This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon developed over the centuries for horses and other equidae, as well as various horse-related concepts. Where noted, some terms are used only in American English (US), only in British English (UK), or are regional to a particular part of the world, such as Australia (AU).
Slang for the drug acepromazine or acetyl promazine (trade names Atravet or Acezine), which is a sedative[1]:3[2] commonly used on horses during veterinary treatment, but also illegal in the show ring. Also abbreviated ACP.
action
The way a horse elevates its legs, knees, hock, and feet.[1]:3 Also includes how the horse uses its shoulder, humerus, elbow, and stifle; most often used to describe motion at the trot, but sometimes applied to the canter or gallop.[3]:97 High action is a breed characteristic of Saddlebreds[1]:3 and other breeds used in saddle seat and certain harness disciplines.
aged horse
An older horse. Originally referred to a horse with a "smooth mouth", generally eight years old or older,[3]:97 but modern use varies. Term may refer to an animal seven years old or older,[4]:7[5]:18 nine or older,[6] or ten or older.[7] In horse racing and in some horse shows, an aged horse is one over 4 years.[1]:5 In some contexts, an aged horse is older than 15 years of age.[1]:5
aging
The process of estimating a horse's age by inspecting its teeth.[1]:5
Signals from the rider or driver to the horse that tell the animal what the handler wants it to do. Generally broken down into two varieties, natural and artificial. Other divisions are possible.[8]:8Natural aids include the hands, seat, weight, legs and voice[8]:332Artificial aids, which extend, reinforce, or substitute the natural aids; include items such as bits, whips, spurs, and martingales.[8]:26
Movements in haute ecolé or "high school" classical dressage, where the horse leaves the ground with two or four feet in response to the rider's commands. Made famous by the Lipizzan horses at the Spanish Riding School, the airs include the levade, capriole, croupade, courbette, and ballotade. Sometimes called "school jumps".
amateur
An individual who exhibits horses but is not paid money or other compensation. The opposite of a professional.[1]:7
1.A general term for a range of four beat intermediate speed gaits that are approximately the speed of a trot or pace but smoother to ride. Various terms for lateral ambling gaits, based on style, speed, rhythm, and breed of horse, include the slow gait, single foot, running walk, stepping pace, sobreandando, paso corto, paso llano, rack, tölt, and paso largo. The term usually refers to lateral gaits, but may be applied to all four beat intermediate speed gaits, including the diagonal four-beat gait referred to by terms such as fox trot, pasitrote, and trocha.[9][10]
2.The stepping pace. A specific intermediate speed horse gait, a slowed down pace.[1]:7 It is a four beat lateral gait, where the legs on one side of the horse move one immediately following the other, then the legs on the other side. It is a very smooth gait, and is natural to some breeds.[8]:13
ankle
Incorrect term for the fetlock joint.[3]:97 Compare hock.
One of the oldest breeds of horse, noted for small size, dished face, erect carriage, high intelligence and lively disposition, from the Arabian Peninsula.[8]:23 Many other breeds contain Arabian bloodlines.[1]:10–11
The practice of breeding a mare through human assisted means, with no contact between the stallion and mare. It is done for many reasons, including to protect the two animals, to allow a mare to be bred to a stallion a long distance away,[1]:11 or to allow a stallion to be bred to a larger number of mares than would be possible via natural cover.
astride
To ride with one leg on each side of the horse. Compare sidesaddle.
The AEI measures the earning power of a Thoroughbred sire's progeny by comparing the average earnings of his runners with all other runners of the same age that raced in the same country during a given year.[11]
balk, balking (US, UK) or baulking (UK)
When a horse refuses to move.[8]:37 Multiple causes, including disobedience, fright, and pain or injury. See also nappy and jib.
1.A strap running from a horse's back, over the head, to a bit, to prevent the horse from lowering its head beyond a fixed point. Used with harnessed horses.[12]:20
2.A riding aid where the rein is applied to the horse's neck on the side towards the turn. Opposite of a neck rein.[1]:19
A leather strap with punched holes, permanently attached in sets of two or three on each side of the tree of a saddle, used to hold and adjust the girth that holds on most types of saddle. See also latigo.
