Learn Some Common Equestrian Terms

Horses are magnificent animals, but they can be quite intimidating for those who haven’t spent much time around them. If you’re considering riding, or simply want to learn more about horses and their care, it’s helpful to know some of the common equestrian terms. This way, you’ll be better prepared to understand what the trainer or judge is talking about and will be able to ask questions when necessary.

A horse’s gaits are the different ways that they move. The four main gaits are walk, trot, canter and gallop. A horse may also be trained to perform other gaits.

The canter is the fastest of the equine gaits. It requires a great deal of rider coordination and is dangerous to the horse if it isn’t properly ridden. The canter is generally used for competitive sports such as racing and jumping.

A rider’s seat is the piece of equipment that connects them to their horse, called a saddle. The saddle’s shape is designed to be comfortable for the rider so that they can stay in control of their horse while riding. The girth is a belt that goes around the horse’s body to keep the saddle in place and to prevent it from moving around while the horse is walking, cantering or galloping.

An equine is any animal in the horse family, including donkeys and mules. A green horse is one that has just begun training and is inexperienced with riders. A stallion is a male horse that is the father of mares and other equine offspring. A snaffle bit is a type of bit that allows horses to be ridden without putting too much pressure on the mouth or throat.

The outside rein is the side of the saddle that a rider holds on to while riding a horse. The inside rein is the other side of the saddle. A tack room is a place in which horse tack is kept. A bridle is the bridle that a horse wears over its head connecting to its bit and reins. A snaffle bit is the most commonly used type of snaffle bit for horses.

To do well at a horse show is to be “well in hand.” In the days when equine athletes were often harnessed to wagons and coaches, an expert driver was considered to be well in hand if he could control the horses he drove without much assistance from his passengers.

A neigh is a high-pitched sound that horses make when they hear something that they don’t like. A horse that neighes when being ridden is usually trying to tell the rider to slow down. A vice is a bad habit that a horse develops due to boredom or inattention. Common vices include wood chewing, wind sucking (cribbing) and pacing. A stall is a small fenced enclosure where horses are kept. A paddock is a larger turnout area for horses. A corral is a large outdoor enclosure where fewer than a dozen or so horses are kept.