Complete Glossary English-German - Pferdewissenschaften

Complete Glossary 

English-German 

a touch of fever 

If the temperature is just a little bit above 

normal. 

leichtes Fieber 

Abbreviations for Horse 

sport events 

A List of Abbreviations exists for the different 

Abkürzungen für 

disciplines, of horse sport, for example CD 

Reitsportdisziplinen 

means dressage event 

abort to give birth prematurely to a dead fetus Abort 

abortifacient a drug that causes abortion Abortivum 

abortion 

to remove a dead fetus as a veterinary 

procedure 

A head position in which the horse avoids 

Abort herbeiführen 

Above the bit 

acceptance of the contact by putting the 

muzzle forward and upward 

Über dem Zügel 

Abscess 

localised collection of pus, warm to touch, 

painful 

Abszeß 

absence of appetite The horse has little or no hunger Appetitlosigkeit 

absolute dry-matter 

in analyzing feed, the result of substracting the 

Trockensubstanz 

percentage of water from 100 percent 

absorption To take in by various means Aufnahme 

absorption 

active transport of nutrients from the intestines 

Absorption 

into the blood 

absorption 

active transport of nutrients from the intestines 

Absorption 

into the blood 

Lack of evasion, resistance, or protest. Used in 

reference to the horse´ unresistant willingness 

Acceptance 

to allow the application of aids, the 

maintenance of a steady contact, and/or the 

placement of the riders weight. 

term used when doing lateral work; relates to 

Durchlässigkeit 

according to direction of 

movements 

the horse’s flexion which should be into the 

direction the horse moves during half pass, for 

example 

in Richtung der Bewegung 

Aching muscles 

Muscle fibres can break and hurt if they are 

charged too strongly. 

Muskelkater 

acid-base balance Säure-Base Haushalt 

acidosis 

disorder of the acid/alkali balance of the body, 

lowering of the alkali reserves 

Azidose 

Acquiescence see: Acceptance Durchlässigkeit 

acro hyperthermia 

acrosome 

action of one leg only 

active leg 

Activity 

Acute Hypersensitivity 

The body first lowers the circulation in the legs 

and arms when being in the cold. So the first 

parts of the body which are below the normal 

temperature are legs and arms. 

The acrosome is an organelle that develops 

over the anterior half of the spermatozoon's 

head. In Eutherian mammals the acrosome 

contains digestive enzymes 

Unterkühlung der 

Extremitäten 

Akrosom 

only one leg produces pressure; e.g. needed in 

einseitiger Schenkeldruck 

lateral work 

the rider is giving aids with his legs; opposite= aktiver Schenkel (des 

passive leg 

Reiters) 

Energy, vigor, liveliness - referring especially to 

Hinterhandaktivität 

that of the haunches 

Akute 

a local reaction is stimulated, but occasionally 

Überempfindlichkeit/Allergi 

the whole body reacts 

e 

additional feed food-supplements Zusatz-, Ergänzungsfutter 

Page 1 Copyright 2. Jahrgang Pferdewissenschaften Wien

Adelaide Horse Trials 

This is an annual three day event held in the 

CBD of the city of Adelaide, state capital of 

South Australia. It is one of only four CCI**** 

(four star) events in the world. The other four 

star events are: Badminton Horse Trials, 

Burghley Horse Trials, Kentucky Three Day 

Event. 

"Adelaide Horse Trials" 

Adhesive tape This will keep pads and bandages in place. Haftklebeband 

adiposity 

A. is a disadvantage for the fitness, body 

temperature, and infection resistance and 

lowers life expectancy. Horses with A. have to 

get voluminous feed with little energy- for 

Adipositas/Fettsucht 

example older hay. They need the possibility to 

chew very long without getting too much 

energy of it. A pasture full of clover could lead 

to death. 

adjust the stirrups, to to change the length of the stirrups Steigbügel verstellen 

administer vaccination, to If you give someone a shot eine Impfung verabreichen 

advanced rider a person with some riding experience 

In the presence of oxygen, fats or 

Fortgeschrittener 

Aerobic metabolism carbohydrates are metabolized to generate 

energy. 

Aerober Stoffwechsel 

African horse sickness 

viral infection spread by mosquitoes and biting 

midges 

endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, acute or 

Afrikanische Pferdepest 

African Horse Sickness 

(AHS) 

subacute non-contagious viral disease 

transmitted by arthropods, characterised by 

fever, oedema in the lungs, bleedings, heart 

failure. 

Afrikanische Pferdepest 

afterbirth s. Plazenta 

The horse avoids accepting the contact by 

Nachgeburt 

Against the bit 

becoming rigid or unyielding in the neck and 

poll and/or jaw, although the head carriage 

may appear superficially correct. 

Gegen den Zügel 

agent 

A person authorized to act on the behalf of a 

jockey or owner. Generally refers to a jockey's 

agent who lines up rides for him or her. 

der Bevollmächtigte 

Aids 

Signals by which the rider communicates his 

wishes to the horse. 

Hilfen 

aids to start a canter aids to strike off at canter 

Classical high school dressage. Includes 

Galopphilfen 

Airs/Airs above the ground 

pasade/levade and school jumps, courbette 

and capriole, which are only performed with 

specially trained horses 

also called lucerne; a legume used as fedder, 

Schulen über der Erde 

alfalfa 

harvested as hay; an excellent source of 

vitamins 

Luzerne 

algogenic 

Some medications will try to lower the fever if 

the horse is suffering a lot. 

die Körpertemperatur 

senkend 

alimentary bolus see bolus Nahrungsbissen 

alimentary tract 

allergy 

allergy to hay dust 

alligator clinches 

the food canal beginning at the mouth and 

extending to the anus; gastrointestinal tract 

a hypersensitivity or abnormal sensitivity to an 

allergen or specific substance as pollen, dust, 

drug or feed, etc 

allergy to dust and mold in hay, symptom: 

chronic cough, see also COPD 

Pair of tongs for bending the nail ends pointing 

out of the hoof after putting on a new shoe. 

Verdauungstrakt 

Allergie 

Page 2 Copyright 2. Jahrgang Pferdewissenschaften Wien 

Heustauballergie 

Krokodilzange

allocate the horses, to to say which horse is ridden by which person Pferde einteilen 

allow to stretch 

completely, to 

allowance race 

Aloes 

alopecia 

alveolar artery 

Amble 

amino acid 

amniotic fluid 

amyotrophia/ muscular 

atrophy 

Anaerobic metabolism 

the rider opens his fists and allows the horse to Zügel aus der Hand kauen 

take the reins for stretching 

lassen 

A race where weights and eligibility to enter 

are determined by conditions set by the racing 

secretary. 

it is an African plant of the lily family; the juice 

seals burnt, damaged or irritated skin from the Aloe vera 

air and promotes healing 

This is the missed or reduced development of 

the coat of the horse. It can be caused by 

neurological, autoimmune, hormonal or genetic 

factors. The patches without hairs are plump or 

they look like a “map”. Typically for this 

Alopezie 

disease is that the skin is unchanged and 

shows no symptoms. But if the disease lasts for 

longer time the skin turns darker and darker. If 

the hairs grow again after a long time, they 

may be white. 

There you can feel the pulse of the horse. It is 

located more or less on the chin of the horse. 

A gait in which the ipsilateral pairs of legs 

move in unison. A "lateral walk". May be the 

result of hard rein aids 

The building blocks which make up the body's 

protein 

the clear fluid that surrounds a fetus in a 

mare's womb 

shrinking muscle, often caused by nerval 

disorder 

Carbohydrates are metabolized to generate 

energy in the absence of oxygen with lactic 

acid as a by-product. 

Gesichtsarterie 

Pass 

Aminosäure 

Fruchtwasser 

Muskelatrophie 

Anaerober Stoffwechsel 

Anaerobic threshold 

Intensity of exercise at which anaerobic 

metabolism significantly contributes to the 

production of energy; lactic acid in the bloodstream 

exceeds four mmol/liter. 

anaerobe Schwelle 

Ancestry Ancestors of a horse Ahnen 

Anhydrosis 

the heat regulatory system has lost its major 

way of cooling the body 

Anhydrose, verminderte 

Schweißabsonderung 

animal feed 

any substance that animals eat and drink to 

maintain life and growth 

Futtermittel 

animal feed law a law ensuring the proper feeding of animals Futtermittelrecht 

animate, to to motivate the horse to move faster 

See also brushing boots, fetlock boots; prevent 

treiben 

ankle boots 

the horse from injuring its hind fetlocks due to 

brushing. 

Streichkappen 

Anomaly Deviation from normal Anomalie 

anti rearing bit 

Sharp bit with a curb pointing into the tongue 

to prevent horses from rearing. 

Steigergebiss 

Antibacterial soap For cleaning wounds from dirt Antibakterielle Seife 

Antibiotic ointment 

Oinment that helps to close wounds faster and 

better 

Antibakterielle Salbe 

antibodies 

anticipating the aid 

Proteins which are an adequate answer of the 

immune system of the contact with antigens. 

when the horse reacts before the rider actually 

gave his aids; often happens when the horse is 

overeager 

Antikörper 


der Hilfe (des Reiters) 

zuvorkommen

antigen 

An organic matter which the organism knows 

as external. It activates a specific immune 

response. 

Antigen 

anti-rabies vaccination Impfung gegen Tollwut 

antiseptic cream 

cream preventing microbes to cause an 

infection used for minor injuries of the skin. 

desinfizierende Salbe / 

Creme 

antiseptic wash 

liquid form of antiseptic creams that can also 

be used on greater surfaces. 

desinfizierende Lösung 

aorta The big main artery. Aorta 

Amerikanischer 

APHA American Paint Horse Association 

Zuchtverband für Paint 

Horses 

Appaloosa 

Western horse breed, coloured or spotted 

horses 

Appaloosa 

Appeal Committee 

appetite 

apprentice 

Committee determined by the FEI for World 

Cup Finals, Championships, Region and 

Olympic Games, Consists of a president and 

two members, Must be international ( one of 

the members must be foreign) 

desire for food; a depraved appetite is a desire 

for sth other than food such as tree bark ( 

wood chewing ), dung ( coprophagy ) 

A rider who has not ridden a specified amount 

of winners within a specific time period. These 

riders get weight allowances on all their 

mounts based on the number of winners they 

have. 10 pounds until the fifth winner, 7 

pounds until the 35th winner and five pounds 

for one calendar year after the date of the 5th 

winner. 

AQHA American Quarter Horse Association 

Beschwerdekommittee 

Appetit 

der Lehrling 

Amerikanischer 

Zuchtverband für Quarter 

Horses 

arched neck im Hals gebogen 

arena 

the size of the arena for a driven dressage test 

to be held under FEI rules must be 100 meters 

long and 40 meters wide and marked with the 

usual dresage letters. 

Dressurviereck 

Arena 

A large indoor or outdoor riding area usually 

fenced and and with soft footing 

Reitplatz 

arena an indoor place for riding Reitbahn 

arena figures 

figures you can ride to relax the horse and to 

Bahnfiguren 

Arnica 

arrest bleeding 

(=haemostasis), to 

get it between legs and hands. 

this herb has bright yellow flowers; it is used 

as an extract in creams and oils; it reduces 

blood and plasma leakage and promotes 

healing 

In case of arterial bleedings steps should be 

taken to stop bleeding, e.g. various types of 

dressings. Light bleedings do not need further 

actions because the loss of blood is little. 

Arnika 

Blutstillung 

Arrival time 

This is the time when horse and rider arrive at 

the vet checks or the finish 

Ankunftszeit 

arterial bleeding 

The arteries over the back of the sesamoid 

bone and down the back of the pastern 

Aterielle Blutung 

artery 

A vessel in which the blood flows from the 

heart in the direction of the organs. 

Arterie 

arthritis inflammation of a joint 

Arthritis - 

Gelenksentzündung 

arthrosis degenerative disorder, joint disease Arthrose 


Artificial Insemination 

(A.I.) 

Insemination of raw, chilled or frozen semen 

with a insemination pipette 

Künstliche Besamung 

ask to, to to prompt, to invite 

an infection, a growth, or an allergic response 

caused a fungus (Aspergillus); can affect the 

auffordern 

aspergillosis 

eye, causing blindness, and any other organ of 

the body, but especially the heart, lungs, brain, 

and kidneys 

Aspergillose 

ataxia 

incoordination, loss of muscle control that leads 

Ataxie 

to swaying, staggering 

athletic ability ability of a person to do sportive exercise athletische Fähigkeit 

Atrial Fibrillation 

heart rhythm irregularity resulting in a 

fast/irregular heartbeat 

Vorhofflimmern 

atrium 

A part of the chamber that receives blood from 

Herzatrium 

veins. 

automatic feeder 

a machine that distributes a certain amount of 

food to horses without direct human control 

Futterautomat 

automatic water-bowl 

Installation for permanent water supply on 

pasture and in stall. 

Selbsttränke 

automatic waterer see drinking through Tränke / Selbsttränke 

automatic-water bowl 

a watering place which the horse can operate 

by itself 

part of the nervous system which controls the 

Selbsttränke 

autonomic nervous system 

functions of all organs, divided into 

parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous 

system 

part of the nervous system which controls the 

Vegetatives Nervensystem 

autonomic nervous system 

functions of all organs, divided into 

parasympathetic and sympathetic noervous 

system 

Help for young horses to find the right position 

of the head, neck and body to develop its back 

muscles as a preparation for the rider’s weight 

Vegetatives Nervensystem 

auxiliary rein 

or an aid for riding beginners to handle the 

horse more easily because the horse has to 

train its body in a way to be able to carry the 

rider’s weight smoothly and without any 

difficulty. 

Hilfszügel 

axle 

the axis made of wood or metal in which the 

wheels of the vehicle turn. 

Achse 

Azoturia (also:Monday 

disease of horses characterized by red-brown 

morning disease, sacral 

urine and muscle weakness, often to the point 

paralysis, black water, 

of being unable to get up; occurs after 

equine rhabdomyolysis 

excercise after several days of inaction while 

syndrome, equine paralytic 

still being fed a high-energy ration 

myoglubinuria) 

Kreuzverschlag (auch: 

Feiertagskrankheit, 

Lumbago, Schwarze 

Hornwinde) 

baby race A race for 2-year-olds. das Fohlenrennen 

baby-oil 

back at the knee 

back at the knees rückbiegig 

back cinch 

Back Cinch 

for rubbing the horse`s face especially the 

nostrils to make it shine and look nice for 

competitions, licensings or performance tests 

A conformation fault in which the foreleg is 

bowed backwards at the knee. 

girth behind the usual girth, necessary for 

roping, Cutting, etc, to avoid that the back part 

of the saddle will lift up when the horse moves 

quickly 

This part of the western saddle connects the 

cinch and the back cinch with each other 

Babyöl 

rückbiegig 


The knees are behind the 

vertical. 

hinterer Bauchgurt, wichtig 

vor allem bei 

Rinderdisziplinen 

hinterer Bauchgurt

Back number 

When you ride an eventing competition you 

have some figures on your back to distinguish 

you from other competitors. 

Rückennummer 

back pad pad from the top of the withers to the flank 

It is a special waistcoat in a hard material. It 

Decke, Pad 

Back protector 

should damp the collision during a fall and try 

to avoid injuries on the backbone. 

Rückenschützer/-schoner 

back up backwards moving of the horse Rückwartsrichten 

backband 

wide part which crosses the back behind the Rückenriemen (quer zur 

backstraps 

withers; it spreads into the bellyband. 

strap which connects the backband with the 

crupper. 

Wirbelsäule) 

Rückenriemen (längs der 

Wirbelsäule) 

backstretch The straight way on the far side of the track. die hintere Gerade 

bacteria 

Badge of honour 

Badminton Horse Trials 

bag balm 

Balance 

the simplest and smallest forms of life in air, 

water and soil; often a cause of disease 

Is awarded to competitors who have completed 

the first round of a Nations Cup, a Team or 

individual Championship at Olympic Games and 

World and Continental senior Championships, 

for 40 completed Nations Cups a gold badge of 

honour is awarded 

This is a three day event, one of only four elite 

international four star, CCI****, events as 

classified by the FEI. It takes place in May each 

year in the park of Badminton House, the seat 

of the Dukes of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, 

England. 

Bakterien 

Ehrenschleife 

you put it in places where the horse has no hair 

because of old injuries so that new hair grows Melkfett 

Relative distribution of the weight of horse and 

rider upon the force and hindlegs (longitudinal 

balance). The horse is in good balance when 

the weight is distributed evenly left and right, 

and sufficienly toward the rear legs that it can 

easily manage the task at hand. The horse is 

carrying the riders and its own weight in the 

most efficient way. Loss of balance means the 

sudden increase of weight onto the forehand or 

to one side. 

"Badminton Horse Trials" 

Gleichgewicht 

balance 

when the rider sits in a harmonious and calm 

way 

Gleichgewicht 

balance exercise 

point of gravity referring to the horse is not 

changed during this kind of exercise 

statische Übung 

bale of hay cubically pressed hay 

standardized quantity of hay, compressed and 

Heuballen 

bale of hay 

bound up into a rectangular shape called a 

square bale 

der Heuballen 

balk, to To stop short of an obstacle scheuen 

ball of the foot part of the foot in the front Fußballen 

ball of the foot part of the body behind the toes. Fußballen 

bandage 

attached to the horse`s legs to provide leg 

support 

Bandage, Gamasche 


andage 

A bandage can be used for different things, for 

example to fix a dressing, to keep the horse `s 

legs warm or cool (if you put some ice under it 

or something else), or only to protect the legs 

of the horse when it stands in the box. There Bandage 

are some bandages which are elastic, some 

consist of fleece (these are not very elastic) 

and some are self-sticking; these are very good 

to fix a dressing. 

Bandage of the thorax 

Dressing which is applied between forehand 

and hindquarters. 

Rumpfverband 

Bandages for dressing and protecting a wound Binden, Bandagen 

bandages 

strips of cloth used for tying around a horse`s 

leg in order to protect it 

Bandagen 

bandages 

Padded layer of gauze or muslin fixed to 

protect wounds. 

Verband 

bandages 

Long piece of cloth you wrap around the horses 

Bandagen 

legs to protect them. 

Material which should be ready to hand in case 

Bandaging Material of emergency, e.g. Cotton, Elastic Bandage, 

Iodine etc. 

the best known natural jump is the bank at 

Verbandsmaterial 

Bank 

Hamburg Derby. The bank has got obstacles 

with up and down jumps. 

A jump with two or more stairs in the ground. 

There are two different ways to ride over the 

Wall 

bank 

bank, either you jump up on to a bank or you 

jump down from a bank. Sometimes you have 

to jump uphill or on top of a hill, which is more 

difficult. 

Der Wall 

bar 

Piece of leather sewn on the reins every 5 to 

10 cm. 

Steg 

Barker Foals (Neonatal 

maladjustment syndrome) 

disease of newborn thoroughbred foals, 

incomplete maturation of the respiratory and 

other systems 

Neonatale Krankheit: 

Unterentwicklung des 

Respirationstraktes 

barley 

a cereal grass, the grain of cereal grass used 

as feed 

die Gerste 

barm see yeast Hefe 

barrel 

The part of the horse between shoulders and 

hindquarters; the part under the rider 

Mittelhand 

barrel 

dummy which is used for practising vaulting 

exercises with safety 

Atrappen/- Übungspferd 

barrel race race around three barrels Tonnenrennen 

Barrel Race - 

Barren mare 

Barrenness 

Barrier Gate 

At Barrel Racing the rider has ride through a 

marked triangle of three oilbarrels. The rider 

has to start in gallop and has to follow the 

succession. It is allowed to touch the barrels 

but not to overthrow them. If a rider 

overthrows a barrel he will get 5 seconds 

added. A good rider will ride this distance of 

150 m in about 13 seconds. it will be ridden at 

Rodeos and exclusively by women. 

Mare that was covered by a stallion did not get 

fertilized 

Lack of pregnancy at the end of the season, 

but perfectly capable of producing a foal, as 

demonstrated in previous years 

is a high jump, too. In most cases it is painted 

white or naturally coloured and in contrast to Gatter 

other high jumps, consists of only one element. 


Rennbewerb um drei 

Tonnen herum 

Nicht befruchtete Stute 

Nicht trächtig am Ende 

eines Zuchtjahres

Bascule 

base 

base narrow bodeneng 

base narrow 

base narrow at the hocks see: closed behind 

base wide bodenweit 

base wide 

This is a term used to describe the arc a horse 

makes as it jumps a fence. 

This is something you put on a wound before 

you get the dressing on it. If you do not put a 

base on, the dressing will stick on the wound 

and next time when you want to get off the 

dressing, you will open up the wound again. 

Some good bases are cotton wool or cellulose. 

A conformation fault in which the horse's feet 

stand closer at the ground than at the origin of 

the legs in the chest. Base narrow horses are 

predisposed to leaning on the outside of the 

hoof wall. 

A conformation fault in which the horses feet 

stand wider at the ground than at the origin of 

the legs in the chest. More weight is distributed 

at the inside of the hoof. 

base wide at the hocks see: open behind 

Bascule 

Unterlage 

The feet are narrower at 

the ground level than at 

their tops at chest level. 

eng (Hinterbeine) 

The feet are wider at the 

ground level than at their 

tops at chest level. 

weit (Hinterbeine) 

Basic Bandage Used to keep a wound protected/clean/covered Wund- oder Deckverband 

basic feed 

hay, grass and silage, what a horse needs to 

"survive" 

Grundfutter 

basic seat sitting astride with arms extended Grundsitz, Vorwärtssitz 

Basic speed 

This is the normal speed of walk, trot and 

canter. 

Grund Tempo 

bat 

bay 

bay 

See also cane, whip, crop, stick; Artificial aid 

by which the rider may emphasize and back up 

the natural aids of seat and legs. Used to 

encourage reluctant or lazy horses to move 

foreward. Sometimes used to punish. 

horse with a red or light brown colour, but 

black legs, mane, tail, etc. 

A horse with black points and reddish brown 

body colour (most frequent horse colour). 

BC see Best Condition Award 

be in season, heat; to 

when the mare is able to be fertilized and 

accepts the stallion to cover her; the mare will 

squat slightly, straddling her hindlegs, raising 

the tail and everting her clitoris (= winking) 

Gerte 

rot-, hellbraun mit 

schwarzen Beinen und 

Langhaar 

Brauner 

Rosse 

be in splints, to 

Splints support and protect injured bones and 

soft tissue, reducing pain, swelling, and muscle geschient sein 

spasm. 

be out of training, to 

if you didn´t ride for a while, you need time to 

get used to it again. 

aus der Übung sein 

Beamer info systems 

Screen to show sequences from the practice 

area or an electric starting board 

Beamer 

Informationssystem 

bearing buckle the fixing ring for the bearing strap. Halterungsschnalle 


earing in (or out) 

Failing to maintain a straight course, veering to 

the left or right. Can be caused by injury, 

fatigue, outside distractions, or poor riding. 

taumeln 

bearing strap 

the connecting piece between the backband 

and the trace. 

Footfalls within a gait. A hoof or pairs of hooves 

Halterungsriemen 

Beat 

simultaneously striking the ground. Walk: fourbeated; 

Trot: two-beated; Canter: threebeated 

Takt 

beat movements of the feet in trot 

See also bedding; layer of material (straw, 

Tritt 

bed 

wood shavings) to pad concrete floors in 

stables and to absorb urine. 

Einstreu, Streu 

bed, bedding material to provide a bed for a horse Streu 

bedding See bed. Einstreu, Streu 

beestings 

a type of plant with a root which is used as a 

Biestmilch 

beet 

vegetable, esp for feeding animals or for 

making sugar 

Rüben 

beetroot 

a plant with a dark red round root which is 

eaten as a vegetable 

Rote Beete 

beginner person with little riding experience 

a person who hasn’t got much experience and 

Anfänger 

beginner 

knowledge and experience with and about 

horses; also low riding skills, novice 

An evasion in which the horse reacts or shrinks 

back from the bit/contact, avoiding stepping 

Anfänger 

Behind the bit 

into the contact. The head is mostly behind the Hinter dem Zügel 

vertical. May not be seen, but can only be 

verified by the rider. 

Behind the vertical 

bell boots 

belly closure 

bellyband 

Bench 

bench knees ? 

Bend 

bend 

bend of the body (ribs) 

bent horse 

The head position in which the horse´s nostril 

falls behind the imaginary line dropped from 

the horse`s eye. Wrong position of the head 

which should be in or in front of the vertical. 

See also overreach boots; Guard for the 

coronet and the bulb of heel to avoid injuries 

the horse gets by scraping against the opposite 

leg while working it. 

Additional piece for rugs fixed under the 

horse’s tummy to prevent chafing. 

it lies onto the girth; this strap has a carrying 

function. 

is a solid natural obstacle which is built 

similarly to a normal bench, but much bigger. 

Tha Bench is really a very powerfull jump. 

The laterally arched position in which the 

horse´s body appears to form an even curve 

from poll to tail. The hindlegs shell step in the 

trace of the fronthooves. Bending only the neck 

Hinter der Senkrechten 

Sprungglocken 

Bauchlatz 

Trageriemen 

Bank 

The cannon bones are set 

too far to the outside of 

the knees. 

Biegung 

is wrong. 

the head and body of the horse are in a specific 

Stellung, Biegung 

position 

when the horse is not just flexed in the neck 

Biegung in der Rippe 

but also in the middle 

when both the neck and body /ribs are flexed; 

the bending has to be up to the curving of the 

track opposite: straightened horse 


gebogenes Pferd

ent line riding along a curve 

The award is given to a horse within the top 

ten finishers (or the first third of the placed 

gebogene Linie 

Best Condition Award horses) who is judged to be in the best 

condition. Weight carried and riding time are 

taken into consideration. 

when the rider is able to control his horse’s 

Konditionspreis 

between legs and hands outline and performance by his aids, which the 

horse understands 

an den Hilfen 

Biceps femoris 

Billiard 

Billy Allen Bit 

Maintains hip joint in extension, Main muscles 

over the hindquarters, part of the hamstring 

group, well developed in eventers, race horses. 

includes an up and a down jump and there is 

an upright jump on the billiard in addition. 

Billiard also belongs to the artificial obstacles. 

This kind of bit is stronger than a normal bit 

because it has 

Biceps femoris 

Billiard 

Snaffle with Shanks mit 

doppelt gebrochenem 

Mundstück 

Biothane 

Biothane is a vinyl material which is used in 

bridles very often. 

Biothane 

Biotin 

required for carbohydrate, fat and protein 

metabolism 

Biotin 

biotin a water-soluble vitamin Biotin 

Biotin and DL methionine 

deficiencies 

weak bonds and poor quality horn 

Biotin und DL-Methionin 

Mangel 

Bit Side parts of a bit. Gebiss, Kandare 

bit 

bit 

bit 

Bit control 

a bar of metal to which the reins are attached 

and which is inserted in a horse`s mouth 

Piece of metal, plastic, rubber or leather fixed 

in the horse‘s mouth enabling the rider giving 

signals to the horse via the reins for 

communication of aids. 

piece of metal or other material which lies in 

the horse`s mouth; attached to -> bridle to 

achieve better control 

The judges will control the different bits the 

riders use because one can not use all types of 

bits, since there a certain rules. 

Gebiss 

Gebiss 

Gebiss 

Gebisskontrolle 

bit guards 

Rubber discs covering the passage from the bit 

to the bit rings to prevent muzzle or lip 

injuries. 

Gebissscheiben 

bit ring ring connecting the -> bit to the -> bridle Gebissring 

bit rings 

See also snaffle rings; Rings on both sides of 

the bit. 

Gebissringe 

bit, to 

means putting the bridle onto the horse’s head 

aufzäumen 

also see: bridle, to 

black A horse with a black body and black points. Rappe 

black flies infestation 

This flies feed inside the ears and on the head, 

neck, chest, medial thighs and abdomen. They 

can cause extreme annoyance. Massive 

numbers of these black flies can even cause 

death by release of a toxin in the flies’ saliva 

(Speichel). The horses ears are the best place 

to look for this flies à the individual bites cause 

bloody crusts. Stabling of the horses during the 

peak of the fly activity periods can be helpful 

because black flies normally do not enter 

buildings. 

Kriebelmückenbefall 

bladder collects the urine before urinate Harnblase 

bladder collects the urine before urinate Harnblase 


lanket 

name of the white croup of Appaloosa Horses, 

or: sometimes used for thin sheets that will be 

laid on the pad under the saddle 

Schabracke, Bezeichnung 

für die weisse Kruppe 

mancher Appaloosas oder 

Showdecke-meist mit 

Navajomuster-die über das 

Pad gelegt wird 

blanket 

Rug to protect your horse from cold and/or 

dirt. 

When the horses finish so close for the win you 

Decke 

blanket finish 

could theoretically put a single blanket across 

them. 

das Fotofinish 

blanket rack 

Stand to hang up sweaty rugs after work or 

simply to keep them stored. 

Deckenleiter 

blaze A white strip on top of the nasal bone 

Horse who had pulmonary bleeding during or 

Blesse 

bleeder 

after a workout or race due to a ruptured blood der Bluter 

vessel. 