An object, usually a metal bar, placed into the mouth of a horse, held on by a bridle and used with reins to direct and guide the animal. Occasionally made of other materials, including rubber.[8]:52 May be solid or jointed and may have rollers or other attachments added, usually in the center.[13]:149–156
black type
Bold-face type used in advertisements and sales catalogues to distinguish horses that have won or placed in an approved stake race. Winners receive upper case black type; second and third placed finishers have lower case black type.[14]
A sound made by a horse by sharply exhaling through flared nostrils. The blowing sound is not as long or loud as a snort, and may be produced with the head lowered. Most of a sound energy is below 3 kHz and most are audible within 30 metres. Horses may blow when curious, meeting another horse, shying or working.[15]:199 The term is also used when a working horse allowed to pause and catch its breath, or "let him (or her) blow".
1."Good" or "poor" bone: technical terminology referencing the size and density of bone of the lower leg, which helps determine the weight carrying ability of a horse.[1]:26
2.The characteristics of the lower leg as a whole, including the cannon bone as well as associated tendons and ligaments. "Flat" bone describes a positive feature where the tendons of the leg stand well away from the cannon bone, "tied-in" bone describes the negative characteristic of the tendon placed too close to the bone.[3]:98
A parasitic fly that lays its eggs on the legs, muzzle, and jaw of horses. The eggs are licked off by the horse and once ingested, hatch into maggots, called bots, which infest the animal by attaching to the stomach lining. The eggs may be scraped off the horse's hair with a bot knife or similar tool.[1]:27
Marking a horse (or other animal) by burning the skin with a hot iron, or alternatively with a frozen implement (called freeze branding). The skin may be balded, or the hair may grow back in a depigmented color.[1]:28–29
1.In driving, breeching is part of a harness with the purpose of keeping a wheeled-vehicle from bumping the rear of the horse. The purpose is to slow or stop a vehicle, and to "hold back" a vehicle on a downward slope. May also be pronounced britchin.[12]:42ff
2.In riding, breeching is uncommon but may be used to hold a saddle in position, especially if the horse has small withers and the terrain is very steep.[1]:29
breeder
The breeder of a foal is the owner of its dam at the time of foaling. The person designated as the breeder may not have had anything to do with planning the mating of the mare or be located where foaling occurs.[19]
Headgear placed around the head of a horse that holds the bit in place in a horse's mouth, including reins, used to direct and guide the animal.[20] Sometimes used to refer to the entire piece of equipment, including headstall, bit and reins.[8]:70 Headstalls that do not have a bit are called either a bitless bridle[8]:53 or a hackamore.
Originally an unbroken feral horse, now primarily a word for the horses used in rodeo bronc riding events, where the horse tries to buck off a rider.[1]:31 May describe any undisciplined horse, especially one that bucks. See also outlaw.
A behavior where the horse lowers its head and rapidly kicks its hind feet into the air.[1]:32 At liberty, seen as an expression of excess energy or high spirit, under saddle is generally considered a disobedience, except in sports such as the rodeo sports of Saddle bronc and bareback riding, where the horse is deliberately encouraged to attempt to dislodge its rider.
bumper pull
A horse trailer style that is pulled by a hitch attached to the frame of the towing vehicle at the rear.[1]:33 Contrast with gooseneck.
bute
Common term for Phenylbutazone, a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to control pain and swelling in horses. Some racing commissions and showing authorities restrict its use prior to competition in order to reduce the risk of injury to horses.[1]:33 It is banned in most endurance riding competitions.
by
Describes the relationship of a horse to its sire, in the context of its pedigree. A foal is by its sire and out of its dam.[1]:34[8]:81
The third metacarpal or metatarsal bone of the lower leg. Sometimes called the shin bone, but actually analogous to the bones in the human palm or foot. In equines, is a very large bone and provides the major support of the body weight of the horse. The term cannon may also encompass the soft tissues as well as the second and fourth metacarpal or metatarsal bones, called splint bones which may form ossified bridges of bone, called splints which often form after trauma to the area.
canner (US)
1.A horse of poor quality, referencing animals destined for slaughter. See also dogger.
2.Canner price: The lowest price likely to be paid for an equine, equivalent to the value of an animal to be sold by the pound and slaughtered for horse meat. Called meat-money in the UK.
