Equine Lexicon

Here you can find all things horses; from show to rodeo. This dictionary is meant to educate activists in the terminology of the horse industry allowing them to better understand what is discussed by those involved in the various aspects pertaining to horses.

Arabian

Originating, as the name suggests, in Arabia this horse was bred by the Bedouin tribe. Arabian horses are known for their “gentle, affectionate nature, [. . .] striking look and proud spirit.” Arabian horses are gray, chestnut, bay, roan, and sometimes black. An Arabian horse is usually 58 - 62 in / 147 - 157 cm (14.2 – 15.2 hands) in height and between 800 and 1000 lbs / 364 – 455 kg. [18]

Bareback (Bronco) Riding

For bareback bronc riding the “bareback riggin” (used to give the rider something to hold on to) is tied directly to the horse (sic). The rigging has a handhold built into it allowing the rider a place to secure one or two hands. Before a rider leaves the starting chute they must have their feet raised above the horses shoulders; when leaving the chute they must “rake,” or lean back towards the rear of the horse. Failure to do this is called “marking out” and results in an immediate disqualification. [46] A contestant can ride with one hand or two, but must declare their preference prior to the ride. The event has two judges that rate the horse and rider awarding up to 50 points for each resulting in a maximum possible score of 100. Disqualification results from being bucked off before six seconds and touching the horse, equipment, or self with the free hand. The goal is to ride six seconds in better form than the other riders and receive a resultantly higher score. [30] Some points are incidental as a rider cannot absolutely control how hard a horse bucks; something that judges award higher scores for.

Bareback Rigging

This is the rigging tied to a horse to provide a rider a handhold while bareback riding. Most rigging is made of leather.

Barrel Racing

This is a race where each rider is timed as they cross a start line and complete a course circling three barrels placed in a triangular formation. The timer stops when the rider crosses the same line from which they started and the best time wins. A rider receives a 5 second penalty for knocking over a barrel and is disqualified for deviating from the “prescribed course.” [41]

Bit

A bridle is composed of three components; the bit, reins, and headstall. The bit is a metal bar placed in a horses mouth connected to reins. This setup is used to steer a horse. Bits come in various “shapes and severity.” [31]

Black Water

Horses that are severely suffering from what is broadly termed as “tying-up” may exhibit a condition where they pass dark colored urine. This condition, called myoglobinuria, has been dubbed “black water.” It is caused by the bloodstream absorbing protein released from damaged fibrous muscle tissue. The protein is then passed through the urine after being filtered via the kidneys. [29]

Break Away Roping

This is an event where a calf is released from holding with rider/roper in toe. To compete successfully the rider must throw the looped end of the rope around the calf’s head. The other end of the rope is attached to the horn on the saddle by string which breaks away after the calf runs past the ropes length. [20] The rider who can rope their respective calf in the shortest amount of time is the winner.

Cutting

Cutting is the practice of separating one cow from a herd. A competitor is given two and a half minutes to separate, or cut, as many cows from the herd as is possible. The rider walks their horse into the herd and selects a cow to cut. Once a cow is selected the rider allows the reins to go loose and holds on by the saddle horn. The horse must stop the selected cow from rejoining the herd. A rider may signal the horse to quit cutting a particular cow and select a different cow at any time. Each contestant is judged by a panel and awarded 60 to 80 points by every judge. The highest and lowest scores are eliminated and the remaining three (middle scores) are added to arrive at each contestant’s final score. [37] The highest score wins.

Cutting Pen

This is the environment in which the activity of “cutting” is performed. A cutting pen can be either a place where horses are trained to cut or the actual arena in which they perform. Usually, it is a large fenced in area so that it can accommodate a horse and rider as well as the cows that the horse will be cutting from the herd. For info on what the practice of cutting is please view “Cutting.”

Dallying Off (Dally)

This is the action of wrapping a rope around the saddle horn while mounted on a horse. [23] One end of the rope is held taut to keep the it from coming unwound while the other end is secured to an animal. This provides an anchor for the rope, which the rider could never hold otherwise, when the restrained animal struggles to free itself.

Dam

This is a female horse who has bore children. [40] The non-speciesist term would be "mother."

Draft Horse

This is a type of horse characterized by a large frame and muscular physique. These horses have long hair on their legs and weigh between 1200 and 2000 lbs / 545 and 909 kg. [25] [34] An example of a draft horse would be the ever popular (and exploited) Clydesdale used by Anheuser-Busch.

