Glossary for Riding

RIDING

Diagonals : A normal horse (as opposed to a pacer, who trots laterally) trots diagonally, i.e., his near (left) fore and off (right) hind move forward at the same time, followed by his off fore and near hind. If the rider rises in the saddle at the moment the near fore is going forward, he is said to be on the left diagonal; if he rises as the off fore is going forward, he is on the right diagonal. The rider should alternate the diagonal he rises on so as to share the work load evenly; in this way the chances of one side of the horse stiffening are minimized. (You should also switch the side you rise to on a pacer.)

Impulsion : The means by which a horse moves forward correctly, using his hindquarters, for the forward thrust, thus lightening the forehand.

Leads : A horse is termed leading with the left fore when the left fore appears to extend first in the three-beat gait of canter (actually it is the right hind that is the leading leg in that that leg is the initial leg to strike into canter, but this is much more difficult to see). It is up to the rider to make sure the horse strikes off on the required leg. Alternating leads will share the work load and make for better balance.

On the Forehand : The way an unschooled horse travels going straight into the ground, lacking impulsion, in all probability leaning on the bit. A very tiring method of travel, putting undue stress on the forelimbs thus opening them up to more likelihood of breakdown in endurance work than those of the better-balanced horse moving with correct impulsion (or drive).

Rating : The means whereby the horse and rider progress for ward at an even pace, not rushing one moment only to slow down the next. To rate a horse properly he must be sufficiently schooled to accept discipline, be prepared to move out or come down in speed as required. The rider must recognize at approximately what speed the horse is traveling.

Stabilization : Schooling the horse to such a standard that he will remain in a given speed and length of stride until the rider asks him to change it. Not as easy as it sounds; too many horses speed up as soon as rein pressure lessens, or the reverse - slow down as soon as the rider's legs quit pushing. Getting the horse to stabilize in his gaits is part of initial schooling.

HEALTH

Blistering : As applied to endurance riding can be a scalding where the horse's back temperature through airless tack contact heats up tremendously. Sudden exposure to cold air can cause hair to scald.

Colic : As applied to endurance riding can be caused by a number of reasons in addition to the normal ones :

Cooling Out : The gradual process of lowering body temperature and getting muscles to unwind so no sudden changes take place. The best way of making sure the horse comes out limber next morning.

Dehydration : Loss of body fluids. Too drastic a loss can cause a horse to seize up. Guard against it by access to repeated small amounts of water throughout work.

Distress : The effects shown by the horse of being asked more than he is capable of producing. It will show most clearly in too high a heart rate, as well as unduly accelerated respiration rate. Mucous membrane will also be affected.

Fluid Balance : A horse needs to maintain enough fluids in his body to function adequately. As fluid is sweated out, body salts are also lost. Both must be adequately replaced, the fluid by frequent small amounts of water, thus preventing drastic loss, and the salts by addition to drinking water as needed.

Going Short : Shortening of stride through excessive fatigue and / or gradual stiffening through extreme exertion . Also can be indicative that a horse is "feeling his feet" or becoming sore.

Heart Rate : In a fit horse, 32 to 40 beats to the minute before exertion. Some horses' rates are slower, some faster. With hard work, rate approximately doubles but should decelerate rapidly when work ceases. If it doesn't, the horse is not fit, or alternatively may have some other irritant. If the horse is known to be fit, look for another cause, such as almost imperceptible lameness.

Mucous Membrane : This should be salmon pink in color. Deepening color to darker red shows fatigue. Injected Mucous Membrane. The darkened mucous membrane.

Pressure Bumps can be caused by ill-fitting tack. Also, some horses seem prone to them however many precautions are taken. Adequate padding and well-conditioned tack allied with gradual release of pressure over back area can help alleviate these.

Recovery : As applied to endurance riding, the speed with which a horse's heart and respiration rates approach normal after he has been subjected to the stress of hard work.

Respiration : In a fit horse this is between 12 and 18 to the minute at rest. Will approximately double after hard work, but will decrease rapidly when work ceases. Some very fit horses have a noticeably lower respiration rate both before and after work.

Scouring : Loose dunging. A sign of either excessive excitability or growing fatigue, or both. Constant scouring is very detrimental to maintaining a good fluid balance.

Stocking Up : Filling of legs around and just above fetlock area. If legs remain cool and swelling subsides after work commences, this as with windgalls, should not cause undue concern.

Stress : A horse under pressure of sustained effort.

Thumping Respiration : Very visible hard contractions in respiration (hence the name) as opposed to normal breathing, or even breathing after exertion. The horse will be obviously distressed and in no state to go on. Also accompanied by injected mucous membrane. Caused from horse being overridden and not fit. A fit horse can cope with extra demands. An unfit horse cannot.

Windgalls : Swellings around fetlock area. Most horses who have been subjected to hard work have them. If they are soft and do not interfere with joint movement, and if swelling subsides soon after work commences, windgalls should not cause concern.