A three-beat gait, with both front and rear legs on one side landing further forward than those on the other side. In western riding, the canter is known as a lope.[1]:37 The order in which the feet hit the ground varies depending on which legs are leading, but the gait begins with the outside hind, followed by the simultaneous landing of the outside front and inside hind, finished by the inside front. There is a moment during a canter when all four hooves of the horse are off the ground, known as the moment of suspension.[8]:87 A similar gait is the gallop which is performed at a higher speed, when the second beat is broken into two footfalls, making it a four-beat gait.
1.A two-wheeled vehicle pulled by one or more horses (or other animals).[8]:91
2.(Informal, US) A small, light four-wheeled vehicle, usually with bicycle-style tires, used primarily for show ring fine harness competition, and upper levels of pleasure driving.
cast, casting
1.Casting (UK), throwing (US): forcing a horse (or other large animal) to lie down, allowing safe veterinary or other treatment. Usually done by an arrangement of ropes or straps.[1]:38[1]:38
2.Cast: the state of an animal laying down that is unable to get up. May be due to illness or injury. Also occurs when a horse in a box stall (loose box) rolls over against a wall, trapping its legs against the wall.[1]:38
A person appointed to manage an equestrian team, generally at the state, national or international level.[21]
chestnut
1.Chestnut (coat): A reddish-brown coat color with matching or lighter-colored mane and tail.[1]:42
2.Chestnut (horse anatomy): A callosity on the inside of each leg, thought to possibly be a vestigial remnant of the pad of a toe.[1]:42 Not present on the hind legs of donkeys and zebras. See also ergot.
A condition arising from blockage of the esophagus, most often linked to a horse eating too fast. A horse that is choking can still breathe, but cannot eat or drink.[1]:43
chrome
Slang for eye-catching white markings on a horse, usually stockings or socks.[1]:43 Also used to refer to particularly flashy pinto or Appaloosa markings.
A wide flat strap made of mohair, reinforced felt, or an equivalent synthetic material used in conjunction with a latigo strap to secure a western saddle onto the back of a horse.[1]:44
A building used to keep a private carriage and horses, usually with accommodation for a groom, coachman or other servants above. Essentially a cottage or small house with stabling below.
1.A stocky, rather small horse, or a large pony.[1]:47 Often a general description, but also applied to certain breeds such as the Welsh Cob.[3]:100
2.A bridle size designed for horses with small or short heads. Usually keeps a long browband and throatlatch to accommodate the wide forehead and jowls of cobs and other horses with somewhat wedge-shaped heads, such as the Arabian or the Morgan.
cold-backed
A horse that arches its back and may buck slightly when first mounted.[17]:415
Any of a group of equine types including draught horses and many ponies, characterized by a steady temperament, strength and stamina, but no great turn of speed. Refers to temperament, not literally to body temperature.[8]:112 See also hot-blood and warmblood.
Any of a number of painful digestive disorders, usually characterized by intestinal displacement or blockage.[1]:47–48 A leading cause of death among domesticated horses.[17]:230
A young male horse that has not been gelded (neutered).[1]:48 For Thoroughbreds, a colt is under four years of age; in most other breeds and contexts, a colt is under three years of age.[8]:114 Sometimes used incorrectly to refer to any young horse. Compare stallion.
A driving competition that goes up to the international level. Individual events are offered for single horses and teams, and competition incorporates three distinct elements: Dressage, Cross-country Marathon, and Obstacle Cone Driving.[1]:48
The area directly above the horse's hoof: a ring of soft tissue just above the horny hoof that blends into the skin of the leg. Includes the bottom of the middle phalanx bone.[8]:121
A form of the canter where the horse is deliberately asked to canter on a curve with the outside leg leading, which is opposite of usual. Also known as galop faux, false canter, or counter lead. It is used to help build muscle and suppleness in a horse.[8]:123 See also lead.
coupling
The sunken area below the lumbar vertebrae or the horse's back, behind the last rib and in front of the point of the hip. Ideally is to be as short as possible. The term is sometimes expanded to include where the lumbar region attaches to the sacrum.[3]:102
cover
Mating in horses: a stallion is said to cover a mare.[8]:125 See also "natural cover" and "artificial insemination".
