Glossary of common equestrian terms
Horse Gear
Bell Boots: Rubber or synthetic boots that wrap around a horse’s hooves to protect the heel area from injuries and to prevent horseshoes from being pulled off
Bit: A metal bar that goes in the horse’s mouth. It connects to the reins and lets the rider communicate with the horse.
Blinkers: A pair of leather pieces that attach to the bridle and cut off the horse’s peripheral vision. Typically, on horses used for pulling buggies and wagons.
Bosal: A braided rawhide or leather noseband used on a bitless horse bridle, also known as a hackamore.
Breast Collar: A strap system that sits across a horse’s chest and attaches to the saddle . Its primary purpose is to anchor the saddle, keeping it from sliding backward or sideways—especially when riding uphill, moving at high speeds, or performing sharp turns.
Bridle: A piece of equipment that fits on a horse’s head and holds the bit and reins, helping the rider guide the horse.
Crupper: It consists of a strap attached to the back of a saddle or harness that loops gently under the horse’s tail. Its primary purpose is to prevent the saddle from sliding forward onto the animal’s neck, which is especially helpful for steep terrain, mules, or round, flat-backed horses
Girth: A strap that goes under the horse’s belly to keep the saddle in place
Hackamore: a type of bit. There are two types, the traditional that uses a bosal and a mecate (a continuous rope rein often made of horsehair), and the mechanical type that uses a metal leverage system to apply pressure to the top of the nose.
Halters: A headpiece used to lead or tie up a horse when not riding. It doesn’t have a bit.
Lead Rope: A rope that’s attached to the halter and used for guiding the horse on foot
Reins: Straps attached to the bit and held by the rider to steer or stop the horse
Saddle: A seat strapped to the horse’s back for the rider to sit on
Saddle Bags: Traditional panniers that drape over the back of a horse behind the saddle. They are designed to carry trail necessities, food, and water.
Saddle Pad: A cushioned pad placed between the saddle and the horse’s back
Stirrups: Footrests hanging from each side of the saddle to help the rider mount and balance
Rider Gear
Body Protector: A padded vest that helps protect a rider’s chest and back from injury
Gloves: Worn to protect hands and give better grip on the reins
Helmet: A safety device made to protect the rider’s head in case of a fall
Riding Boots: Sturdy boots with a small heel to keep feet from slipping through the stirrups
Riding Pants (Breeches or Jodhpurs): Pants made for comfort and flexibility while riding. They often have extra padding at the knees.
Parts of a Horse
By Owain Davies – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15364546
Terms to Describe Horses
Colt: A young male horse
Filly: A young female horse
Foal: A baby horse (less than a year old)
Gelding: A castrated male horse
Green Horse: A horse that is new to training or riding
Hands: The unit used to measure a horse’s height. One hand equals 4 inches.
Mare: An adult female horse
Stallion: An adult male horse that has not been castrated
Yearling: A 1-year-old horse
Riding Terminology
Canter: A three-beat gait, faster than a trot
Cross-Country: An endurance event for horses and riders that includes jumps along the course
Cue: A signal the rider gives the horse using their legs, voice, hands, or body movement
Dismount: To get off a horse
Dressage: A competitive event that judges how well a horse and rider work together to complete a series of movements
Eventing: A sport that includes dressage, cross-country, and show jumping
Fox Trot: A smooth, four-beat diagonal gait where the animal walks with its front legs and trots with its back legs.
Gallop: The fastest horse gait. It’s a full run.
Half-Halt: A brief pause or light pull on the reins to get the horse’s attention or ask for better balance
Mount: To get on a horse
Pace: A fast 2 beat gait, where the front and back legs on one side are moving forward, and the front and back legs on the other side are moving back.
Posting: When the rider rises and sits in rhythm with the horse’s trot to make the ride smoother
Show Jumping: A competition based on how quickly a horse and rider can jump over a series of obstacles
Trot: A two-beat gait, faster than a walk but slower than a canter
Walk: A slow, four-beat gait
General Horse Terms
Barn: Another word for a stable, though it may also store feed and gear
Farrier: A person who trims and shoes horse hooves
Grooming: Brushing and cleaning a horse to keep it healthy and comfortable
Paddock: A small field or fenced-in area where horses can exercise
Pasture: A large grassy area where horses graze and move around freely
Arena: A large riding space divided into sections for different training purposes, such as jumping, barrel racing, pole bending, calf roping, or riding on level ground, etc.
Stable: A building where horses live
Tack: All the gear used on a horse for riding or working
Trainer: Someone who teaches horses and riders