Dictionary Page R

Rack

This refers to the antlers of a animal, usually a deer. [ Hunting ]

Racing Homer

This type of pigeon sports the ability to locate her home regardless of where released. She is also able to fly great distances quickly. Homing pigeons unlucky enough to be raced often come from genetic lines manipulated (selectively bred) for the aims of their breeders. [66] [ Pigeon ]

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] [ Equine, Rodeo ]

Ranging

One form of exercising pigeons is to let them loose to fly around their loft. When a pigeon ventures from the area of their home it is called ranging. It also referred to as “tripping” or “scouting.” [66] [ Pigeon ]

Rattling (Rattle)

Rattling is a process by where a hunter takes two opposing sides of antlers (one left and one right side) and meshes them together so as to produce a noise similar to that generated when two male deer fight. Fighting amongst two males will sometimes result in the occasional onlooker. Hunters hope that by rattling they will draw another deer close enough to their position so that they may kill the deer. Rattling is done with both real and artificial antlers. Some hunters believe that real antlers loose their tone over time and must be replenished with new ones. Real antlers can be found when they are naturally shed each year or taken from the body of a deer once it has been killed. If a male deer has been killed and the antlers are not of sufficient size to be considered “trophy” status, then the hunter may saw the antlers off and use them for rattling. [ Hunting ]

RB

This is the abbreviation for a red bar (or mealy) which is a tan color pigeon sporting “red-brown” color bands across the rear portion of her wing. [66] [ Pigeon ]

RC

This is the abbreviation for a red check which is a red colored pigeon with “dark red-brown” markings on the top of her wing. [66] [ Pigeon ]

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] [ Equine, Rodeo ]

Red Bar

Also called “mealy” a red bar is a tan color pigeon sporting “red-brown” color bands across the rear portion of her wing. [66] [ Pigeon ]

Red Check

A red check is a red colored pigeon with “dark red-brown” markings on the top of her wing. [66] [ Pigeon ]

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] [ Equine ]

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. [ Equine ]

Release Point

The area where racing pigeons are released from at the start of a race. [66] [ Pigeon ]

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] [ Equine ]

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] [ Equine ]

Re-ride

If the judges feel a bull is below the standard of the other bulls a rider can be granted a second ride (re-ride). This allows them the opportunity to perform at the same level as the other contestants. [61] [ Rodeo ]

Road Training

This involves taking pigeons some distance from their loft and releasing them so that they have to fly back to their home. This is used as a method of training. It is also called “tossing.” [66] [ Pigeon ]

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). [ Equine, Rodeo ]

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. [ Equine, Rodeo ]

Rub

When a deer uses his antlers to scrape away the bark of a tree it is referred to as a “rub.” Rubs occur when a deer is ready to begin mating. Along with removing some bark from a tree, a rub usually also contains scent markers left by a deer to help advertise his domain as well as his readiness to begin breeding. [5] Sometimes a rub is accompanied by a scrape which is an area of ground that has been scraped by hoof until only dirt remains. A scent marker is usually placed on this scrape through urination. [4] [ Hunting ]

Running Board

A board that runs across the cage (aviary) attached to a loft whereby the pigeons are able to sit or stand on it. [66] [ Pigeon ]

Rut

The “rut” is slang for what is normally referred to as mating season. It is usually used to signify that the male deer have entered mating season, such as when someone says, “The bucks are in rut.” [ Hunting ]

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Posted/Updated: 7/09/04