I have been looking everywhere for equine terminology about equine health and it seems that you wind up at all kinds of different reference sites for each term. We're not saying that we will have every single term or all equine diseases, but we will try and have as many terms as we can in one place used in one form or another on this website. If you notice one is omitted or the information could need an upgrade we would be very grateful for any feedback!

 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Above the Bit - When a horse raises its head and stretches forward so that its mouth and the bit are above the rider's hand.

Aids - Prompts given to the horse by a rider using body weight, legs, hands or voice.

American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) - The national equestrian federation of the United States.

AHSA Hunter Seat Equitation Medal - A one year horsemanship competition for junior riders which culminates at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA each October. Riders must qualify for the finals by winning a specified number of AHSA Medal classes throughout the year.

Amateur Owner - Show divisions which are restricted to non-professional adult riders who ride horses owned by themselves or members of their immediate family.

Antibodies - are created from Vitamin B ruffage digestion that creates these cells that will attach to any known or unknown cell to cover it before it can proliferate allowing the White Cells to remove the invader cells.

Anticancer Vitamins & Minerals - are natural organic compounds in Vitamins A, C, and E plus Zinc (Z) and Selenium (SE) included in most supplements compounded or uniquic to many items.

Antioxidants - are comprised of Vitamins A, E and C found in a natural occuring sources of Chlorophyll while grazing in pastures of different legumes like alfalfa and rye grasses.

Arthritis - A medical condition affecting a joint or joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motor skills and muscular control which is a painful joint condition effecting most living beings. There are no cure only methods and treatments to help in getting through the day to day functions. It can occur at any time or point in one’s life but it will happen as you grow older. It has many other things that it changes into in addition to other conditions which it can expand into some very ugly depilating conditions and diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) for humans or canines and Hip Dysplasia in dogs.

Ass - The correct term for the donkey, burrow, or jack stock.

Autoimmune failure - is usually resulting from the immune system being attacked to such a degree that a cancer has formed resulting from poor nutritional. At times this can also be pointed towards the body itself, where the antibodies are given false positive results from the warning antigens of cancerus cells nearby.

Atrophy - The shrinking in size of some part or organ of the body, usually caused by acute pain, injury, disease, or lack of use.

B

Back at the knee - A conformational fault in which the foreleg is bowed backwards at the knee.

Bascule - The arc the horse forms with its head neck, and back while clearing an obstacle.

Bay - A color of horse generally with a Black Mane, Tail, and Black lower Leg colors, with reddish brown over the rest of the body.

Bedding - Wood shavings, shredded newspaper, straw, sand or other materials used to line the floor of a stall.

Bell Boots - Protective boots that cover the hooves.

Bit - Metal bar on a bridle that goes in the horse’s mouth and is used to control the horse while riding.

Blaze - A broad white stripe down majority of the face.

Bone – A part of the frame in the body which is the hardest object next to teeth.

Bowed Hocks - A conformational fault in which the hocks on the hind legs are turned too far outwards.

Bowed Tendon - A permanently swollen tendon that does not result in lameness but tendon will not be as strong.

Breed - A distinct genetic entity. Recognized members of a breed are entered in an official stud book.

Brown - A color of horse, with a mixture of black and brown hairs on the body and black points.

Bucking - A vice in which the horse kicks out his back legs, both at the same time, usually to unsettled the rider or rid himself of irritating tack.

Burro - Spanish for common donkey.

C

Canter - One of the four natural gaits of a horse. Slower than a gallop, this is a three beat gait.

Cavesson - An item used in training a young horse Similar to a strong leather halter in appearance. It has a padded noseband with three swiveling metal rings, to which the lunge or side reins are attached.

Chestnut - A color of horse, reddish brown with a similar colored mane and tail, or the bony protrusion on the inside of forearm of each foreleg.

Clean Round - The completion of a prescribed course of jumps without time faults or jumping faults. When more than one horse has a "clean round," a jump-off occurs.

Cob - A small, strong horse descended from draft horses about 15 hands high.

Colt - A male horse under 3 years old.

Combination - Two or three obstacles to be jumped in quick succession, separated by one or two strides. A combination is considered to be a single obstacle.

Combined Training - Also called "Three Day Eventing", an English style of riding competition which includes dressage, stadium jumping and a cross-country course.

Conformation - The build of a horse, the way he is put together. A horse with good conformation will look proportional.

Coronet - Surface of the hoof.

Cow Hocks - A conformational fault in which the hocks on the hind legs are turned inward towards each other.

Cribbing - A vice in which the horse grabs onto a horizontal object, stretches his esophagus and sucks wind. This behavior is learned and can range from occasional to obsessive.