Bleeding When blood runs out of a wound 

Loss of the eye's function, caused by an 

accident, illness or a genetic defect. Often quite 

dangerous for a horse, especially on the 

Blutung 

blindness 

paddock and in the stable. Blindness can reach Blindheit 

from complete blindness to recognizing 

differences in light intensity, to seeing some 

contours. 

Equipment worn on the bridle to restrict a 

blinkers 

horse's vision on the sides to help maintain 

attention and avoid distractions. 

Leather pieces fixed on the cheek peace 

die Scheuklappen 

blinkers 

laterally to the eyes covering the dorsal part of Scheuklappen 

the field of vision. 

The hind legs are prevented from stepping 

Blocked 

through by the sustained contraction of the 

muscles of the back 

blockiert 

blood “The liquid of life” Blut 

blood clotting 

When a tissue is injured blood clotting serves 

the occlusion of the wound. Many proteins of 

the blood plasma are responsible for this. 

Blutgerinnung 

blood count examination of the blood Blutuntersuchung 

blood count examination of the blood Blutuntersuchung 

blood heat/body 

temperature 

blood plasma 

An adult horse's temperature is 37.5 - 38.2°C. 

That of newborn foals is 38.8-39.3°C and that 

of older foals is 38-38.7°C. 

Körpertemperatur 

A part of the blood which contains not white or 

red blood cells but water, electrolytes, proteins, Blutplasma 

nutrients, hormones and other substances. 

blood pressure 

The pressure which is in the chamber and the 

blood vessels. An adult horse has a 

characteristic blood pressure at rest of systolic 

130/diastolic 95 mm Hg. 

Blutdruck 

Bloodline Sequence of blood relatives 

A short fast workout, usually a day or two 

Blutlinie 

blowout 

before a race, designed to sharpen a horse's 

speed. 

Blurred 

Lacking clarity in a transition between the gaits 

Verschwommen 

blurred transition 

or paces. 

happens when the transition does not work out 

well and the horse just changes the gait 

sloppily. 


verwischter Übergang

oard 

bobble 

body brush 

The tote board on which odds, betting pools 

and other race information is displayed. 

A bad step away from the starting gate, 

sometimes caused by the ground breaking 

away from under a horse and causing him to 

duck his head or go to his knees. 

Soft brush used to put the finishing touches to 

brushing a horse. Takes off the last loose hair 

and dust. 

das Wettbrett 

Kardätsche 

body condition Degree of fat cover Futterzustand 

body-brush a brush for the dust from currying Kardätsche 

bolt Sudden veering from a straight course. ausbrechen 

bolt, to To eat too rapidly 

when the rider has lost control over his horse’s 

schlingen 

bolt, to 

speed; the horse starts to gallop very fast; also durchgehen 

see: run away, to 

bolus a lump or mass of chewed food 

Type of hard skeletal connective tissue.Bones 

Bolus 

bone 

support body structures, protect internal 

organs and (in conjunction with muscles) 

facilitate movement. 

Knochen 

bone spavin, distal tarsitis 

degenerative arthritis (joint inflammation) of 

the lower joints of the hocks; the most 

common cause of hind limb lameness in horses 

bone-splintering often caused by accidents; symptom: lameness Knochenabsplitterung 

boot 

boot jack 

boot pulls 

Boots 

Suitable for all equestrian disciplines. Usually 

features a brushing guard and side elastic 

fastening to provide support to tendons and 

suspensory ligaments and to protect the lower 

leg area from injuries. 

Wooden or metal object formed like tongs you 

stand on to pull off the other boot. 

Pair of hooks you thread into loops on the inner 

side of riding boots to help pulling them on. 

Part of a western sattle which goes around the 

chest and secures the saddle 

Spat 

Gamasche 

Stiefelknecht 

Stiefelanzieher 

Stiefel, auch 

Schutzgamaschen für 

Pferde 

boots Streichkappen 

Borage 

Borna disease 

Borna disease (virus) 

bosal 

Bosal 

bot egg knife 

it is a European herb with blue flowers; it is a 

regulator of adrenal reserves, temperature 

control 

geographically restricted virus disease, 

characterized by fatal encephalomyelitis 

infectious neurological syndrome, caused by 

Borna disease virus (BDV), causes abnormal 

behaviour and fatality, symptoms: unusual 

posture, gait and ear positions, movement 

disturbances, "Pipe smoking" - hay or straw in 

mouth, but no chewing 

part of a bridle without a bit, mostly used with 

a mecate 

Pair of protectors for the legs used by Cowboys 

when riding and working. Today western riders 

have to wear them at tournaments. 

Special knife for removing the small yellow fly 

eggs sticking on horses’ front legs. 

Borretsch 


Bornakrankheit (BDV) 

Borna Krankheit 

gebisslose Zäumung, aus 

Rohhaut und Leder, oft mit 

Zügeln aus Pferdehaar 

verwendet 

Nasenband aus Rohhaut 

oder Leder 

Dassellarvenmesser

Botryomycosis 

botryomycosis 

botulism 

Botulism 

botulism 

bowed hocks 

bowed tendon 

bow-legged säbelbeinig 

chronic disease usually caused by 

Staphylococcus aureus; lesions begin at a 

cutaneous wound and unually invade deeper 

tissues including muscle and bone 

Botryomykose 

The organism of staphylococci infects the hair 

follicles and may cause abscesses (boils). Very 

much of these boils may form at the same time 

in dirty horses, or in stables where the saddlery 

Botryomykose – Akne 

and other things are very dirty. This boils can 

also turn chronically: very often it is seen at 

the front of the shoulder in draught horses 

where the collar is rubbing against the skin. 

a lethal forage poisoning caused by Clostridium 

Botulinum ( bacteria ) found in barnyard soil 

and moldy feed or rotting, protein-rich organic 

matter 

the toxic bacterium Colostridium botulinum 

causes paralysis of the nerves 

a rare disease caused by a neurotoxin 

produced by the bacterium Clostridium 

botulinum; it targets the neuromuscular nerve 

endings, producing a flaccid paralysis 

A conformation fault in which the hocks are 

turned too far outwards. 

Damage to the tendon that results in 

inflammation. 

bow-legged säbelbeinig see: sickle-shaped ? 

bowler, bowler hat 

Hat male dressage riders have to wear in 

higher competition levels. 

Bowline Mouthpiece of a bridle. 

bow-topped whip 

it is used to motivate the horses with clicking 

sounds, rather than to hit them actually. 

box a stall for a horse Box 

Box rest/Confinement 

BOXED IN 

Uncontrolled movement impairs the healing of 

tissues. For a period of time the horse stays in 

its box in order that the damaged tissues can 

be immobilised during healing. 

A horse that is racing on the rails (or fence) 

and is surrounded by other horses in front, 

outside and behind. A horse that is boxed in is 

held up and unable to gain a clear passage. 

Botulismus 

Botulismus 

Botulismus 

fassbeinig 

geschwollene Sehne 

The fore limbs deviate 

laterally above the knee, 

and medially below the 

knee. The limbs are bent 

outward. 

Melone 

Knoten, der sich bei 

Belastung nicht zuzieht 

Bogenpeitsche, 

Fahrpeitsche 

Boxenruhe 

eingesperrt 

Bpm Beats per minute 

the rider strains the abdominal muscule and 

Herzschläge pro Minute 

brace the spine, to 

the lower muscules of the back for a short 

moment; the horse is invited to step under its 

centre of grativity 

Kreuz anspannen 

bradoon 

See also bridoon; thin bit used together with 

KANDARE. 

Unterlegstrense 

braiding aid 

Plastic comb with three teeth to prepare the 

mane for plaiting. 

Einflechthilfe 

braiding clips Clips to fix plaits. Einflechtclips 

brake open, four-wheeled vehicle. 

offener, vierrädriger 

Wagen 


Bran 

broken seed coats of cereal grain separated 

from the flour or meal by sifting or bolting; 

contains useful levels of B-group vitamins 

bran 

the skin or husk of grains of wheat, rye, oats, 

etc 

die Weizenkleie 

brand 

the symbol of the breed, mostly marked on the 

Brandzeichen 

left hindquarter 

Brand Brand 

branding 

the procedure to set the brand with a hot iron 

e.g. on the left hindquarter 

To start galloping and loose natural trotting or 

brennen 

BREAK 

pacing rhythm. It occurs more with trotters 

than pacers. 

aus der Gangart fallen 

break down, to/collaps, to 

break out/swerve, to 

Breast collar 

breast collar 

If the horse suddenly lies down, and is too 

weak to get on his feet again. It can be after 

an accident or because of very hot weather. 

the horse doesn't like the obstacle. It runs 

round the obstacle it is supposed to jump. The 

horse ignores the riders aids. 

A piece of equipment that helps to prevent the 

saddle from sliding backwards. 

this harness has its pullpoint on the breast with 

a wide breast-piece (opposite to neck collars) 

Kleie 

zusammenbrechen 

ausbrechen 

Vorderzeug 

Brust-Kummet 

Breast Collar 

Part of the saddle - a girth that fixes the saddle 

Brustgeschirr 

onto the horse 

See also breast plate; leather construction 

breast girth 

around the horse’s breast fixed to the saddle so 

Vorderzeug 

that it doesn’t slip backwards; sometimes a 

martingale is included. 

breast piece 

part of breast collar-harness; it is the 

important strap for the pulling energy. 

Bruststück, -riemen 

breast plate See breast girth. Vorderzeug 

breast strap Strap at the front of rugs to close them. 

straps which attach to the side of a saddle 

Brustschnalle 

breast-plate 

across the horse`s chest to keep the saddle 

from slipping backwards 

The way of getting fresh air into the lungs and 

Vorderzeug 

breathing/respiration 

used air out of the lungs again. The horse's 

breathing is in normal conditions: 10-14 

breaths per minute. 

Atmung 

breeching 

used in single or pair harness; strap which goes 

Bandgurt 

round the back part of the buttock. 

breeching strap 

leather piece which connects the breeching 

with the trace. 

Scherenriemen 

Breed 

a group of horses presumably related by 

Rasse 

breed 

descent from common ancestors and visibly 

similar in most characteristics 

Rasse 

breeder 

the person who selects the horses for 

reproduction 

Züchter 

breeding 

the controlled reproduction fowards a breeding 

goal 

Zucht 

Breeding aim Zuchtziel 

breeding association 

organisation of breeders of the same kind of 

horses 

Zuchtverband 

breeding certificate 

to acknowledge a reproduction – authorized 

horse 

Zuchterlaubnis 

Breeding district 

The area where a special breed is kept and 

engendered 

Zuchtbezirk 


eeding goal 

breeding season 

Breeding selection 

breeze 

Brewer`s Yeast 

brewer's yeast 

bridle 

Bridle 

bridle 

bridle 

certain criteria determined by a breeding 

association which a horse should fulfil, to make 

progress in breeding 

time of the year when mares will be covered; 

normally from the mid of Februrary to the end 

of July 

Selection of horses that conform to the 

breeding aims 

Working a horse at a moderate speed; less 

effort than handily. 

this yeast regulates the metabolism system; 

source of vitamin B 

made from the yeast filtered from the beer at 

the end of fermentation; contains a high level 

of the B complex vitamins 

a ~ is made of leather; attached to the 

horse`s head to afford control 

This is an item of equipment worn on the 

horse´s head, enabling the rider to 

communicate his wishes through use of the bit 

and the reins. 

a head harness for a riding horse, consisting of 

leather straps and having a bit and reins 

attached to it 

Combination of (leather) straps strapped 

around the horse’s head for working purposes. 

Zuchtziel 

Decksaison 

Zuchtauslese 

Bierhefe 

Bierhefe 

Zaumzeug, Trense 

Trense 

Zaumzeug 

Trense, Zaumzeug 

bridle brackets See bridle rack. Trensenhalter 

geschorene Stelle des 

bridle path cut part of the crest where the bridle is Mähnenkamms hinter den 

Ohren 

bridle rack 

See also bridle brackets; Hooks to hang up 

bridles. 

Trensenhalter 

bridle, to to put the bridle on the horse`s head auftrensen 

bridle, to to put the bridle on the horse‘s head. auftrensen, aufzäumen 

bridle, to to put the bridle on the horse's head trensen 

bridle, to 

means putting the bridle onto the horse’s head, 

aufzäumen 

also see: bit, to 

bridoon 

a light joint bit with a thin mouthpiece as part 

of a double bridle 

Unterlegtrense 

bridoon See bradoon. 

1.The act or an instance of giving instructions 

Unterlegstrense 

Briefing 

or preparatory information to someone. 2. A 

meeting at which such information is 

presented. 

Vorschau 

broad back strong back with many muscles 

For this jump the width is more important than 

the height. Normally the horses have to jump 

breiter Rücken 

broad jump 

over a water ditch or a tilt. Some examples are Weitsprung 

the open water jump, fence over water jump or 

the Trakehner jump. 

Wrong position of the neck, often caused by 

Brocken Neckline 

the rider. Excessive flexion between the 2nd 

and 3rd cervical vertebrae, the poll is not the 

highest point. 

distention of the lung caused by overdistention 

Falscher Knick 

Broken wind, pulmonary of alveoli and rupture of alveolar walls and in Dämpfigkeit, 

emphysema 

some cases escape of air into the interstitial 

spaces 

Lungenemphysem 

bronchi Arborisation of the trachea in the lungs. Bronchien 

BROODMARE 

A female horse, generally retired from racing, 

used for breeding purposes. 

Zuchtstute 

broom 

a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of 

straws or twigs attached to a long handle 

Besen 


oom Instrument for sweeping. Besen 

browband 

front part of the bridle to fix it on the head 

(between eyes and ears). 

Stirnriemen 

browband 

leather strap preventing the headpiece of a 

bridle from sliding backwards. 

Stirnband 

bruise a hurt caused by a hit Prellung 

bruise, to to crush grain quetschen 

brush 

with this you put the hoof-grease/hoof-oil on 

the hooves 

broom with a shorter handle or smaller 

Pinsel 

brush 

cleaning object with bristles which fits in a 

hand. 

(Hand-)Besen, Bürste 

brush down 

See also quatering or quick grooming; to clean 

only the most important parts of the horse, 

usually done due to lack of time or laziness. 

flüchtig putzen, 

drüberputzen 

brush, to the horse touches and injures itself in motion. sich streichen 

brush, to Cleaning your horse. bürsten, striegeln, putzen 

brush,groom; to 

to clean a horse with a brush, coarse, stiff 

bristles 

bürsten, putzen 

brushing boots See ankle boots. Streichkappen 

buck knees vorbiegig 

The knees are in front of 

the vertical. 

bucket 

a round open container with a handle for 

carrying or holding liquids, feed, etc 

Futtereimer 

bucket Object to fill in liquids and food. Eimer 

buckle, to Fixing straps with clasps or buckles. verschnallen 

buckle, to how to hook in something. (e.g. the bridle) verschnallen (die Trense) 

buckskin 

horse with a sandy yellow coat with black legs, 

mane and tail, but without a dorsal stripe 

meist sandfarbener Falbe 

ohne Aalstrich 

Buckwheat 

this herb has alternate leaves and triangular 

seeds; it repairs blood-vessels 

See apprentice. The mark (*) placed next to 

Buchweizen 

bug 

the apprentice riders names in the program 

resembles a squashed bug so they came to be 

called bug riders. 

der Lehrling 

bulb 

The beginning of the frog which holds the heel 

together. 

