Dictionary Page H

Halter

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

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] [ Equine ]

Harvest

Harvest is to kill or murder a animal. Every area of animal exploitation has its list of euphemisms that try and obscure what really goes on behind the scenes; hunting is no different. By denoting it as something benign, like picking corn, harvest denies the fact that killing is a mainstay in hunting. [ Hunting ]

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.” [ Equine ]

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. [ Equine ]

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] [ Equine ]

Heart-lung Area

The heart-lung area is the region of a animal that hunters try and aim for in order to kill him/her in a relatively short period of time. As you may have guessed the “heart-lung” area includes the heart and lung. This term is usually used in conjunction with discussions involving large animals. This area is also referred to as the “sweet spot.” [ Hunting ]

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.” [ Equine ]

Hen

Female bird. [66] [ Pigeon ]

High Strung

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

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] [ Equine ]

Home Demo

This is a demonstration (protest) at the home of someone involved in animal exploitation or the support thereof. [ Animal Rights ]

Honker(s)

Slang for a goose or geese, this term is used because some language of a goose is reminiscent to a horn being “honked.” [ Hunting ]

Hooples

This is a long pole atop which sits a structure resembling the head of a tennis racket. It is used to guide pigeons into the loft “trap.” [66] [ Pigeon ]

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] [ Equine, Factory Farming, Rodeo ]

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Posted/Updated: 7/09/04