11
12Navicular Disease   This is a problem deep within the foot.  The deep flexor tendon passes under the navicular bone and fastens to the underside of the coffin bone.  The “navicular bursa” is a pad that protects the bone where the tendon crosses over it.  The deep flexor tendon presses against the navicular bone and the navicular bursa with every step.  Navicular disease occurs when the navicular bursa (pad), the navicular bone, or the end of the tendon becomes inflamed and sore.  It usually starts out as a mild lameness that comes and goes, and may disappear when the horse is warmed up.  Later, as the bone and tendon become inflamed and roughened, the lameness may become severe and the horse may be lame all the time.  Because the heels hurt, the horse tries to walk on his toes, which gives him a short, “tiptoe” gait and may make him stumble.  This disease is more common in middle aged horses, or horses with small feet, narrow heels, upright pasterns, or long toes with low heels.  The right kind of shoeing and medication may offer some relief.
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17Ringbone   This occurs in the pastern area.  It is an exostosis (bony lump) on the pastern bones.  If it is not near a joint, the horse may become sound after a period of rest.  “High ringbone” is arthritis (irritation and calcification) in the joint between the two pastern bones.  Eventually the bones may “fuse”, or grow together, and the horse may become sound.  “Low ringbone” occurs between the end of the pastern bone and the coffin bone, inside the hoof.  This type of ringbone is usually more serious, and the horse usually becomes permanently lame.  Too much concussion contributes to ringbone; it is more common in horses with upright pasterns.  It may also occur in horses that carry extra weight on one side of the foot and leg because of crooked legs.
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22Sidebone   This occurs when the collateral cartilages of the coffin bone (which are shaped like wings and form the bulbs of the heel) turn to bone.  This process is gradual and usually does not cause lameness unless the sidebones are very large or one gets broken.  You can feel the collateral cartilages by pressing just above the bulbs of your horse’s heel and the sides of his hoof, just above the coronary band.  In a young horse, they feel springy; when they have calcified or turned to “sidebones”, they feel hard.  Sidebone problems are more common in large, heavy horses with big feet, especially if they have straight pasterns that cause more concussion.  Sidebone is usually not considered an unsoundness unless it causes lameness.
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27Curb   This is a sprain of the plantar ligament (which runs down the back of the hock), caused by extra strain on the back of the hock, resulting in a thickening at the lower end of the hock joint.  It usually causes lameness.  Because it is an injury to a ligament, a curb can take a long time to heal.  Curbs are often associated with sickle hocks or horses that “stand under” in the hind legs.  This makes the hocks weak and puts more strain on the ligament.
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29Bone Spavin   This is arthritis in the small bones of the hock.  When irritated by stress or concussion, they may form “bone spurs” (calcium deposits, or “exostoses”) on the edges of the bone.  These are painful and cause lameness.  The lower bones of the hock fit closely, like saucers stacked on top of each other; there is not much movement between them.  If calcium deposits eventually cause these bones to grow together, there is no more pain and the horse may become sound again.  However, if arthritis or calcium deposits occur in the upper part of the hock joint, the hock cannot move normally and the horse may become permanently lame.  A bone spavin usually produces a hard swelling low down on the inside of the hock joint.  Bone spavin is more common in horses that put extra strain on their hocks.  Cow hocks, bowed hocks, and very straight hocks are more prone to develop bone spavins.
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33Bog Spavin   This is a soft swelling on the front of the hock, usually not hot or painful; it seldom causes lameness.  A bog spavin usually occurs when a horse’s hocks have been under some stress, but not enough to make him lame.  The joint produces too much joint (synovial) fluid, causing the joint capsule to become enlarged and full of fluid.  A bog spavin usually gets smaller when a horse is rested, and may be larger after hard work.  Bog spavins are most often seen in horses with straight hocks, or when horses with weak hock confirmation do work that is hard on their hocks.  A bog spavin is usually considered a blemish, not an unsoundness, but it is a sign that the horse’s hocks have been put under stress.
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Thoroughpin   This usually is caused by stress or strain on a weak hock, especially sickly hocks.  The tendon sheath produces extra fluid and stretches, causing a soft, cool swelling in the upper part of the hock.  Like a bog spavin, it is a sign of stress but doesn’t necessarily cause lameness.





TRAVEL SAFETY

- Discuss basic equipment needed for pony’s safety and comfort during trailer travel.
37Hay net (filled with fresh hay for each trip)
38Water bucket
39At least 5 gallons of water (in a jerrycan or bucket with snap-on lid)
40Horse first-aid kit
o	Pressure pads
o	Bandage scissors
o	Saline solution or bottled water for cleaning wounds
o	Betadine, Phisohex, or antibacterial soap for cleaning wounds
o	Wound dressing (Nitrafurazone or antibiotic ointment or powder, or wound dressing recommended by your vet)
o	Veterinary thermometer (with string and clip)
o	Vaseline
o	Rubbing alcohol
o	Liniment or body wash
o	Four leg bandages and four leg pads (sheet cottons)
o	Bandage pins and masking tape
o	Notebook and pencil
41Extra tie rope and chain-end lead shank
42Muck bucket, shovel, rake, broom, manure disposal bags

- Demonstrate knowledge of Trailer Safety Checklist.
43On the tow vehicle, check:
o	Fluid levels: oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and radiator. Check engine belts and hoses. Fill up fuel. 
o	Tire pressure: examine for cracks, bulges or signs of excessive wear. (For trucks with dual tires: strike the inside tire with a hammer. If the air pressure is okay, the hammer will bounce back.) 
o	Hitch and receiver (no rust, loose bolts, or cracked welds; ball is correct size for trailer and is tight). 
o	Electrical connectors and wiring on both vehicles (no loose connector or broken wires). 
o	With the trailer hitched, test the brakes and trailer brake controller, and adjust trailer brakes for the load. Check running lights, turn indicators, and brake lights. 
44On the trailer, check:
o	Hitch and coupling (be sure coupler fastens securely over ball). 
o	The battery cable of the trailer's breakaway system. Check safety chains, hooks, and points where they connect. 
o	Tire pressure and condition of all tires. 
o	Signal and brake lights, running lights, and emergency flashers 
o	Trailer floor for soundness (no signs of rot); mats in place. 
o	Interior for wasps or hornet nests. (These can appear in a day!) 
45Be sure you have:
o	Spare tires and tire-changing equipment for tow vehicle and trailer. 
o	Registration for both tow vehicle and trailer, with current inspection stamp; insurance card. 
o	Maps, directions, phone numbers if needed. 
o	Coggins tests, health papers, and any transport papers required for horses. 
o	Tool kit and first aid kits (horse and human). 
o	Auto club membership, towing insurance, or other arrangements for emergency road service that covers trailer and tow vehicle. A credit card may be necessary for major repairs on the road. A cellular phone or CB radio is helpful in case of emergency. 
46Trailer Equipment List
o	Spare Tire and jack for trailer and tow vehicle. 
o	Jumper cables and tow chain. 
o	Road flares or warning signal in case of breakdown. 
o	Blocks (two) to put behind front and back tires when parked (the type of block that can serve as a ramp for changing a tire is especially useful). 
o	Longe line, extra lead rope and halter, sheet or blanket, extra cotton and leg wraps, pins, masking tape.  
o	Large container of water (can be used for drinking water, first aid, or some vehicle problems). 
o	Small pail with sponge or cloth. 
o	Water and feed buckets, hay net (fastened so it won¹t swing or drop too low), with fresh hay for every trip. 
o	Broom, shovel, rake, fork, muck basket, manure disposal bags. (Leave parking areas clean!) 
o	First aid kits (horse and human).  
o	Tool kit containing: 
?	Flashlight and extra batteries. 
?	Screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, wrenches, and so on. 
?	Extra bulbs for trailer lights and extra 20-amp fuses. 
?	Electrical tape. 
?	Extra quart of oil for tow vehicle. 
?	Crowbar (essential in case you need to remove center divider quickly).
?	Sturdy knife (to cut tie ropes in and emergency). 
?	WD-40, grease, or lubricating oil. 
?	Can of bee/wasp/hornet stun spray. 
?	Work gloves and waterless hand cleaner. 


RECORD BOOK

- Review candidate’s Pony Health Maintenance Record Book (A minimum of 6 months prior to testing, to include immunizations, worming schedule, teeth, shoeing, etc.).
47Member must make sure to have a complete and up to date record book for mount used at rating








INTRODUCTION TO HORSE SPORTS

- List all the horse sports offered in USPC
48Dressage
49Eventing
50Show Jumping
51Mounted Games
52Tetrathlon
53Quiz
54Vaulting
55Foxhunting
56Polocrosse