A stable vice where the horse grabs the edge of an object such as a stall door with its incisor teeth and arches its neck. More severe cases also suck air in simultaneously, and this is termed 'windsucking'.[18]
2.All the foals sired in one year. Often used to refer to one particular stallions' foals born in the year, but can also refer to a particular owner, an entire breed, or a region or worldwide crop.[1]:54
The topline and immediate underlying musculature of the hindquarters.[8]:130 Runs from the tail to the loins,[1]:54 and from the point of the hip to the point of the buttock.[3]:102
crowhop (US)
A mild form of bucking, a stiff-legged hop with a rounded back. Does not involve kicking up the back legs.[1]:55
crownpiece (US), headpiece (UK)
The portion of a headstall that goes behind the horse's ears. [citation needed]
C/S/F or c,s,f (AU)
Abbreviation for catch, shoe and float (transport), used in horse for sale advertisements to describe a horse with good ground manners. Usually expressed as good (or easy) to C/F/S.
curb
1.Curb bit: A type of bit that has bit shanks. It applies leverage pressure to a horse's mouth when the reins are tightened. The degree of leverage depends on the length of the shank and the positioning of the bit mouthpiece on the shanks. Is used in conjunction with a curb chain or curb strap so that when the reins are tightened, pressure is also applied to the chin groove and the headstall applies pressure on the poll of the animal. generally characterized by a solid bit mouthpiece of varying designs,[1]:55 but may have a jointed mouthpiece, sometimes mistakenly called a "snaffle". Compare to snaffle.
2.Curb (horse): Several possible types of lameness for which clinical signs include a swelling on the back of the lower leg.[1]:55 Any of a collection of soft tissue injuries of the distal plantar hock region.
daisy cutter
A horse that moves with long but low movement.[1]:58 Considered highly desirable in hunter-type horses.
1.At a trot, the set of legs that move forward at the same are the "diagonal" pair.[1]:61
2.When a rider posts while riding at the trot, they can rise either matching when the left or the right foreleg and opposite hind leg hits the ground. If they sit when the left foreleg strikes, they are on the left diagonal, if they sit when the right foreleg strikes, it is the right diagonal. When riding clockwise, the rider is to post the left diagonal, when riding counter-clockwise the rider is to post the right diagonal.[26] In other words, when riding a circle, the rider sits when the outside front and inside hind legs are on the ground.
3.In dressage tests, a line crossing the center of the competition ring running from one end corner to the opposite end corner. The diagonal is also used in some driving competition as the route for competitors to safely change direction in a ring or arena when there are a large number of entries.
distaff
In racing, refers to female horses. Named for the distaff, a spindle used in weaving and traditionally associated with women.[1]:62 In pedigree charts, refers to the entire dam's side of the pedigree.[8]:146
dock
1.The muscular portion of a horse's tail, where the hair is rooted. Sometimes refers only to the upper portion of this area, where the tail attaches to the hindquarters.[1]:63
2.Docking: to cut a horse's tail at the dock, seen most often on carriage horses to keep the tails from becoming caught in the harness.[1]:63 Traditionally referred to the practice of cutting the muscle and bone, though in modern use, sometimes refers only to the cutting of tail hair.
dogger (AU)
An animal to be used for pet meat, or a buyer of cattle or horses to be used for this purpose.[27] See also canner.
Equus ferus caballus, the subspecies of the Wild Horse (Equus ferus) that has gone through the process of domestication.
doping, dope
To use a medication that is illegal or used in an illegal manner in order to improve a horse's performance in either racing or showing,[1]:63 or, by an opponent, to harm an animal and cause it to perform poorly.
Generic term encompassing many breeds of large, muscular, heavy horses developed primarily as farm or harness horses, used for plowing fields, pulling wagons, logging and similar heavy pulling work. Spelled "draught" in British English.[8]:151
1.A classical form of horse training, involving the gradual training of the horse in stages.[1]:65–66
2.An Olympic level equine sport based on classical principles of horsemanship, involving taking tests designed to gauge the training level of horses in classical dressage. Lower levels of dressage competition are organized by national equestrian organizations, but the higher levels, including the Olympics, are governed by the Fédération Équestre Internationale.[29]:148–151
drift
A New Forest term for the gathering of semi-feral ponies for marking, veterinary treatment or sale. See also muster and roundup.
