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W

 
      warmblood: genetic term used to describe distinct breeds usually named
      according to the region in which the breed was developed (e.g., Dutch
      Warmbloods from The Netherlands). Generally large, well-muscled horses
      with calm temperaments, making them suitable for dressage and show
       jumping.
     
      washed out: a horse that becomes so nervous that it sweats profusely. Also
      known as "washy" or "lathered up."
     
      wave mouth: undulating surface of the grinder teeth due to uneven wear.
     
     WBC: White Blood Cell Count.
     
      weanling: a foal less than one year old that has been separated from its
      dam.
     
     WEE: Western Equine Encephalomyelitis. Refer to EEE.
     
      white line: when looking at the sole of the foot, the thin area between
      the insensitive outer hoof wall (insensitive laminae) and inner sensitive
      laminae.
     
     white: a horse color, extremely rare, in which all the hairs are white. 
     The horse’s eyes are brown, not pink, as would be the case for an albino.
    
     wind gall: see arthritis. accumulation of synovial fluid in the fetlock 
     joint or windgall in the tendon sheath of the digital flexor tendons just 
     above the fetlock joint.
    
     wind puff: see wind gall.
    
     wind sucker: see cribber.
   
     windpuffs: synovial effusion, with or without involvement of the adjacent 
     tendon sheath, in the fetlock joint. This causes puffiness of the joint 
     that might extend partway up the horse's cannon bone. Windpuffs may or may 
     not be associated with lameness. Causes can include excessive stress on 
     joint soft tissues and tendons due to poor conformation, poorly balanced 
     farriery, heavy training and/or sudden stall confinement after a period of 
     regular training. Treatment generally focuses on identifying and 
     correcting the underlying cause, rest, ice and pressure wraps to limit 
     inflammation and sweeling.
  
     withers: 1) area above the shoulder where the neck meets the back. 2) the 
     horse’s height is measured at the highest point of the withers.
 
     wobbler syndrome: 1) neurological disease associated with general 
     incoordination and muscle weakness. 2) can be caused by injury to spinal 
     cord in area of cervical (neck) vertebrae or is associated with 
     malformation of the cervical vertebrae.
     wolf teeth: the first premolars, located toward the back of the space 
     between the horse's front teeth and the grinders. When present on the 
     lower jaw, wolf teeth are small and needle-like. When the presence, 
     position and/or size of wolf teeth interfere with acceptance of the bit, 
     the teeth are removed, usually with the horse awake and sedated.