08 Mar 2008 12:27:47 | Tina Williamson
Welcome to the delightful world of horses!! It is a wonderful
thing to own a horse, to know the joy and unconditional love.
When first becoming involved within the horse world, it is good
if you can equip yourself with some basic horse terms to help
smooth the way.
No matter your horsey interest, these terms are regularly tossed
about the barn; learn them and you will be well on your way to
interpreting the horse world language.
Stallion - Entire male horse that has been used to father
(breed) younger animals.
Colt - Young entire male animal, usually under 3 years old
Gelding - Castrated male animal of any age, no longer able to be
bred from.
Mare - Female horse, usually over 3 years old.
Filly - Young female animal, usually under 3 years old, which
hasn't yet been bred from.
Yearling - A young horse that is at least 12 months old but not
over 24 months
Weanling - A young horse that has been weaned from its mother
but hasn't reached 12 months of age.
Foal - A baby animal, either female or male that is still
nursing from its mother.
Hands High (HH) - Measurement used in telling how high a horse
stands. Measured from the ground to the highest point of the
wither. There is 4 inches to 1 hand.
Tack - Word used to describe all the equipment used for riding
or handling a horse
Saddle - Large piece of tack (usually leather), which helps a
rider sit in the correct position when sitting on a horses back.
There are many different types including:- western, stock,
dressage, jumping and all purpose.
Saddle Blanket - Piece of cloth, which can be padded, placed
under the saddle on the horses back to help protect against
pressure sores and absorb sweat.
Bridle - A piece of leather (or can be synthetic) which is
fitted to a horses head and helps in control when the horse is
being ridden.
Bit - A piece of metal which is placed inside a horses mouth and
connected to the bridle.
Reins - Long piece attached to the horses bit, which allows the
rider some control.
Girth - Is used to tighten around the horse's middle to secure
the saddle.
Stirrup - Normally metal (Stainless Steel), attached to the
saddle, where a rider places their foot when riding.
Halter / Head Stall - Placed on a horses head for easy of
handling and leading. Can be made out of rope, nylon or leather.
Farrier - Person employed to trim a horse's hoof or to put shoes
on. Similar to a human podiatrist.
Hoof Pick - Instrument used to clean out the bottom of a horses
hoof.
Gait - The way in which the horse moves - walk, trot, canter,
gallop
Lunging - An exercise where a horse is worked in a circle at any
given gait and direction.
Colic - This is a condition which describes any discomfort a
horse may have within there stomach.
Lame - Describes a horse that is unable to move correctly due to
pain in one or more feet.
Float / Trailer - A specially designed trailer which helps in
the transport of horses.
Now that you have learnt some basic horse terms, try working
them into a conversation around the barn. You will no longer be
an outsider but welcomed into the exciting horse world.
Happy Horsing
Tina Williamson BAppSci (Equine)
About Author :
Tina is a professional horse trainer and horse lover. She has a
degree in Equine Science and is absolutely passionate about
everything Horse.
