BHA Work Experience Work Experience Handbook For Students | Page 25
METHODS OF
IDENTIFICATION
Although most horses can be
identified by stable staff, trainers and
owners through their colours and
markings, there are other methods
of identification that can be used by
others. The main ones are:
• microchip – all registered
thoroughbreds and horses that
require a passport have a small chip
inserted into their neck that has a
unique identity number
SEX
Male and female horses are described
as follows:
• foal – from birth to 1 January of the
following year
• mare – an adult female horse
• filly – a young female up to three
years old
• colt – a young male up to three
years old
• stallion – an uncastrated or ‘entire’
male horse
• passport – giving a detailed
description of a horse • gelding – a castrated male horse of
any age.
• freeze brand – a mark on the horse’s
coat that shows a unique number
(not used in racing). HEIGHT
In addition, a horse’s age, height and
sex will be used as identification.
The traditional standard measurement
of height for a horse is the ‘hand’, which
is equivalent to approximately 10cm or
4 inches. For example, a height given
as 16.2hh indicates that the horse
measures 16 hands and 2 inches.
HORSERACING WORK EXPERIENCE WORKBOOK
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