A glossary of horse terms for beginners.
Coming into the horse world as a beginner can be overwhelming! This industry has its own vocabulary with words you’ve probably never heard. Even experienced riders and horse owners learn new terms every once in a while. Between the various parts of a horse and the different equipment you can use, there’s a lot to learn!
It’s important you take some time to learn these words. You’ll be able to communicate so much easier with other horse folks. It can be helpful to study diagrams of the horses’ body and saddle parts. You can also create flash cards! The best practice is just to spend more time with horses and around other riders. You’ll likely hear the words repeated a bunch.
Important Horse Terms
Balk: Horse refuses to move or listen to the rider
Bit: A piece of equipment that goes into the horse’s mouth for communication while riding
Blaze: A wide white marking that runs down the horse’s face
Break: Training or gentling a horse
Breed: A type of horse
Bridle: A piece of tack that goes over the horse’s head while riding.
Buck: The horse kicks out their hindlegs in the air
Canter: Three-beat gait that is slower than a gallop
Cantle: Back of the saddle
Colt: A male horse under 4 years of age
Dam: A horse’s mother
Dapple: Circular markings found on the horse’s coat
English: A style of riding
Equine: Another word for horse
Equestrian: Someone that rides or handles horses
Farrier: The professional who trims and shoes horses
Fetlock: The joint between the knee and hoof
Filly: A female horse under 4 years of age
Foal: A baby horse
Frog: V-shaped part of your horse’s hoof, which absorbs shock
Gaits: The horses’ movement- walk, trot, canter, gallop
Gelding: A neutered male horse
Girth: Also known as a cinch, this part tightens the saddle to the horse’s back
Groom: Brushing or cleaning the horse
Halter: A head piece used to direct the horse while walking them
Hand: A 4-inch unit used to measure the horse’s height
Hindquarters: The back end of a horse
Hoof: The horse’s foot
Hoof pick: A tool used to clean the hooves
Jog: A slow trot
Lame: A horse that is limping
Lead rope: A rope that attaches to the halter, so you can walk and direct them
Lope: A slower canter used by western riders
Mare: A female horse over 4 years of age
Mucking: Cleaning a horse’s stall or pen
Poll: Between the ears, also known as the highest point of the horse
Pony: A horse under 14.2 hands
Rear: The horse stands up on their back legs with their front ones in the air
Round pen: A circular arena used for training and exercise
Saddle: The piece of tack that goes on the back of the horse for riding
Sire: The horse’s father
Stallion: A male horse over the age of 4
Stud: A male horse used for breeding
Tack: The equipment used in riding
Transition: Changing the horse’s gait
Trot: A two-beat movement that is faster than the walk
Turn out: A horse put out in the field
Vice: A bad habit the horse has
Weaned: A youngster separated from their dam
Western: A style of riding that developed on ranches by cowboys
Wither: The area between the horse’s shoulder blades
Yearling: A 1 year old horse
This is just a small sample of horse terminology you might hear at a barn. These words are great for a beginner to learn, as they’re commonly used!
