Here is a glossary of horse terms - this is a random list with a mixture of basic and advanced things to know about horses! If you would like to find out more or have any questions, get in touch.
Aids The aids are the signals a rider uses to communicate with the horse including legs, seat and hands.
Arena A purpose built area to ride and train a horse in.
Bay A brown coloured horse with a black mane, tail and legs. Bay colours can vary from a regular brown to a reddish mahogany colour.
Bit The metal piece that is fitted in the horse’s mouth and attached to the bridle. The rider uses the reins which are connected to the bit to control the horse.
Buckskin A creamy or golden coloured horse with a black mane, tail and legs.
Canter A faster pace than walk and trot and a three-beat pace.
Centre line The line a dressage rider takes when they enter and exit a dressage arena. It is a straight line going from the letters A to X to C on a dressage arena.
Chestnut A ginger or red coloured horse with a matching mane and tail.
Cob A type of horse that is short-legged, compact and strong. They come in many colours and are usually sweet, gentle and willing horses.
Combination (jump combination) A series of jumps that are jumped in a close series, where the horse takes minimal strides between each fence.
Counter canter When the outside leg is leading in the canter and the horse is bent to the outside.
Crop or whip A crop or whip helps the rider control the horse including asking the horse to have more impulsion/energy, go sideways (laterally) or can help with basic obedience training.
Diagonal Usually referred to when a rider changes direction in the arena, cutting it in half diagonally.
Dressage The goal of dressage is to create harmony between the rider and the horse as the horse performs various movements in an arena. There are many levels of dressage from beginner level which includes walking, trotting and cantering, to the highest level of Grand Prix with advanced movements such as piaffe, passage or pirouette’s, where the rider’s aids are almost invisible and the horses look like they are dancing.
Expression A horse that has a flamboyant way of moving could be said to have expression.
Fetlock The joint of a horse's leg at the bottom, above the hoof and in between the cannon bone (or shin).
Forelock The hair that comes out between the horse’s ears – the equivalent of a human fringe or bangs!
Forward (same as impulsion) The desire from the horse to move forward with energy when ridden.
Gelding A male horse that is gelded is often easier to control and is similar to a neutered dog.
Girth The strap that keeps the saddle in place and goes around the barrel of the horse, behind the front legs.
Grey A grey horse can be varying shades of grey including white, dark grey, white with dark grey (called dapples) or a fleabitten grey (with dark specks like freckles). Grey horses can change colour throughout their life, fading from a dark grey, becoming whiter and even fleabitten.
Hacking (same as trail riding) Going out in the forest or into nature. It is important for a horse’s wellbeing to go hacking regularly.
Half Halt A nearly invisible, simultaneous action of the hands, seat and legs used to capture the horse’s attention and regain balance and softness.
Half passé A lateral movement in which the horse moves forward and sideways at the same time, facing the direction he is going.
Halt When the horse is standing still. A square halt is when the four legs are in the shape of a square and the horse is balanced.
Hands high A metric used to measure a horse in many parts of the world. The horse is measured from the wither (from the base of the mane) and one hand equals four inches. A pony is under 14.2 hands and a horse is over 14.2 hands.
Headcollar (same as a halter) Used to direct and control the horse when the horse isn’t ridden.
Hindquarters The back part of the horse that joins the barrel - the middle part of the horse.
Jump Types A Cross rail fence has two poles diagonally crossed over, with an end of the pole resting in a cup on the wing of the jump and an end resting on the ground.
An upright has horizontal poles, where both ends rest in the cup on the wings and the jump can have one or more poles.
An Oxer is a wider jump where the poles have space between them and the horse must jump farther.
Jump off A jump off is the final stage of a show-jumping competition where the riders that jumped clear in the first part of the competition perform a jump off, where they are judged on time and penalties (hitting a pole) to win a position in a competition.
Jump wings Often made of metal or wood, is a structure to hold the poles of show-jumps.
Lateral work When a horse goes sideways and performs movements such as half-passe, shoulder-in or leg yielding. Lateral movements can improve the suppleness of the horse and can be wonderful to watch.
Long-side or short-side of the arena Refers to different parts of the arena. The long side is simply the longer edge and the short side is the top and bottom of the arena.
Lungeing When a horse is exercised without a rider and circles the rider on a long lead or rope. Lungeing is useful to get a horse fit, or to let a horse exercise more freely and let off excess energy.
Mane The hair that grows on the horse’s neck.
