Horse Terms: A Beginner’s Guide to Common Horse Terminology

Mare – An adult female horse

Gelding – A male horse that has been castrated

Stallion – An adult male horse that has not been castrated

Foal – A young horse of either sex, usually under one year old

Colt – A young male horse under four years old

Filly – A young female horse under four years old

Yearling – A horse between one and two years old

Weanling – A foal recently separated from its mother

Horse's head – Includes the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, and jaw. The shape and profile of the horse's head, such as a dished face or Roman nose, are important for conformation and can affect how equipment like halters, bridles, or bits fit and function.

Horse's neck – Connects the head to the body. The length, shape, and set of the horse's neck are crucial for balance, movement, and overall conformation, influencing both performance and breed characteristics.

Withers – The ridge between the shoulder blades (used to measure height)

"Mutton Withered" - Describes a equine conformation with low or absent withers

Poll – The area just behind the ears

Forelock – The hair that falls between the ears

Horse's body – Refers to the main trunk of the horse, including the barrel, back, and loin. The body’s structure is key for assessing overall conformation and health.

Barrel – The rounded midsection of the horse

Horse's belly – The underside of the horse’s body, located between the barrel and the hindquarters. The belly’s appearance can indicate health issues, such as hay belly or digestive problems, and is important in conformation assessment.

Cannon Bone – The long bone between the knee and fetlock

Fetlock – The joint above the hoof

Pastern – The area between the fetlock and hoof

Hoof / Horse's foot – The horse's hooves are the hard outer foot of the horse, containing internal structures like the coffin bone and frog. Proper understanding of the horse's foot anatomy is essential for hoof care, diagnosing issues like laminitis, and maintaining soundness.

Frog – The V-shaped structure on the bottom of the hoof

Hind legs – The rear limbs of the horse, including the thigh, gaskin, hock, and cannon bone. The structure and alignment of the hind legs are vital for movement, power, and overall performance.

Hind feet – The hooves at the end of the hind legs. Their anatomy and condition play a significant role in the horse’s gait, balance, and conformation.

Hock – The large hind leg joint (similar to a human ankle)

Stifle – A joint similar to a human knee

Horse's mouth – Includes the lips, bars, tongue, and cheek area. The anatomy of the horse's mouth is important for proper bit placement, comfort, and maintaining oral health.

Bay – Brown body with black mane, tail, and lower legs

Chestnut (Sorrel) – Red or copper body with mane and tail the same color or lighter

Black – Black body, mane, and tail

Gray – Born dark and lightens with age

Palomino – Golden body with a light mane and tail

Buckskin – Tan or gold body with black points

Roan – Even mix of white and colored hairs, with the horse's tail and mane often matching the base color

Dun – Tan body with primitive markings like a dorsal stripe, and a mane and horse's tail that are usually darker than the body

Completely white coat – Entirely white hair covering the body, mane, and horse's tail, with pink skin underneath; the white color is uniform across the horse

Star – White marking on the horse's forehead

Blaze – Wide white stripe down the face, extending over the horse's forehead

Sock – White marking partway up the leg

Stocking – White marking extending higher up the leg

Spook – A sudden reaction to something frightening

Bolt – To run suddenly and uncontrollably

Lunge – To work a horse on a circle at the end of a long line

Yield – To give way to pressure

Green – Inexperienced or newly trained

Ground manners – How a horse behaves when handled from the ground

Desensitizing – Gradually teaching a horse not to overreact to stimuli

Horse stretches – Exercises or stretches performed by or with the horse to improve flexibility, loosen muscles, and promote overall well-being, often included in grooming or warm-up routines

Halter – A headpiece used for leading a horse and tying it up

Lead rope – Rope attached to the halter for leading

Bridle – Headgear used for riding. Also referred to as a headstall

Bit – A device attached to the bridle and placed in the horse's mouth to help control the horse

Reins – Straps attached to the bit and used by the rider to stop, turn, and back a horse

Saddle – The seat designed to fit both rider and horse to make the act of riding more comfortable, placed on the horse’s back

Girth / Cinch – A leather, canvas or corded band (usually made out of 100% Mohair or a Mohair Blend) that buckles to and holds the saddle in place

Stirrups – Foot supports attached to the saddle

Saddle pad / blanket – Padding or a blanket placed under the saddle for cushioning and comfort for the horse’s back

Dressage saddle – A type of saddle with a deep seat and straight flaps, designed to position the rider over the horse’s center of gravity for precise control and balance in dressage

Saddle horn – A prominent projection on the pommel of a western saddle, providing a handhold for the rider

Metal or plastic comb – A grooming tool used for detangling and finishing the mane and tail

Tail brush – A sturdy brush designed for detangling and grooming the horse’s tail, promoting a healthy shine

Curry Comb - A grooming tool, usually rubber or metal with teeth, used primarily to remove loose hair, mud, and dirt from their coats

Walk – Four-beat gait, slowest pace

Trot – Two-beat gait, faster than a walk

Canter – Three-beat gait, smoother and faster than a trot

Gallop – Fastest gait

Posting – Rising and sitting with the trot

Lead – Which front leg reaches farther at the canter

Diagonal – Paired legs moving together at the trot

Gaited horse – Refers to horses that have a specific way of moving, often characterized by unique, smooth gaits. (Check out this article on everything Gaited Horses.)

Horse travels – Describes the way a horse moves across different gaits, assessing smoothness, movement, and responsiveness.

Horse performs – Refers to how a horse demonstrates skills, movement, or behavior during events, showcasing athleticism and ability.

English riding – A style of riding with disciplines such as dressage, hunt seat, and show jumping, known for specific skills, attire, and performance standards.

Common English riding classes – Include hunter, jumper, dressage, and hunt seat equitation, each focusing on different riding disciplines and horse performance tests.

Farrier – A professional who trims hooves and applies shoes

Veterinarian (Vet) – Medical professional for horses

Colic – Abdominal pain; often an emergency

Sound – Free from lameness

Lame – Showing uneven movement or pain

Body Condition Score (BCS) – System used to assess a horse’s weight and overall health. Monitoring a horse's weight through BCS helps identify if the horse is underweight, overweight, or at an ideal condition, which is important for evaluating conformation, weight-carrying ability, and detecting health issues.

Deworming – Treating internal parasites

Floating – Filing teeth to remove sharp edges

Boarding – Paying to keep your horse at a stable

Pasture board – Horse lives mostly outdoors

Stall board – Horse lives in a stall part or full-time

Turnout – Time spent outside

Blanketing – Putting a blanket on a horse

Mucking – Cleaning manure from a stall

Bedding – Material placed in stalls

Side of a horse – The 'near side' refers to the left side of the horse, while the 'off side' refers to the right side. These terms are important for handling, grooming, and veterinary care.

Male donkey – A male donkey is called a jack. Male donkeys are often used in breeding programs and have distinct roles in equine management.

Female donkey – A female donkey is called a jenny. Female donkeys are important in breeding and have specific care requirements.

Wild horse – A wild horse is a free-roaming, non-domesticated horse that lives independently of humans, such as the mustangs found in North America.

Light horse – A light horse is suitable for riding or carriage work, and is distinct from heavy horses or ponies.

Draft horse – A draft horse is any horse used for hauling vehicles or heavy loads, typically associated with large, strong breeds designed for heavy-duty farm or industrial work.