Equestrian Glossary

Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body

Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body

Rider’s signals to communicate with the horse (legs, hands, seat, voice).

Angle formed by bones at joints, affecting movement

Gaits that are trained or exaggerated, not naturally performed.

Metal piece in the horse's mouth, connected to the reins, used for control

Small swelling at the corner of the mouth caused by repeated bit friction.

Natural willingness of a horse to jump confidently.

Horse running off suddenly and uncontrollably.

Abnormal bony growth on a joint, typically associated with arthritis.

A small plait in the horse’s mane or tail, often used for grooming or showing.

The first stage of training a horse to accept a rider

Long bone between the knee and the fetlock in the foreleg.

Groundwork equipment with a rigid noseband, used for lunging without a bit.

A positive reinforcement training method using a sound signal to mark a desired behaviour, immediately followed by a reward.

Registry only allowing horses from registered parents.

A hoof abnormality where the foot is upright and steep

The color and markings of a horse's hair

Category of heavy, calm draft horses selectively bred for agricultural work. Ex: Percheron, Belgian Draft, Ardennais.

Acute abdominal pain in horses with many possible digestive causes. A common veterinary emergency that can be life-threatening.

A canter where the horse shortens its stride and engages the hindquarters, used in dressage.

Horse shortens stride and increases engagement and balance

Alignment of the horse’s limbs when viewed from the front or side, considered correct or faulty.

The rider’s influence on the horse through the reins and other aids.

A hoof deformity where the heels are drawn inward, reducing shock absorption.

Area between the pastern and the hoof wall, where hoof growth originates.

The upper part of the hoof from which the wall grows, made of keratinized tissue.

Use of special horseshoes to correct or ease a locomotor problem.

Canter where the horse leads with the outside foreleg in a turn

A stereotypic behavior where the horse grips an object with its teeth and sucks in air.

Breeding between two different breeds.

The area of the horse’s body above the tail, forming the hindquarters.

Part of the bridle that goes behind the ears to hold it in place

Stiff-bristled brush used for grooming

Describes a horse moving a hind leg and opposite foreleg at the same time, especially in trot.

Tendency of a horse to assert control over others.

Auxiliary reins used to encourage head position and neck flexion

A sequence of predefined movements performed during a dressage competition.

Small horny growth behind the fetlock, a remnant of a lost digit.

The area from the forehead to the nostrils; can be straight, convex, or concave.

A specialist who trims and shoes horse hooves.

Joint between the cannon bone and the pastern.

Noseband with an additional strap under the bit.

Controlled bending of joints or neck, depending on context.

Tendon on the back of the limb that enables the joints of the lower leg to flex.

A young horse, male or female, under one year old.

Triangular, elastic structure on the underside of the hoof, acting as a shock absorber.

The various ways a horse moves (walk, trot, canter, etc.), each with a specific number of beats and rhythm.

Period during which the mare carries a foal, about 11 months.

Strap that keeps the saddle in place under the belly.

Horse’s instinctive need to live in a group

Daily care of the horse (brushing, hoof cleaning, etc.)

Headgear used for leading or tying up a horse

Exaggerated upward leg motion, often seen in show horses.

Joint on the hind leg equivalent to the human ankle

The hard outer part of a horse’s foot, similar to a toenail

The process through which a young foal becomes accustomed to humans and its environment shortly after birth.

Soft, relaxed expression in a horse’s eye indicating a calm temperament

Joint in the front leg equivalent to the human wrist.

A painful inflammatory condition of the hoof’s internal structures.

Area of the back between the ribs and the croup.

Training tool using extended reins for groundwork or driving.

Long rope used to exercise the horse from a distance

A mare that has never foaled, typically under 3 years of age.

Adult female horse, typically of breeding age.

Device or method to assist in getting on a horse

The part of the bridle that goes into the horse’s mouth

Clear visibility and contour of the horse’s muscles

The opening of the nostrils, evaluated for size and dilation during breathing effort.

A riding approach based on understanding the horse's natural behaviour, favouring communication and mutual respect over force.

The horse’s neck, whose shape and musculature affect balance and motion.

Inflammation of a nerve, which may cause lameness or sensitivity in horses.

A breeding term referring to a successful genetic cross between two specific bloodlines.

Horse raises its head and sticks out the nose, indicating resistance to contact.

Part of the bridle or halter passing over the nose, used to influence or limit mouth movements.

The horse’s nasal openings, through which it breathes (horses are obligate nasal breathers).

A mare that nurses a foal that is not her own.

A form of learning where behavior is shaped by its consequences (reward or punishment).

A two-beat lateral gait, natural in some horse breeds.

Movement of a joint without voluntary muscle contraction, typically performed during a veterinary exam.

Area between the fetlock and the hoof.

A highly collected dressage movement where the horse trots almost in place.

A learning method where desired behavior is rewarded to increase its recurrence.

The hollow between the neck and shoulder, noticeable in lean or well-defined horses.

Sudden vertical leap where the horse stands up on its hind legs, often as a sign of resistance.

Straps used by the rider to guide the horse by connecting to the bit

Horse’s unwilling or evasive reaction to rider’s aids.

A piece of tack placed on the horse’s back for riding.

Choosing breeding animals based on specific traits.

A lateral movement in dressage where the horse crosses its legs while moving diagonally.

A lateral dressage movement where the horse moves on three tracks with the head turned inward.

Lightweight headgear consisting of a simple bit and reins, used for riding and steering without a full double bridle.

The bony projection of each vertebra forming the ridge along the horse's back; it can be felt under the skin.

Device attached to a boot to reinforce leg aids

An uncastrated male horse used for breeding.

Person responsible for managing a stallion and breeding activities.

Joint in the hind leg, equivalent to the human knee.

A white marking on the horse's legs, with varying height.

The horse’s acceptance and willingness to cooperate with the rider.

Back that dips noticeably downward.

To produce loud nasal sounds when breathing, often due to a respiratory issue.

A strap used to prevent a horse from moving its tongue over the bit.

The outline of the horse’s back from withers to croup

The upper contour of the horse’s body from withers to tail, including back.

The rigid framework inside a saddle

The lower contour of the horse’s body from chest to groin.

Small circle used in flatwork or dressage.

Category of horses combining lightness and power, bred from crosses between oriental and northern breeds. Ex: Hanoverian, KWPN, Selle Français.

Process of separating a foal from its dam to become independent.

A stereotypic behavior where the horse sways rhythmically from one foreleg to the other, often from stress.

The ridge between the shoulder blades, at the base of the neck