Mare A female horse over the age of three. A female horse under the age of three is a filly.
Mount To hop on the horse.
Noseband The part of the bridle that goes around the horse’s nose and is fastened at the throat.
On the bit When the horse arches his neck and raises his back and goes forward softly into the rider’s hands. Half-halting helps to get a horse on the bit.
Over-track Usually referred to in walk, when the back legs step over the front hoof prints.
Paces or gaits There are four basic paces which include walk, trot, canter and gallop.
Palomino One of the most beautiful coloured horses, a palomino is gold or caramel with a white mane and tail.
Passage A dance like movement, like a slow trot, with elevated movement of the legs.
Piaffe Similar to a passage but the movement is performed on the spot. One of the most difficult dressage movements to perform and incredible to watch.
Poll The point between the horse’s ears.
Plaits The mane is often plaited for horse shows.
Rhythm When training a horse, you should aim for an even rhythm, where the horse is going at a consistent pace.
Saddlecloth The cloth that goes under the saddle, protecting the horses back, the saddle and absorbing sweat.
Scopey When a horse jumps high, leaving space between the jumping poles and its legs.
Showing (classes) A horse can be showed for its type, breed, confirmation or its way of going.
Spooked When a horse gets scared and moves away from something they’re scared of. Spooking can be mild where horses simply stop, or some horses will spin and run away, especially young horses.
Stirrup or stirrup iron A rider puts his feet in the stirrup irons, which are connected to the stirrup leathers and the saddle.
Tack The saddle and bridle, also includes other equipment used to ride the horse.
Transition Change of paces e.g. walk to trot, trot to canter.
Trot A two-beat pace in between the walk and canter. The rider can rise to the trot, making it easier to keep in balance in the saddle and a more advanced rider may sit to the trot, making it easier to perform more advanced movements.
Two-point position When a rider stands in the stirrups and takes the weight (seat) out of the saddle. Often used for jumping.
Warmblood There are different types of warmbloods such as Hanoverian’s, Oldenburg’s and KPWN (Dutch Warmblood’s). These horses have been carefully bred to excel in certain equestrian sports such as dressage and jumping and they often have excellent movement and willing temperaments.
Wither The bump at the base of the neck behind the mane and in front of where a saddle is fitted.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything! If you have any questions, get in touch [email protected]
Arena A purpose built area to ride and train a horse in.
Bay A brown coloured horse with a black mane, tail and legs. Bay colours can vary from a regular brown to a reddish mahogany colour.
Bit The metal piece that is fitted in the horse’s mouth and attached to the bridle. The rider uses the reins which are connected to the bit to control the horse.
Buckskin A creamy or golden coloured horse with a black mane, tail and legs.
Canter A faster pace than walk and trot and a three-beat pace.
Centre line The line a dressage rider takes when they enter and exit a dressage arena. It is a straight line going from the letters A to X to C on a dressage arena.
Chestnut A ginger or red coloured horse with a matching mane and tail.
Cob A type of horse that is short-legged, compact and strong. They come in many colours and are usually sweet, gentle and willing horses.
Combination (jump combination) A series of jumps that are jumped in a close series, where the horse takes minimal strides between each fence.
Counter canter When the outside leg is leading in the canter and the horse is bent to the outside.
Crop or whip A crop or whip helps the rider control the horse including asking the horse to have more impulsion/energy, go sideways (laterally) or can help with basic obedience training.
Diagonal Usually referred to when a rider changes direction in the arena, cutting it in half diagonally.
Dressage The goal of dressage is to create harmony between the rider and the horse as the horse performs various movements in an arena. There are many levels of dressage from beginner level which includes walking, trotting and cantering, to the highest level of Grand Prix with advanced movements such as piaffe, passage or pirouette’s, where the rider’s aids are almost invisible and the horses look like they are dancing.
Expression A horse that has a flamboyant way of moving could be said to have expression.
Fetlock The joint of a horse's leg at the bottom, above the hoof and in between the cannon bone (or shin).
Forelock The hair that comes out between the horse’s ears – the equivalent of a human fringe or bangs!
Forward (same as impulsion) The desire from the horse to move forward with energy when ridden.
Gelding A male horse that is gelded is often easier to control and is similar to a neutered dog.
Girth The strap that keeps the saddle in place and goes around the barrel of the horse, behind the front legs.
