Dictionary Main


Word rarity: = commonly used = occasionally used = obsolete


Words with two dots are between categories.
Total words in this section: 46

ABAXIAL

Farrier's term. Something abaxial is away from the central axis of its structure.

links:

ABDOMEN

The area of a horse's middle that contains the intestines and stomach.

links:

ABDUCT

When one area of the body moves away from another part (such as one leg moving forward to meet the other).

links:

ABOVE THE BIT

When the horse carries it's nose above the rider's hands, reducing the rider's control.

links:

ABRASION

A scrape on the skin.

links:

ABSCESS

An infection in the sensitive hoof tissues, often causes lameness, and requires draining. Once puss has been drained from the hoof, the horse will usually recover quickly. If not drained, it will usually work itself out of the hoof, making a hole along the coronet band or at the bulbs of the heels, and will then drain.

links:

ACCESSORY CARPAL

Pisiform bone, in the back of the knee. It does not support horse's weight, it is a sesamoid bone and functions as a pulley that flexor tendons can use to gain leverage.

links:

ACCLOY

To hobble a horse by driving a horseshoe nail in wrong; see 'quick'.

links:

ACORN

A type of nut that is poisonous to horses in large amounts.

links:

ACTION

The way a horse moves and carries himself as he moves.

links:

ADDED MONEY

In a rodeo or horse event, the extra prize money that is added to the contestant's entry fees. The winner takes all or some percent of the 'pot', which is all the prize money, including the added and the entry fee money.

links:

ADDUCT

When one part of the body moves toward another (such as a horse's legs).

links:

ADVANCED HORSE

A horse that is well trained.

links:

AFGHANISTAN HORSE BREEDS

Breeds of horses found in Afghanistan are the Herati, Mazari, Qatgani, Turkistani, Waziri and Yabut breeds.

links:

AGE

How old a horse is in years.

links:

AGED

Refers to an older horse, usually more than 15 years old.

links:

AGING

The act of determining a horse's age by looking at mainly the animal's teeth and partially its physical condition.

links:

AIDS

Used by the rider or handler of a horse to communicate. Legs, hands, and voice are examples of natural aids; spurs, crops, reins, etc., are examples of artificial aids.

links:

AIRS ABOVE THE GROUND

Classical horsemanship movements trained to highly-schooled horses. As the name implies, the movements usually bring the horse above the ground- either partway, such as rearing, or fully, such as the capriole, in which the horse leaps into the air and kicks its hind legs out. The Lipizzaner horses of Vienna, Austria are well known for their airs above the ground maneuvers.

links:

ALFALFA

Southwest Asian perennial herb (Medicago sativa) having compound leaves with three leaflets and clusters of usually blue-violet flowers. It is a widely used hay crop for horses and livestock.

links:

ALTER

Sometimes used to refer to gelding a stallion.

links:

AMBLE

A slow, lateral pacing gait.

links:

ANHIDROSIS

The inability to sweat. First reported in Thoroughbred racehorses who were taken from temperate to tropical climates, but occurs in any breed of horse. This can be deadly, as the horse cannot regulat its body temperature and can result in overheating.

links:

ANIMAL RIGHTS

The belief that that animals, like humans, should have rights and not be owned or used. Some consider zoos, rodeos, kennels, horseback riding, and owning pets cruel; many want to end all ownership and use of animals. Pets, wool, rescue dogs, meat, seeing eye dogs, eggs, horse riding or breeding, silkworms, leather, medicines from animal products, animal research, horse shows, police dogs, and fishing are just a few of the things that they are agains. Since they are against animal ownership, many will oppose horse ownership, horse racing, rodeo, and horseback riding. See "Animal Welfare".

links:

ANIMAL WELFARIST

One who believes that animals can be owned and used, but not abused or treated cruelly. They are interested in the animal's health, happiness, and well-being (it's welfare), as opposed to the animal's rights. They promote teaching about animal care and humane use. They are not against riding or owning horses, horse shows, rodeos, pets, or humane slaughter of animals. They do not wish to end the use of animals or animal products; however, many are against animal research unless it is used to save human lives. They do not protest as much as animal 'rights' activists, but instead they rescue, adopt, and rehome animals. They often set up animal shelters or care facilities, and offer information on the proper way to treat and keep animals.