Ballen 

bull ring Small racetrack less than one mile around. 

A player is permitted to ride into another player 

so as to spoil his/her shot. The angle of 

bump 

collision must be slight causing no more than a die Kollision 

jar. The faster the horse travels, the smaller 

the angle must be. 

bumper boots 

Specially designed for racehorses galloping on 

sand tracks to protect the fetlocks. 

Fesselkopfgamasche 

bumpy when a part of the body moves uncontrolled unruhig 

Burhley Horse Trials 

This is an annual three day event held at 

Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire, 

England. Burghley is classified by the FEI as 

one of the four leading four star three day 

events in the world. The prize for first place is 

currently _40,000. 


"Burhley Horse Trials"

urns, incineration 

Burns are usually classified according to the 

extent of the skin involvement and the depth to 

which the burn penetrates the skin. Firstdegree 

burns are superficial and cause localized 

erythema and pain. Second-degree, partial 

thickness burns are characterized by vesicles 

formation with necrosis and sloughing of the 

epidermis. Pain occurs in the first stages. Third- Verbrennungen 

degree, full thickness burns destroy all the 

layers of the skin and expose the deeper 

structure. All local blood vessels in the skin are 

destroyed along with the hair follicles. Partial or 

full-thickness burns over more than 10% to 

15% of the body surface carry a poor 

prognosis. 

bursitis 

inflammation of a bursa (a bursa is a sac filled 

with fluid, located between a bone and a 

tendon or muscle; it allows the tendon to slide 

smoothly over the bone) 

Schleimbeutelentzündung 

Buxton bit created by Buxton to... Buxton Kandare 

B-X-E (E-X-B) without 

change of rein 

B-X-E (E-X-B) without 


C box 

cab 

to use just one half of the arena halbe Bahn 

an arena figure where you just walk half of the 

long side and turn to the other side without 

changing rein. 

halbe Bahn 

The C and D boxes have basically the same 

purpose: they provide the horse with some 

additional recovery. There is no time set for the 

C box. It is up to the ground jury in 

consultation with the TD at every individual 

event to decide on the time for the C box which 

can range from one minute to ten minutes. The 

time set by the TD is determined by the 

weather conditions on the day. Riders should 

remember that the C box is part of phase C C Box 

and it makes no difference what time you turn 

up at the C box as you will still have to stay 

there for the allocated time. The procedure in 

the C box is very similar to the D box with 

regard to cooling down the horse but to a 

lesser degree as the horse should not be too 

hot. Vets are available but unless they are 

concerned they will not take temperatures or 

heart rates. 

it was used in the 19th century in public 

transportation. 

Taxi-Kutsche 

Cadence Marked accenting of the rhythm with elasticity. Kadenz 

calcinosis 

abnormal deposits of calcium compounds, 

sometimes caused by plants 

aids in metabolism and essential to muscles; 

Kalzinose 

Calcium 

for strong bones and teeth and helps with 

blood clotting 

Calcium 

calculation of ration to calculate the daily ration for the horse Rationsberechnung 

Calendula 

this herb has yellow flowers; it has an 

antiseptic effect 

Ringelblume 

calf (of the leg) 

calf knees 

see:back at the knees 

rear part of the lower leg Wade 


calf rolls 

Blocks fixed on the back part of the sweat flap 

to help the rider keep his legs in position; 

usually used on showjumping saddles to 

prevent the rider's leg from sliding backwards. 

Wadenpauschen 

calorie 

a measurement of energy content of foods 

when oxidized in the body 

Kalorie 

calorific value 

The quantity of energy produced by a particular 

Brennwert 

amount of food 

The hind legs placed out behind the horse`s 

Camped 

body, not engaged. Used in reference to the 

halt. 

Halt nicht geschlossen 

camped (out) behind rückständig 

The entire limb is placed 

too far back. 

The leg, from body to the 

camped (out) in front vorständig 

A conformation fault in which the cannon bone 

is not perpendicular to the ground, but angled 

ground, is set too far 

forward. 

camped out 

camped under see: 

under in front 

behind the hock. A horse that camps out can 

rückständig 

have more dificulty coiling the loins to bring the 

hocks under the body. (common in some 

gaited horses) 

the general term for any malignant tumor; 

cancer 

uncontrolled growth of cells inside or on the 

body 

Krebs 

Candidatee (international) Candidate for the position of an International Nachwuchsrichter, 

judge 

Judge 

Richterkandidat 

cane 

See also whip, stick, bat, crop; Artificial aid by 

which the rider may emphasize and back up 


encourage reluctant or lazy horses to move 

foreward. Sometimes used to punish. 

Gerte 

Cane bone bandage Dressing which is applied on the cane bone. Röhrbeinverband 

cannon 

canter 

Canter 

canter 

canter at the counterlead, 

to 

The large third metacarpal/metatarsal bone. It 

is located just below the knee/stifle. It provides 

the major support of the body weight. 

fast three beated gait (hind leg, opposite 

diagonal pair, opposite foreleg), most vaulting 

exercises are done in this gait 

Three beated gait of the horse in which one 

hind leg strides first (the leading leg), followed 

by the opposite diagonal pair and finally the 

opposite foreleg. 

three beated gait of the horse in which one 

hindleg strides first (the leading leg), followed 

by the opposite diagonal pair and finally the 

opposite foreleg. In western riding it is called 

lope 

canter to the left on the right lead and vice 

versa. 

Röhrbein 

Galopp 

Galopp 

Galopp 

im Außengalopp 

galoppieren 

canter at true- lead, to canter to the left on the left rein and vice versa im Handgalopp galoppieren 

canter true lead q.v. canter at true-lead, to Handgalopp (Innengalopp) 

canter, to 

the horse moves in the three beated gait in 

which one hindleg strides first (the leading 

leg), followed by the opposite diagonal pair and 

finally the opposite foreleg. In western riding it 

is called lope 

galoppieren 


canter, to 

the horse is moving on a 3 beat gait with a 

moment of suspension. There is a left and a 

right hand canter. 

galoppieren 

cantle backpart of the western saddle 

Rückenlehne des 

Westernsattels 

Cantle Backrest of the western sattle 

Rückenlehne des 


cantle the raised part at the back of a saddle Hinterzwiesel 

cantle Highest point of the backpart of the seat. Hinterzwiesel 

Ca-P ratio calcium-phosphorous ratio 

Calzium-Phosphor 

Verhältnis 

capillaries 

Capillary refill time 

Capped hock 

capped hock 

carbine clip snap 

carbohydrate 

carbohydrates 

carbohydrates 

carcinomata 

CARD 

cardiac insufficiency 

cardiac output 

cardiopulmonary 

resuscitation 

The smallest vessels of arteries. They branch 

out in tissue. 5% of the blood are in capillaries. Kapillaren 

This test can indicate dehydration. It measures 

the length of time required for the colour to 

return to normal pink in the upper gum of the 

horse after pressing hard enough to leave a 

white spot. 

swelling of the bursa over the hock joint, 

replaced by a firm fibrous capsule 

traumatic bursitis over the point of the hock, 

usually caused by the horse's kicking a solid 

structure. 

Hook to clip things quickly on to an other 

object. 

any of certain compounds comprising carbon, 

hydrogen and oxygen which form the major 

part of animal nutrition, supplying energy to 

the body 

nutrient consisting of individual 

monosaccharides, able to store energy 

nutrient consisting of individual 

monosaccharides, able to store energy 

Squamous cell carcinomas occur at several 

external sites. The most common is “the third 

eyelid”, where the carcinomata look like slowly 

growing granulation tissue. If you do not 

remove the carcinoma it will spread to the 

eyelids and skin of the face and muzzle. They 

are malignant but fortunately do not 

metastasize quickly. 

Another term for program of racing. For 

example, a person may refer to there being 

eight races on the card, which simply means 

eight races will be staged at that particular 

day. 

If the heart is not strong enough (anymore) to 

pump the regular amount of blood through the 

horse's body. 

It indicates how much blood is pumped by the 

heart into the rest of the body per unit of time. 

A horse has a cardiac output at rest of 25l/min 

and under max. work of about 300l/min. 

When the horse is not breathing anymore and 

you can't hear the heart beat you try by 

pressing air in its lungths and a cardiac 

massage to get its body working again. 

Kapillare Füllungszeit, 

Überprüfung des 

Kapillarzustandes 

Piephacke 

Piephacke 

Karabinerhaken 

Kohlenhydrat 

Kohlenhydrate 

Kohlenhydrate 

Karzinome 

Rennprogramm 

Herzschwäche 

Herzminutenvolumen 

Herz-Lungen Reanimation 

Cardiovascular analysis heart scans Cardiovasculäre Analyse 

cardiovascular system 

The closed system of the heart and blood 

circulatory 


Herz-Kreislauf System

cardiovascular system 

carotene 

Carriage 

carriage 

The system consists of a network of joined 

vessels for circulating the nutrient fluid and a 

pump to propel the fluid through the vessels. 

A hydrocarbon from which vitamin A is 

synthesized in the liver 

The posture of the horse. Synonyma: Profile, 

Outline 

vehicle used for the transportation of people or 

goods. 

Herz-Kreislauf-System 

Karotin 

Haltung 

Wagen, Kutsche 

carriage horse the horse that had to pull the carriage. Wagen- bzw. Kutschpferd 

carrot 

a root vegetable, orange-red in colour, rich in 

vitamin A 

die Karotte 

Carrots 

a biennial herb with an orange spindle-shaped 

root; an appetiser 

Karotten 

carry the head straight, to 

not leaning the head forward, backward or to 

one side 

den Kopf aufrecht tragen 

cassava a tropical plant Maniok 

cast horse 

Horse is down in his stall and can´t get up of 

his own accord 

Verlegenes Pferd 

Castor Oil 

the oil gets extracted from the seed (castor 

beans); used in case of colic 

inflammation of the mucous membranes of the 

Rizinus Öl 

catarrh, cold 

respiratory tract causing abnormal mucous 

secretions 

A driver who doesn't train his or her own 

Erkältung 

CATCH DRIVER 

horses, and is engaged by other trainers and 

owners to drive their horses. 

Gastfahrer 

caulk 

Cavaletti 

Cavaletti 

cavesson 

cavesson noseband 

cavesson noseband 

CCI (with steeplechase) 

CCI (without steeplechase) 

CCIJ (without 

steeplechase) 

Celery 

cellulitis, (phlegmon) 

cellulose 

Projection on the bottom of a shoe to give the 

horse better traction, especially on a wet track. 

are 3 metre long poles all fastenend at a cross 

at their ends. This is to achieve different 

heights of the obstacles 

Adjustable low wooden jumps used in the 

schooling of horses and riders. 

bridle without a bit; mainly used for lunging; 

works through pressure to the nasal bone 

Special headstall for lunging; mostly without 

possibilities to fix a bit; instead the noseband 

provides rings to hook on the lunge. 

See also ordinary noseband; Most common 

noseband. 

An international three day event which includes 

roads and tracks and steeplechase. 

An international three day event, which 

excludes roads and tracks and steeplechase. 

An international three day event, which does 

not include roads and tracks and steeplechase, 

for junior riders. 

this European herb of the carrot family is used 

in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis 

diffuse inflammation resulting from (usually 

bacterial) infection of deep connective tissue, 

sometimes forming an abscess 

one of the major structural materials in the 

plant cell walls 

die Stollen 

Bodenrick 

Cavaletti 

Kappzaum 

Kappzaum 

Englisches Reithalfter 

Sellerie 

Phlegmone 

Zellulose 


CEM (contagious equine 

metritis) 

highly contagious veneral disease resident in 

mares and transmitted by the stallion, which 

shows no clinical signs 

centre of gravity Schwerpunkt 

cereal grains 

Cerebellar ataxia 

Certificate of origin 

cervix 

Chaff 

chaff 

chain 

chair seat 

chair seat 

chamber 

the grain produced by cereal grass; e.g. wheat, 

rye, barley 

ataxia characterized by defects in rate, range, 

force and direction of movement of limbs 

Certificate that proofs the accuracy of the 

origin of a horse 

The cervix is actually the lower, narrow portion 

of the uterus where it joins with the top end of 

the vagina. It is occasionally called "cervix 

uteri", or "neck of the uterus". 

CEM 

Getreidekörner 

Dummkoller, 

Gehirnwassersucht 

Abstammungsbescheinigun 

g 

Zervix 

made from chopped lucerne or oat straw; 

Lucerne chaff contains more roughage 

Spreu 

chopped straw, usually mixed with chopped 

hay and used for fodder 

der Häcksel 

See also rack chain; Chain to tether your horse 

Anbindekette 

with. 

the upperb ody is behind the vertical with 

drawn up knees 

Stuhlsitz 

the rider is sitting too far behind with his back 

and lifting the thighs. 

Stuhlsitz 

A compartment of the heart which is formed by 

the myocardium. There are two chambers: on 

the right side and the left side of the heart. 

Herzkammer 

chambon 

Auxiliary rein providing pressure on the bit and 

Chambon 

the poll. 

Chamomile 

it regulates allergic reactions, hormone levels, 

immune system 

you can change the direction in several 

Kamille 

change direction, to different ways. For example: change out of the Handwechsel 

corner 

change hand on the middle Walking straight from A to C or the other way durch die Länge der Bahn 

line, to 

around and change on the other hand 

wechseln 

change hand through the 

middle of the school, to 

walking from E to B (or the other way around) 

and changing the direction 

durch die halbe Bahn 

wechseln 

change hand, to changing the direction Handwechsel 

change of leg 

changing the canter from left to right or the 

other way around 

there are some figures to change the direction, 

Galoppwechsel 


to come from anticlockwise to a clockwise 

move 

Handwechsel 

change of rein from circle 

to circle 

it's like a large S-curve to get from one circle 

to the other 

aus dem Zirkel wechseln 

change of rein from circle 

to circle 

changing the circle over the centre line and 

walking in the other direction 

aus dem Zirkel wechseln 

change of rein on a short it's the line between one corner and the middle durch die halbe Bahn 

diagonal 

of the opposite long side 

wechseln 

change of rein on a short 

diagonal 

you change the direction on a short diagonal, 

for example from F to E 

Halbe Diagonale Wechseln 

change of rein through the it's a small S-curve which devides the circle 

circle 

into two halves 

durch den Zirkel wechseln 

change of the hand 

through / in the circle, to 

changing the direction like an S forming in the 

circle. Beginning from the open side of the 

circle. 

durch den Zirkel wechseln 

change the gait, to 

changing the gait for example from walk to trot 

die Gangart wechseln 

or walk to canter 


change the rein 

a preparatory remark to indicate that next 

there is going to be a command which will 

change the direction the ride is going. E.g. 

change the rein from C to A would mean 

everyone going down the long centre line of 

the arena and at A would be going in the 

opposite direction to that at C. 

