When our daughter started riding, there was a steep learning curve for me in particular (her mum), when it came to all the horse riding lingo (horse riding terms is probably a better description). It got to the point that my daughter, young at the time, typed up a list of basic words because my continual use of the wrong words drove her nuts 😅
So let me help you get familiar with some horse riding lingo 🐎
How a horse moves:
If you or your child takes or will be taking horse riding lessons, it’s good to get to know the differences in the way a horse moves.
Walk – a four beat gait where the horse moves at a slow and steady pace (warm up and warm down).
Trot – a two beat diagonal gait where the horse’s front and hind legs move in unison (progression from a walk).
Canter – a three beat gait that is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop (progression from a trot).
Gallop – a four beat gait that is the fastest of all horse gaits 😳 it doesn’t normally occur in an arena but if a horse gets spooked, they can certainly take off in a gallop in the arena and may gallop outside the arena. I witnessed it a few times but it’s all part of riding.
Half-halt – a technique used to slow down or collect the horse while maintaining forward momentum.
The Tack:
Oh gosh, this is where I used to get quite confused early on as there’s so much horse lingo when it comes to tack!
Tack – all the equipment required to ride a horse (and there’s lots 😂)
Halter – placed over a horses head and used to lead a horse from one place to another, usually from the yard to stable (can be leather or rope).
Lead rope – a long rope that attaches to the halter and used to lead the horse.
Bridle – the headgear that is placed on a horse’s head (once halter and lead rope is removed) for steering and control.
Rein – a length of leather that attaches to the bit in the horse’s mouth, which the rider uses to control the horse.
Bit – a metal mouthpiece that is inserted into the horse’s mouth and is used in conjunction with the reins to control the horse.
Saddle – the seat for the rider, which should be properly fitted to suit both horse and rider (an ill fitted saddle can cause lameness in a horse).
Saddle pad – a large pad designed to be sit under a horse’s saddle to help protect the horse’s back and make it more comfortable. Saddle pads come in various shapes and designs depending on the type of saddle. They can also be called riser pads or gel pads. To use or not use a pad will really come down to what suits the horse and the saddle. In some instances, they can cause harm to the horse so it’s always best to get expert advice.
Saddle riser – a riser is often used to give extra comfort under the saddle especially in the situation where a horse has changed shape, either gained or lost weight. A riser helps balance out a saddle fit however is not always a requirement.
Stirrup – a small metal frame that hangs from the saddle via a stirrup leather and is used to support the rider’s foot. Safety stirrups or quick release stirrups allow a rider’s foot to come out of the stirrup in case of a fall.
Stirrup leather – an extended and adjustable piece of leather that attaches to the underside of the saddle and the stirrup. The stirrup leather is adjusted to suit the leg length of the rider.
Tack up – getting the horse ready to ride, includes all gear mentioned above.
Untack – to remove all tack from the horse at the end of a ride.
Horse rug – a very large rug used to protect the horse from rain, heat or cold and flies (winter and summer rugs). They come in various styles (e.g. with or without neck coverage) depending on personal preference and what suits the horse.
Are you confused yet? Well don’t be, the more you hear horse lingo and the more you use it the better you will get!
Types of riding:
Dressage – where the horse and rider perform very precise movements and transitions.
Jumping – where the horse and rider jump over poles that vary in height from 40cm to 1.6m.
Cross Country – usually a longer outdoor course consisting of fixed jumps over logs, water and fences.
Eventing – the combination of dressage, cross country and show jumping.
Arena – an enclosed space, usually sand, used for horse riding and training.
In summary:
Okay, so that’s a really great start into the world of horse lingo! From how a horse moves, the type of riding and all the tack, for a brand newbie, it can be a lot to take in.
Be sure to stay tuned on how to feed a horse and supplements that maybe required. Oh yes, it’s a whole other story!!
