A "proud cut" horse is a gelding (castrated male horse) that still acts like a stallion, usually because some testosterone-producing tissue (like a retained testicle or remnant) wasn't removed during castration, or because of learned stallion behaviors from being castrated later in life. While traditionally thought to be from a bad castration, modern vets often find it's due to behavioral habits, though a hidden testicle ( or "rig") is a true cause, requiring veterinary diagnosis with blood tests and ultrasound to confirm the presence of active testicular tissue.
Traditionally, proud-cut implies that a part of the epididymis (the sperm storage site located adjacent to the testis) was left in the horse at the time of castration. Download AQHA's Equine Breeding Techniques and Foal Health Tips report for a comprehensive guide to the process of horse breeding and foaling.
Proud flesh develops due to an inefficient and prolonged inflammatory phase during wound healing. Exuberant granulation tissue is pink in color due to the abundance of small blood vessels called capillaries. Veterinary intervention is often sought when proud flesh develops during the wound healing process.
Female horses have a hymen-like membrane that typically ruptures naturally without causing pain. Unlike humans, equine hymens rarely cause discomfort or affect breeding. However, an unusually thick membrane could theoretically cause mild discomfort during initial mating.
a red flag is when they won't talk to you about the horse, and won't give you enough time to arrange to go and see it in person. they won't arrange it because they don't need it - they know the horse is going to sell regardless, so if someone wants to come ride it, they gloss right over you.
The "1-2-3 Rule" for horses is a critical guideline for monitoring a newborn foal and mare: the foal should stand within 1 hour, nurse within 2 hours, and the mare should pass the placenta (afterbirth) within 3 hours of birth; any delay in these milestones requires an immediate call to a veterinarian to ensure the health of both animals.
The "20% rule" for horses is a guideline stating the total weight of rider and equipment should not exceed 20% of the horse's body weight for welfare and performance, though many experts suggest a more conservative 10-15% is better for long-term health, with factors like horse build, fitness, rider skill, and activity intensity also crucial. It's a widely cited standard from sources like old Cavalry Manuals, but modern consensus leans towards it being a starting point, not a strict rule, requiring observation of the horse's comfort and fitness.
Ready to reproduce and accept the stallion, they can then present several external signs with varying degrees of enthusiasm: raised tails, urine squirting, winking of the vulva and other squealing noises.
Technically, yes, but should you? That's a neigh! Breeding a father and daughter horse increases the chances of passing on undesirable genetic traits and health issues.
There are three types of wound healing environments: Dry - where the dressing absorbs, but doesn't keep any of the moisture. Moist - where the dressing absorbs and keeps some of the moisture. Wet - where you seal the wound with an impermeable membrane that keeps all of the fluid within the dressing.
What is a Sloughy Wound? Slough refers to the yellow/white material in the wound bed; it is usually wet, but can be dry, and generally has a soft texture. It can be thick and adhered to the wound bed, present as a thin coating, or patchy over the surface of the wound.
So, what is the hardest wound to heal? The answer lies in chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers (bedsores), and venous leg ulcers.
If your vet suspects that your horse has a retained testicle, they will use diagnostics, including the measurement of testosterone in the blood, to determine whether this is the case. Once diagnosed, surgical removal of the testicular tissue (a different procedure than routine castration) is advised.
The "Three Second Rule" in horse training means you must reward or release pressure within about three seconds of a desired behavior for the horse to connect the action with the outcome, because their short memory span makes delayed rewards ineffective. This rule applies to both positive reinforcement (like giving a treat or praise) and negative reinforcement (releasing rein tension), ensuring clear communication and building trust by capitalizing on the horse's "in-the-moment" focus.
The "3 Fs for horses" stand for Friends, Forage, and Freedom, a widely recognized concept in equine welfare emphasizing natural social interaction (friends), continuous access to fiber-rich food (forage), and ample space for movement and choice (freedom) to ensure a horse's physical and mental well-being. These pillars address core needs, preventing behavioral issues often rooted in confinement and unnatural feeding, promoting happier, healthier horses.
It may be that overstimulation of the dopamine pathway is causing the horses to become hyperaroused. Alternatively, spontaneous erections have been cited in the literature as a comfort behaviour, and Franzin has considered that dropping may simply be a sign of relaxation.
Horse semen itself is not harmful; however, it may sometimes contain contaminants or microbes such as spirochetes, which can lead to infections in humans.
Although the prevalence of this phenomenon is difficult to evaluate, authors estimate that 10–40% of women may experience regularly or sporadically an emission of fluid during orgasm 2, 3, 4.
It states: when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. Yet, many businesses refuse to do so. Instead, they attempt misguided strategies like: Buying a stronger whip.
The "1-2-3 Rule" for horses is a critical guideline for monitoring a newborn foal and mare: the foal should stand within 1 hour, nurse within 2 hours, and the mare should pass the placenta (afterbirth) within 3 hours of birth; any delay in these milestones requires an immediate call to a veterinarian to ensure the health of both animals.
Horses should not be expected to carry more than 15% to 20% of their body weight. On a 450kg horse, that absolute maximum at 20% is 90kg. Anything above that is not fair to the horse and their well being is of utmost importance to us.
When they feel their space or resources are threatened, they might react aggressively to protect themselves and their herd. Pain or Discomfort: Just like people, horses can get grumpy when they're not feeling their best. Pain, illness, or discomfort can lead to increased aggression.
Set the rules!
As herd animals, horses look to a leader to set the rules for the herd. If you don't set the agenda for the things you do with and for your horse, the horse will take over the lead.