Descriptionary

driving horse a horse trained or bred to pull wag­ons or sulkies.

equerry one who acts as a stableman or supervisor of horses in a royal or other household.

equestrian pertaining to horses or horse riding; one who rides horses.

equine pertaining to or resembling a horse.

fetlock the projection and accompanying tuft of hair growing above and behind the hoof, or the joint marked by this projection.

filly a female under the age of four.

foal a newborn horse of either sex.

forehand the front portion of a horse, including the head, neck, shoulders, and front legs.

forelock bangs or hair of the horse's mane that hangs down over its forehead between its ears.

forging the striking of the rear hoof and the toe of the front hoof during a trot, caused by overextending.

fox trot walking with the front legs and trotting with the rear.

gait the speed and sequence of a horse's walk or run; gaits include walk, trot, canter, gallop, and rack.

gallop a full run.

gambado a low, four-legged leap, as when frolick­ing.

gaskin part of the hind leg between the stifle and the hock.

gee a traditional horse command meaning to "turn right." Opposite of haw.

gelding a castrated or gelded male.

girth the band of leather that goes around the trunk of a horse for fastening the saddle to its back.

grade a horse of unknown ancestry.

green horse an untrained horse.

green jumper a horse that has been taught to jump.

gymkhana a riding meet or competition.

hack a horse used for pleasure riding.

hackney a horse of English origin, characterized by its flexed knee gait.

halter a rope used for leading or tying a horse.

hand a unit of measurement in which 1 hand equals 4 inches, used to estimate the size of a horse.

haw traditional horse command meaning "turn left."

headband part of the bridle placed over the horse's forehead to prevent the bridle from slipping back.

heat the breeding period of a mare, occurring at three-week intervals and lasting about five days.

12 animals and insects

hock the joint located in the lower leg, correspond­ing to the ankle in humans.

hogback a horse having a rounded back, opposite of a swayback.

hunter a horse bred or trained for hunting, usually a fast runner and strong jumper.

jib a nervous or fidgety movement sideways or backwards.

jodhpurs horse-riding pants made of heavy cloth, fitting tightly at the knees and ankles, and typically worn with ankle-height leather boots also known as jodhpurs.

jog a slow trot.

lather sweat.

lope canter.

lunge a long rope or rein used for breaking or train­ing a horse by leading it around in a circle.

manger a horse's wooden feeding trough, attached to a stall wall.

mare an adult female.

mudder a horse that runs well on muddy ground, as on a wet racetrack.

muzzle collective term for the nose, nostrils, lips, and chin of a horse.

neigh the cry of a horse.

noseband a strap fitted over the nose as part of the Western bridle.

offside the right side of a horse when viewed from behind; also known as the far side.

paddock a fenced-in area adjoining a barn where horses may play.

palfrey a post-horse, or historically a small horse used by ladies.

passade a backward movement.

pastern part of the foot between the fetlock and the hoof.

Pegasus the great steed of Greek mythology, known for its wings.

piaffe a test of horsemanship, in which the horse trots slowly in place.

pigeon-toed standing with toes pointed inward.

pillion a pad used for an extra rider behind the saddle.

poll the top of a horse's neck behind the ears.

pommel the front portion of the English saddle, fit­ting over the withers.

posting in English riding, the rising and falling of the rider with the rhythm of the trot.

rack a difficult four-beat gait or gallop used by a trained horse.

rear to stand up on the hind legs.

rip a wornout or useless horse.

sire father of a horse.

span horses in a matched pair.

splayfoot standing with toes pointed outward.

staggers a cerebrospinal disease characterized by loss of coordination, staggering, and falling down.

stallion adult male used for breeding.

steed a spirited horse, or a horse ridden in combat.

stifle the joint corresponding to the knee in humans.

swayback an old horse with a swayed back.

volt a partially sideways gait or step.

whinny a low and gentle neigh.

withers highest part of the back, between the shoul­der blades.

Horse Breeds

American albino a Nebraska-bred, snow-white horse having pinkish skin and blue, brown, or hazel eyes.

Andalusian an elegant, good-natured Spanish horse, usually gray or bay and standing about 15 hands high.