Vocabulary Sunday

I have had several people ask about vocabulary words specific to the world of horses. I know that when the DOR started hanging out with horses she had a lot of words to learn too. So I am going to dedicate Sunday to vocabulary.

ABOVE THE BIT
When the horse carries it's nose above the rider's hands, reducing the rider's control

ABRASION
A scrape on the skin.

ABSCESS
An infection in the sensitive hoof tissues, often causes lameness, and requires draining. Once puss has been drained from the hoof, the horse will usually recover quickly. If not drained, it will usually work itself out of the hoof, making a hole along the coronet band or at the bulbs of the heels, and will then drain.

BACK CINCH
A cinch near the back of a Western saddle that keeps it from tipping up when the horse stops or turns suddenly. Often seen in fast events or ranch horses. It goes just in front of the flank and is much looser than the front cinch.

BALANCE
The distribution of the rider's weigh evenly on the horse's back.

CANTLE
The curved area of the saddle that makes up the back of the seat. This term is used for both English and Western saddles.

CAST
When a horse is on the ground an unable to rise, usually because the horse rolled too close to a fence or wall and is unable to get its feet under it to rise. A cast horse can suffer brain damage and can also suffocate if down for more than an hour.

CINCH
The part of the saddle that goes around the horse's heartgirth and holds the saddle on. They vary in length and material; Many English riders also call this part of the saddle the 'girth'.

Freedom and I are still working hard on our campaign. We have met with our foreign policy advisers and have come up with our operating policy. I will publish it tomorrow.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR