A Horsemanship Merit Badge Study Guide

Horse Knowledge & Breeds:

Name the 15 main parts of a horse.

1. Muzzle
2. Pole
3. Crest
4. Withers
5. Croup
6. Dock
7. Girth
8. Barrel
9. Flank
10. Fetlock
11. Hock
12. Pastern
13. Coronet Band
14. Gaskin
15. Stifle

Name four breeds of horses. Explain the special features for which each breed is known.

1. Quarter Horse – Mostly known from appearances in western movies, they are stocky, mild-tempered, all-purpose horses, American Breed
2. Thoroughbred – Most common racehorse, taller and leaner, high-energy, often anxious, they like to work
3. Paint – Western stock (Native American horse), all-around, similar to a quarter horse, easy health and temper
4. Belgian – draft horse, used for pulling mainly, taller than most horses, heavier than most horses, feathers on feet, gentle-giant-chickens, considered the strongest horses in the world

Describe the symptoms of colic. Name and describe four other horse health problems.

• Colic (Deadly Tummy Ache) –  Horses cannot throw up, so anything that goes in must come out the opposite end. Colic is a blockage (of some sort) in the intestinal tract. Signs of colic are not pooping, no gas, no gut sounds, showing signs of discomfort (pawing, stomping, laying down and rolling excessively, biting at stomach, lethargy). It can be deadly if not caught early.
• Thrush –  is a bacterial infection of the sole and frog of the hoof, commonly found in wet conditions, smells bad, makes the frog of the sole soft and/or crack
• Rainrot – is a fungal infection caused by being in elements and an unbalanced PH level. It can occur anywhere on the body but is often on the back. It will appear as scabby/dry/cracked skin and hair can be matted if it has gone a while untreated.
• Choke – This occurs when horses cannot swallow because of poor dental care/tooth degradation from living a long time. Just like in humans, choking will cause suffocation (remember though, horses cannot throw up, so choking is even more dangerous for them.
• Moon Blindness – officially called “equine recurrent uveitis,” it is an inflammation of uveal tract of the eye. It causes blindness, and most horses with it lose their eye. It is excruciating for the horse.

Explain what conformation is and why it is important. Explain the difference between lameness and unsoundness.

Conformation is the way a horse’s bones and musculature are built. If a horse’s conformation is bad, it can affect their gait and ability to perform. In extreme examples, poor conformation can mean a horse cannot be used for certain types of riding.

Lameness is temporary can be caused by any number of things, from wounds to sickness. Unsoundness is permanent, for instance, if a horse is too old and weak to work or is too wild and crazy to be used for riding.

Horses wear shoes when extra foot protection is needed. Some horses’ feet are tougher than others, and they may not need them, but if they are in difficult terrain, they may still need shoes. They may also wear shoes to correct conformation or have special shoes for road horses (borium/drill tech) or race horses (which wear light aluminum shoes).

Explain how to determine what and how much to feed a horse and why the amount and kind of feed are changed according to the activity level and the breed of horse.

Horses can be fed:

• Grass
• Hay (cut dried grass for winter)
• Grain (oats, barley, etc.)

Horses that are on grass don’t need grain unless they are old and/or very active, Hay is for grass replacement if you are not able to put your horse on grass because of weather or simply location restraints. Horses must be fed on a routine schedule, and you should choose the amount and feed type based on activity level, breed, and age.

The amount is changed to keep the temperament of the horse in check. Low activity horses and low energy breeds should be fed lower sugar/carbohydrate meals to ensure they do not become “hot”; this term is used when they have an overabundance of energy and become aggressive/rambunctious.

Horseback Riding Skills for Scouts

Grooming a Horse

Scouts must demonstrate how to properly groom a horse, including picking hooves and caring for the horse after a ride.
Don’t worry—we’ll guide you through the full process here at Mountain Creek Riding Stable.

Saddling and Bridling

Scouts must:

• Identify 10 parts of the saddle and bridle and explain how to care for them.
  • Bit
  • Curb Chain
  • Throat Latch
  • Nose Band
  • Reins
  • Halter
  • Horn
  • Pommel
  • Stirrup
  • Cantle
• Demonstrate how to properly saddle and bridle a horse.
• Show how to mount and dismount safely.

We’ll guide Scouts through each of these skills during their time at the stable.

Explain and demonstrate how to approach and lead a horse safely from a stall, corral, or field and how to tie the horse securely.

Make sure to approach from the side and front so they can see you. Walk between the head and left shoulder (always on the left!), make sure to be the “leader” at all times (you are walking the horse, not the other way around). Use a halter and lead rope, do not lead by reins if bridled. Once you have the bridle on and the lead rope attached, remain vigilant for potential spook hazards.

Once you reach your destination, make sure to tie them to the post on the fence, not the rail of the fence. They must also be tied to a permanent structure, NOT something they could drag with them if they spook. As well, make sure to use a quick-release clip OR a knot, never tie them by the reins!

On level ground, continuously do the following movements after safely mounting the horse. Do them correctly, at ease, and in harmony with the horse.

• Walk the horse in a straight line for 60 feet.
• Walk the horse in a half-circle of not more than 16 feet in radius.
• Trot or jog the horse in a straight line for 60 feet.
• Trot or jog the horse in a half-circle of not more than 30 feet in radius.
• Halt straight.
• Back up straight four paces.
• Halt and dismount.