Like with many industries, there is
plenty of jargon to get your head around in the world of horse
ownership. If you're a new owner, this is your essential guide to
equine terminology and their definitions:
Action: In horse terminology,
'action' refers to the way a horse moves at various gaits such as
walking, trotting, cantering, and galloping
Aged: 'Aged' refers to a horse over
9 years old. Horses that are 'aged' are normally at the end of their
racing career.
Bomb Proof: A horse described as
'bomb proof' is a horse that doesn't spook easily. These horses are
usually well trained and extremely calm minded.
Broodmare: A 'broodmare' is a female
horse used solely for breeding.
Colt: A 'colt' is a male horse,
under four years old, that hasn't been castrated.
Cribbing: Ever noticed your horse
chewing on wood? This is known as 'cribbing' and is often associated
with boredom and confinement as opposed to hunger.
Dam: The 'dam' is the mother of the
horse.
Dapples: This term refers to the
round, coloured markings on a horses' coat. Different coloured
dapples are due to different genes and pigmentations in the body
hair. It is these markings that make a horse stand out.
Filly: A female horse under the age
of four, is called a 'filly'. In thoroughbred horses, females are
considered fillies until the age of 5.
Groundwork: 'Groundwork' refers to
all the pre-training you do with a horse. This includes lead rope
work, and long line training. You carry out efficient ground work
before using reins and introducing a saddled rider.
Hands: Hands (hh) is the common way
to measure a horses' height. One hand is equivalent to four inches.
Depending on the breed of the horse, the will range in height from 14
hands right through to 18 hands.
Sire: 'Sire' is the farther of a
horse.
Stallion: A 'stallion' is a male
horse over 4 years old that hasn't been castrated. They often have a
thicker neck and more muscular physique than their castrated
counterparts. This is due to the presence of more testosterone.
Tack: 'Tack' is refers to all the
gear that comes with owning a horse, including the bridle, saddle,
stirrups, ropes and riding boots.
Yearling: A 'yearling' is a horse
that is just approaching or has just turned one. They are much like
adolescents in that they are not yet fully emotionally and physically
mature.
So there you have it - a quick
rundown of some essential horse owners' terminology. There are plenty
of other terms you will hear along the way, but they are easy enough
to pick up as you go along.
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