Crop - A stick, sometimes with a leather loop at the end, used by hunter/jumper riders.

Curb - Thickening of the ligament on the back of the hind leg which May or may not result in lameness.

Curb Bit - A single-bar mouthpiece that is attached at each end to upright bars (as compared to rings on a snaffle bit). These bits give more control but are not as gentle on a horse’s mouth as a snaffle bit. They are usually used in Polo and Western riding disciplines.

Curry Comb - A steel, plastic or rubber comb with several rows of short flexible bristles. Used for removing loose hair and dirt.

D

Dam - The mother of a horse.

Daily Health Check – This would not be as detailed as the examination for Vetting but this gives you the idea on the importance of this routinely performed act of love as least once a day. Being a horse owner is a way of life and not a hobby requiring a daily regime that your horse will look forward to every morning and evening for bed time. What follows is in no particular order and provide so you can see the scope this provides. You’ll want to get your horse tied up, have your first aid kit with you and make him/her square and look them all over from several angles for straightness and square stance and check for:

Dock - The area at the top of the tail.

Donkey - English word meaning "a little dun animal".

Dorsal Stripe - A dark stripe along a horse’s back this is common on early horses and seen today on some buck skin or other dark skinned horses.

Dressage - French word that means training which a discipline of riding that is sometimes referred to as ballet on horseback. This involves subtle control and compulsory movements and the Olympiad is The Grand Prix Level is the highest level of dressage a horse and rider can achieve.

Dun - A color of horse. Light to medium sand colored with dark skin and usually has dark points (mane, tail and lower legs.)

E

English - A style of riding that includes many sports such as dressage, racing, jumping, combined training, saddle seat, trail, pleasure and more. Characterized by a saddle that is smaller and plainer than a Western saddle with no large pommel to test your hands. The rider holds a rein in each hand and steers the horse by gently pulling on the rein on the right rein to turn right, or the left to turn left.

Eohippus – A earliest ancestor of the modern day horse small (14").

Equitation - Classes in which the rider, not the horse, is judged. The rider must demonstrate good seat and hands, and sufficient management of the horse to perform the required tests, either over fences or on the flat, in a smooth, controlled, and accurate manner. Riders are classified according to their age and previous winnings in equitation classes. The grading sequence from easiest to most difficult is: Leadline, Short Stirrup, Maiden, Novice, Limit, Intermediate, and Open.

F

Farrier - A professional who shoes horses.

Farriery - The practice of shoeing horses.

Fault - Penalty assessed in jumper classes for mistakes such as knockdowns, refusals, and exceeding the time allowed.

Feathers - The long hairs of the fetlock that cover the hooves of some draft horses.

Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) - The international sanctioning body of equestrian sport, whose rules govern any official international competition; including the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games, the World Cup and qualifying events, and the World Equestrian Games (World Championships).

Fetlock - The "ankle" joint of each leg.

Filly - A female horse under 4 years old.

First Aid Kit -

Foal - A male or female under a year old.

Frog – This is the fleshy triangular underside of the hoof.

G

Gait - The four different ways a horse can move: walk, trot, canter and gallop.

Gallop - The fastest of the four natural gaits of a horse, a four beat gait.

Gelding - A male horse that has been castrated similar to my neutered dog.

Girth - The strap around the horse’s belly which secures the saddle to the horses back

Glycosaminoglycan - any of various polysaccharides derived from an amino hexose that are constituents of mucoproteins, glycoproteins, and blood-group substances.

Grade Horse - A horse with a mixture of breeds in his ancestry.

Gray - A color of horse that ranges from white to dark gray and includes dapple which is like dirty spots and all grays have black skin.

Green - Used to describe a horse or a beginning rider that has been ridden and is in the early stages of training.

Grooming - Maintenance of a horse's coat, including clipping, brushing, washing, trimming mane and tail, and any preparation of the coat for showing such as braiding main and tail.

H

Hackamore - A bitless bridle used as reins. Pressure on the nose and jaw are used to control the horse.

Halter - A harness of leather, rope or nylon that fits over a horse’s head. This is much like a bridle without the bit or reins. It is used for leading a horse.

Hand - A hand is a unit of measure for horses or 4 inches. Height is measured at the withers; the highest point on a horse’s back just before his mane starts down the neck.

Hand Gallop - Brisk Canter.

Hinny - The hybrid animal produced when a female ass (jennet) is crossed to a male horse (stallion).

Hock - The "knee" of the hind legs.

Horse – a large four-legged animal with a Mane, Tail, Hooves, and a long head with riding, pulling vehicles, carrying loads are some of its uses.

Horse’s Skeletal Structure – This will be shown as a list of lateral rows, left to right & top to bottom  going down the body of the horse and may include further explanation in other areas by searching. This representation will be shown top to bottom and left to right orientation:

Horn – Is the surface of the hoof and can be pale, dark or mixed colors, and all colors are similar in hardness.  The foremost section of a saddle that fits over the withers in a Western saddle, this is the "Pommel" which the rider can rest his hands or grab on to remain steady.

Hunter - Horses, usually Thoroughbreds or part Thoroughbreds that are judged on the style in which they negotiate obstacles as well as on their ability to do so. (Jumpers are only judged on ability.) Both "working" and "conformation" hunters are judged on their ability and performance. However, the conformation hunter is also judged on its physical attributes, grace and beauty in and out of a two-jump combination, separated by one or two strides.

I

Immune System - autonomic system that ingages to protect the body from foreign diseases and infections that are like space invaders to the body that come in the form of bacteria, viruses, cancer, etc.

Immunity - results from the body recalling a previous attack to the immune system that comes from the body creating its own antibodies to fight back and destroy this attacker on its own.

J

Jack - Male of the ass species.

Jennet - Female of the ass species.

Jog - A slow trot, mostly in Western disciplines.

Joint - This where two bones come together as one with several different types of connective tissue (See Synovial Joint).

Jumper - A horse judged solely on ability to jump obstacles. Beauty & Grace, with the manner and style are not considered in judging, rather, jumper classes are purely athletic tests of speed and strength.

Jumping Order - The start order or your "order of go or to go." This order is usually created by a draw so that each competitor has an equal chance of attaining a favorable position. Since riders near the end of the starting order have the definite advantage of seeing how the earlier riders complete the course.

Jump-Off - Competitors tied for first place after the first round of a jumper class "jump off" in a timed round on a shortened course. The winner has the fewest faults and the fastest time. Junior Rider under the age of 18.

K

Knockdown - When a horse or rider, by contact, lowers any element which establishes the height of an obstacle. If the horse dislodges an element of a jump but does not lower the height of the jump, no jumping faults are incurred.

L

Lame - A condition in which a horse does not carry weight equally on all four legs, due to disease or injury.

Laminitis - inflammation of the Laminae (the inside lining of the hoof).

Lead Change - The "lead" is the foreleg of the horse that is farthest in front during a canter. A good rider can signal the horse to change his lead.

Ligaments – A type of seal around all joints that hold it all together which is not a part of the Circulatory Systems but has a lot of sensory nerve ending. This seal generally white in color, is like several layers of tape one on top of the other giving tensile strength for maximum support of the contents behind. A Sprain occurs during extreme use as it does not move much and it does not like being over extended causing acute pain and is slow to heal (Ligament Sprain.)

Liverpool – This is an obstacle containing a water element.

Lope - A slow canter, used mostly in Western disciplines.

Lymphatic System –

M

Mane - long hair on the head and neck of an animal such as a lion or horse.

Mare - An adult female horse or pony over age four.

Martingale - A leather strap that goes from the girth to the bridle underneath the chin which prevents a horse from throwing his head up.

Mucking a Stall - Cleaning out the manure and soiled bedding in a stall.

Mule - The hybrid animal produced when a male ass (Jack) is crossed with a female horse (mare). A Saddle Mule is bred from mares of riding horse breeding. A Pack or Work Mule is bred from mares with some draft blood. A Draft Mule is the largest mule, bred from draft mares such as Belgian, Percheron, Clydesdale, and Shire.

Muscle – An organ composed of bundles or sheets of muscle tissue, bound together with connective tissue and with tendons by which the contracting part is attached to the bones that it moves.

Muscle Degeneration – See Atrophy.

N

Navicular Disease – This is a serious disease of the navicular bone (a small bone at the end of the leg) which leads to lameness if not cared for and treated in time. This can be caused by improper shoeing and excess stress on the hooves.

Neck Rein - A method of guiding the horse by placing the rein against its neck, moving the horse in the opposite direction where both reins are held in one hand leaving a free hand.

Nervous System –

O

Off Course - A deviation from the designated course and direction as outlined on the posted diagram of the event.

Open - Advanced divisions in which competitors are not restricted by previous winnings.

Optimal Time - The time in which any phase of the endurance test of a three-day event must be completed. Finishing under the optimal time is not rewarded, but exceeding the time results in penalties.

Over at the Knee - A conformational fault in which the foreleg is bowed forward at the knee.

Oxer - A single fence composed of two or three parts to produce a effect, spread or width. A "square" oxer is equal in height in both the front element of the spread and the back.

P

Palomino - A gold colored horse with blond or white mane and tail.

Pastern - The area between the hoof and fetlock joint on all four legs.

Pelham Bit - A bit that includes a chain and uses two sets of reins are used with this bit that goes under the chin.

Pigeon-Toed - A conformational fault in which the hooves are turned in towards each other.

Pinto - A color of horse with large patches of brown or black and white (also called a paint.)

Points - Mane, tail, and lower legs sometimes includes the nuzzle.

Pommel - The foremost section of a saddle that fits over the withers in a Western saddle, this is the "horn" which the rider can rest his hands on.

Pony - A full grown horse that is 14.2 hands or under.

Preliminary - A jumper winner at the first level of development, who has won less than $3,000.00.

Q

R

Rack - A single-footed, extremely rapid and smooth four-beat gait unique to the American Saddlebred’s and the National Horse Show.

Rails - The horizontal wooden poles used to create an obstacle.

Ratcatcher - A riding shirt worn under the hunt coat or jacket.

Rearing - A vice in which the horse stands on his hind legs with both forelegs in the air, usually to unsettle a rider or rid himself of irritating tack.

Refusal - A horse stops before an obstacle or runs out to the side ("run-out") to avoid negotiating the obstacle. Refusals are considered the fault of the rider which incurs faults during a competition.

Registry - The breeding organization in which a horse has registration papers.

Reproductive System -

Respiratory System -

Reining - A Western style of riding demonstrating tremendous agility in turning, stopping, lead changing and more.

Roach - A shaved mane. Usually found on the Three-Gaited American Saddlebred and Western horses.

Roan - A color of horse that has white hairs mixed with black (blue roan), bay (red roan), or chestnut (strawberry roan).    

Round – A term used in jumping competition AKA "go" or "trip" signifying a rider's turn in each class or event.

S

Schooling - A Practicing or warm-up session for a horse before participation in jumping competition.

Scope Colloquial - refers to a horse's athletic ability, usually in terms of jumping. A "scopey" horse has much jumping ability.

Slow Gait - A single-footed gait performed by the American Saddlebred and the National Horse Show. Similar to the rack, it is performed at a much slower speed with great collection.

Skeletal Muscle - Tissues that can undergo repeated contraction and relaxation, so that it is able to produce movement of body parts, maintain tension, or pump fluids within the body. There are three types: voluntary striped muscle, involuntary smooth muscle, and branched or heart muscle.

Skeletal Systems -

Snaffle Bit - A simple bit, consisting of one bar or two bars linked in the middle. Rings at each end attach to the reins used in English riding styles primarily.

Snip - A white marking between the nostrils.

Sock – A small white color extending up to the fetlock can be used as another method of identification.

Shoeing – this will prevent a lot of disease (lameness/unsound) every 4 – 6 weeks or as your Farrier suggests. This is so important for the general health and reaps maximum performance when you really need it.

Spavin - A bone enlargement of the hock resulting in lameness in one or two hind legs.

Splay-Footed - A conformational fault in which the hooves are turned away from each other.

Sport Horse - A large, muscular horse bred especially for show competition of jumping, eventing, or dressage based on the performance records in the lineage of sire and dam. Breeds include Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, and Selle Francais.

Spread Fence or "Oxer" - A jump with width. A horse must jump out as well as up to clear the fence.

Stallion - A male horse that has not been gelded.

Standard - The upright section that holds the rail is called "standard."

Star - Any white marking above or between the eyes.

Stocking –A white blaze extending up to the cannon.

Stride - The amount of ground the horse covers in one "step".

Stripe - A narrow white stripe down the face.

Stud - A stallion that is kept for breeding purposes.

Synovial Joint - This is the primary joint structure for a horse which allows for free movement with the joint ends covered in Hyaline Cartilage. The structure of each joint from the inside out is:

Bone marrow from the central cavity where cells are created;

Epiphyseal Plate;

Hyaline Cartilage;

Synovial Fluid; 

Periosteum; 

 Capsular Ligament.

T

Tack - The equipment worn by the horse including saddle and bridle.

Tendons –

Thoroughbred - A breed of horse, said to be descended from 3 Arab stallions brought to Britain in the 17th century. Thoroughbreds average 16 hands. Most racehorses are Thoroughbreds making excellent hunter/jumpers.

Thrush - Equine Thrush has a black stinking discharge from the horses hoof area that has this infection from anaerobic bacteria that grows in a mosture rich muck area of a stall. It is a common disease of the hoof or hooves primarily characterized in the Frog, mostly from stabled horses that can lead to lameness if not attended too. The prevention would be accomplished from the mentioned "daily check" to prevent this bacteria that forms inside of the material used in the stall from the horse standing in one spot for an extended amount of time that is not exposed to oxygen which kills this bacteria on contact. A daily through cleaning and removal of any debris in or around the shoe and stall will remove this problem permanently.

