VOCABULARY
Apron- The backless skirt worn by modern sidesaddle riders over their riding breeches.
Aside/Astride: Aside riding is riding sidesaddle. Astride riding is riding a regular saddle.
Bit- The metal bar that fits into a horse's mouth and relays the rider's signals.. A snaffle bit is straight, with a jointed
center. A curb bit has long shanks and a high port (curve) inside the horse's mouth.
Blanket- Saddle blankets of different shapes and sizes are used under the saddle to help keep the saddle from rubbing the
horse's back. Large blankets are also used to protect clipped horses from the weather and to keep them warm.
Breastcollar- A strap (or series of straps) that go around the horse's chest and attach to the saddle.
Breeches (Riding)- Pants worn by English riders.
Bridle- The straps that go around a horse's head to hold the bit in place or (in a bitless bridle) to hold the nose-loop that
relays instructions to the horse.
Buck- The action of a horse trying to get something (or someone) off his back. Usually the horse puts his head down and
kicks his back legs up into the air.
Cantle- The back of a saddle.
Dressage- A type of riding (and of schooling horses) that teaches a horse to "collect" (balance) himself and be very
supple. Dressage horses learn to respond to subtle cues. They may trot in place, move around in a circle, or even seem to
skip.
English Saddle- A saddle based on the hunting saddles used in England. English saddles are plain, with metal stirrups,
and no horn. Types of English saddles include jumping saddles, dressage saddles, and saddles for gaited horses.
Farrier- A person who trims horse's feet and shoes horses.
Foal- A baby horse.
Gait(s)- Ways of movement. Most horses have four natural gaits: walk, trot, canter/lope, and gallop. "Gaited" horses
such as Tennessee Walkers and Missouri Fox-trotters have additional gaits that are very smooth.
Gallop- A horse's fastest gait.
Gelding- A neutered male horse.
Girth- The band that goes under the horse to hold the saddle on his back.
Habit- A formal riding costume for riding sidesaddle, usually consisting of a jacket and skirt.
Halter- A harness that goes around a horse's head for use when leading or grooming him. Unlike bridles, halters do not
have bits and are for use when the rider is on the ground.
Hand- A unit of measurement for horses. A hand equals 4 inches.
Horn- The projection on the front of a western saddle, Australian stock saddle, or sidesaddle.
Lope- The Western version of the canter, a three-beat gait that is very smooth.
Mare- A female horse.
Near- The left side of a horse.
Off- The right side of a horse.
Pommel- The front of a saddle.
Rearing- Usually the action of a frightened or fighting horse- the horse stands on his back legs and raises his front legs off
the ground, sometimes pawing with his front hooves.
Reins- Long bands of leather or synthetic that go from the bit to the rider's hands.
Sidesaddle- A type of saddle made so that the rider can ride with both legs on one side of the horse.
Stallion- A male horse.
Stirrup- The metal or wooden holder in which the rider places his or her foot. The stirrup is attached to the saddle by
fenders or stirrup leathers.
Tack- Horse equipment such as saddles, bridles, and halters.
Trot- A bumpy, two-beat gait.
Western Saddle- Saddles influenced by the saddles of cowboys and Spanish conquistadors. These saddles are usually
very heavy and decorative, with a horn on the pommel. Types of western saddles include roping saddles, pleasure saddles
and barrel-racing saddles.