This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon developed over the centuries for horses and other equidae, as well as various horse-related concepts. Where noted, some terms are used only in American English (US) or British English (UK), or are regional to a particular part of the world, such as Australia (AU).
A
ace Slang for the drug acepromazine or acetyl promazine (trade names Atravet or Acezine), which is a sedative commonly used on horses during veterinary treatment, but also illegal in the show ring. Also abbreviated ACP.
action The way a horse elevates its legs, knees, hock, and feet. Also includes how the horse uses its shoulder, humerus, elbow, and stifle; most often used to describe motion at the trot, but sometimes applied to the canter or gallop. High action is a breed characteristic of Saddlebreds and other breeds used in saddle seat and certain harness disciplines.
aged horse An older horse. Originally referred to a horse with a "smooth mouth", generally eight years old or older, but modern use varies. Term may refer to an animal seven years old or older, nine or older, or ten or older. In horse racing and in some horse shows, an aged horse is one over 4 years. In some contexts, an aged horse is older than 15 years of age.
aging The process of estimating a horse's age by inspecting its teeth.
agistment (AUS) Letting/leasing pasture to horse (or other livestock) owners.
agister (UK) An official of the New Forest Verderers who controls grazing on the Forest by New Forest Ponies and other livestock.
AI Abbreviation for artificial insemination.
aids Signals from the rider or driver to the horse that tell the animal what the handler wants it to do. Generally broken down into two varieties, natural and artificial. Other divisions are possible. Natural aids include the hands, seat, weight, legs and voice Artificial aids which extend, reinforce, or substitute the natural aids include items such as whips, spurs, and martingales.
airs above the ground, airs Movements in haute ecolé or "high school" classical dressage, where the horse leaves the ground with two or four feet in response to the rider's commands. Made famous by the Lipizzan horses at the Spanish Riding School, the airs include the levade, capriole, croupade, courbette, and ballotade. Sometimes called "school jumps".
amateur An individual who exhibits horses but is not paid money or other compensation. The opposite of a professional.
amble See also: gaited horse 1. A general term for a range of four beat intermediate speed gaits that are approximately the speed of a trot or pace but smoother to ride. Various terms for lateral ambling gaits, based on style, speed, rhythm, and breed of horse, include the slow gait, single foot, running walk, stepping pace, sobreandando, paso corto, paso llano, rack, tölt, and paso largo. The term usually refers to lateral gaits, but may be applied to all four beat intermediate speed gaits, including the diagonal four-beat gait referred to by terms such as fox trot, pasitrote, and trocha. 2. The stepping pace. A specific intermediate speed horse gait, a slowed down pace. It is a four beat lateral gait, where the legs on one side of the horse move one immediately following the other, then the legs on the other side. It is a very smooth gait, and is natural to some breeds.
ankle Common but inaccurate term for the fetlock joint.
arena An enclosed area for training or riding horses.
artificial insemination The practice of breeding a mare through human assisted means, with no contact between the stallion and mare. It is done for many reasons, including to protect the two animals, to allow a mare to be bred to a stallion a long distance away, or to allow a stallion to be bred to a larger number of mares than would be possible via natural cover.
astride To ride with one leg on each side of the horse. Compare sidesaddle.
average earnings index (AEI) The AEI measures the earning power of a Thoroughbred sire's progeny by comparing the average earnings of his runners with all other runners of the same age that raced in the same country during a given year.
B
balk, balking (US, UK) or baulking (UK) When a horse refuses to move. Multiple causes, including disobedience, fright, and pain or injury. See also nappy and jib.
barefoot, unshod When a horse does not wear horseshoes
baroque movement A type of horse movement with high, round and elastic strides with marked suspension, historically associated with the classical dressage horses of the 17th century riding halls of Europe, and seen today in breeds such as the Andalusian and Lipizzan. "Baroque horse" is a modern colloquial label used in some equestrian circles to describe horses with baroque movement, or with a conformation reminiscent of horses depicted in Baroque-period art, but it is not a formal or historically attested classification. The term "baroque pinto" is used by a modern registry to describe Friesian-influenced pinto horses marketed as baroque-type, but it does not represent a historical breed.
bearing rein, overcheck or checkrein 1. In driving, a strap used with driving harness to prevent a horse from lowering its head beyond a fixed point or to keep the head raised higher than natural. The strap runs from the harness saddle to the bit and may pass over the horse's head between its ears (overcheck), or run through metal loops on the bridle beside its ears (bearing rein), or run directly from harness saddle to bit. The terms are frequently used interchangeably. 2. In riding, a bearing rein is a term used to indicate when a rein is pressed on a horse's neck on the side towards the turn. Opposite of a neck rein.
bell boot A type of protective boot worn by a horse.
billet (US), girth strap, girth point (UK) A leather strap with punched holes, permanently attached in sets of two or three on each side of the tree of a saddle, used to hold and adjust the girth that holds on most types of saddle. See also latigo.
bit An object, usually a metal bar, placed into the mouth of a horse, held on by a bridle and used with reins to direct and guide the animal. Occasionally made of other materials, including rubber. May be solid or jointed and may have rollers or other attachments added, usually in the center.
bitting rig or bitting harness Tack used to train a horse to accept the bit or achieve a particular head carriage. Usually consists of a surcingle, side reins, and crupper.
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