Horse Terms and Definitions

Horse Terminology

• Balk/Baulk: when a horse refuses to move, often due to disobedience, fright, or pain/injury.

Horse Care and Management

• Barren: a mare that is not in foal (pregnant).
• Box Stall/Loose-Box: an enclosed area within a stable where a horse may be left untethered.
• Break In: to teach a young horse to obey commands and accept direction and control.

Horse Anatomy

• Cannon Bone: the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone of the lower leg, also known as the shin bone.
• Ergot: a small callosity on the back of the fetlocks of equines, often concealed by feathering (hair).
• Frog: a tough, rubbery, triangular part of the underside of a horse's hoof that acts as a shock absorber and assists in blood circulation.

Horse Breeding

• Dam: the mother of a horse.
• Distaff: in pedigree charts, refers to the entire dam's side of the pedigree.
• Foal: a young, unweaned horse of either sex.
• Colt: a young stallion under three years of age; in Thoroughbreds, the age is extended to include four-year-olds.
• Filly: a young female horse under three years of age; in Thoroughbreds, it includes four-year-olds.

Horse Riding and Training

• Bit: an object, usually a metal bar, placed into the mouth of a horse, held on by a bridle and used with reins to direct and guide the animal.
• Bridle: headgear placed around the head of a horse that holds the bit in place in a horse's mouth, including reins, used to direct and guide the animal.
• Dressage: an Olympic level equine sport based on classical principles of horsemanship.
• Equitation: the skill of riding a horse.

Horse Equipment and Care

• Farrier: a professional hoof care specialist who does hoof trimming and horse shoeing.
• Feather: long hair on the fetlocks of horses, often concealed by feathering (hair).
• Groom: a person who tends and cares for horses; an attendant, horseman, or hostler.
• Hand: a measurement of the height of a horse, standardized to 4 inches.
• Tack: all the equipment that horses wear, such as saddles, bridles, harnesses, halters, and other horse care equipment.

Test your knowledge of horse terminology with this quiz covering various English terms, their Filipino translations, and definitions.