Time Limit – This a an eventing call for a contestant of twice the optimal time (mandatory elimination,) in the endurance phase of a three-day event of horse trials.

Trot - One of the four gaits of a horse. One foreleg and the opposite hindleg are on the ground as the other foreleg and opposite hindleg are moving forward. This is faster than a walk but slower than a canter or gallop.

Twitch - A metal clasper applied to the top lip that is used to temporarily restrain a horse, usually for medical treatment.

U

Unsound -

Urinary System –

U.S. Equestrian Team Organization - This is the organization that sends field teams to represent the United States in international competition in show jumping, eventing, dressage, driving and endurance on behalf of the American Horse Show Association (ASHA) for the United States for all major international competitions, such as the World Equestrian Games (world championships) the Olympic Games and Vaulting Gymnastics on a moving horse.

V

Vaccination - are often given to help the body ward off a disease or illness and most of these are something the body can't learn on its own; where these antibodies are deposited, some are permanent, yet most require annual booster shots.

Vascular System -

Vertical - A fence with no spread, requiring the horse to make a steep arc in its effort to clear the obstacle.

Vet – You will need to have more than one just in case you need to have a visit and your primary is not available or on another visit. You will want to ask around in your area if you’re new to having livestock care on call! This is not an option; it’s a responsible owner’s point of view as there are things that can happen for just that one horse and there are also things that would include nearly every living thing in and around your household. Look at it this way; it’s like keeping an attorney on retainer kind of thing. If you are new at this you will be calling a lot just to hear you did this thing right or something serious has happened and you really had no idea what to do other than looking in a book. This kind of thing could be a life and death matter with zero time, so keep a note pad nearby and your vet numbers in your speed dialers and make that call.

Vetting a Horse - Where you are paying a vet to examine a horse to provide a report on his health and soundness.

A horse is said to have been "vetted" if the vet returns a report of good health. This is a sound judgment call prior to arranging a price “locally” for a new horse purchase where it’s stabled.

This is a long drawn out process by starting with the heart, lungs, and eyes and then moving on to the horse’s teeth to see about the hoses age upto 8 years. Next the teeth will be examined to make sure the top and bottom close correctly and the ability to ear correctly. The Vet will then move to the skin of the horse and feel all over looking for parasite bites and other old injuries especially in the legs.

Then the horse will be evaluated for stable vices which could render the horse unsound.

There will be examinations of movement on different surfaces to be sure this is in a straight line and no signs of lameness with good flexion of the four limbs. Moving down the body to the hooves making sure they are balanced with no apparent disease. Following this the horse will be ridden by the owner from walk through gallop gaits.

The Vet will compare heart, lungs and extremities to reveal any problems or lameness. Following all of this your certificate of fitness will be issued.

It is also a sound judgment to have other tests performed, such as x-rays for bone disease, arthritis and the very important one Navicular Syndrome if present would make the horse unsound. Blood test would reveal what the horse is given to alter the temperment, sedatives or pain killers recently.

Combined all of this will give you as much detail as is possible to make this very important decision on adding to your extended family another stablemate.

Voluntary Withdrawal – Signaled decision by the rider not to continue on a course and to exit the ring or course, usually indicated by pulling up and tipping the hat to the judge.

W

Wall - A type of jump that simulates an actual brick or stone wall.

Walleye - An eye that has no pigment or a blue tint. Vision is not affected by the color of the iris and could be another identification mark.

Warmblood - Type of sport horse resulting from crossing heavier draft-horse breeds with lighter Thoroughbred-types.

Water Jump - In three day eventing, an obstacle that includes a large pool, about 18" deep, into which the horse jumps and gallops out of, usually after landing from an initial jump. In show jumping, an obstacle, usually a shallow water-filled ditch approximately 10-14 feet in length, over which the horse jumps.

Western - A style of riding that includes many sports such as reining, roping, pleasure, trail and cutting characterized by the cowboy style saddle folklore with a large pommel. The rider holds both reins with one hand, and steers the horse moving both reins towards the direction of the turn.

Withers - The slight ridge in a horse’s back just before the mane starts and is where height is measured on a horse.

Worms – Worming every 4 to 6 weeks is advised by professionals.

X

Y

Yearly Vaccination – your vet will contact you for your appoint for the health and welfare of everyone in the household this needs to be completed annually.

Z

Zebra - A wild equine native to Africa with characteristic black and white stripes.