Horses Dictionary

aids: The tools used to communicate between rider and horse. Aids may include physical and voice signals as well as gear such as spurs or a whip.

Appaloosa: A breed known for its distinct color patterns and spotted coat. Named by the Nez Perce Indians after the River Palouse.

Appendix: A registered horse of the American Quarter Horse Registry.

appointments: A combination of approved tack and apparel for horse and rider within breed standards.

Arabian: An influential breed of horse with origins in the Middle East.

ascarids: Parasitic roundworms that affect horses.

bald: The pattern of white or light coloration on a horse's face around the eyes and from the poll to the nose.

banged: A tail trim that is straight across the ends.

barefoot: An unshod horse's hoof.

base narrow: A stance in which the horse's legs are closer together when viewed from back or front.

base wide: The horse's stance in which legs appear with a wider space in between when viewing from the front or back.

bay: A distinctive horse coloration that features a black tail and mane and sometimes black lower legs. The body is reddish or tan.

beat: The single note of a gait that can be conducted with one or two legs.

behind the bit: A behavior in which a horse tries to avoid the bit by drawing its head closer to its chest.

blanket: A highlighted color pattern on a horse's rump.

blaze: The marking of a white or light pattern on the face that runs from poll to nose.

bloodworm: A parasitic invasion common to horses.

bot fly: Common to horses, this parasite lays eggs on a horse's belly and legs that can be ingested and cause internal problems.

broodmare: A female horse kept specifically for breeding.

cadence: The timing of a horse's gate based on the rhythm of its footfall.

calk: Specialty grips applied to a horse's heels and shoes to provide steadier footing.

cannon: A portion of the horse's leg lying between the hock (rear leg) or the knee (front leg) and the fetlock.

canter: A slow, gentle gait.

cantle: The back edge of the saddle's seat that is a raised lip.

castration: Removal of the testicles.

cob: A work-capable horse that is smaller than a draft horse but very muscular.

Coggins test: A blood test named for its developer, Dr. Leroy Coggins, in which horses are tested for exposure to equine infectious anemia, or swamp fever. If the test is clear, the horse is issued a Coggins certificate by a veterinarian.

colt: Any male horse that is 4 years old or less.

color: Referring to the patterns and shades of a horse.

conformation: A collective reference to how an individual horse appears in relation to the standards for its specific breed.

cradle: A device attaching to a horse's neck to prevent it from reaching its sides or legs to lick or bite.

crest: The upper section of a horse's neck.

dam: A female horse that has birthed young.

dandy brush: Used for grooming and specialized for removing light dirt and loose hair.

dock: Both the fleshy and bony parts of a horse's tail.

draft horse: A heavy, large breed that is muscular and was originally developed to work on a farm or to pull heavy loads. Includes Clydesdales and Percherons.

dressage: Very precise exercises with patterned movements.

equine: Having to do with horses or referencing the family Equidae, which includes mules, asses, zebras and horses.