Guiding and controlling one or more horses from behind, such as from a horse-drawn vehicle, behind a plow or other implement, when pulling logs, boats or other loads, or when long-reining. Guidance is by long reins and voice, often using traditional commands characteristic of particular areas or cultures.[1]:66
dry
Refers to a lean head with an absence of fatty tissue and raised veins on the skin, typical of desert-bred stock such as the Arabian horse.[30]:451
The style of riding ubiquitous in the British Isles and other parts of northern Europe, and widely practised in other parts of the world, especially for disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, cross-country etc. Characterised by use of a relatively flat saddle; the bridle usually has a cavesson-style noseband, with reins carried in both hands and generally used with steady contact with the horse's mouth.[1]:71
1.An individual familiar with horses and horse handling.[8]:169 It can also refer to someone riding a horse.[1]:72 The feminine form is Equestrienne.[8]:169
The genus including the horse, donkey, zebra and all other surviving members of the family Equidae.[8]:173
ergot
1.A small callosity on the back of the fetlocks of equines, often concealed by feathering (hair). Thought to be a vestigial remnant of the pad of the toe.[8]:174 See also chestnut.
2.A fungus of the genus Claviceps growing parasitically on the seed-heads of grasses, and so sometimes occurring in fodder eaten by horses. Contains large amounts of alkaloids, including ergotamine. These can cause ergotism, a serious condition affecting the nervous and circulatory systems, sometimes leading to permanent injury or death.[8]:174
A strap in horse harness passing from the collar, through the horse's legs to the belly band, to hold the collar in position.[12]:119 Unlike a true martingale does not attach to the reins or head.
family
The direct line of female descent, also known as the distaff line or tail-female. Thoroughbred families are numbered according to their taproot mares.[31]:14
Long hair on the fetlocks of horses.[1]:76 Most horses have some feather, at least in their winter coats, but in some types (especially certain heavy draft breeds) it may cover the feet and even extend up the rear of the legs. The feather is centered on the ergot on the rear of the fetlock.
Free-roaming horses that live in wild conditions, but are descended from domesticated ancestors – often erroneously called "wild" horses.[1]:77 The best-known examples are the American Mustang and the Australian Brumby, but there are many other populations worldwide.
The joint above the pastern.[8]:183–4 Anatomically, the metacarpophalangeal (front) and metatarsophalangeal (rear) joints of the horse, formed by the junction of the third metacarpal (forelimb) or metatarsal (hindlimb) bones (also known as the cannon bones) and the proximal phalanx distad (the pastern bone). Anatomically equivalent to the basal joint of a human finger or toe.
A young female horse. Normally a horse under four years of age,[1]:78 but can also be used of a horse under three years of age.[8]:186 Any female horse that has had a foal is referred to as a mare, regardless of her age.[1]:78
five gaited
A horse with five gaits: walk, trot, canter, rack, slow gait.
flank
The side of a horse.
float
1.To rasp down sharp points that may form on horse teeth. Usually performed by a veterinarian or Equine dentistry specialist.[1]:81
1.A young horse of either sex under the age of one year.[1]:82 Derives from the Anglo-Saxon word fola.[8]:193 May be qualified by sex: colt foal, filly foal.
A large loose box providing space and privacy for a mare about to foal.[8]:193 Minimum size is usually 14 feet (4.3m) square. Often provided with a small window or peep-hole (or in modern times a closed-circuit camera or webcam) for the owner or groom to watch the progress of the foaling.
1.In racing, the overall fitness of a horse to race. It includes factors such as how well it is currently working, what its breeding is, and how it has performed in the past.[1]:83
2.In jumping, the style that a horse uses going over fences.[1]:83
The most severe form of laminitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the laminae of the hoof. The third phalanx, or coffin bone rotates, often becoming deformed, and in severe cases, may puncture the bottom surface of the hoof.[8]:197 Severe cases may require euthanasia of the affected animal.[17]:230 A leading cause of death among domesticated horses, especially in breeds which are easy keepers (good doers).
