PCT Rotation - updated 2-2023 (1).docx

Equine Handling - Approaching horse correctly: A. Reading the horse -- Attitude 1. Ask handler 2. Assess mood -- notice ear carriage, tail, nostrils 3. Assess feet -- degree of relaxation, tension, mobility 4. Move slowly but steadily, be consistent,...

Equine Handling - Approaching horse correctly: A. Reading the horse -- Attitude 1. Ask handler 2. Assess mood -- notice ear carriage, tail, nostrils 3. Assess feet -- degree of relaxation, tension, mobility 4. Move slowly but steadily, be consistent, maintain mental and physical contact. - Lead a horse - Always from the horses' left side - Grooming 1. Reasons: a. Massage muscles and skin b. Increase blood circulation which promotes healthy growth of skin and hair c. Appearance d. Pleasure and comfort to horse e. Discipline f. Allows for close examination of horse g. Promotes confidence and trust in horse, especially in hospital situation. 2. Restraint and safety while grooming h. Hold cheek-piece of halter while grooming if horse is a biter. i. Keep free hand on horse in vicinity of loins while grooming flank, belly or hind legs. j. When passing behind horse - stay close to horse k. At NBC we **[Never]** tie a horse. If you were for some reason to tie a horse Only use a quick release knot and the rope **must** be clipped under the chin and not a chain over the nose. 3. Grooming: l. Groom systematically -- start at the same place with each tool and work over body in same order, with the hair. m. Don't groom half-heartedly -- but pay attention to sensitive areas. Grooming should be enjoyed by the horse n. Keep brushes clean. o. Don't forget to groom elbows, hocks, back of pasterns and heels as well as roots of mane and tail. p. Groom in direction of hair growth. q. Pick feet -- heel to toe r. Currycomb -- loosens dirt, massages skin and muscles. Use a side to side or circular motion bearing down on heavier muscled areas. Knock loose dirt from currycomb frequently. Do not use metal curry comb on horses' body. s. Stiff brush -- use the short, hard, snapping strokes. Cleans large particles of dirt and dust. t. Soft brush -- use the same way as the stiff brush. Removes smaller particles of dust and dirt. u. Rub rag -- go over entire body -- removes fine dust. v. With dampened cloth clean nostrils, eyes, and dock. w. Lay over mane with damp brush. x. Pull tail to one side or the other and use a comb to untangle. Typically easiest if you work from the ends up. Pick straw and debris from tail. Equine Restraint +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | In many regards, restraint is the single most important aspect of the | | equine physical examination. Without adequate restraint, the examiner | | will be unable to complete a meaningful examination. | | | | The size and strength of horses make them potentially dangerous | | | | - Kick | | | | - Bite | | | | - Rear | | | | - Strike | | | | ### Safety is key. | | | | - **Veterinarian:** no job is worth doing if you are going to get | | hurt. | | | | - **Handler (owner/manager):** must be confident in handler\'s | | ability | | | | - Instruct them as necessary; you are in charge. | | | | - Be aware of legal considerations if handler gets injured. | | | | | | | | - **Animal:** use minimal necessary restraint required. | | | | - Restraint does not equal physical force. | | | | - Be aware of legal considerations if animal gets hurt. | | | | Horses are individuals and have individual personalities; some are | | spookier than others. They also have breed characteristics | | (Thoroughbred vs. Draft) and age characteristics (foal vs. adult). Be | | aware of these when choosing appropriate restraint technique. | | | | Horses should, if possible, be approached from their left side | | (called the \"near\" side). They will usually be easier to work | | around if you work as much as possible from that side. Best place to | | work is near the shoulder, slightly off to the side\--definitely not | | directly in front. Generally, handler and examiner should be on same | | side of horse whenever possible. | | | | There are three main categories of restraint: physical, verbal and | | chemical\--they may be used alone or together. | | | | Physical Restraint: | | ------------------- | | | | Always at least some minimum form of restraint required. | | | | 1. Minimum restraint required: halter and lead rope | | | | - A PE should [never] be attempted without a halter | | and lead rope in place with someone holding the horse. | | | | - Never wrap lead around your hand, arm or any other body part | | | | - Never tie a horse unless you know it is accustomed to being | | tied. | | | | | | | | 1. Chain over nose Provides additional restraint\ | | | | 2. A lip or gum chain is more severe, and is often used on breeding | | stallions and race horses.  | | | | 3. Twitching with hand | | | | - Neck twitch\ | | | | - Nose twitch | | | | 4. Twitching with device | | | | - Different types - | | | | - Wood with rope; less severe than\... | | | | - wood with chain | | | | - metal | | | | | | | | 1. Applying twitch - | | | | | | | | 2. Considerations - | | | | - NEVER let go of twitch\--can swing and injure you, handler, | | or horse | | | | - Size counts\--the longer the twitch, the more control | | | | - Twitches do take time to work, 3-5minutes in some cases. It | | isn't necessarily immediate. | | | | - Do not leave twitch on too long\--may cause damage or become | | ineffective. | | | | - Never put twitch device on ear\--if you feel this may be | | necessary, consider chemical restraint. | | | | 3. Lifting a limb | | | | - May be helpful to allow examination of weight-bearing limbs. | | Uses with caution\--horses are stronger than you are. | | | | 4. Crossties | | | | - Appropriate for grooming but generally crossties or tying a | | horse is not recommended while conducting a physical exam | | | | - Definitely not for painful or bothersome procedures | | | | 5. Stocks | | | | - Very helpful for rectal exams and reproductive evaluations. | | | | - Not foolproof\--horses may try to jump out or go down | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ Copyright 1999-2009 New Bolton Center Field Service Department Reference: **[Common Equine Colors]** 1. Bay -- Brown body with a black mane and tail and black points on legs 2. Brown 3. Black 4. Chestnut -- reddish body with no black. The mane and tail are the same shade or lighter than the body coat. 5. Gray -- horses with black skin and white or white mixed with dark hairs. 6. White - albino 7. Dun -- light brown body with black points on legs, plus a dorsal stripe 8. Palomino -- light gold with white mane and tail. 9. Buckskin - gold body color with black mane and tail and black points [Common Terms] 1. Foal -- newborn horse 2. Colt -- male horse under four years of age 3. Filly -- female horse under four years of age 4. Stallion -- intact male horse over four years of age 5. Mare -- female horse over four years of age 6. Gelding- castrated male horse of any age 7. "Putting down" -- Euthanasia 8. Floating Teeth -- filing teeth 9. Gaits: a. Walk -- four beats b. Trot -- two beat diagonally c. Canter -- three beats d. Gallop e. Pace -- both legs on the same side work at the same time [Normal TPR]  **[Parts of the hoof]** Hay fed at NBC \- Kept in rollingtrash bins at the front of each barn \- Timothy -- lighter green, grass looking hay \- Alfalfa -- brighter greem, leafy hay with coarse stems as well \* Owners will bring their own feed at times, just make sure all bags are labeled and fed as directed. Oweners will also bring supplements to feed their horses. **[Tips/Reminders]** - When approaching a horse to catch in a stall and it has its butt towards the door, talk to the horse and get their attention to turn their head and body around toward you instead, they you may open door and go in to place the lead or halter. - Warning signs that a horse is annoyed with your, or warning you they are going to act. Ears pinned back, swishing tail, stomping feet (or picking up feet), shaking head, or generally acting annoyed. If you notice this behavior stop, ask for help holing the horse and try again. ***[Your safety comes first!!]*** - When handling a horse for any procedure always remember to stand on the same side as the person working on the horse. ***Questions?????? [Please ask if you have any questions] regarding anything we went over today!*** **[Common Bovine Breeds]** **Dairy Breeds**: 1\. Holstein -black and white very large cow, ranks highest in milk production 2. Jersey - golden brown to dark brown with big brown eyes, ranks highest in butterfat test. ============================================================================================ 3\. Guernsey - brown and white, milking 4. Ayrshire -- red/ brown and white also a large cow, milking ============================================================= 5. Brown Swiss -- brown, milking ================================ 6. Shorthorn Milking - brown or brown and white -- often nearly roan dual purpose -- milk and beef ================================================================================================== 1. Hereford -- redish/brown and white with a white face and white markings (mainly belly and legs), generally a more docile breed, they can be polled or unpolled. 2. Angus -- black or red (Black Angus or Red Angus) No white markings 3. Charolais -- white or cream, very large 4. Shorthorn -- brown or brown and white 5. Simmental -- brown and white, black or black and white