links:

ANIMULE

A old, crippled horse. British origins, used by the Mountain People of Central Pennsylvania.

links:

ANOREXIA

A lack of appetite, usually caused by a disease. The horse will refuse to eat or will eat little, loose weight rapidly, act dull and lifeless, and will have an unhealthy physical appearance. If not treated, the horse will die.

links:

ANVIL

A farrier's tool: heavy iron or steel base for shaping horse shoes.

links:

AORTA

A large artery in horses and all mammals that carries blood to arteries of the limbs and organs except lungs.

links:

APPALOOSA

An American light horse breed that was bred by northwest Indian tribes near the Palouse valley. It is known for its spotted coat, wispy mane and tail, striped hooves, and white sclera (area around eye). It is very common and is very versatile, used from everything from dressage to rodeo.

links: Appaloosa Horse Club

APPENDIX

A Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred cross horse that is registered with the AQHA, American Quarter Horse Association.

links:

 

APPLE BUTT

More frequently used in draft breeds. Refers to a horse whose buttocks are higher than the spine, and when viewed from behind resemble the top of an apple (rounded buttocks with a low spot in the middle).

 

APPUYER

Old French word describing a movement where horse goes forward and to one side. In America it is known as 'two-tracking' or travelling on two paths.

links:

APPY

Short for 'Appaloosa'.

links:

APRON

A garmet made of leather or ballistic nylon worn by farriers to protect their legs from hot shoes or horseshoe nails.

links:

ARAB

Short for 'Arabian'.

links:

ARABIAN

A breed of horse that was developed in the deserts of Arabia. It was used as a warhorse but was very loved by its masters; in fact, the Bedouins would often allow the horses to sleep in their tent and eat with them. Being bred with humans for so long produced a patient, kind, loving, intelligent animal. The Arabian is also known for its endurance and beauty; no other breed can beat an Arabian in an endurance race. Arabs also have a natural 'floating' gait, and less ribs, lumbar bones, and vertebrae than other breeds. Bedouins prized bay mares for war, especially swift gentle ones. Today Arabians are very popular as trail riding, showing, or endurance horses.

links: Arabian Horse Registry of America

ARENA

A large indoor or outdoor riding area usually fenced, and with soft footing.

links:

ARM & HAMMER

A brand of forged farrier's anvils produced between 1900 to 1950.

links:

ARMLETS

Numbered armband worn by a racehorse's groom or person leading a racehorse.

links:

ARRAPPALOOSA

Cross between an Arabian horse and an Appaloosa horse.

links:

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

The act of impregnating a mare without bringing her in contact with a stallion. Semen is collected from a stud, then shipped to the mare owner, and the mare is impregnated by a vet with the semen received from the stud.

links:

ASS

Another name for a donkey. Also, one of these two equines: The African wild ass (Equss asinus) or the Asiatic wild ass (Equss hemionus).

links:

ATLAS

The first vertabrae in the horse's neck.

links:

ATROPHY

A deterioration of body tissue.

links:

AVASCULAR NECROSIS

A bone disease seen in young, sometimes overworked, horses where the bones die and deteriorate from lack of blood. This disease also goes by other names: aseptic necrosis, osteochrondritis, and ischemic bone necrosis.

links:

AVERAGE

Rodeo term. The scores in all the 'go rounds' (person's turn in an event) plus the score of the 'short go' (championship round).

links:

AXIS (AXIAL)

Farrier's term. The central line of a body part, on or close to the line where the structure would rotate. The center pivitol point.

links:

AZOTURIA

Also known as 'Monday Morning Sickness', 'Setfast', and 'Tying up', it is a painful condition in which the horse's muscles cramp up. Often happens to horses on rich diets, especially after they have had a day or two of rest. The term 'Monday morning sickness' came about because in earlier years horses would usually get Azoturia on Monday. Why? Because hard working horses were often allowed to rest on the weekends; their owners would also give them a bit extra feed as a treat. The combination of sudden rest and extra feed would cause the muscle to tighten and the horse to come down with Azoturia.

links: