Ponypedia
| Word | Description | |
|---|---|---|
Action | The way in which a horse moves. | |
| Aids are the 'language' used by the rider to communicate with the horse. An Artificial Aid is something which is man made and and includes things like Spurs or Whips | |
Bend (The Bend of The Horse) | When moving on a curve, a circle or round a corner, the horse should appear to bend his body uniformly from poll to tail to match the curve he is travelling on. | |
Bone | A term used in conformation referring to the circumference of the bone below the knee. If the measurement is generous, the horse is said to have ‘good bone’ or ‘plenty of bone’; if it is not generous, the horse is ‘short of bone.’ | |
Bounce | When landing over an obstacle the horse immediately jumps the next one without taking a stride. | |
| Starting to sweat again after exercise, having previously cooled off. | |
Bringing up | Bringing a horse to live in a stable when he has previously been living in a field. | |
Calkin | A raised and squared thickening of the metal of the hind shoe at the outer edge of the heel, which increases grip. A similar effect is produced on the inside heel by thickening the metal into a wedge shape
| |
Cast (in box or stable) | A horse lying down and unable to get up: usually as a result of rolling over too close to the wall, or getting his feet caught under the manger. | |
Cast, to (a shoe) | A horse is said to have cast a shoe when the shoe comes off by accident: i.e. is not removed deliberately. | |
Check, to | To steady the horse. Also used in hunting when hounds lose the scent, thus allowing a short respite for the field (mounted followers). | |
Cheek (on a bit) | The straight side-part of some bits. | |
| Chifney | A bit used for leading horses who are difficult to control. | |
Circuit-breaker | A device fitted in a wall-socket. When electric clippers, for example, are plugged into it, the power will instantly be cut off if there is a fault in the machine or its cable – thus preventing an electric shock. | |
Clench | The part of the nail which during shoeing is left projecting from the wall of the hoof after the end of the nail has been twisted off. The metal is then bent over and hammered in to secure the shoe to the foot | |
Cold hosing | The use of a gentle stream of cold water to reduce inflammation. | |
Concussion | The ‘jar’ caused to the feet and legs of a horse when working on hard ground. Also, a brain injury. | |
Cradle | A light frame fitted around a horse’s neck to prevent him from biting or licking wounds, blisters, bandages, etc. | |
Double bridle | A bridle with two bits and two sets of reins. | |
Dumped toe | This occurs when the wall of the hoof is rasped and rounded at the toe so that it fits the shoe. | |
Falling in | This occurs when, in order to compensate for stiffness or loss of balance, a horse turning on a circle or around a corner moves his shoulder in and comes off the true circle. | |
Gamgee | Cotton wool encased in gauze. | |
Going, the | The condition of the ground. | |
Hacking | Exercising (i.e. going for a ride), as opposed to working. | |
Hacking on | Riding to or from a venue without making excessive demands on the horse’s energy. | |
Hot up, to | A horse who becomes unduly excited, particularly when ridden, is said to ‘hot up’. | |
Inside (The Inside Hand or Leg) | The Inside is the side of the horse that is on the inside of the movement (i.e. When riding on a left circle, the inside is the left side) | |
Keep | Meadow forage for grazing. | |
Keepers | Fixed loops which keep the ends of bridle straps, etc, in place. See also Runners | |
Long and Short Sides | Terms used to differentiate between the sides of a rectangular arena, manège, or school | |
Manège | An enclosed arena or school, usually rectangular, used for training | |
Member | A Member of The Pony Club. Anyone under the age of 25 can be a Member with one of our Branches or Centres. | |
| Branch Membership is ideal for riders who own their own horse or Pony. | |
Member (Centre) | Centre Membership is ideal for riders who don't own their own horse of Pony. A Centre Member will ride at one of the hundreds of The Pony Club accredited riding schools. | |
Nappy | A ‘nappy’ horse is one who is stubborn, willful, obstinate, and unwilling to go in the required direction | |
Natural Aid | Aids are the 'language' used by the rider to communicate with the horse. A Natural Aid is something which is not man made and includes the riders legs, voice, hands and the influence of the body and seat. | |
| The near is the left side of a horse, the off is the right side | |
| See above | |
Outside (The Outside Hand or Leg) | The Outside is the side of the horse that is on the inside of the movement (i.e. When riding on a left circle, the outside is the right side) | |
Over-face, to | To ask a horse to jump an obstacle which is beyond his capability or stage of training | |
Pointing | A horse standing with one foreleg stuck out markedly in front of the other. This usually indicates discomfort in a foot. The same action with a hind leg is normal and is referred to as ‘resting a hind’ | |
Pulling (mane or tail) | Removing hairs from the underside of the mane and sides of the tail to improve their appearance | |
Quartering | A quick grooming, to tidy up a horse before exercise | |
Run up a stirrup-iron | Slide the iron to the top of the leather | |
Runners | Leather loops which slide up and down and are used to keep the straps of a bridle, etc, in place. See also Keeper | |
Scalded back | Inflammation, or in severe cases blistering, of the back under the saddle, caused by heat and sweat | |
Scope | Athletic ability | |
Scouring | Suffering from diarrhoea | |
Set fair, to | To give the horse a light brush over, remove droppings, and tidy up bedding | |
Short side (of manège) | See Long and Short Sides | |
Skep | A strong basket used for removing droppings | |
| Stale, to | To urinate | |
Staring coat | A coat standing up and looking dull instead of lying flat and looking glossy. It is usually a sign that the horse is cold or unwell, or both | |
Strike-off | The first step of the canter | |
Take-and-give | Quick squeezes with the fingers as an aid (Natural Aid) | |
Turn out, to | To put a horse out in a field (out to grass) | |
Turnout | The general appearance of horse and rider – grooming, trimming, saddlery, dress, etc... | |
Twitch | A thick stick with a loop of cord at one end. It should be used only by experts, to restrain an impetuous horse during clipping, etc... | |
Whip (Hunting) | This whip should never be carried without its thong and lash. The thong is usually of plaited leather, and the last a small piece of silk or whipcord attached at its end. | |
| Whip (Long) | Approximately 0.91m (3ft) long. Used by experienced riders for training, often whilst keeping both hands on the reins. It's held close to the knob and should not be carried when jumping. | |
Whip (Standard) | Approximately 0.74m (2ft 6ins) long. Suitable for general use and for jumping. | |
Wind | A horse’s breathing or respiration when working | |
Wing | Extensions to the sides of a fence which are generally higher than the obstacle itself. They are used to discourage a horse from running out. In show-jumping they also provide support for the fence. |
