GLOSSARY

ASTM-SEI - The American Society for Testing and Materials-Safety Equipment Institute; the organization that sets specifications for safety helmets.

bit - generally a piece of metal that is attached to a bridle and runs through the horse’s mouth; used to signal the horse; bits are found in many styles and degrees of severity.

bosal - braided rawhide or leather noseband used in lieu of a snaffle bit on horses aged 5 and under that curves around the nose and is knotted under the jaw; it is held on by a headstall and woven horsehair or rope reins are attached to the knotted heel of the bosal

breed standards - standards set by individual breed associations that describe the ideal representative of that breed

bumping the reins - a light check and release of the reins

cavesson - a noseband with two independent cheek pieces on the bridle

conformation - the build of an animal; the structure, form, balance and symmetrical arrangement of parts

danger zone - the area directly in front of or behind a horse, in which it is dangerous to stand because of the danger of being kicked, struck or run over by the animal

diagonals - refers to the forefoot of the horse moving in unison with the opposite hind foot at the trot; when posting, the rider should rise as the forefoot on the outside of a turn comes forward

dressage - a style of riding whose object is the harmonious development of the physical ability of the horse resulting in a calm, supple, flexible animal, both longitudinally and laterally; evaluated by performing a specific performance test at the level of training the horse has accomplished

drop the bit - to remove the bit for the judge’s inspection; always performed when the exhibitor is dismounted, usually before entering the ring or at the end of a class

fashion heels - heels on boots not designed for riding that may catch in a stirrup if a rider falls off a horse

fault - a decrease in points in an over-fences class, due to an error by horse or rider

gait - a way of going, either natural or acquired, that is characterized by a distinctive movement of feet and legs

ground poles - poles placed on the ground that a horse and rider may be called upon to go over

gymkhana - timed games on horseback with specific patterns and rules

halfbreed bit - a curb bit with 1 ½ to 2 inch port that often has a roller or cricket

hunter hack - class in which a horse and rider are called upon to go over two jumps individually and then perform work on the flat as part of a group

impulsion - in order to have impulsion, a horse must engage his hind legs and allow the energy to come through his elastic back

judge - impartial person hired or appointed by the show management to evaluate the performance of exhibitors at a horse show

jump cups - cup that holds a jump rail in place

jump pins - pin that holds a jump cup to a jump standard

kimberwick - a direct action English bit (see snaffle) that allows for the attachment of a curb chain, which can provide more leverage or curb effect

lead (loping or cantering) - the foreleg that is reaching out the furthest at the lope or canter; when circling to the right, the horse should be on the right lead, that is, the right foreleg should reach out slightly ahead of the left foreleg

lead shank (also lead chain) - a chain, rope, strap or combination thereof used for leading a horse

longe - the act of exercising a horse on the end of a long line, usually in a circle

longe line - line of not more than 30 feet long that may or may not have a chain at one end; used for longing a horse

lugging on the bit - the action of a horse that consistently pulls on the bit, against the rider or driver’s hands

martingale - a device used to assist in the placement of the horse’s head; a running martingale is a type of tiedown attached to the reins, a standing martingale is a type of tiedown attached to the cavesson or noseband

near side - the left side of a horse

off side - the right side of a horse

overcheck - a short rein passing from the bit to the saddle of a harness to prevent the horse from lowering its head

overflexion - a head and neck position in which a horse flexes its poll such that the muzzle is carried in toward the chest in an excessive manner

pelham - a one-piece bit equipped to handle four reins (two snaffle reins for guiding the horse and lifting the head and two curb reins for control and for setting the head)

pumping the reins - using the arms to pull heavily on the reins

pylons - markers or traffic cones used to designate a pattern; often bright orange

ratcatcher - a tie worn at the neck in English apparel; generally wraps around the collar and may be held in place with the pin

ring steward - the judge’s assistant; person who works with the judge, announcer, gate person and exhibitors to help ensure that a horse show runs smoothly

romal - an extension of braised material or smooth leather attached to closed reins

rowels - multipointed metal spur attachment that revolves

safe/safety zone - the area in front, but off to one side, of a horse; area where an exhibitor is not likely to be struck if the horse rears or lunges forward

scratch - when an exhibitor withdraws from a previously entered class before the class begins

snaffle - a very mild bit with a jointed or solid mouthpiece that works on direct pressure to the corners of the mouth (as opposed to a leverage bit such as a curb) and does not have shanks or curb straps

snaffle rein - the leather straps that attach to the snaffle bit and allow the rider to guide the horse; when used in a pelham or full bridle the snaffle rein is the heavier rein that is used for guiding

sour ears - a sign of agitation in a horse in which the animal pins its ear(s) back

spirit level (plumb bob) - a device used for determining true horizontal or vertical directions by the centering of a bubble in a slight curved glass tube or tubes filled with alcohol or ether; used to ensure that jumps are level; also called level

splint boots - protective boots worn on the horse’s front legs to prevent injury to the cannon bones

stock tie (or pin) - a tie or pin worn at the neck in western or English riding apparel

tack - riding equipment or gear for the animal such as a saddle, bridle, halter

traces - the parts of a harness that run from the collar to the singletree

trailer - an assistant to the exhibitor in a halter class who encourages draft horses and donkeys to move out energetically 

(Resource: MSU Extension’s 4-H Horse & Pony Project Show Rules & Regulations booklet)