A team of four horses with all their reins joined into one pair of reins, allowing one driver to control all of them.[1]:83 Also six-in-hand etc.
frog
A tough, rubbery, triangular part of the underside of a horse hoof that acts as a shock absorber for the horse's foot and also assists in blood circulation of the lower leg.[1]:85
When a horse is kept at a stable other than that owned by the horse's owner, when the owner pays for complete care of the horse. Usually includes all feed, the rent of the stall and pasture, and cleaning of the stall.[1]:85 Often includes access to a riding arena and in some places may even include daily turnout or exercise. See also livery.
full-brother, full-sister
Animals with the same sire and the same dam.[8]:75,442
A unit of measurement in flat horse racing. Equals one-eighth of a mile or 220 yards (200m).[1]:86
futurity
1.A stakes race for two-year-olds where the owners nominate the horse before birth and then pay additional fees as the horse grows up to continue the ability to enter the horse in the race.[1]:86[8]:204
2.A horse show competition for horses of a specified age, where the owners nominate the horse either before birth or as a young foal and then pay additional fees as the horse grows up to continue the eligibility to enter the horse in the class at the proper time.[1]:86[8]:204 Futurities exist for many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines.
The way a horse moves its legs is a gait.[1]:88 Gaits are divided into natural gaits which are performed by most horses (walk, trot, canter/lope and gallop), and those that are either trained by humans or are natural to a few breeds (ambling and pacing gaits).[9][8]:205
The fastest natural gait. Like the canter, there is a moment during a gallop when all four hooves of the horse are off the ground, known as the moment of suspension.[8]:206 At racing speeds, the gallop differs from the canter in that it becomes an irregular four beat gait, rather than a three-beat gait: the second beat of the canter, where diagonal front and hind legs strike the ground simultaneously, is broken into two beats in very quick succession in the gallop. Used in the wild to escape predators, the gallop is the gait of the classic race horse.
Galloway
1.Horse type: Australian show horses standing over 14 hands and not exceeding 15 hands.[5]:113
Wide, flat strap made of leather, canvas, cord, or similar synthetic materials, used in conjunction with billets at each end to secure most types of English and Australian saddles to a horse's back.[1]:90 See also cinch.
glass eye, wall eye
A blue eye on a horse.[8]:522 There is no difference in vision between a blue-eyed horse and a horse with the more common brown eye.
A type of horse trailer that attaches to a gooseneck hitch, a ball placed in the bed of a pickup truck above the axle, rather than a hitch at the rear of the vehicle. The hitch connects to the underside of a long extension, or "gooseneck", that extends from the front of the trailer.[1]:92 Compare to "bumper pull", above.
grade
A horse that has only a small amount of recognizable breeding,[8]:217 or none at all. Generally an unregistered and unregisterable animal.[1]:92 Not to be confused with crossbred.
Grand Prix
In equestrianism, the highest levels of either show jumping or dressage, generally governed by the rules of the FEI. The title is also given to some horse races.
green
A horse or rider that is either untrained or has just started training.[1]:93
green-broke
A horse that has just begun its training and is inexperienced with riders.[8]:220 Usually references horses that have been ridden under saddle a few times, less often applied to harness horses.
A type of headgear that utilizes a noseband or a bosal for control instead of a bit.[34]
half-breed
1.A type of crossbred horse whose sire and dam are from different breeds.[8]:226
2.(UK) A horse whose sire or dam is Thoroughbred, but the other parent is not. Such a horse is not eligible for registration in the General Stud Book, but can be registered in the Half-Bred stud book.[8]:226
half-brother, half-sister
Two horses with the same dam. Two horses with the same sire are simply said to be by the same sire.[8]:226–7
1.(US) A device placed on the head of an equine for the primary purpose of leading or tying the animal;[1]:99 See also head collar.
2.(Australasia and UK) A rope headpiece with the lead rope attached; or a rolled leather headpiece of the same pattern used for leading and showing horses with refined heads.[4]:92[5]:125
A measurement of the height of a horse. Originally taken from the size of a grown man's hand but now standardized to 4 inches. The measurement is usually taken from the ground to the withers. If expressed with a period and number after it, the number represents additional inches, so 15.3 hands ("fifteen-three") would be 15 times four inches, plus three inches – that is, 63 inches (160cm). Abbreviated "hh"[1]:100 for "hands high" or simply "h".
hand gallop
A controlled gallop, with a speed between that of a canter and a full gallop. Derives from the fact that the gallop is under control of the rider's hand.[1]:100 Often used to show a horse's ground-covering stride in horse show competition.
A horse (or other animal) which needs a relatively large amount of food to maintain condition.[8]:231
haute école, high school
The most advanced form of dressage, wherein the horse performs the most difficult movements such as pirouette, passage, piaffe and one-tempi lead changes. In classical dressage, includes the airs above the ground as the final step in training.
A floored space above a barn or stable where hay is stored,[8]:233 often being fed through hatches in the floor directly into hay-racks in the animal enclosures below. The hayloft door is a high-level hatch (usually in a gable wall), through which hay could be loaded directly from a wagon.
head collar (Australasia and UK)
A device placed on the head of an equine for the primary purpose of leading or tying the animal;[4]:94[1]:102 See also halter and headstall.
head shy, headshy
A horse which is reluctant to have its head touched or handled, making it difficult to groom and tack up.[1]:103
headstall, head stall
1.The portion of a bridle that consists of the straps that go over the horse's head and under the throat, excluding the noseband, used to hold the bit in place.[8]:235
2.An alternate name for a head collar (UK).
heavy
1.A rider who uses too much rein pressure is said to have "heavy" hands.[1]:103
2.In racing, a track that is between muddy and good, in other words one that is drying out.[1]:103
3.A draft horse is sometimes called a "heavy" horse.
A sterile hybrid that is the offspring of a male horse and a female donkey.[1]:104 Generally considered less desirable than a mule, though has a similar appearance and characteristics.[30]:330–1 Bred less often than mules because the offspring are smaller than mules and female donkeys are less fertile with stallions than mares are with male donkeys. Also occasionally known as bardot or jennet.[8]:242[1]:104
hitch
1.The object attached to a vehicle to allow a trailer to be attached and pulled.[1]:105
2.To fasten a harnessed horse to a carriage or other horse-drawn vehicle.[1]:105 (also: putting to).
3.To tie or tether a horse to a stationary object such as a post to keep it from wandering.[1]:105
hitch and hop
A carriage driving term when one horse of a pair momentarily breaks its trotting stride to realign its gait to trot in synchronisation with the other horse creating a harmonised pair, in a 'hitch and hop' movement.
A strap or other device placed around the pastern of the leg to prevent a horse (or other livestock animal) from wandering far,[1]:105 usually by linking two or more legs together. A "half-hobble" attaches to only one foot, with the other end usually attached to a rope called a picket line.
The tarsal joint of the equine hind leg, located midway between the horse's body and the ground.[8]:244 Anatomically corresponds to a human's ankle and heel, but in horses is located much farther from the ground.
A body covering made for horses that covers the animal's body from chest to rump, usually kept on the horse by buckles at the chest by buckles and by adjustable straps passing under the belly and sometimes around the hind legs. Heavier weight blankets assist in keeping the animal warm in cold weather, lighter weight designs are used in warm weather to deter insects and to keep the sun from bleaching out the horse's coat.[8]:249 Blankets may also have hoods or neck coverings added for additional protection of the animal.Compare to Saddle blanket, numnah.
The meat of equines, eaten in many cultures, but taboo in others.
horse passport
A document required in European Union countries for every equine animal, including a detailed description of the animal and a record of whether it is intended for human consumption. May be linked to a microchip implant.
A unit of power, originally used to compare the power of mechanical devices to that of a draft horse. Roughly equivalent to the normal sustained power output of one horse – however the maximum power of a horse is much more than one horsepower.[8]:253 A metric horsepower equals approximately 735.5 watts,[36] and an imperial horsepower (or imperial horsepower) equals approximately 745.7 watts.[37]
The sport of racing horses,[8]:253 a major industry in many parts of the world. Racehorses are usually Thoroughbreds (or Arabs) ridden at the gallop, but other breeds are also raced. Horses or ponies may also be raced at the trot or pace, when they are usually in harness. See also harness racing.
A curved bar attached to the underside of the wall of the hoof, to prevent wear and provide grip.[8]:253 Usually made of steel and nailed to the hoof, but may be of aluminum or other materials, and may be glued on. Usually used on all four hooves, but sometimes only on the front, or not used at all (see barefoot).
An event with competitions where horses are judged or compete for points, ribbons, or prizes.
horsiculture (UK)
An informal term in UK land use planning, referring to land used intensively for keeping recreational horses, often with many small paddocks and numerous field shelters.[38]
1.Show hunter (US), hunter (US) or working hunter (US and UK): A type of horse and horse show competition judged on its movement, manners, and way of going, particularly over fences. A hunter should be graceful and keep a long frame on the flat and while jumping fences.[1]:109
2.Field hunter (US), hunter (US, UKI): a horse used for fox hunting. Subdivided by weight: heavy hunter, light hunter etc.