Dressage

This is mainly a show event (think pomp and circumstance). Riders don luxurious or “proper” apparel and mount a horse that has what they view as superior dressage characteristics such as body stance, lines, and breed attributes. There is contemporary dressage and classical dressage. Contemporary dressage involves more modern attire, while classical dates back to the Baroque period in Europe and was started by the aristocracy. [42] It is thus modeled after the dressage look during that period.

Driving

This is where a horse is driven as opposed to ridden. Driving horses pull a driver behind them in a variety of ways such as in carriages and coaches.

Filly

A female horse generally under 4 years old. [40]

Flag Racing

Contestants ride a pattern in the shape of a triangle. The first corner is marked by a barrel on top of which is a bucket holding a flag. Riders guide their horses around the first corner grabbing the flag as they pass. Riders then progress to and round the second corner (top of the triangle pattern) marked by a pole. When they approach the third corner there is a barrel with a bucket atop. The flag gathered at the start of the race must be placed successfully in the bucket at the third corner. If the bucket or pole on the first two corners is knocked over a five second penalty is assessed. If a contestant knocks over the last bucket or barrel a disqualification will result. Contestants may choose to run either clockwise or counterclockwise. [21] The fastest time wins.

Gelding

This is a male horse that has had his testicles removed (orchiectomy). [40]

Grade Animal (Horse)

A grade animal is one which cannot be clearly demarcated by breed. That is, the animal did not come from any specific breed. Horses and ponies considered grade animals have a variety of characteristics and vary in size and color. In the Equine world they are used for an array of different purposes unlike other horses which are generally bred for a particular activity. [25]

Halter

A halter is a headstall with a rope meant to lead or hold a horse. [31]

Hand

This is a reference to a type of crude measuring system. A "hand" is the equivalent of 4 inches. If a horse is 15 hands tall then it is actually 60 inches (5 feet) in height. A hand is divisible by inches meaning that a horse could be 15.2 hands, which would be 62 inches tall (5 feet 2 inches). However, a horse cannot be 15.4 hands because that would be 5 feet and 4 inches. Remember that four inches is a hand. Therefore, instead of 15.4 it would be 16 hands tall. Measurements are taken from the ground to the top of the horse’s shoulder between the neck and back, an area called the withers. This is the highest skeletal structure on a horse that cannot vary. For instance, a measurement could be taken from the top of the head, but it would change depending on the position of the horse. [32]

Header

This is the person in the mounted rodeo event “team roping” that is responsible for roping a steer around his horns. The header’s team mate is called a heeler and is responsible for roping the cow’s hind feet. [23] See also “Team Roping.”

Heading and Healing

This is slang for the mounted rodeo event team roping. It is named as such because during the event one person secures a rope around a cow’s neck (heading) and another rider secures a rope around the cow’s feet (heeling). The ropes are then wrapped around the saddle horn and the horses are backed up pulling the ropes and causing the cow’s neck to be stretched and its rear feet to be pulled of the ground.

Headstall

A bridle is composed of three components; the bit, reins, and headstall. The headstall is formed from straps that fit around the head of a horse. One headstall strap is located behind the ears, the other slightly behind the mouth. Both are attached by a common strap which runs across the lower sides of the horses head. [31]

Heeler

This is the person in the mounted rodeo event “team roping” that is responsible for roping a cow around his hind feet. The heeler’s team mate is called a header and is responsible for roping the cow’s horns. [23] See also “Team Roping.”

High Strung

A high strung horse is one that is nervous and easily excitable.

Hobbles

These are a type of shackle in the form of a strap that when placed around horse's legs prevent it from walking. It is used to keep a horse stationary. [31]

Hot-Shot

This is an electrical prod used to force animals into moving or performing. The term Hot-Shot is often used as a generic term to describe all types of electric shocking devices. The actual Hot-Shot made by Division Miller Manufacturing Company is currently sold by varying color handles which indicate the severity of electrical shock delivered by each prod. A green handle is rated by the manufacturer as “Premium” the blue as “Medium Power” and the red as “Economical.” It should be noted that the manufacturer refrains from calling their premium prod “High or Maximum Power.” This is no doubt due to the reality such a description would reveal. There is also a compact model which is entirely black and could all but be concealed in an individual’s hand. [58]

Lateral Sidepassing

Sidepassing is the learned act of walking sideways. Horses do not regularly side step they must be taught. If the horse proceeds to move in a diagonal direction (45 degrees from forward motion) then she can be said to be performing lateral sidepassing. [28] See also Regular Sidepassing.

Light Horse

A light horse is a type of horse larger than a pony and smaller than a draft horse. This medium sized horse weighs between 900 and 1200 lbs / 409 and 545 kg. [25] [34]

Mare

This a female horse or “equine” that is old enough to be considered mature or ‘of breeding age.” [40]

Marking Out (Marked Out)

For bareback bronc riding the rider must posture themselves by placing their feet above the horses shoulders and lean their body back close to the horse’s rear quarters. If a rider fails to do this it is called “marking out” and results in a disqualification. [46]

Morgan

The ancestry of the Morgan horse sprang from one individual named “Figure,” though he became known by his owner’s name of Justin Morgan. The Morgan horse traits have been bred into most light horse breeds in America due to their highly remarkable qualities. A Morgan horse stands between 58-62 in. / 147-157 cm. (14.2-15.2 hands). The horses’ main colors are bay, brown, or chestnut with the occasional palomino, buckskin, black, or gray. Morgan horses are used for a variety of tasks and perform most of them well. They have been used for work, show, carriage racing, cutting, “therapeutic riding programs,” and as a mount for police. [45]

Paint

This horse’s heritage spans back to Spanish settlers and the two-toned horses they brought with them. Some of these Spanish horses eventually found themselves without owners and came to establish some of the wild herds of horses that are all but disappearing today. Many of these wild horses were captured and used by settlers and native Indians. The name of this horse is derived from a bright contrast of colors appearing as if someone had to paint the colors in order to achieve such a striking look. The constant in the Paint horse’s coloration is white, but any one of a variety of colors may accompany it such as, “black, bay, brown, chestnut, dun, grulla, sorrel, palomino, gray or roan.” There is some confusion that a Paint horse is also a Pinto, but the latter refers only to a type of coloration. In short, horses considered Pintos are registered because of their unique coloration and Paint horses are registered because of their bloodline. A horse could have both the ancestry and the coloration to be dually registered, but the two are not mutually inclusive. The bloodlines of these horses are strictly regimented and proof must be shown in order to register a individual as a Paint horse that its lineage came from one of three clubs (Thoroughbred, American Quarter Horse Association, or American Paint Horse Association). [44] This horse can be up to 64 in. / 163 cm. (16 hands) in height. They are used today for “ranch work, rodeo, trail riding, US racing, showing, jumping, dressage,” and “driving.” [43]

POA

An acronym for Pony of the Americas. See "Pony of the Americas."

Pole Bending

A Rodeo event where a horse and rider must successfully weave between six poles (six feet high) placed 21 feet apart. Participants must weave through the poles circling the last and returning in a like manner. If a pole is knocked down five seconds are added to the overall time; departure from the established pattern or course results in a disqualification. [22] The participant with the quickest time is the winner.

Poly

This is slang for synthetic rope. [33] The word “poly” is derived from materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon (don’t ask me on that one) used in the manufacture of this rope.

Poly Saccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)

PSSM is a result of an excess of glycogen accumulated in the muscles of affected horses. A horse afflicted with this condition is generically dubbed as “Tying-Up.” Horses with PSSM are considered to have a chronic problem. Symptoms vary but can include sweating, inability to move, trouble lying down or standing, assuming a stance similar to that of when urinating, firm muscles with tactile soreness, or dark colored urine. [29]

Pony (Ponies)

A pony is the smallest type of horse measuring below 54 inches / 134 cm in height. Ponies are characterized by a stocky body and neck and a “full” mane and tail. [25] Ponies weigh less than 900 lbs / 409 kg. [34]

Pony of the Americas

This pony was created in 1954 in Iowa from many different breeds of horses and ponies including the Arab, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Welsh Pony, and Shetland Pony. This pony was originally bred for children who were at an intermediate stage in their riding. That is, they were too big for a smaller pony yet to small for a horse. The Pony’s height is usually between 46 and 56 in / 117 and 142 cm (11.2 to 14 hands). The main colors of this pony breed are white with brown spots, though the pattern of the spots varies. These ponies can also be distinguished by “vertical black and white stripes” on their hooves. The Pony of the Americas is used as a mount for children, games, jumping, and show. [47]

Quarter Horse

This is a saddle horse that has above average stamina and can reach high speeds for short durations of time and distance. Usually preferred for “range work and rodeos.” [36]

Quit the Cow

A horse separates cows from a herd in an event called “cutting.” If a cow is uncooperative a rider may signal the horse to “quit a cow” which is the command to allow the cow to return to the herd. The horse will then be directed to a different cow to cut from the herd. [37]

Rake

To “rake” is to posture the body in a lying position while atop a bronc preparing to ride bareback. A rider must also position their feet above the shoulders of the horse. [46]

Reata

Used as an alternative to rope, reata is made from braided rawhide (dried animal skin). It is a traditional lasso, but requires more skill on the part of the user and proper environmental conditions. A novice can easily create too much stress on the reata and cause it to break. Also, reata does not fair well in humid conditions. [33]

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER)

RER is a condition often seen in “young and nervous fillies.” It results from a problem in the way the muscles contract. Horses that exhibit this condition may be generically said to be “Tying-Up.” [29]

Regular Sidepassing

Sidepassing is the learned act of walking sideways. Horses do not regularly side step they must be taught. If the horse is moving directly sideways (at a right angle to her forward direction) then she is performing regular sidepassing. [28] See also Lateral Sidepassing.

