Equine Glossary

Action

The way a horse moves its legs while walking, trotting, or running.

Amble

A natural, smooth-paced gait faster than a walk but slower than a canter, where the legs on one side of the horse move together.

Appaloosa

A horse breed known for its distinctive, spotted coat pattern and versatility in various equestrian disciplines.

Arabian

One of the oldest and most popular horse breeds, known for its endurance and distinctive head shape.

Arena

A fenced area where horse training, riding, or competitions are conducted, typically filled with sand or similar footing.

Bit

A metal or rubber piece placed in a horse’s mouth, used to aid in communicating with the horse while riding.

Blanket

A cover used to keep a horse warm or dry, especially during colder months.

Breeches

Form-fitting trousers designed for riding, typically stopping just above the ankle.

Bridle

A set of leather straps fitted to a horse’s head, used to control the horse via the bit.

Canter

A three-beat gait of a horse, faster than a trot but slower than a gallop.

Chaps

Protective coverings worn over the pants to provide leg protection and grip while riding.

Cinch

A strap used to secure the saddle on a horse, wrapping around its belly.

Colt

A young male horse, typically under four years old.

Crest

The top part of a horse’s neck, where the mane grows.

Crop

A short whip used primarily in riding for discipline or to signal the horse.

Croup

The area around the horse’s hindquarters, from the tail to the saddle.

Dock

The solid, bony part of a horse’s tail.

Dressage

A form of riding focused on the graceful and precise execution of complex maneuvers.

Farrier

A specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of hooves and the placing of shoes on their hooves.

Fetlock

The joint on a horse’s leg situated just above the hoof.

Filly

A young female horse, usually under the age of four.

Foal

A baby horse, especially one less than one year old.

Forelock

The part of a horse’s mane that falls forward over the forehead.

Gait

The manner in which a horse moves, including walks, trots, canters, and gallops.

Gait Analysis

The study of animal locomotion, especially horses, including the way they move their bodies.

Gallop

The fastest gait of a horse, featuring all four feet off the ground simultaneously during each stride.

Gaskin

The muscular part of a horse’s hind leg, located between the stifle and hock.

Gelding

A castrated male horse.

Gestation

The period during which a mare carries a foal before it is born, typically about 11 months.

Girth

A band attached to a saddle, used to secure it on a horse by encircling its belly.

Grackle

A type of noseband used on horse bridles that crosses over the horse’s nose.

Grade Horse

A horse whose parentage is unknown, unregistered, or of mixed breeds.

Grass Sickness

A serious disease in horses associated with toxins affecting the nervous system, often fatal.

Grease Heel

Another term for scratches or mud fever, a skin condition affecting the lower limbs of horses.

Hack

Casual riding primarily for exercise or pleasure.

Hackamore

A type of headgear for horses, which uses a noseband to control a horse instead of a bit.

Halfter

A halter specifically designed for leading or tying up a horse.

Hand

A unit of measurement for horses equal to four inches, used to measure height.

Hand Gallop

A controlled but fast canter providing more speed and length in the stride.

Harness

The gear or device that is placed on a horse for attaching it to a cart or carriage.</

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Hock

The joint on a horse’s hind leg, bending in the opposite direction to a human knee.

Hoof

The hard and tough protective part at the bottom of a horse’s leg.

Hunter

A horse used or bred for hunting, particularly foxhunting, and judged on its ability to perform in hunts.

Irons

The metal stirrups that a rider places their feet in.

Jog

A slow, steady two-beat gait of a horse, smoother than a trot.

Jumper

A horse specifically trained for show jumping competitions.

Kimblewick

A type of bit that combines features of both a snaffle and a curb to provide mild leverage.

Lead (leg)

In cantering or galloping, the front leg that moves further forward, which can indicate the direction of a turn.

Lead Rope

A rope used for leading or tying a horse, attached to the halter.

Lope

A slow, relaxed version of a canter, commonly used in Western riding.

Lunge

To exercise a horse at the end of a long rope or line, moving in circles around the handler.

Mane

The hair that grows from the top of the neck of a horse, used for decoration and protection.

Mare

An adult female horse.

