually show horses Questionable socially and from an exercise

perspective

Weanling HandlingWeanling Handling

Imprinting at birth Leading and tying

Midwest generally pre-weaning Range raised post-weaning

Yearling CareYearling Care

Usually handled in groups May be shown in halter or longe line

classes Trained to longe or stand at halter Individually stall raised

Feeding (12% CP diet) corn and oats are most frequently used grains

Yearling Health CareYearling Health Care

Vaccinations - annual boosters Deworming - minimum once per every

three months

Reach puberty at about 18 months of age

2-3 Year Old Care2-3 Year Old Care

Training begins in earnest Breed and use dependent Race, start to race as 2 year old Show, stock horses start to show

performance as 2 year old Most other breeds start to show in

performance as 3 year old

2-3 Year Old Management2-3 Year Old Management

Feeding 10-12% CP Increased energy demand as a result of

training Intake may be a problem in the intensely

exercised horse

2-3 Year Old Health Care2-3 Year Old Health Care

Vaccinations Similar to yearling Travel as a result of racing or showing may

result in more frequent boosters Deworming at minimum every 3 months EIA Equine Infectious Anemia

Coggins testing required for show or racing

3-4 Year Old Care3-4 Year Old Care

Basically physiologically mature Feeding

Maintenance horse, good quality hay, may not need concentrate

Exercise or reproduction may increase requirements

Three classes of exercising horses, light, moderate, and heavy exercise

Late gestation and lactation will increase requirements for all nutrients

3-4 Year Old Health Care3-4 Year Old Health Care

Handled similar to 2-3 year old and will be handled in this manner for the remainder of their mature life

Old horses More old animals than in other species May need special care relative to teeth and

overall health

Reproduction, StallionsReproduction, Stallions

Start reproductive life as 3-4 year olds unless shown or raced

Stallions may be used lightly during 2 year old year, usually fertile into their 20’s

Using stallions for breeding may make training more difficult, therefore may be postponed until after training is completed

Reproduction MaresReproduction Mares

Begin breeding as 3-4 year olds normally, may start at 2 most do not.

Breeding may be delayed to accommodate training

Mare is seasonally polyestrous Transition periods in fall and late winter Optimum breeding season spring and summer Anestrous in winter (don’t ovulate)

Reproduction in Mares (cont.)Reproduction in Mares (cont.)

Estrous cycle 21 days in length 5-6 days of estrus 14-16 days of diestrus

Ovulation occurs 24 hours before the end of estrus

Breeding MethodsBreeding Methods

Natural Cover Pasture breeding, stallion and mare are free

roaming Hand mating, stallion and mare are restrained

Artificial Insemination Primarily fresh semen Shipped semen, coordinate time of ovulation

with delivery of semen

Future of the US Horse Future of the US Horse IndustryIndustry

Back to basic values, youth and amateur Strong service industry Forages and alternative feed sources will

become more important Leisure time and economy will influence

price and supply cycle

Future of the US Horse Future of the US Horse Industry (continued)Industry (continued)

International demand for US genetics will increase and maintain prices on top quality horses

Changes in gambling laws will change the racing industry and potentially the entire horse industry