Horses half-equipped get three points (7)

I believe the answer is:

equines

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'horses' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'half-equipped get three points' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'points' could be 'nes' (NE is an example) and 'nes' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'equi' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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