205: Equine Health

The below content replicates the content of the physical exhibit at CSU Spur. It can be used for reference, language translation, and additional accessibility.

Horses are amazing animals with some remarkable traits. Let’s take a look at how they compare to humans.

How are we different?

  • Average weight: 180 lbs. for humans / 1,000 lbs. for horses
  • Heart size: 0.5 lbs. for humans / 10 lbs. for horses
  • Eye size: Horses have the largest eye of any land mammal! A horse’s eye is eight times larger than a human’s eye!

We’re also very similar

  • Length of pregnancy: approximately nine months for humans / approximately 11 months for horses
  • Number of bones: 206 for humans / 205 for horses
  • Fingernails: horse hooves are made of keratin — just like our fingernails — and they’re constantly growing.

What it takes to care for a horse

As appealing and fun as it sounds to own a horse, it takes a great deal of effort to maintain it. The minimum cost of horse care listed here starts at $3,000 per year!

Dental Care

A horse’s teeth are constantly erupting (or pushing up from the gumline). Their teeth naturally wear down as they grind or chew food, but sometimes sharp hooks or points develop that irritate the inside of their mouth. Filing or “floating” the teeth helps keep a horse’s teeth and mouth healthy.

Vaccines

You need to vaccinate your horse regularly to keep it healthy and prevent diseases.

Hoof Care

Just like your fingernails, a horse’s hooves are constantly growing. You need to trim them every six to eight weeks.

Parasites

Horses can pick up parasites from the environment, like when grazing grass. You should check your horse for parasites and treat them with de-wormer, if needed.

Nutrition

A horse eats roughly 2% of its body weight daily. That’s 20 lbs. of food a day!

JOCELYN HITTLE

Associate Vice Chancellor for CSU Spur & Special Projects, CSU System

Jocelyn Hittle is primarily focused on helping to create the CSU System’s new Spur campus at the National Western Center, and on supporting campus sustainability goals across CSU’s campuses. She sits on the Denver Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Council, on the Advisory Committee for the Coors Western Art Show, and is a technical advisor for the AASHE STARS program.

Prior to joining CSU, Jocelyn was the Associate Director of PlaceMatters, a national urban planning think tank, and worked for the Orton Family Foundation. She has a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton, and a Masters in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

Jocelyn grew up in Colorado and spends her free time in the mountains or exploring Denver.

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TONY FRANK

Chancellor, CSU System

Dr. Tony Frank is the Chancellor of the CSU System. He previously served for 11 years as the 14th president of CSU in Fort Collins. Dr. Frank earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Wartburg College, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. and residencies in pathology and toxicology at Purdue. Prior to his appointment as CSU’s president in 2008, he served as the University’s provost and executive vice president, vice president for research, chairman of the Pathology Department, and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He was appointed to a dual role as Chancellor in 2015 and became full-time System chancellor in July 2019.

Dr. Frank serves on a number of state and national boards, has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, and has been honored with state and national awards for his leadership in higher education.

Dr. Frank and his wife, Dr. Patti Helper, have three daughters.

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