Stepping into the horse world can feel like learning a whole new language. From mysterious phrases like "floating teeth" to technical terms like "navicular syndrome" horse people seem to have a word for everything. Whether you're a new rider, a horse owner, or just someone who wants to understand what equestrians are talking about, knowing the right terminology is key.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the must-know horse terms—covering everything from body parts and colors to health conditions and common procedures. Whether you’re at the barn, watching a competition, or chatting with a farrier, this glossary will help you sound like a pro in no time. Let’s dive in!

General Terms

Horse – A general term for an adult equine over 14.2 hands tall.
Pony – A smaller equine, typically under 14.2 hands.
Foal – A baby horse, under one year old.
Filly – A young female horse, typically under four years old.
Colt – A young male horse, typically under four years old.
Mare – An adult female horse, four years or older.
Stallion – An adult, uncastrated male horse.
Gelding – A castrated male horse.

Horse Colours & Markings

Bay – Brown body with black mane, tail, and legs.
Chestnut/Sorrel – Reddish-brown body with a mane and tail that may be the same or lighter in colour.
Black – A completely black horse.
Grey – Can be born darker and lighten with age.
Palomino – Golden coat with a white or cream mane and tail.
Dappled – Spots or lighter patches on a darker coat.
Roan – A mix of white and colored hairs throughout the body.

Horse Gaits (Ways They Move)

Walk – A slow, four-beat movement.
Trot – A two-beat, bouncy gait (like a jog).
Canter – A three-beat, faster, and smoother gait.
Gallop – The fastest, four-beat run.

Tack (Horse Equipment)

Bridle – The headgear that includes the bit and reins to control the horse.
Bit – A piece of metal or material in the horse’s mouth to help with steering.
Saddle – The seat placed on a horse’s back for the rider.
Stirrups – The footrests attached to the saddle.
Reins – Straps connected to the bit for guiding the horse.
Halter – A headpiece used for leading or tying a horse.

Horse Care & Behavior

Grooming – Brushing and cleaning the horse.
Mucking Out – Cleaning the stall.
Lunging – Exercising the horse in a circle on a long lead rope.
Colic – A potentially serious stomach issue in horses.
Spooking – When a horse gets startled.

Basic Horse Anatomy

Muzzle – The nose and mouth area.
Forelock – The hair between a horse’s ears that falls on its forehead.
Poll – The top of the horse’s head, between the ears.
Withers – The highest point of the back, just before the neck (used to measure height).
Crest – The top part of the neck, where the mane grows.
Chest – The front of the horse, between the shoulders.
Barrel – The round middle section of the horse’s body.
Flank – The side of the horse, behind the ribcage.
Croup – The top of the hindquarters, just before the tail.
Dock – The base of the tail.
Hock – The large joint on the back legs, similar to a human ankle.
Pastern – The area between the hoof and the fetlock joint.
Hoof – The hard foot of the horse, similar to a fingernail.

Common Horse Disorders & Health Issues

Colic – Abdominal pain, which can be mild or life-threatening.
Laminitis (Founder) – A painful hoof condition often caused by overeating rich feed.
Thrush – A bacterial infection in the hoof, causing a foul smell and black discharge.
Navicular Disease – A chronic condition affecting the navicular bone in the hoof.
Strangles – A highly contagious respiratory disease causing swollen lymph nodes.
Heaves (Recurrent Airway Obstruction, RAO) – A chronic lung condition similar to asthma.
Cushings Disease (PPID) – A hormonal disorder that causes a long, curly coat and weight loss.
Tying Up – A muscle disorder that causes stiffness and cramping, often after exercise.
Rain Rot – A bacterial skin infection causing scabby patches, common in wet conditions.
Scratches (Mud Fever) – A skin infection on the lower legs, often caused by wet and muddy conditions.

Common Veterinary & Farrier Procedures

Floating Teeth – Filing down sharp points on a horse’s teeth to prevent pain and difficulty eating.
Deworming – Administering medication to kill internal parasites.
Vaccinations – Shots given to prevent diseases like tetanus, rabies, and West Nile virus.
Coggins Test – A blood test to check for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), required for travel.
Hoof Trimming – Cutting and shaping the hooves to prevent overgrowth and lameness.
Shoeing – Putting horseshoes on the hooves for protection and support.
Joint Injections – Administering medication directly into the joints to help with arthritis or lameness.
Ultrasound/X-ray – Used to diagnose injuries, especially in legs and joints.
Gelding (Castration) – The surgical removal of a stallion’s testicles.
Colic Surgery – Emergency surgery to correct severe intestinal blockages.

The horse world is full of odd, old-school, and downright funny words. Here are some of the weirdest ones:

Snip, Star, Blaze, & Sock – Nope, we’re not talking about fashion trends. These are all terms for different white markings on a horse’s face and legs. A snip is a tiny nose marking, a star is a forehead marking, a blaze is a wide stripe down the face, and socks are—you guessed it—white markings on the legs.
Bog Spavin & Bone Spavin – These sound like medieval curses, but they’re actually joint issues in a horse’s hock (back leg). Bog spavin is swelling, while bone spavin is arthritis.
Chestnut (but not the color) – Horses have these weird little rough patches on the inside of their legs. Some say they’re leftover “toe beans” from when horses had more than one toe millions of years ago.
Frog – Not the kind that hops! The frog is the squishy, V-shaped part on the underside of a horse’s hoof. It acts as a shock absorber and helps pump blood through the hoof.
Feathers – No, horses don’t fly, but some breeds (like Clydesdales) have feathering, which is the long, flowing hair on their lower legs.
Cribbing – A bad habit where a horse grabs a solid object with its teeth and sucks in air. It's like a weird horse addiction and can lead to health issues.
Scurf – The flaky, dandruff-like stuff that comes off when you curry (groom) a horse. A sign that they need a good brushing!
Pigeon-toed & Cow-hocked – These are ways to describe a horse’s leg alignment. Pigeon-toed means the hooves point inward, while cow-hocked means the back legs angle inward like a cow’s. Neither is ideal, but plenty of horses still do just fine!
Green – If someone calls a horse (or a rider) green, it’s not about their color—it just means they’re inexperienced. A green broke horse has just started training, while a dead broke horse is so well-trained it could babysit.
Sacking Out – No, it’s not a horse taking a nap. It’s a training method where you gently desensitize a horse by rubbing them with things like sacks, blankets, or plastic bags to help them get used to spooky objects.

Four unusual horse facts you might not know:

Horses can "lock" their legs to sleep standing up – Thanks to a unique system of tendons and ligaments called the stay apparatus, horses can relax and doze off while standing without falling over. However, for deep REM sleep, they do need to lie down occasionally.
They have nearly 360-degree vision – A horse’s eyes are among the largest of any land mammal, and their placement on the sides of their head gives them an incredibly wide field of vision. However, they do have two blind spots—directly in front of their nose and directly behind their tail.
Their hooves are made of the same material as human fingernails – A horse’s hooves continuously grow, just like our nails. This is why regular trimming or natural wear is essential to keep them healthy and prevent lameness.
Horses can’t vomit – Unlike humans, horses have a very strong lower esophageal sphincter, which prevents food or gas from coming back up. While this helps them avoid choking hazards, it also makes colic (digestive issues) particularly dangerous since they can’t throw up to relieve pressure.

Written March 2025
By Katey Mac

Horse Talk 101: Understanding Equine Terminology