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