Martingale

A piece of riding equipment used to control a horse’s head carriage and to prevent the horse from raising its head too high.

Muzzle

A device placed over the mouth of a horse to control eating or biting.

Near Side

The left side of a horse, traditionally the side from which to mount.

Noseband

Part of a bridle that encircles the nose of a horse.

Off Side

The right side of a horse, opposite to the near side.

Overo

A color pattern in horses characterized by irregular, scattered markings, usually with sharp, defined edges and white that does not cross the back between the withers and the tail.

Paddock

A small field or enclosure where horses are kept or exercised.

Palomino

A horse coat color of a gold body with a white mane and tail.

Pastern

The area of a horse’s leg between the fetlock and the hoof.

Piaffe

A classical dressage movement where the horse trots in place in a highly controlled and elevated manner.

Piebald

A horse with large black and white patches.

Pirouette

A classical dressage maneuver where the horse spins around its hindquarters.

Pole Bending

A timed event that involves weaving in and out of six poles arranged in a line.

Poll

The area at the top of a horse’s head between the ears, a critical point for control and movement.

Pommel

The upward-curving or projecting part of a saddle in front of the rider.

Pony

A small horse, distinguished by its compact size, thicker mane, and tail.

Posting

Rising and sitting in time with the trot to ease the motion for both horse and rider.

Prix St. Georges

A high-level dressage competition.

Quarter Horse

A versatile breed known for its ability to sprint short distances and its calm demeanor.

Quarters

The side sections of a horse’s hind end, where the powerful muscles are located.

Quirt

A short, stiff whip used primarily in Western riding.

Rack

A fast, four-beat gait that some horse breeds can perform, known for its smoothness.

Rearing

A dangerous behavior where a horse stands up on its hind legs.</p

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Rein

Straps attached to a bit or a hackamore used to direct a horse.

Reining

A western riding competition where riders guide horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops.

Ribbon

A prize often awarded at horse shows.

Riding Boots

Footwear designed for riding, typically with a low heel.

Ringbone

A type of arthritis that affects the pastern and coffin joints in a horse’s hoof.

Rising Trot

Alternating sitting and standing while trotting to match the horse’s movements, also known as posting.

Roaching

Trimming a horse’s mane short, so it stands upright.

Saddle

A supportive structure for a rider, fastened to a horse’s back by a girth.

Scurry

A competitive driving event where pairs of ponies pull small carriages through a course with cones.

Shank

The part of a bit that extends from the mouthpiece to the attachment point of the reins, providing leverage.

Shedding Blade

A metal tool with serrated edges used for removing loose hair from horses.

Shire

A breed of draught horse known for its strength and height.

Shoofly

A tassel attached to a horse’s gear to swat flies.

Skijoring

A winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs), or a motor vehicle.

Skunk Tail

A tail coloration where the tail is predominantly white with a dark stripe, seen in some horses.

Slobber Straps

Leather straps used on the ends of a mecate (a type of rein) to prevent the horse from slobbering on the rope.

Snaffle

A type of bit that consists of a bit mouthpiece with direct action used for training horses, without extra leverage.

Spooking

When a horse suddenly jumps aside or dashes off, typically in response to fear or surprise.

Stallion

An uncastrated male horse, often used for breeding.

Stifle

A joint in the hind limbs of horses, equivalent to the human knee.

Stirrup

A ring or a loop hanging down from either side of a saddle, in which a rider’s feet are placed.

Stock Tie

A white cloth tie worn around the neck, seen in formal equestrian events.

Studbook

A registry for horses, documenting the pedigree of purebred animals.

Sulky

A lightweight cart with two wheels and a seat for the driver, used for harness races.

Surcingle

A strap that runs over the back and under the belly of a horse, used in training and for securing blankets.

Sweat Scraper

A tool used to remove excess moisture or sweat from a horse’s body.

Tack

All the equipment used on horses, such as saddles, bridles, and other gear.

Tail Bag

A protective cover placed over a horse’s tail to keep it clean and untangled.

Tape Worm

A type of internal parasite that can infect horses, leading to health issues.

Teeth Floating

The process of filing down the sharp edges of a horse’s teeth to prevent discomfort and ensure proper chewing.

Tendon Boots

Protective boots worn by horses to prevent injury to the tendons and ligaments around the lower leg.

Thoroughbred

A breed of horse best known for its use in horse racing, also appreciated for its agility and speed in other equestrian sports.

Thoroughpin

A fluid-filled swelling located in the hollows of a horse’s hock, caused by strain.

T ie Down

A strap that connects a horse’s bridle to the saddle or harness to restrict head movement, used primarily in Western riding.

Tobiano

A color pattern in horses, featuring large, rounded spots of color with white usually crossing the back.

Topline

The line formed by the top of a horse’s back from neck to tail.

Trace

The straps or chains that connect a horse to a carriage or other load.

Traverse

A lateral movement in dressage where a horse moves sideways and forward at the same time.

Trot

A two-beat diagonal gait of the horse, where opposite legs move together.

Trotting Poles

Poles laid on the ground in a series, used to regulate a horse’s gait and improve agility and coordination.

Tushes

The canine teeth typically found in the mouths of male horses.

Twitch

A device used to restrain horses by inducing a mild discomfort through twisting a rope around the upper lip.

Turnout

The practice of releasing horses into a field or paddock to exercise and graze freely.

Under Saddle

Refers to the training and activities performed while a horse is being ridden.

Vaulting

A gymnastic and dance discipline performed on horseback.

Vet Wrap

A type of flexible bandage used on horses for support and to secure other bandages.

Waler

A breed of horse originally developed in Australia for military and draught purposes.

Walk

The slowest natural gait of a horse, moving one foot at a time in a four-beat rhythm.

Walking Horse

Typically refers to the Tennessee Walking Horse, known for its smooth gait and calm disposition.

Warmblood

A group of middle-weight horse breeds that originated in Europe, known for their prowess in jumping and dressage.

Wash Rack

A designated area where horses are washed and groomed.

Weanling

A young horse that has been weaned from its mother, typically between six months and one year old.

Weaving

A stereotypic behavior in horses, involving swaying back and forth, often due to stress or confinement.

Western Pleasure

A Western riding competition that judges horses on their ability to perform a smooth and easy ride.

Western Riding

A style of horseback riding developed from the ranching and warfare traditions carried by the Spanish and later, American cowboys.

Whip

A tool used in riding to signal or guide horses, consisting of a slender, flexible length.

White Line Disease

A fungal infection of the hoof wall in horses, leading to the deterioration of the inner hoof structure.

Windpuffs

Soft, fluid-filled swellings typically found around the ankle joints of a horse, usually caused by strain or overuse.

Windsucking

When a horse grasps an object with its teeth, arches its neck, and inhales air, often a sign of boredom or stress.

Wither Strap

A strap used in Western riding to keep the breast collar properly positioned and stable.

Withers

The highest part of a horse’s back, located between the shoulder blades, used as a reference point for measuring height.

Wolf Teeth

Small, pointed teeth that sometimes appear in horses’ mouths directly in front of the molars, often removed because they can interfere with the bit.

Work Bridle

A sturdy bridle used for everyday training and work, as opposed to show or competition gear.

Worming

Administering anthelmintic drugs to a horse to combat parasitic worms.

Xenophon

An ancient Greek historian and soldier who wrote about horsemanship.

Yearling

A horse that is one year old, a term used until the horse reaches the age of two.

Yielding

A training technique where a horse learns to move away from pressure, useful in teaching spatial awareness and responsiveness.

Yoke

Originally, a wooden beam used between a pair of oxen or horses enabling them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, more broadly used to refer to any linking device.

Zebra Crossing

A term sometimes humorously used to describe crosswalks designed for equestrian use, usually in rural or park areas.

Zilco

A brand known for its synthetic saddlery and harness products, popular among endurance riders.

Zonkey

A hybrid animal resulting from a cross between a zebra and a donkey, noted for its distinctive striped pattern.

Zorse

A hybrid animal born from a zebra stallion and a horse mare, combining characteristics of both parents, often marked by stripes.

Zweibrücker

A breed of horse from the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, known for its use in dressage and jumping competitions.