FEED

Carbohydrates : These provide the energy for sustained hard work.  

Proteins : These act initially to form strong bones and tissues and in older, working horses to repair tissues.

Roughage : Fiber content of various feeds. A horse needs roughage to keep him in top shape internally.

TDN : Total digestible nutrients. Stated protein contents of various feedstuffs (grains and hays) are not the actual digestible percentage. This is usually about half of the stated figure and this difference should be taken into account when one is working out a horse's nutritional requirements.

Glossary for Saddlery and Horse Equipment

Above the bit : Describes a horse which raises and stretches his head forward with his mouth higher than the rider's hand.

Bars of mouth : The gap in the lower jaw between the molar and incisor teeth or tushes where the bit lies in the mouth.

Behind the bit : Describes a horse which draws his head back away from contact with the bit, thus evading its action i.e. overbent.

Black saddler : Term applied to a maker of driving harness as opposed to riding tack.

Brown saddler : Term applied to a maker of saddles and bridles as opposed to driving harness.

Butt : That part of the cattle hide, i.e. its back, which is the most suitable for the making of saddlery.

Cheeks : (also known as ashanks) The arms of the bit, such as a Weymouth or Hackamore, which can be of various lengths to achieve greater or lesser leverage.

Cheekpieces : Bridle straps to which bit attaches.

Collection : State wherein the horse, by engaging his hindquarters, has his head positioned just in front of the vertical and moves forward in a free yet contained fashion.

Contact : The connection between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth through the reins. Contact should be light but firm, the degree depending on the stage of the horse's schooling.

Curb groove : The groove just behind the horse's chain n front of the lower jaw bones.

Direct Rein : (also known as the opening rein) This is used by the rider opening the rein in the direction in which he wants the horse to move.

Engaging the hocks : (also known as getting hocks well under) When the hind legs advance well under the body and the haunches are lowered through flexion of the stifle and hocks.

Foaling slip : (Dutch slip) Foal's light leather or wed headcollar, adjustable at throat, nose and head, with short strap at back.

Forehand : Collectively describes head, neck, withers, shoulders and forelegs of horse.

Gall : Sore place usually caused by badly fitting tack, frequently under girth or saddle, i.e. girth gall, saddle gall.

Good mouth : Wet mouth, the horse having made saliva by 'mouthing' the bit.

Havana color : Mid-brown saddlery color darker than London and lighter than Warwick color.

Head carriage : The position of the horse's head.

High school airs : (also known as airs above the ground) Those movements performed with either the fore, hind or all four feet off the ground. They are the Levade (the horse raises his fore feet off the ground and  draws them in while the lowered hind quarters bear the body's weight); Courbette (the horse rears and jumps forward on bent hocks); Ballotade ( the horse bends his knees and raises his quarters almost vertically); Croupade (almost the same as the Ballotade); Capriole (the horse half rears and with very flexed hocks jumps forward and up in the air, then kicks out with his hindlegs).

Hollow back : Opposite of roach back; a concave outline, often seen in old horses when it is an indication of age.

Independent seat : That of educated and practised rider able to ride in balance with horse independent of reins and stirrups.

Indirect rein : Opposite of direct rein and used against the opposite side of the neck to the direction in which the horse is required to move.

London color : Light golden brown saddlery color.

Loriner : One who makes bits, stirrups, spurs and other metal saddlery items.

Lungeing : Used in the initial stages of training when lunge line is attached to cavesson headcollar, and the trainer circles horse round him at walk, trot, canter and halt, and teaches obedience to the voice.

Manege : Marked-out enclosure for the teaching of horses and riders.

Near side : The left hand side of the horse.

Off side : The right hand side of the horse.

Overbent : Describes the horse's head when positioned beyond the vertical towards the chest.

Port : High or low arc in mouthpiece centre of straight bar bit; the higher the port the greater the bit's severity.

Roach back : Conformational defect of the horse's back giving the back a convex appearance. It presents problems when fitting a saddle.

Roller : Length of leather or webbing with pads either side of the spine and one or two buckle fastenings. It is placed over a day or night rug to keep the rug in place.

Saddle furniture : Collectively describes stirrups, leathers, girth and buckle guards.

Sprain : Severe strain; may be due to uncoordinated movement in rutted going or sudden extra effort by tired or unfit horse.

Strain : Stretched or pulled muscle or ligament.

Surcingle : Wide hemp, jute or synthetic strap; usually sewn on to night rug, and buckled to keep it in place; web ones are used over racing and eventing saddles for security.

Topline : Term used to describe the shape of the horse from wither to croup. A nicely rounded slightly convex topline should be aimed at.

Warwick color : Very dark brown saddlery color.

Weight cloth : Cloth made of leather and felt with pockets on either side into which lead is inserted for increased weight for eventing and racing. It is placed on the horse's back under the saddle.