Equestrian glossary

50 essential equestrian terms with bilingual definitions. Use the table of contents to jump to a category, or share a direct link to any term.

Tack and equipment

Bit(Mors): The mouthpiece, usually metal, that sits in the horse's mouth and transmits rein signals. Many designs exist depending on the horse's level of training and the riding discipline.
Breeches(Culotte d'équitation): Snug-fitting riding pants made from stretch fabric with seamless inner knees to prevent chafing. Full-seat models, reinforced from waist to calf, give the rider extra grip in the saddle.
Bridle(Bride): The headgear of leather straps that holds the bit in place and carries the reins. A bridle must be carefully fitted so it neither pinches the skin nor gags the horse.
Girth(Sangle): The strap that passes under the horse's belly to hold the saddle in place. It should be tightened gradually and rechecked after a few minutes of work.
Halter(Licou): A bitless piece of headgear used to lead, tie or groom the horse. A lead rope clips onto the halter for everyday handling on the ground.
Longe line(Longe): A long lead, typically six to eight metres, that connects the handler to the horse during circle work. It is held in safe figure-eight loops so the handler does not get tangled.
Martingale: An auxiliary piece of tack that discourages the horse from raising its head too high. A standing martingale attaches to the noseband, while a running martingale slides along the reins.
Riding boot(Botte d'équitation): A firm-soled boot with a slight heel that protects the leg and keeps the foot from sliding through the stirrup. Designs range from short paddock boots paired with half-chaps to tall, knee-high boots.
Riding helmet(Casque d'équitation): Certified protective headgear worn at all times when riding, both at home and in competition. A helmet that has taken a hard impact should be replaced even if it looks undamaged.
Saddle(Selle): The piece of tack placed on the horse's back to give the rider a stable seat and to spread the rider's weight. Saddle styles include jumping, dressage and western, each shaped for its discipline.
Snaffle(Mors de filet): The most common bit, usually jointed in the middle, which acts directly on the horse's mouth with no leverage. It is the default training bit and is used for most everyday riding.
Stirrup(Étrier): The metal loop that hangs from the saddle and supports the rider's foot. Stirrup length is adjusted to the rider's build and to the demands of the discipline.

Horse care

Blanketing(Couverture): The practice of putting a weatherproof rug on the horse, common during Quebec winters. The right blanket weight depends on the horse's coat, available shelter and outside temperature.
Cooling out(Récupération au pas): The walking-down period after exercise that lets a horse's breathing and body temperature return to normal. Skipping this step raises the risk of muscle soreness or colic.
Currying(Étrillage): The first step of grooming, using a circular curry comb to loosen dried mud and dead hair. The curry is kept to fleshy areas and avoided over bony spots like the legs and face.
Deworming(Vermifugation): Preventive treatment against internal parasites, given as oral paste or pellets on a schedule recommended by the vet. A consistent program protects the horse's gut health and overall condition.
Farrier visit(Visite du maréchal-ferrant): A regular appointment, usually every six to eight weeks, where the farrier trims the hooves and resets or replaces shoes. Without consistent farrier care, horses quickly go lame or develop hoof problems.
Grooming(Pansage): The daily care of a horse's coat and hooves, performed before and after work. Grooming removes mud and sweat, lets the handler check skin condition, and builds trust with the horse.
Lunging(Travail à la longe): A groundwork exercise in which the horse moves on a circle around the handler at the end of a long line. Lunging is used to warm up, condition or train the horse without a rider's weight.
Mucking out(Curage du box): The stable chore of removing manure and soiled bedding from a horse's stall to keep it clean and dry. Regular mucking out prevents hoof problems and respiratory issues.

Riding and aids

Canter(Petit galop): A controlled three-beat gait that is faster than a trot but slower than a full gallop. It is the working canter used in arena lessons and most dressage and jumping work.
Contact: The soft, steady connection between the rider's hands and the horse's mouth through the reins. Good contact is consistent but never harsh or slack.
Gallop(Galop): The horse's fastest gait, a four-beat movement during which all four hooves leave the ground in each stride. It is distinguished from the canter by greater speed and longer extension.
Half-halt(Demi-arrêt): A brief, coordinated use of seat, leg and rein that rebalances the horse without stopping it. It is the primary tool for preparing a transition or refocusing the horse's attention.
Leg yield(Cession à la jambe): A lateral movement in which the horse travels forward and sideways at the same time, crossing its legs while staying nearly straight. It is a fundamental suppling exercise that teaches the horse to respect the rider's leg.
Mount(Monter en selle): The act of getting on the horse, traditionally from the left side and most often with the help of a mounting block. Good technique avoids twisting the saddle or pulling on the horse's back.
Neck rein(Rêne d'appui): A steering technique, common in western riding, where the rider lays a rein against the side of the horse's neck rather than pulling on its mouth. It allows the horse to be guided with one hand.
Posting trot(Trot enlevé): A riding technique in which the rider rises slightly out of the saddle in rhythm with the horse's diagonal stride. Posting eases strain on both horse and rider during sustained trot work.
Seat(Assiette): The position and stability of the rider's seat bones and torso in the saddle. A correct, independent seat lets the rider follow the horse's motion without relying on the reins for balance.
Trot: A two-beat gait where the horse's legs move in diagonal pairs. Faster than a walk but slower than a canter, the trot is the foundation gait of most beginner lessons.

Disciplines

Cross-country: The outdoor phase of eventing in which horse and rider gallop across countryside and jump fixed natural obstacles. Speed, fitness and bravery are essential.
Dressage: A discipline in which horse and rider perform a set of precise movements judged on harmony, lightness and accuracy. Often called equestrian ballet, dressage also underpins the training of every other discipline.
Equitation(Équitation classique): A judged discipline in which the rider, rather than the horse, is evaluated on position, use of the aids and effectiveness. It is often a young rider's first entry point into competition.
Eventing(Concours complet): An equestrian triathlon combining dressage, cross-country and show jumping, traditionally over three days. The same horse and rider must be versatile, fit and exceptionally well trained.
Hunter: An English-style discipline in which the horse is judged on its form and consistency over fences. Unlike show jumping, the goal is a smooth stride and a calm, polished horse rather than speed.
Reining: A high-level western discipline in which the horse performs circles, sliding stops and rollbacks along a set pattern. The horse should appear to do all of this almost on its own.
Show jumping(Saut d'obstacles): A discipline in which horse and rider tackle a numbered course of fences within a set time. Knocked rails, refusals and time faults add penalty points to the score.
Trail riding(Randonnée équestre): Riding outdoors on trails, in forests or on mountain paths, lasting from a few hours to several days. It is one of the most accessible ways to enjoy horses in Quebec.
Vaulting(Voltige): A gymnastic discipline performed on a cantering horse held on a longe line, with vaulters executing figures and lifts. It can be done solo, in pairs or as a team.
Western riding(Équitation western): A riding style rooted in American ranch work, performed in a horn-equipped saddle and often with the reins held in one hand. In Quebec it is widely practised at ranches and rodeos.

Anatomy

Croup(Croupe): The upper rear section of the horse, between the hips and the base of the tail. The shape of the croup influences both the horse's pushing power and the way it carries its tail.
Fetlock(Boulet): The joint between the cannon bone and pastern, just above the hoof. Swelling or injury to the fetlock is a common cause of lameness in sport horses.
Forelock(Toupet): The lock of mane that falls between the horse's ears and onto its forehead. Beyond looking tidy, it helps shield the eyes from sun and flies.
Hock(Jarret): The joint in the middle of the horse's hind leg, similar to the human ankle. Heavily loaded during stops and jumps, it is one of the joints vets monitor most closely.
Withers(Garrot): The bony ridge at the base of the horse's neck, just above the shoulders. It is also the reference point used to measure a horse's height.

Training

Green broke(Débourré): Said of a young horse that accepts saddle, bit and rider but has only basic training. It still needs an experienced rider to continue developing.
On the aids(Aux aides): Describes a horse that is attentive and responsive to the rider's leg, seat and rein cues. Getting the horse on the aids is often the main goal of a schooling session.
On the bit(Sur la main): A state in which the horse yields to the rider's hand, rounds its neck and engages its hindquarters. It accepts the contact steadily, neither leaning on the bit nor avoiding it.
Schooled(Bien dressé): Describes a horse that responds correctly to the aids and knows its job in a given discipline. A schooled horse is an ideal partner for beginner or intermediate riders.
Working trot(Trot de travail): A balanced, even trot sitting between collected and extended trot, used as a reference gait in dressage tests. It is the everyday working pace of most training sessions.