WHIMS Software Details

The Task Manager

The logic, forms, and standard queries to perform the most frequently encountered tasks of horse identification and agency record management are contained in the WHIMS Application Database. The WHIMS software facilitates data management of the Photo Catalog and the Wild Horse Database.

When starting WHIMS, the Task Manager is the first form the user sees. The Task Manager serves as the central control for initiating the major tasks in WHIMS and allows access to both the Photo Catalog and the Horse Identification Forms.

The Photo Catalog and the Image Updater Form

The Image Updater Form allows a user to view or edit the Photo Catalog. In View mode, the user can view either the original photo from the photo CD or the derived image used to highlight the markings of a particular horse. It allows users to quickly "flip" through the Photo Catalog like they would pages in an album. The catalog can be ordered or filtered by any combination of slide catalog number, horse identification number, or date of photography. This allows users to easily retrieve images of animals born in a particular year or images that were taken between certain dates.

When in Edit mode, the form allows the user to catalog photos and relate them to individual horses. As more information and photos are added, a photo history of the horse develops, showing pictures from when the horse was young through its adult life. This is useful since some horses noticeably change color as they age. Pictures of horses can be taken in the field with a digital camera and easily downloaded into the WHIMS system. Just as easily, slides or prints taken with a conventional 35mm camera can be scanned onto a photo CD. The Image Updater provides access to the original archive image on the photo CD with standard desktop photo-editing software. The user may then crop and save only that portion of the photo that best represents the horse or its markings of interest.

Horse Identification Form

The Horse Identification Form is the most commonly used feature of WHIMS.  In Query mode, this form displays information about an animal such as its horse identification number, gender, name, harem, subpopulation, parents, and markings. In Edit mode, the Horse Identification Form allows the user to enter, edit or update horse attributes. For example, if a confirmed individual has a new foal, the foal can be added as a new horse and its lineage defined. If a confirmed individual is seen in a new region on the range, or switches harems, its record can be updated.

The user can define additional tables (outside of WHIMS) that relate to the WHIMS horse ID number found on the Horse Identification Form. These tables can support new studies or record-keeping mandates. Examples include detailed field notes, health records, microchip identification numbers, and DNA analysis of blood samples. In addition, historical records can be preserved to provide historical comparisons and population analysis.

Query-By-Example: Which horses have these attributes?

A special Query-by-Example or “Filter by” Form, accessible from the Horse Identification Form, is used to query for animals having particular attributes. Combinations of attributes—for example, "black" horses with a "star" and "sock” on the right front leg—are easily specified and used to filter the information in WHIMS so that only horses of interest are selected. This allows rapid access to any horse and all of its photos that meet the specific search criteria. The user can then review and visually confirm which horse matches the field observation.

Advanced Features¹

The Advanced Features enable users to employ Microsoft^® Access™ to develop, customize, and/or generate reports that

• assist in evaluating the need for management actions;
• relate to other studies, such as DNA analyses of blood samples to assess the genetic variability of the herd;
• track the reproductive success and age composition of the herd; and
• respond to information requests from other agencies and the public.

In addition, the Advanced Features allow the experienced Microsoft^® Access™ user to define special tables, queries, and forms, and link to supplemental wild horse management records in any database or spreadsheet format that Access™ supports. Finally, those who are knowledgeable about Access™ programming can add their own special features to WHIMS.

System Requirements

• Windows^® XP
• Microsoft^® Access^™ 2003 or later
• Photo-editing software for editing digital images is optional but desirable (e.g., Adobe^® Photoshop^® CS or later).
• A digital camera and CD or DVD writer and software are optional but desirable for archiving image data.

Metadata and Quality Control Standards

• WHIMS Metadata

*For WHIMS metadata quality control standards, see Standards for Data and Metadata and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Metadata Standards, Biological Data Profile.

Questions? Please contact:

Ronald G. Osborn
U.S. Geological Survey
Fort Collins Science Center
2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. C
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526-8118
Tel. 970.226.9380
Email: osbornr@usgs.gov

¹Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.