Grey A grey horse can be varying shades of grey including white, dark grey, white with dark grey (called dapples) or a fleabitten grey (with dark specks like freckles). Grey horses can change colour throughout their life, fading from a dark grey, becoming whiter and even fleabitten.
Hacking (same as trail riding) Going out in the forest or into nature. It is important for a horse’s wellbeing to go hacking regularly.
Half Halt A nearly invisible, simultaneous action of the hands, seat and legs used to capture the horse’s attention and regain balance and softness.
Half passé A lateral movement in which the horse moves forward and sideways at the same time, facing the direction he is going.
Halt When the horse is standing still. A square halt is when the four legs are in the shape of a square and the horse is balanced.
Hands high A metric used to measure a horse in many parts of the world. The horse is measured from the wither (from the base of the mane) and one hand equals four inches. A pony is under 14.2 hands and a horse is over 14.2 hands.
Headcollar (same as a halter) Used to direct and control the horse when the horse isn’t ridden.
Hindquarters The back part of the horse that joins the barrel - the middle part of the horse.
Jump Types A Cross rail fence has two poles diagonally crossed over, with an end of the pole resting in a cup on the wing of the jump and an end resting on the ground.
An upright has horizontal poles, where both ends rest in the cup on the wings and the jump can have one or more poles.
An Oxer is a wider jump where the poles have space between them and the horse must jump farther.
Jump off A jump off is the final stage of a show-jumping competition where the riders that jumped clear in the first part of the competition perform a jump off, where they are judged on time and penalties (hitting a pole) to win a position in a competition.
Jump wings Often made of metal or wood, is a structure to hold the poles of show-jumps.
Lateral work When a horse goes sideways and performs movements such as half-passe, shoulder-in or leg yielding. Lateral movements can improve the suppleness of the horse and can be wonderful to watch.
Long-side or short-side of the arena Refers to different parts of the arena. The long side is simply the longer edge and the short side is the top and bottom of the arena.
Lungeing When a horse is exercised without a rider and circles the rider on a long lead or rope. Lungeing is useful to get a horse fit, or to let a horse exercise more freely and let off excess energy.
Mane The hair that grows on the horse’s neck.
Mare A female horse over the age of three. A female horse under the age of three is a filly.
Mount To hop on the horse.
Noseband The part of the bridle that goes around the horse’s nose and is fastened at the throat.
On the bit When the horse arches his neck and raises his back and goes forward softly into the rider’s hands. Half-halting helps to get a horse on the bit.
Over-track Usually referred to in walk, when the back legs step over the front hoof prints.
Paces or gaits There are four basic paces which include walk, trot, canter and gallop.
Palomino One of the most beautiful coloured horses, a palomino is gold or caramel with a white mane and tail.
Passage A dance like movement, like a slow trot, with elevated movement of the legs.
Piaffe Similar to a passage but the movement is performed on the spot. One of the most difficult dressage movements to perform and incredible to watch.
Poll The point between the horse’s ears.
Plaits The mane is often plaited for horse shows.
Rhythm When training a horse, you should aim for an even rhythm, where the horse is going at a consistent pace.
Saddlecloth The cloth that goes under the saddle, protecting the horses back, the saddle and absorbing sweat.
Scopey When a horse jumps high, leaving space between the jumping poles and its legs.
Showing (classes) A horse can be showed for its type, breed, confirmation or its way of going.
Spooked When a horse gets scared and moves away from something they’re scared of. Spooking can be mild where horses simply stop, or some horses will spin and run away, especially young horses.
Stirrup or stirrup iron A rider puts his feet in the stirrup irons, which are connected to the stirrup leathers and the saddle.
Tack The saddle and bridle, also includes other equipment used to ride the horse.
Transition Change of paces e.g. walk to trot, trot to canter.
Trot A two-beat pace in between the walk and canter. The rider can rise to the trot, making it easier to keep in balance in the saddle and a more advanced rider may sit to the trot, making it easier to perform more advanced movements.
Two-point position When a rider stands in the stirrups and takes the weight (seat) out of the saddle. Often used for jumping.
Warmblood There are different types of warmbloods such as Hanoverian’s, Oldenburg’s and KPWN (Dutch Warmblood’s). These horses have been carefully bred to excel in certain equestrian sports such as dressage and jumping and they often have excellent movement and willing temperaments.
Wither The bump at the base of the neck behind the mane and in front of where a saddle is fitted.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything! If you have any questions, get in touch [email protected]