Reining

This is an arena event designed to demonstrate a horse’s athletic prowess in front of a set of judges. [38] Each horse and rider begins a predefined course with a score of 70; points are added and deducted according to the exhibited performance. Judges look for “smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority when performing the various maneuvers.” [39]

Reins

A bridle is composed of three components; the bit, reins, and headstall. The reins are straps that connect to a bit (metal bar) in a horse’s mouth and are meant to be “held and manipulated by the rider.” Such a setup allows the rider to steer a horse. Reins can be of an open or closed design; open reins are two separate straps connected to each side of the bit. The advantage to this is that if a rider falls they do not run the risk of becoming entangled in the reins. A closed rein is a single piece of strap that connects to the bit and encircles around the back of a horse’s neck. [31]

Rough Stock

Rough stock is the name for the category under which the rodeo events of bare back bronc riding, chute dogging, steer riding, and bull riding is listed. [48] These sports generally involve a fair amount of danger for the participants (animals included).

Rowel

A rowel is the agitating end of a spur. It is the circular piece that is formed in a way as to have points, or flattened edges, and is connected to the back of spurs. A rowel is the piece that actually contacts a horse causing the discomfort needed to force her into performing various activities.

Shetland

This pony is the most common and well known of its counterparts. The Shetland pony is usually less than 40 in / 101 cm (10 hands) in height and weighs between 300 and 500 lbs / 136 and 237 kg. The Shetland pony has no distinct color or pattern to its coat. They are used primarily as a mount for children. [25]

Sidepassing

Sidepassing is the learned act of walking sideways. Horses do not regularly side step they must be taught. There are two types of sidepassing depending on which way a horse is moving. If a horse is moving directly sideways (at a right angle to her forward direction) then she is performing regular sidepassing. However, if a horse proceeds to move in a diagonal direction (45 degrees from forward motion) then she can be said to be performing lateral sidepassing. [28]

Spur

The spur is the metal bracket that connects to a riders boot. At the tip of the spur is a rowel. The rowel is the sharpened disc meant to cause discomfort and/or pain to the horse in order to force her into following the commands of her rider.

Standard Bred

This type of horse has ancestry branching from the blood lines of thoroughbreds. Though smaller in comparison, standard-bred horses are commonly used in harness racing by virtue of their speed capability. [27]

Stirrups

These are footholds for a rider that hang from a saddle.

Team Roping

This is an event performed while mounted on horseback by two separate riders. One rider is called the header and the other the heeler. The purpose of this event is for the header to rope a cow around his horns and the heeler to rope the both of the cow’s rear feet. Once the ropes are tightly rung around the cow's horns and rear feet, both riders wrap their ends around their saddle horns, known as “dallying off.” [23] The riders now turn their horses to face one another on opposing sides of the cow and back up drawing the ropes tight. This forces the cow’s neck to stretch out while his rear feet are pulled off the ground. This is the finale signaling that the riders have finished. The team with the quickest time is the winner.

Thoroughbred

This horse is considered to have the best combined traits of speed and stamina. Thoroughbred horses are said to have the desired traits of “increased lung capacity, long sloping shoulders that allow longer strides” and “a long body and hind leg.” Thoroughbred horses are also branded with the image of being “high-strung, nervous and temperamental.” “Thoroughbreds are bred to mature at an early age because of the economics of the horse racing industry.” Because of this, many of these young horses “breakdown” and are retired with injuries and physical difficulties. [26]

Tying Up

See "Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis"

Warmblood

In essence a warmblood is another name for crossed bloodlines that is the result of pairing a Thoroughbred or Arabian horse with another breed of horse. [24]

Welsh (Pony/Cob)

This pony is 40 to 48 in / 101 to 122 cm (10 to 12 hands) in height and usually weighs less than 500 lbs / 227 kg. They sport the color schemes chestnut and bay, or gray and black. [25] The Welsh pony is used for a child’s mount, jumping, and hunting. [35]

Working Cow Horse

A working cow horse competes in an event of the same name (working cow horse event). The event has three tasks “reining, cutting, and fence work” and is meant to determine the most versatile and best performing horse. [19]

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Posted/Updated: 12/15/03