3.Show hunter (British): a competition for horses that are shown on the flat, not to jump.
2.An in-hand class is a type of horse show competition, where the horse is led, rather than ridden, and judged on its conformation and movement.[8]:266 See halter class.
3.In racing, a horse that is not running at top speed.[8]:266
Intermediare I, II
Also Intermediate I, II
The second and third of the four levels of international dressage competition governed by the FEI, falling between Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix.
A slow trot that is moderately collected, usually ridden without posting. Most often seen in western riding.[1]:120
jump
1. Applied to horses, may refer to a horse jumping over an obstacle, or may refer to action where the horse simply leaps into the air, such as bucking, crowhopping, or pronking. Less often, applied to certain airs above the ground.
2.An obstacle, particularly one used in competition.
jumper
A horse that jumps, particularly in competition.[1]:120
Inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof.[1]:125 Possibly linked to metabolic disturbances,[39] often associated with obesity or ingestion of excess starches or sugars.[40] Causes lameness and severe pain. Treatable if caught early, but in its most severe form, known as "founder", may require euthanasia of the affected animal.
Soft, flexible strap made of leather, attached to a heavy ring on a saddle tree, used to attach a cinch to a western saddle. Modern latigo usually has holes punched for a cinch buckle. On older saddles the latigo had no holes and the cinch was secured to the saddle with the latigo tied in a latigo hitch or girth hitch, a variation of the cow hitch. See also billets.[citation needed]
lead
1.Lead (leg): the leading legs of the horse at the canter and gallop. The front and hind legs on one side of the horse appear to land in front of the other set of front and hind legs when the horse travels. On a curve, a horse is generally asked to lead with the inside legs, though there are exceptions to the general rule, such as the counter canter.[1]:126 See also lead change.
2.Lead (tack): a lead rope, lead shank or leading rein. A flat line or rope attached to a halter and used to lead the animal when the handler is on the ground.[8]:295
The act of a horse changing from one lead to the other. When performed at a canter or gallop, it is a "flying change". When the horse is dropped to a slower gait and then asked to canter again but on the opposite lead, it is a "simple change". Performing a flying change with every stride is an advanced dressage movement known as a one-tempi change, tempi changes, or informally, "onesies".
Any of the horses in a team which are ahead of the shafts or pole.[8]:294–295 Can only pull the vehicle, not slow it. See also wheeler.
live foal guarantee
A guarantee that a bred mare will have a living foal from a breeding to a stallion. Usually offered by the stallion's owner and allows the mare to be rebred if for some reason the resulting foal is stillborn or is not living.[8]:301
Liverpool bit
A type of adjustable curb bit used for horses in harness, allowing the horses in a team to be driven with the same rein tension.[8]:301-302
An establishment where horses are housed for a fee. Horses may be kept stabled or on pasture. Services might include feeding, exercise and other care.[8]:302 See also full-board.
To work or train a horse at the end of a long rope or flat line (typically about 30 feet (9.1m) in length), teaching it to obey voice commands and exhibit good ground manners, and to exercise it when not ridden (for reasons of youth, age, infirmity, trainer desire, etc.).[1]:130
long-reining, long-lining, line driving
Driving a horse while walking behind or to the side of it, controlling the animal by use of very long reins. Used for training, both for riding and driving.[8]:304 For a riding horse, the stirrups are often used as makeshift terrets to keep the reins from trailing on the ground.
loose box (UK), box stall (US)
An enclosed area within a stable where a horse may be left untethered (loose). Minimum size is usually 10 or 12 feet (3.0 or 3.7m) square up to about 14 feet (4.3m) square.[8]:457Contrast with tie stall, a smaller enclosure where the animal is kept tied or tethered. See also stall.
lope (US)
A form of the canter seen in western riding; a three beat gait, performed at a relatively slow speed.[1]:131
A mature female horse, usually four years of age or older. Also denotes any female horse that has given birth, regardless of her age.[1]:134 Compare filly.
Generally refers to white markings on the horse's face, legs, and sometimes the occasional body spot on an otherwise solid-colored horse.[1]:134
meat-money (UK)
The lowest price likely to be paid for an equine, equivalent to the value of an animal to be sold by the pound and slaughtered for horse meat. Called canner price in the USA.