Reitkommando: 

‚Handwechsel’ 

change the rein, to changing the direction Handwechsel 

changing the coat 

channel 

chaps 

Chaps 

check (rein) 

Period of either production or loss of the winter 

coat; the former in autumn, the latter in 

spring. 

Part of the saddle in between the panels 

providing the space for the spine. 

leather pants with a zip on the outside of every 

leg 

Footwear of westernriders or protection for the 

horse´s legs 

Auxiliary rain fixed from the girth to the bit via 

the headpiece avoiding the horse to put its 

head down. 

Fellwechsel, Haarwechsel 

Kammer (vom Sattel) 

lederne Überhosen 

lederne Beinschützer, 

Überhosen 

Aufsatzzügel 

check- rein q.v. side rein Ausbindezügel 

check, to changing into a lower gait or stopping 

This is the time when the rider presents his 

durchparieren 

Check-in time 

horse to the veterinarian in the vet checks and 

the finish 

Ein-Zeit 

check-rein Ausbindezügel 

cheek bit 

See also snaffle with shanks; Western snaffle 

with loose shanks. 

Westernsnaffle mit losen 

Anzügen 

cheek peace 

Leather strap leading to the poll the bit is 

buckled to. 

Backenstück 

cheek piece 

the lateral leather piece of the bridle to fix it on 

Backenstück 

the head. 

Cheek Pieces 

A western bridle without a bit. Often used when 

Seitenteile des Gebisses 

horses are started or for beginners. 

cheekpiece Backenriemen 

cheeks 

Metal bars at either sides of the bit reinforcing 

the pressure on the poll. 

Anzüge (z.B. vom Pelham) 

Chefs d´Equipe Person that leads a team of competitors Mannschaftsführer 

chest extenders 

Additional piece of rug fitted in at the horse’s 

chest if the horse is too wide. 

Brustteilverlängerung 

chestnut horse with a dark red colour Dunkelfuchs 

chestnut 

The bony protrusion on the inside of the 

forearm of each foreleg. 

Kastanie 

chestnut 

Chestnut horses are some shade of red and 

have nonblack points. The basic chestnut shade 

Fuchs 

is essentially red all over, in contrast to the 

black points of bay horses. 

chew, to 

to work food between the teeth in order to 

make it easier to swallow 

The movements of the horse`s mouth - gently 

and softly mouthing the bit - showing mobility 

kauen 

Chewing the bit 

and relaxation of the jaw and causing secretion 

Am Gebiss kauen 

of saliva for a "wet mouth". Must not be 

confused with snapping or grinding of the 

teeth. 

Chickweed 

this plant has small leaves; the fresh juice is 

used for skin cancers 

Vogel-Sternmiere 

chifney See anti rearing bit. Steigergebiss 

Chilled semen Semen that is extended prior to use Frischsperma 

Chin Strap Part of the bit that lies on the chin Kinnriemen, -kette 

chinks 

like chaps, but only knee-long, worn with 

buckaroo boots 

kurze Chaps 


Chip fractures 

Chloride 

Choke 

choke 

moving joints are subjected to great pressures, 

sometimes bone at the edge of the articulate 

surfaces breaks off 

like sodium and potassium; it regulates the 

body fluid 

occurs when dry food swells up rapidly on 

contact with saliva or eaten too quickly in 

absence of saliva 

Chips 

Chlor 

Schlundverstopfung 

A closure in the throat is a very dangerous 

situation. The reason for it is almost exclusively 

a too rapidly swallowed bit. Because the bit is 

Schlundverstopfung 

underbruised and swallowed with too little 

saliva it can´t be swallowed well. The bit gets 

stuck in the throat. 

Choline required for fat metabolism, nerve transmission Choline 

Chromium it is important for carbohydrate metabolism Chrom 

chukkas 

Each polo game is divided into four parts, the 

chukkas. Each part is seven minutes long. 

During a chukker it is allowed to change 

horses. is a four minute interval between 

chukkers and a ten minute halftime. 

der Spielabschnitt 

CIC An international one day event. 

Cider Vinegar 

made from fermented cider; it repels flies, 

reduces joint disease in growing horses 

Apfelessig 

cinch synonym to girth Sattelgurt 

Cinch A second girth only used on westernsaddles. (vordere) Sattelgurt 

circle 

Circle 

school figure; circle with a diameter of 20 

meters 

At an obstacle composed of several elements 

(A,B,C, etc.) a horse will be penalised if it 

passes around any element or circles between 

elements at any time between first being 

presented at the obstacle and finally 

completing the last element. After being 

penalised for a refusal, run-out, fall or circle a 

competitor is permitted to cross his original 

track without penalty in order to make another 

attempt and may also circle one or more times 

without penalty, until he again presents his 

horse at the obstacle. 

Zirkel 

Kreis 

circle (20m) Zirkel (20m) 

circle line 

line on which the horse moves while working 

on the circle 

Zirkellinie 

circulatory disturbance 

If the blood circulatory is not working without 

any problems. 

System that moves blood throughout the body. 

Kreislaufstörung 

circulatory system 

It is composed of the heart, capillaries, veins 

and arteries. 

Kreislaufsystem 

claiming race 

CLAIMING RACE 

Clarity 

A race where horses are entered for a specified 

price and can be claimed (purchased) from the 

race for that price. Claimers are horses who 

generally run only in claiming races. 

A race where any of the entrants may be 

claimed (purchased) for a specified amount. 

Marked distinction between the footfalls of a 

gait. 


das Verkaufsrennen 

jeder Starter bekommt 

einen Mindestbetrag 

Klarheit der Gänge

CLASS 

A horse which has raced adequately against 

better foes may find his way into the winner's 

circle, while a horse who has beaten inferior 

foes may find tougher horses not to its liking. A Klasse des Pferdes 

fairly reliable way of checking class is 

comparing the purses of the previous races and 

the present race. 

Class A single test or show jumping course Bewerb 

classic 

A race for three-year-olds, such as a Derby or 

Oaks, that has a long standing tradition behind 

it. The American classics are the Kentucky 

Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. 

das klassische Rennen 

claw hammer Special hammer the farrier uses. Hufbeschlagshammer 

Clean Round 

also: Clear round; A round that is completed 

without any fault or penalty. 

Nullrunde 

Cleaning (wounds) 

clerk of scales 

clinch, to 

clinching leg 

Foreign bodies such as hairs or splinters should 

be removed. The wound can be cleaned with 

hand-warm water or a disinfectant. 

The official who is responsible for weighing the 

riders before and after a race to ensure proper 

weight is carried. 

the rider holds on to the horse with his legs 

cramped 

the rider presses his legs on the horse's body 

and cannot let up the legs. It´s mostly the 

result of a stiff hip and an unbalanced seat. 

Reinigung (der Wunde) 

der Wiege-Vorsteher 

klammern 

klammernder Schenkel 

clinical thermometer to check the blood temperature Fieberthermometer 

clinical thermometer 

clip, to 

You need it to take the horse ´s temperature if 

you think that the horse is ill or does not feel 

Fieberthermometer 

very well. It should also have a string where 

you can hold it when you take the temperature. 

to shave a horse`s coat, three main styles: the 

full clip, the hunter clip and the race clip 

scheren 

clip, to 

to shorten the hair of hard working horses 

especially in winter. 

scheren 

clipper 

an electronic equipment to shave a horse`s 

coat 

Schermaschine 

clipper Mashine for clipping horses. 

Special "knives" for clipping by which the 

Schermaschine 

clipper blades 

length of the remaining hair can be 

determined. 

Scheraufsätze 

clipping 

cutting the hairs out of the ears and the 

sensory hairs around the nostrils 

the small part of the external genitals of the 

mare; located just within the vulva at the base 

Ausrasieren Ohren, 

Rasieren Tasthaare 

clitoris 

of the vagina; contains erectile tissue and is 

exposed during "winking" of the vulva when 

the mare is in estrus 

Klitoris 

clocker The person who times the morning workouts. der Trainingskoordinator 

closed behind hinten bodeneng 

closed fists 

to press your fingers together with not too 

much tension and against the heel of the hand 


The hind legs are too close 

together. 

geschlossene Fäuste

Closed Halt 

closed in front see: 

base narrow 

close-knees see: 

knock knees 

closer 

clouded pupil 

clover 

clubfoot/feet Bockhuf 

A posture at the halt in which the horse is 

secure in balance and attitude, and has the 

hind legs sufficiently under the body so that the Geschlossener Halt 

weight of the horse and the rider is distributed 

fairly evenly over all four legs. 

A horse who runs best in the latter part of the 

race, coming from off the pace. 

Kind of a white haze in a horse´s eye/pupil. Is 

accompanied with defective sight; at an 

advanced stage it often leads to blindness. 

a small plant with ( usuall ) three leaves on 

each stem and purple, pink or white flowers; 

used as food 

clubhouse turn 

Generally the turn immediately after the finish 

line and closest to the clubhouse. 

CNC A national one day event. 

coachman 

COB - chronic obstructive 

bronchitis 

the man who sits at the front of the carriage 

and holds the lines to drive the horses. 

chronic inflammation of the bronchi, 

symptoms: sputum (thick mucous secretion 

that is formed in the lungs), cough and 

dyspnea (Atemnot) 

getrübte Pupille 

der Klee 

An extremely upright hoof 

with a very brokenforward 

pastern-hoof axis. (The 

foot has an axis of 60 

degrees or more.) 

die Klubhauskurve 

Kutscher 

Cobalt it is important for the synthesis of vitamin B12 Kobalt 

Code of Conduct 

coenzyme 

cog 

Gives a general impression about the 

demanded behaviour in horse sport towards 

horse and human, says that the welfare of the 

horse must be considered paramount 

Chron. Obstruktive 

Bronchitis (COB) 

Verhaltenskodex des 

Pferdesports 

an organic non-protein molecule that is a 

Koenzym 

functional part of an enzyme 

Special metal screws preventing the horse from 

Stollen (am Hufeisen) 

slipping on soft ground. 

cohesive bandage Sticky bandage. No tape fastening is needed. Selbsthaftende Bandage 

cold the horse is very lazy faul 

coldblood, heavy horse, 

draught horse 

strong and heavy kind of horse, normally used 

for working in fields or in the forest 

Kaltblut 

colenture 

If the temperature is very high and can even 

lead to death. 

heftiges Fieber 

Colic abdominal pain Kolik 

colic 

"Colic" is a collective term for pain in the belly. 

The most dangerous thing about it is that in 

the early stages you can´t say if it´s just mild 

or fatal, because parts of the intestine become 

necrotic. There are several kinds of colics (see 

below), but the symptoms are always the 

same: lying down repeatedly, turning the head 

towards the belly, kicking at the belly and 

rolling repeatedly. 

Kolik 


colic any pain in the belly of a horse Kolik 

colic any pain in the belly of a horse Kolik 

Colitis profuse diarrhoea resulting in dehydration 

A c. is an inflammation of the large intestine, 

an enteritis is the inflammation of the small 

Kolitis, Entzündung des 

Dickdarms 

colitis/enteritis 

intestine. There are several reasons why horses 

Darmentzündung 

become ill, but one thing is notably harmful: 

stress. It requires immediate veterinary 

treatment. 

Often you speak of circulatory collaps. 

collaps 

Something is not okay in the horse's body, and Kollaps 

the whole system then breaks down. 

collapsed hip not sitting straight, falling to one side 

the seat is not straightend but the pelvis is 

eingeknickte Hüfte 

collapsed hips 

more on one side and the upper part of the 

body is more to the other side. 

big and heavy leather frame which can be put 

eingeknickte Hüfte 

collar 

over the horse's head. It is a way to harness a 

horse. 

Usually woodblocks tied together which are put 

Kummet 

Collar 

around the neck of a horse so that the horse 

cannot reach its wound. 

Halskragen 

collected … 

Collection 

colostrum 

colostrum 

Where the rider, by means of carefully 

balanced driving and restraining aids, causes 

the horse's frame to become compacted and 

the horse to become light and supple in the 

hand. The baseline is shortened, the croup is 

lower, the shoulder is raised and the head is 

held on the vertical 

Relative to working and medium paces, the 

strides are shorter and higher and yet 

powerful; the outline appears shorter with the 

neck rising unrestrained out of lifted withers 

and shoulders, the croup appears lowered. The 

engagement is more marked. 

the first milk a mare produces; it is very thick 

bright yellow to orange in color and contains 

proteine globulin, which gives the foal 

immunity against infection in ist early days; it 

is produced the first 24 hours after birth of the 

foal 

thick milk secreted by mammary glands at 

birth; characterised by high protein content, 

especially globulin which gives new born foals 

its immunity 

versammelter … 

Versammlung 

Kolostrum 

Kolostrum 

Colt Male foal Hengstfohlen 

COLT A male 3 years of age or less. Junghengst 

comb the mane, to to put the mane hair in order with a comb Mähne kämmen 

comb, to to detangle the horse’s mane and tail. kämmen 

Combination 

A series of jumps set within a stride or two of 

Kombination 

combination 

each other. Labelled A, B, C. 

A jump with two fences and a strict distance in 

between. There are many different types of 

combinations and most of them with 6 gallop 

jumps in between. 

Kombination 

Combined Training 

Equestrian competition held over one or three 

days and including the disciplines of dressage, 

cross country and show jumping. It is also 

known as eventing. 

Vielseitigkeit 

combo Combination of a rug and a hood. Decke und Halsteil 


Comfrey 

it belongs to the borage family and has hairy 

leaves; it heals damaged tissue, especially 

bones 

Schwarzwurz 

common head 

a horse with a convex profile such as is found 

in the draught breeds 

Ramskopf 

competition number sets 

Collection of numbers you can fix to the bridle 

or saddle cloth in a competition. 

Kopfnummern 

Competition place Show arena Austragungsplatz 

Competitions limited in 

speed 

Competitions not limited in 

speed 

In those competitions a specified speed is 

stated in the schedule (for example Speed 5) 

These competitions take place against the 

clock. The horse and rider with the shortest 

riding time are the winners of the competition 

when the horse has passed every vet check 

with success. 

Tempobegrenzte Ritte 

Tempofreie Ritte 

compound feed a mixture of different feeding stuffs Mischfutter 

Compulsory flags 

Compulsory stopping area 

compulsory test 

conceive, to 

concentrate/ consentrated 

feed 

concentrated feed 

Concours Hippique 

conditioned race 

The eventing rider has to ride through these 

gates composed of red and white flags during 

the cross country course. 

Pflichttor 

On a three day event (with steeplechase) there 

are some of these areas between the cross 

country phases where the horses are cooled Zwangspausenzone, 

down and checked by a vet. They are called the Pflichtstop 

C and D boxes because they are after phase C 

and D. 

part of competition; the six/seven basic 

Pflichtprogramm 

movements are shown 

when covering was successful and the semen 

Aufnehmen 

reached the uterus 

a horse needs it because of the overconsumption 

when it works hard 

a type of feed which is high in energy, low in 

fibre or cellulose and variable in protein level 

Any horse sport event which includes 

competitions for more than one discipline 

Eligibility to enter is determined by a set of 

conditions such as age, sex, races won, etc. 

Kraftfutter 

Kraftfutter 

Reitsportveranstaltung 

CONDITIONED RACE 

A race where eligibility is based on age, sex, 

money won, or races won. For example, "3year-old 

fillies, non-winners of $10,000 or 4 

races." 

eingeschränktes Rennen 

conditioner A trainer. der Trainer 

conditioner 

Spray to increase the volume of mane and tail 

and to facilitate combing. 

Mähnen- und Schweifspray 

Conditioning 

There are two types of conditioning: the 

country training and the mountain training. 

Country training means riding through the 

landscape, over meadows, through woods and 

over obstacles and hurdles. Mountain training 

is riding up and down a mountain several 

times. That will strengthen the buttock, croup 

and thigh muscles. All this training is positive 

for the horse's condition. 

Konditionstraining 

Confirmation of identity 

Certificate that proves the accuracy of the 

origin of a horse 

Identitätsnachweis 

conformation the outward appearance of the horse Exterieur/Gebäude 

conformation 

The shape or contour of the body or body 

stuctures. 

Exterieur 

conformation fault 

Any abnormal position of a body part that 

differs from the desired appearance. 

Gebäudefehler 


conjunctivitis 

Inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by the 

environment. Can be from sand, horse 

standing close to open windows, and so on. 

Conjunctiva is getting filled with more blood 

than normal and therefore turns red. 

Conjunctivitis, "pink eye" inflammation of the conjunctiva 

Connection 

The lack of blockage, breaks, or slack in the 

circuit that joins horse and rider into a single 

harmonious unit. The unrestricted flow of 

energy and influence from the rider to and 

throughout the horse, and back to the rider. 

"Through-lettingness" 

Connector Strap - A knot, used on the bosal. 

Consolation Round 

Constipation 

constitution 

Constrained 

Constricted 

Contact 

contact 

Contagious Equine metritis 

(CEM) 

Continental Equestrian 

Championships 

Farewell competition, Open to competitors who 

were not qualified for an individual 

Championship 

faeces retained in the rectum and large 

intestine, hard and dry lumps 

the physical makeup of the horse comprising 

inherited qualities modified by environment 

Forced or compelled against the will. Not 

necessarily the same as "restrained" - the 

horse may be constrained to move forward at 

speed. 

Limited by constrained, restrained or sustained 

muscular contraction. Held together, forcefully 

shortened, or physically tight. 

The light, elastic connection between the riders 

hand and the horse´s mouth. Should always be 

soft. 

contracted foot/heels Zwanghuf 

cook, to 

steady connection between rider's hand and 

horse's mouth 

venereally transmitted bacterial disease of 

horses, caused by Taylorella equigenitalis; 

symptoms: discharge from the vulva, resulting 

from inflammation of the uterus, infertility and 

abortion in mares, infertility in stallions 

Championships held for the equestrian 

disciplines dressage show jumping, eventing, 

driving, vaulting, endurance riding. All 

European Nations who are members in the FEI 

can send individual riders or teams if they fulfil 

the qualification standards. The continental 

championships in the main disciplines 

(jumping, dressage, eventing) are held every 2 

years. The continental championships for 

young riders, junior riders and pony riders take 

place every year. 

Bindehautentzündung 

Konjunktivitis, 

Bindehautentzündung 


Verbindungsriemen zw. 

vorderem u. hinterem 

Bauchgurt 

Trostrunde 

Verstopfung 

Konstitution 

Zusammengeschnürt 

Fest 

Anlehnung 

Anlehnung 

CEM 

therefor you press the grain with a machine to 

split up it's structure, than it's easier to digest quetschen 

cook, to you put water over hay or grain to avoid dust anfeuchten 

cook, to to prepare food by heating it kochen 


Europameisterschaften in 


The back half of the foot 

appearing to be narrow.

cooler 

Cooling 

Cooling down 

See also sweat-rug; Blanket you put on a horse 

after work to help it to sweat out. 

Lowering of the body temperature in certain 

body areas by means of cooling gel, dressings 

or jet of water in case of swellings, fever or to 

stabilize blood-circulation. 

After a hard work a horse must cut the puls, 

heart rates and so on. The best way to achieve 

a cooling down is to lead the horse in walk. 

Abschwitzdecke 

Kühlung 

Abkühlung 

cooling dressing a cold dressing Kühlverband 

Cooling gel 

Gel cooling parts of the limbs if no dressing is 

needed, e.g. after exhaustion. 

After hard work you can put it on the legs of 

Kühlgel/Kühlsalbe 

cooling gel 

the horse or on big groups of muscles to 

prevent muscle pain or to cool down the 

tendons of the horse. 

Kühlgel 

coordination of the aids, 

the 

the aids have to fit in together 

Zusammenwirken der 

Hilfen 

COPD - Chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease 

COPD (Chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease) 

a lung disease that resembles human asthma. 

Also known as heaves, recurrent airway 

obstruction, broken wind, emphysema, chronic 

bronchitis or small airway disease. Sick are 

usually allergic to mold particles in hay dust, 

although other allergens such as pollens, 

chemicals, microbes and substances found in 

foods, medications and the environment can 

also trigger the condition. see also heaves 

obstruction by abnormal mucus in the lungs 

caused by an allergic reaction 

COPD - Chronisch 

Obstruktive 

Lungenerkrankung 

Copper 

required for development of bone, joint 

cartilage 

Kupfer 

cord reins 

See also web reins; reins made out of 

waistband. 

Gurtzügel 

corn the seed of maize Mais 

Corn the horn swells and absorbes fluid _ lameness 

corner 

coronet 

Corporate Identity Arena 

Jump 

corpus luteum hormone, 

progesterone 

part of the arena; should be exactly ridden 

when going large; a corner is ridden like a 

quarter-volt 

The bend around the top of the hoof from 

which the hoof wall grows. 

chronische obstruktive 

Bronchialerkrankung des 

Pferdes 

Fußsohlenhämatom beim 

Pferd, "Hühnerauge" 

die Ecke 

Kronrand 

Brand Identity Arena Jump Werbehindernis 

a hormone, secreted by the corpus luteum of 

the female ovaries, which prepares the uterus 

for a fertilized ovum as well as the mammary 

glands for milk secretion 

corral synonym to paddock, fenced arena 

correct sequence of 

footfalls 

the horse moves in every gait in a special 

sequence of footfalls. And this has to be 

correct. 

cotton wool Material for dressing wounds Watte 

cotton wool For cleaning wounds. Tupfer 

coughing 

Coughing is a collective term. Caused by dust, 

virus infections or a cold, it doesn´t heal 

without medical treatment or without avoiding 

mismanagement in the horsekeeping. 

Gelbkörperhormone, 

Progesteron 

Auslauf , Pferch, 

eingezäunter Reitplatz 

korrekte Fußfolge 

Husten 


Countdown to the start 

Once the horse is being walked, confirm the 

count down procedure with the officials. Usually 

the vet will require you to re-present your 

horse to him four minutes before the starting 

time. At this point the horse should be ready 

Herunterzählen zum Start 

for the rider get on. The vet will ask you to trot 

the horse and he will check its soundness. By 

now you will have around two minutes to get 

your rider on board and apply grease if 

required. 

counter - flexion 

the horse is flexed in the different directions it 

moves. 

School movement in which the horse canter in 

Konterstellung 

Counter Canter 

a circle with the outside leg leading, instead of 

the more usual inside leg. 

Kontergalopp 

counter canter the opposite of the true canter Außengalopp 

counter- canter 

left canter on the right hand and right canter 

on the left hand 

at the horses' end of the draught rein; they are 

Außengalopp 

coupling reins 

the end-pieces of the reins connected to the 

bit. 

Kreuzleinen 

Courage 

Course designer 

Course designer 

Court of Arbitration for 

Sport (CAS) 

Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere 

and to withstand danger, fear or difficulty. 

It is a person who builds a parcours for 

showjumping or a cross country course. For 

this job you must have a licence and you must 

be qualified to construct courses in higher 

levels. 

Designs the show jumping course, determines 

speed, kind of jumps, height and spread of 

jumps and which jumps mped over in the 

winning round 

The second instance for judicial decisions on 

sport 

A horse that races with another horse in front 

of him is said to race with cover, as the leading 

Mut 

Parcoursbauer 

Parcoursbauer 

Schiedsgericht für Sport 

COVER 

horse cuts the wind resistance. 

Pferd, das im Windschatten 

läuft 

cover, to the act of the stallion mounting the mare Decken 

covered fists when the fists are held horizontally 

during mounting the mare is fixed by helpers, 

the stallion is under control of a leader; this 

verdeckte Hände 

covering in hand 

method requires more human intervention than An der Hand decken 

the pasture method, so the risk of injury is 

reduced 

The hocks are closer 

cow hocks kuhhessig, X-Beine 

together and the toes are 

pointed outwards. 

cow hocks 

Conformation fault in which the hocks are 

pointed inward when viewed from behind. 

kuhhessig 

cow sense 

crash, to 

cremello 

crest 

Crew area 

cow sense means that the horse is interested in 

working with the cattle 

for example flaxseed should be boiled bevor 

you feed it because it destrois hydrogen 

cyanide 

a horse with pink skin, cream to merely white 

coat, mane and tail 

The crest ist the curved topline of the neck 

where the mane starts. 

The crew area is the area within a vet check 

where the feeding, watering and cooling of the 

horses takes place. 

Interesse und "Spass" des 

Pferdes an der Rinderarbeit 

kochen 

heller Isabell 


Mähnenkamm 

Betreuungsareal im Vet 

Check

Crew point 

The crew point is a point along the course 

where grooming is allowed. 

Crew Punkt 

crib a manger, a rack or box for fodder Krippe 

crib feed feed offered out of the crib 

See also Windsuck collar; Tight strap fixed 

Krippenfutter 

crib-biter strap 

around the throat to prevent the horse from 

swallowing air 

Kopperriemen 

crooked horse 

when the hindquarters don’t follow the forelegs 

das schiefe Pferd 

a horse is crooked 

Crookedness 

Lack of alignment or straightness of the 

horse`s spine. 

See also whip, cane, stick, bat; Artificial aid by 

which the rider may emphasize 

Verwerfung 

crop 

and back up the natural aids of seat and legs. 

Used to encourage reluctant or 

lazy horses to move foreward. Sometimes used 

to punish. 

Gerte, Springstock 

Cross canter 

Cross country 

cross country course 

design 

cross country course plan 

The horse canters on one lead in front and on 

the other lead behind. Same as disunited. Can 

be the result of loss of balance in the canter. 

It is a phase of an eventing competition and it 

involves jumping solid obstacles in a certain 

predetermined order and speed through the 

landscape. 

The arrangement of the courses which goes 

through the landscape. 

Kreuzgalopp 

Geländestrecke 

Parcourgestaltung 

They show the track of the cross country 

course and will be given to each competitor. 

The plan must include the positions of the 

starts and the finishes of each phase, the 

numbered compulsory passages on phases A Geländeskizze 

and C, the numbered obstacles and compulsory 

passeges on phases B and D, the distance of 

the phases, the optimum times and time limits 

of the phases. 

CROSS FIRE 

When a horse's hind foot strikes the opposite 

front foot or leg. 

at the end of the middle trace of a pair 

diagonales Hufe 

anschlagen 

cross head (crab) 

harness; it fixes the two pole straps there 

together. 

A cross hook occurs when the player reaches 

cross hook 

over his opponent's mount in an attempt to 

hook; this is considered a foul. 

Bit with long bars at either side of the mouth to 

crossbar snaffle 

emphasize the aids showing sideways or to 

protect the lips from getting caught in the bit 

ring holes. 

Knebeltrense 

crossing 

when riders pass head to head; the rule is 'left 

shoulder to left shoulder' 

das Entgegenreiten 

Croup 

Top-line of horse from the top of the tail to the 

Kruppe 

highest point of the hindquarters 

The croup lies between the loins and the tail. 

croup 

When looking from the side or back it is the 

highest point of the hindquarters. 

Kruppe 

crude ashes unrefined ashes contained in the food Rohasche 

crude fibre indigestible portion of plant material 

in relation to a particular feed; this is the total 

Rohfaser 

crude protein 

protein content contained there in, which 

includes the actual digestible protein used by 

the horse´s body 

Rohprotein 


Crupper 

crupper 

crupper 

crush, to 

Cryptochid stallion 

cryptorchidism 

cues 

Cup 

cup winkler 

The crupper is a loop that goes under the tail 

and attaches to the back of the saddle. It helps 

to prevent the saddle from slipping forward. 

long leather piece on the back of the horse 

which is attached to the horse's tail, so the 

harness-gear is fixed. 

See also tail strap; strap to leading from the 

cantle to the tailhead preventing the saddle 

from sliding forward. 

to break sth firm or hard into small pieces or 

into powder by pressing 

Schweifriemen 

Schweifriemen 

Schweifriemen 

schroten 

improperly developed testis may never leave 

the abdomen, and it may not produce hormons Klopphengst 

developmental defect wherein one or both of 

the testicles has not descended into the 

scrotum 

Signals by which the rider communicates his 

wishes to the horse. 

An attachment on the wing of a jump that 

holds the rail. 

they prevent the horses from looking back so 

they cannot be disturbed by overtaking 

vehicles. The horses can just overlook the 

scene in front of them. 

curb bit a bit with shanks which induces lever-action 

curb bit 

Curb Bit - 

curb chain 

curb chain 

curb guard 

curb rein 

Thick more or less curbed one-piece bit used in 

higher dressage levels or in Western Riding 

disciplines. 

A kind of snaffle bit with shanks and a double 

broken mouthpiece 

chain of metal links which increases the 

restraining effect of a bit 

Small chain fixed on either side of the curb bit 

providing pressure on the chin when the reins 

are pulled. 

Piece of rubber, cloth or neoprene to soften the 

pressure of the curb chain, to prevent hair 

getting stuck in the chain or to protect the chin 

from injuries. 

Leather strap leading from the curb bit to the 

hand of the rider; usually in 

combination with a snaffle rein so the rider 

holds two reins in each hand. 

Kryptorchismus 

Hilfen 

Hindernisauflage 

Scheuklappen 

Kandare, Gebiss mit 

Hebelwirkung 

Kandarengebiss 

Gebiss mit Hebelwirkung 

Kinnkette 

Kinnkette 

Kinnkettenunterlage 

Kandarenzügel 

curb strap 

Strap fixed on either side of the curb bit 

providing pressure on the chin when the reins 

are pulled. 

Kinnriemen 

curb-bit a bit for the double-bridle Kandarenstange 

curry, to to rub down and dress a horse. striegeln 

curry-comb 

with this you groom the horse with circular 

movements so that the raw dirt goes away 

Striegel 

curry-comb 

Iron instrument or comb used for currying or 

Striegel 

Cushing’s 

Syndrome/disease 

cleaning horses. 

a small benign tumour in the pituitary gland 

causes enhanced glucocorticoid action; 

symptoms: long, shaggy, curly coat; excessive 

thirst with commensurate urination; raised 

blood-sugar levels; bulging eyes and a potbellied 

appearance, loss of muscle over the 

back.. 


Cushing Syndrom

Cushing's syndrome 

Cutting 

Cutting 

Cyathostomiasis 

cystitis 

D box or ten minutes box 

Hyperadrenocorticism, may be due to an 

adrenal cortex tumor or overstimulation by the 

pituitary gland; symptoms: long coat in 

summer; laminitis 

competition where the horse has to keep a cow 

separated from its herd without any aids of the 

rider 

In this discipline the horse has to work with 

cattle. The rider has two and a half minutes to 

ride in a herd, to choose a piece of cattle and 

to separate it from the herd to cut. The horses 

have to be especially athlethic and show catlike 

movements. They have to prevent the cow 

from running back to its herd. In this 2 and a 

half minutes the rider has to work at least two 

pieces of cattle. The rider is not allowed to give 

any aids. The horses which are especially 

suitable for cutting have the instinct “to read” 

the cattle- the so called cow-sense. It has to 

know what the cattle will do before it makes 

the movement. There are rules which are 

discribed into the last detail and after these 

rules the rider will be jugded. 

a large number of strongyle larvae become 

dormant in the gut wall _ diarrhoea 

inflammation of the urinary bladder, often 

occurring secondary to diseases causing 

incomplete emptying of the bladder 

The D box is used as a recovery phase for the 

horse prior to the cross country course. Unlike 

the C box, where the time in the box is decided 

by the ground jury, the D box is always 10 

minutes. The groom and helpers will check the 

horse for injuries and check that the boots are 

still in place. They will also cool the horse down 

using rapid cooling procedures. 

Cushing Syndrom 

Rinderdisziplin 

Die Arbeit mit dem Rind. 

Befall mit Cyathostomum 

Blasenentzündung 

10 Minuten Box 

DAILY DOUBLE 

A bet attempting to pick the winner of two 

consecutive races. 

- 

daily ration the daily amount of food for a horse Tagesration 

Dally Roping - 

Dam Mare that is used for reproduction Zuchtstute 

dam, foaling mare a female parent; a mare with a foal Mutterstute 

Dandelion (Wet the Bed) 

this yellow-flowered plant stimulates liver, 

pancreas and kidney functions 

Löwenzahn 

dandy brush 

Brush with very hard bristles used for brushing 

down mud and heavy dirt from the horse. 

Roping, bei dem das Rope 

(Lasso) nur bei Bedarf 

durch Wickelungen ums 

Sattelhorn gehalten und 

nicht verknotet wird 

Wurzelbürste 

Dandy-brush a brush for the raw dirt especially for the legs Wurzelbürste 

D-bit, dee bit A bit with rings in form of a D. 

A situation in which the judges cannot separate 

D-Trense, Renntrense 

DEAD HEAT 

two or more horses when judging the outcome 

of a race. 

toter Durchgang 

dead-heat 

Two or more horses finishing in an exact tie at 

the finish. 

die Ex-Aequo-Platzierung 


Declaration of starters Declaring of the competitors at the show office Melden der Starter 

Deep digital flexor tendon 

deep digital flexor tendon 

deep eye-sockets 

Flexes the joints of the lower leg, prevents the 

fetlock from over extending, together with the 

check ligaments helps with weight bearing. 

Passes over the back of the knee, held in place 

by the check ligament, passes over the 

sesamoid bones and fans out over the navicular 

bone. 

Flexes the joints of the lower leg, prevents the 

fetlock from over extending and helps with 

weight bearing. 

Are always a sign of a bad state of health. 

There are several reasons for it. Examples 

would be: pain, virus infections, inflammations, 

fever or just a sign of high age. 

Tiefe Beugesehne 

tiefe Beugesehne 

deficiency the state of lacking sth necessary Mangel 

deglutition swallowing of food Schlucken 

deglutition swallowing of food 

Lack of fluids in the body, generally caused by 

Schlucken 

Dehydration 

sweating. Electrolytes are lost at the same 

time, so both electrolytes and water must be 

used to rehydrate. 

Dehydration 

eingefallene Augenhöhlen 

dehydration An abnormal depletion of body fluids. Dehydrierung 

dehydrogenation 

Normally caused by high ambient temperature, 

by dirty or contaminated water buckets or by 

missing opportunities to drink. An easy d. 

means that there´s a loss up to 6 percent of 

the bodyweight, a middle d. up to 8 percent 

and a heavy d. even more! It´s a very 

dangerous disease, because the consistence of 

blood changes. 

Dehydrierung 

Deltoid Muscle which flexes shoulder joint. Musculus Deltoideus 

derby A stakes race for three-year-old colts. das Derby 

dermatitis 

Designated stables 

detoxification 

deviate from the 

(prescribed) line, to 

It is an inflammation of the skin which is 

mostly caused by precede infectious diseases 

or after an allergic reaction. This inflammation 

affects almost the whole surface of the skin. At 

the beginning the skin has a higher 

temperature and it is very painful for the horse 

when you touch him. It is also accompanied by 

hair loss. This disease can last for weeks or 

months. In the past the horses died after 

dermatitis. 

At international events horses have to be 

stabled in mobile stables surrounded by a 

fence, only riders, grooms and trainers are 

allowed to enter the area of the designated 

stables 

The act of removing poison or the effect of 

poison. 

Dermatitis 

Turnierboxen mit 

Zugangsbeschränkung 

Entgiftung 

von der 

(vorgeschriebenen) Linie 

abkommen 

Devil´s Claw useful for arthritic, rheumatic conditions Teufelskralle 

devil´s dyke 

One of the most dangerous jumps on an 

eventing course. The distance has to be 

perfect. It is like a combination but with three 

jumps. The first is a normal fence but downhill, 

the second jump in the middle is a ditch filled 

with water and the third is another fence but 

uphill. 


Pulvermanns Grab

deworming to give the horse a cure against worms Entwurmung 

deworming to give the horse a cure against worms 

caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland; not 

Entwurmung 

Diabetes mellitus 

common, more common in fat ponies, treated 

with insulin injections. 

the rider leaves the track after the corner (at 

Diabetes mellitus 

diagonal change of hand 

the beginning of a long side) and rides across 

the arena towards the opposed corner; also 

see: diagonal change of rein 

durch die ganze Bahn 

wechseln 

diagonal change of rein 

it's the line between one corner and the corner 

on the opposite side at the other end of the 

arena 

the rider leaves the track after the corner (at 


wechseln 

diagonal change of rein, to 

the beginning of a long side) and rides across 

the arena towards the opposite corner; also 

see: diagonal change of hand 


wechseln 

diarrhea the feces are very soft or watery Durchfall 

diarrhea the feces are very soft or watery Durchfall 

Diarrhoea 

rapid passage of abnormally soft or liquid 

faeces 

Fluid horse dung caused by stress, grass or 

Durchfall 

diarrhoea 

gastro-intestinal infections. There are hundreds 

Durchfall 

of reasons. It should be treated by a 

veterinarian. 

diastole 

Refers to relaxation of a heart chamber prior to 

Diastole 

and during filling of the chamber. 

diet a 24-hour allowance of feed to an animal Nahrung / Ernährung 

diet 

the things an animal gets to eat / components 

of the feeding 

Ration /Futtermittel 

diet 

the things an animal gets to eat / components 

of the feeding 

Ration /Futtermittel 

diet feed special feed for animals with healthproblems Diätfuttermittel 

diet formulation the composition of the horse´s food Rationsgestaltung 

difficulty of breathing 

digest, to 

The respiratory tract consists of nostrils, nasal 

cavity, sinuses, pharynx, arynx, trachea, lungs 

and bronchi. So in every part of it could be the 

reason for the difficulty of breathing. It´s 

nearly impossible and not recommendable to 

leave the horse without medical examination. 

to change food in the stomach and bowels so 

that it can be used by the body 

Atembeschwerden 

verdauen 

digesta food after being eaten / while being digested Nahrungsbrei 

digesta food after being eaten / while being digested Nahrungsbrei 

digestable protein 

in any particular type of feed, the protein that 

is assimilated by the horse´s digestive system 

verdauliches Protein 

digestible that can be digested verdaulich 

digestible Energy (DE) 

The portion of the gross energy in a feed that 

is not excreted. 

verdauliche Energie 

digestion 

The breakdown of feed in the digestive tract to 

simple substances which can be absorbed. 

Verdauung 

digestive system all organs from mouth to anus Verdauungsapparat 

digestive system all organs from mouth to anus Verdauungsapparat 

dish-nosed head/dishfaced 

concave profile of the face, typical in Arabians Hechtkopf 

disinfectant liquid to desinfect a wound Desinfektionsmittel 


disinfectant 

disinfectant-spray 

It sterilizes a wound and removes bacteria from 

the wound. A very good disinfectant for 

example is hydrogen. 

when a horse has got a little wound you put 

this "first aid medicine" onto it so that it does 

not get inflamed 

Desinfektionsmittel 

Desinfektionsspray 

Disinfection 

Selective destruction of specific micro-organism 

without affecting environmental or living 

conditions. 

Desinfektion 

dismount 

jump of the -> vaulter from the horse to the 

ground 

Abgang 

dismount, to to get off the horse absitzen 

dismount, to 

moving down from the horse’s back after riding 

(in this case the rider moves down willingly) 

absitzen 

dismount, to to get off of the horse. 

In jumping a general term for a horse`s 

absteigen 

Disobedience 

refusal, run-out, resistance, turning in a circle 

or deviating from the course. 

Ungehorsam 

Disobedience 

displacement 

disqualification 

disqualification or 

elimination from one test 

Willful determination to avoid doing what is 

asked, or determination to what is not asked. 

Ungehorsam 

A d. is an abnormal position of a part of the 

intestine. Normally it causes a total blockage 

and, so far, becomes very dangerous. Medical Verlagerung 

treatment, often an operation, is inevitable- the 

sooner, the better! 

Disqualification means that a competitor and 

his horse or horses may not take further part in 

the competition. The ground jury may 

Disqualifikation 

disqualify a competitor in different cases, for 

example if the competitor abuses his horse 

and/or rides dangerously. 

Disqualification or elimination from one of the 

tests entails disqualification or elimination from 

Disqualifikation oder 

Elimination von einer 

Prüfung 

distaff race 

the final classification. 

A race for fillies, mares, or both. 

is the gap between two obstacles. There are 

Distance 

distances from three up to six strides between 

two obstacles. 

A horse that is out of touch with the rest of the 

Distanz 

DISTANCED 

field at the end of the race. This is often 

referred to as finished distanced. 

there’s a visible change from one pace to 

abgeschlagen 

distinct transition 

another; also within a pace: a visible transition 

deutlicher Übergang 

from extended trot to collected trot for 

example 

For a horse it´s a very bad situation., because 

disturbance of equilibrium 

if horses lose control over their body, they 

often panic. And that can be dangerous for 

horse AND rider. 

Gleichgewichtsstörung 

Disunited see: Cross canter Kreuzgalopp 

disunited canter 

the forehand canters on off fore and the 

hindhand canters on near fore and otherwise 

Kreuzgalopp 

dogs 

Wooden barrier (or rubber traffic cones) placed 

a certain distance out from the inner rail, to 

protect the inner part of the track (usually the 

turf course) from traffic during workouts to 

save it for racing. 

die Absperrung 

donkey quarters croup like a donkey Eselskruppe 


Donor mare 

Doping test 

dorsal stripe 

Double Bridle 

double bridle 

double bridle 

Double Combination 

double jointed mouthpiece 

double lungeing rein 

Mare that is actually covered by a stallion or 

artificially inseminated and donates the embryo Spenderstute 

The vet pulls blood after the race to look for 

forbidden substances that might have been 

given to the horse during the event or before 

to improve the performance. 

A primitive mark darker than the base colour; 

carries into the mane and tail, resulting in 

manes and tails with dark centers and pale 

edges. 

Traditional English bridle with two bits, a 

snaffle and a curb, giving the rider a greater 

degree of control than a single bit. Double 

bridles are allowed and used at eventing 

competitions. 

bridle that consists of two bits, each with a pair 

of reins 

See also Weymouth bridle; headstall used in 

higher levels of dressage, used with a curb bit 

and a bradoon – the rider has two pairs of reins 

to coordinate. 

consists of two obstacles. The maximum 

distance between them can be two strides; 

their minimum distance has to be least one 

stride. The obstacle can be oxer and upright 

jumps. 

Three-part bit considered to be very soft – 

often used for young horses when started to be 

trained. 

A long rein fixed on either sides of the horse to 

work the horse on the ground; often used to 

prepare the horse to carriage driving. 

Double Rigged Saddle - A westernsaddle that has two girths to fix it 

double ring snaffle 

double vaulting 

Dourine 

Bit with two pairs of bit rings often used in 

carriage driving. 

a couple of vaulters show manoeuvres during 

competition 

sexually transmitted trypanosomiasis of horses, 

characerized by inflammation of the external 

genitalia 

Dopingtest 

Aalstrich 

Kandarenzaum und 

Unterlegtrense 

Kandare 

Kandarenzaum 

Doppelte Kombination 

Doppelt gebrochenes 

Mundstück 

Doppellonge 

Sattel mit zwei 

Bauchgurten 

Doppelringtrense 

Doppelvoltigieren 

Beschälseuche 

downhill, quarters too high croup is higher than the wither überbaut 

downward transition 

drag 

Dragging 

draught reins 

draw rein 

transition from a faster gait to a slower one; Übergang (in langsamere 

for example, a transition from a canter to a trot Gangart) 

also known as "park coach" or "private coach"; 

it is used for private driving purposes; sport 

vehicle. 

Refers to dragging of the hind feet or inactivity 

of the hind legs 

the middle part of the reins which the driver 

holds in his hands to steer the carriage. 

Privatkutsche 

schleppend 

Zugleinen 

Auxiliary rain leading from the girth to the 

rider’s hands via the bit rings; supposed to help Schlaufzügel 

the horse to find the right position. 

Draw Reins - Running reins which are fixed on the side 

Schlaufzügel, seitlich 

befestigt 

draw up the knee, to das Knie hochziehen 

draw up the shoulder, to die Schulter hochziehen 

drawn up to pull one part of the body up too high hochgezogen 


drawn up heel hochgezogener Absatz 

Dressage arena 

A completely flat arena, measuring 60x20m 

skirted by a low rail along with 12 letters that 

are placed symmetrically to provide reference 

marks for the different manoeuvres 

Dressurviereck 

dressage seat Dressursitz 

Dressage test 

The dressage test is similar to an ice skater´s 

compulsory figures test. It is one part of 

eventing, which is open to subjective scoring. 

You and your horse have to perform a set 

number of movements in a particular sequence 

within an arena measuring 60m x 20m or 40m 

x 20m. 

Dressur 

dressage-saddle Dressursattel 

dressage-saddle 

Saddle with a carved seat and long saddle flaps 

specially designed for dressage riding. 

Dressursattel 

dressing 

You can put this on a wound to make sure that 

the wound stays sterile and can not get 

infected another time. 

Verband 

dressing material needed to cover a wound Verbandmaterial 

drinking through 

a narrow open container for animals to drink 

Tränke 

drinking trough 

drive forward, to 

drive sideways, to 

driver 

from 

there is a small reservoir with a flat side or a 

guide, if the horse push on it fresh water starts 

to flow 

the rider communicates with the horse through 

his legs at the girth; the horse should go 

forward 

the rider tells the horse with his legs at/behind 

the girth to go to the side 

The driver guides the trotter from the sulky 

through the race. 

Tränke 

vorwärtstreiben 

seitwärtstreiben 

der Fahrer 

DRIVER 

The person holding a license or permit to drive 

harness horses. There are different types of 

Fahrer 

licenses, which correspond to differing levels of 

experience. 

driver see coachman. Fahrer 

drooping belly too fat, underline hangs downwards Hängebauch 

drop noseband 

Noseband strapped around the muzzle in front 

of the bit. 

Hannoversches Reithalfter 

drop the shoulder, to die Schulter fallen lassen 

drop the shoulders, to 

to put the shoulders down, to relax the 

shoulders 

Schultern fallenlassen 

drop the stirrup, to to pull the feet out of the stirrups Bügel loslassen 

The sole of a hoof which 

dropped sole abgesenkte Sohle 

has become convex rather 

than concave. 

dry matter The part of the feed that is not water. Trockensubstanz 

dry work 

reining part of the competition Working 

Cowhorse 

Teilprüfung Reining der 

Disziplin Working 

Cowhorse 

dry, to 

See also towel, to; to rub off a wet or sweatty 

horse with straw or a towel. 

abtrocknen, trocknen 

dull coat 

dun 

There are several reasons which cause a dull 

coat. For example parasites, underfeeding or 

just a bad state of health. To produce relief, 

you could try to add oil to the feed. 

similar to buckskin, but with a dorsal stripe and 

zebra striping at the legs 


stumpfes Fell 

Falbe mit Aalstrich

dun 

dust cover 

dutch gag 

dynamic movement 

ear cover 

Light to medium sand couloured with dark skin, 

mane, tail and lower legs. 

Falbe 

Cloth placed on the saddle when it is stored to 

protect it from dust, water, dirt and scratches. Sattelschutz 

Snaffle with (at least) two additional smaller 

rings on the top and on the bottom of the bit 

rings on both sides of the bit. 

movement in which a change of position(s) can 

be seen 

Crocheted bonnet for horses sensitive at their 

ears; often used as simple decoration. 

Pessoa-Gebiss, 

Dreiringtrense 

dynamische Bewegung 

Ohrenkappe 

Ear mites ear infection by little animals, causes itch 

A race requiring payments which start much 

Ohrmilben 

EARLY/LATE CLOSER 

closer to the actual race date than a stake 

"Early" and "Late" involve specified periods of 

time. 

Einzahlungsrennen 

Earnings 

The amount of money that a horse has won in 

its lifetime 

The jockey stops the horse during the race so 

Gewinnsumme 

eased 

he can't finish, usually due to an injury or 

equipment problem. 

aufgeben 

Echinacea 

this herb increases leukocolyte production in 

the blood 

Echinacea 

eczema 

eczema of the mane and 

tail 

eczema of the saddle 

position 

It is an inflammation of the skin. The acute 

form can be accompanied of intense irritation 

or itch. The horse also wants to bite or lick 

every time the affected area. A common cause 

of eczema is the sensitization to midge-bites. 

This on is only placed at the mane ort he tail of 

the horse. There will be inflammations of the 

skin which induce a bulge of the skin. It is 

accompanied by a great itch. The horse wants 

to rub his tail and mane at anything suitable. It 

is mostly seen at poor groomed horses. 

This one is also almost seen at poor groomed 

horses or at horses which have a saddle that 

do not fit very well. It is accompanied by hair 

loss and the development of abscesses. If the 

horse has got such eczema it cannot be ridden 

till it is recovered. 

Ekzem, Sommerekzem 

Mähnen- und 

Schweifekzem 

Sattellagenekzem 

edema When the tissue swells with excess fluid. 

A single jump that has to be completed with a 

Ödem 

Effort 

single attempt. Obstacles (combinations) can 

consist of up to 3 jumps and therefore require 

3 efforts 

(Einzel) Sprung 

eggbutt snaffle 

Special end of a bit in shape of an olive to 

prevent injuries of the lips. 

Olivenkopftrense 

egg-butt-snaffle bridle for a racing-horse Renntrense 

EIPH (Exercise-induced 

pulmonary haemorrhage) 

blood collection in the lungs, in some cases 

bacame visible at the nostrils _ applies to 

racehorses and other athletic horses 

Trainingsbedingte 

Lungenblutung 

ejeculate semen from a stallion Ejakulat 

ejeculation emission of semen from a stallion Ejakulation 

elastic smooth elastisch 


elastic gloves 

You should put on some elastic gloves when 

you take care of a wound because you save 

your own hands from the substances you put 

Elastische Handschuhe 

on the wound (disinfectant or ointments…). 

Some substances are very hard to remove from 

the skin. 

Elastic outer layer Applied to keep dressings clean and dry. flexible Schutzschicht 

Elasticity 

Elecampane 

Electrolytes 

electrolytes 

Electrolytes 

Elevation 

The ability or tendency to stretch and contract 

the musculature smoothly, giving the 

impression of "stretchiness" or "springiness" 

this herb has yellow flowers; in the right 

dosage it is good for the muscular efficiency of 

the lungs 

Body salts that are normal components of 

blood and tissue that contribute to muscle 

contractions, nerve impulses, oxygen and 

carbon dioxide transport; they get lost through 

the sweat 

Any molecular substance that, in solution, will 

dissolve into ions. 

electrolytes are electrically charged particles in 

solution; some have a positive (+) charge and 

some have a negative (-) charge. 

The raising of the head and neck unrestrained 

out of the lifted withers and shoulders. 

Spannkraft 

Alant 

Elektrolyte 

Elektrolyte 

Elektrolyte 

Aufrichtung 

elongated seat to sit straight without being stiff gestreckter Sitz 

emaciation 

a condition of extreme leanness due to 

starvation or disease 

Abmagerung 

embryo 

the earliest or undeveloped stage of the fetus 

up to 40 days after conception 

the transfer of a fertilized ovum from the 

Embryo 

embryo transfer 

uterus of one mare to the uterus of anoter for 

gestation 

Embryotransfer 

embryogeny the formation and development of the embryo Embryogenese 

embryonal 

1. Relating to an embryo; 2. At an undeveloped 

embryonal 

or early stage 

emergency a case of need Notfall 

Endometritis, Entzündung 

Endometritis inflammation of the endometrium 

der 

Gebärmutterschleimhaut 

endometritis inflammation of the uterus Endometritis 

endometrium the mucous lining of the uterine cavity 

The ability to withstand hardship or adversity; 

Gebärmutterschleimhaut 

Endurance 

especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged 

stressful effort or activity (an eventing horses 

endurance) 

Endurance Competitions are athletic events in 

Ausdauer 

Endurance Riding 

which horses cover a defined course within a 

specified maximum time. 

Distanzreiten 

energy 

the physical power available for work or other 

activities 

Energie 

energy density 

the amount of energy in a certain portion of 

feed 

Energiedichte 

energy requirement the amount of energy the body needs Energiebedarf 

energy transfer 

the amount of energy that is transfered in the 

body 

Energieumsatz 

Engaged Horse travels with lowered haunches Gesetzt 

Engaged halt see: Closed halt Geschlossener Halt 


Engagement 

Increased flexion of the joints of the hind legs 

and of the sacro-lumbar area, lowering the 

croup relative to the forehand, with the hind 

legs supporting a greater proportion of the 

load. A prerequisite for thrust/impulsion. 

Hankenbeugung 

Engender, to à fertilisation Befruchten 

English or Achenbach 

Harness 

English or Achenbach Rein 

Handling 

created by Achenbach. It is the most practiced 

way of driving. 

see explanation above. 

Engl. bzw. 

„Achenbach'sche 

Anspannung" 

Engl. bzw. 

„Achenbach'sche 

Leinenhaltung" 

Enterocolitis inflammation of the small intestine and colon Enterokolitis 

Enterotoxemia 

Entry fee 

enzyme 

enzyme 

enzyme 

Epiglottic entrapment 

characterized by the presence in the blood of 

Enterotoxämie 

toxins produced in the intestines 

A fee that has to be paid in order to be allowed 

Nenngebühr 

to participate in a competition 

A substance which increases the rate of a 

chemical reaction acts as an aid in digestion 

Enzym 

proteins that catalyze the hydrolyse of 

nutrients 

Enzym 

proteins that catalyze the hydrolyse of 

nutrients 

Enzym 

inflammation and swelling of the folds of 

membrane that link the epiglottis to the larynx 

_ abnormal noise when breathing 

Einklemmung des 

Kehldeckels beim Pferd 

Epilepsy collapse varying in its duration and frequency Epilepsie 

equestrian conduct how you can control your horse die Einwirkung 

Equine herpes virus 

Equine Infectious Anaemia 

(EIA) 

Equine infectious anemia 

(EIA) 

Equine influenza 

equine influenza 

Equine viral abortion, 

equine rhinopneumonitis 

Equine viral artheritis 

(EVA) 

different types, causing respiratory problems, 

abortation/ataxia, respiratory symptoms 

also called "swamp fever", virus disease 

causing intermittent fever, hemolytic anemia, 

depression, sometimes oedema and death; can 

be transmitted by biting insects. 

caused by a retrovirus, alternating periods of 

normality and illness for many years, gradual 

development of anaemia, emaciation, cardiac 

insuffiency 

virus infection which causes dry cough, nasal 

discharge, temperature 

Equines Herpesvirus 

Equine infektiöse Anämie 

(EIA) 

Ansteckende Blutarmut 

Influenza 

Caused by viruses, can lead to fever, cough or 

a normal cold. The vaccination against it is only Influenza/Grippevirus 

useful if all horses in a stable are vaccined. 

dead or nonviable fetus caused by infection 

with equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV1) 

Abort 

severe infection of the upper respiratory tract Equine Artheritis 

equipment Everything you need as a rider or horse owner. Ausrüstung 

Equitation This is the art of horse riding. Reitsport 

Equitation 

Classes in which the rider, not the horse, is 

judged. The rider must demonstrate a good 

seat and hands and pass a sufficient score of 

the required tests 


Dressurreiter/Springreiterp 

rüfung

equitation seat 

correct way of sitting on the horse, similar to 

the classical seat, with head, shoulders, hip 

and heel in a line 

korrekter Sitz 

Erection see: Elevation Aufrichtung 

ergot 

a dark purple or black fungal mass that 

displaces grass seed, particularly rye 

Mutterkorn 

erratic cycle an irregular oestrus 

The red blood cells. A horse has approximately 

Zyklusunregelmäßigkeit 

erythrocytes 

6-12 million erythrocytes per _l blood. They 

serve the transport of oxygen through the 

body. 

Erythrozyten 

escaping hindquarters 

the hindleg is drifting away from the requested 

ausweichende Hinterhand 

line. 

esophagus the way from mouth to stomach Speiseröhre 

esophagus the way from mouth to stomach Speiseröhre 

essential absolutely necessary, extremely important 

the mare's sex hormone manufactured by the 

essentiell 

estrogene 

ovaries; influences outward sexual behavior Östrogen 

Eucalyptus 

Euthanasia, Mercy-killing, 

to put an animal down 

Evasion 

and changes in the estrons cycle 

it is an Australian evergreen tree that has rigid 

entire leaves and is used for colds and 

respiratory infections 

If injuries are not treatable or horses are not 

going to recover they should be put down, e.g. 

in case of untreatable fractures, nervous 

diseases or joint injuries. 

Avoidance of the difficulty, correctness, or 

purpose of the movement, often without active 

resistance or disobedience (tilting head, open 

mouth, etc.) Bit evasions are means of 

avoiding correct contact with the bit. 

Eukalyptus 

Euthanasie (=aktive 

Sterbehilfe) 

Entziehung 

even bend and flexion 

gleichmäßige Biegung und 

Stellung 

Event schedule Programme of competition 

It is a name of a horse sport. It is a three 

Veranstaltungszeitplan 

Eventing 

phase competition with dressage, cross country Vielseitigkeit 

and showjumping. 

eventing grease 

Eventing horse 

eventing saddle 

White greasy cream used in eventing to help 

the horse slide off a fence if it gets stuck. 

Schmierseife/Schmiermitte 

l 

The eventing horse is exceeded by no other 

horse in courage, hardness and perseverance. 

Vielseitigkeitspferd 

The horse should be motivated, militant, strong 

and hard and strong. 

Very light saddle with a special girth and rolls 

specially designed for the cross-country part of 

eventing. 

EWU Western riding association in Germany 

excercise saddle 

excess 

exclusive feed 

Vielseitigkeitssattel 

Erste Westernreitunion 

Deutschland 

Light saddle with projecting saddle flaps for the 

Trainingssattel (Rennsport) 

daily work of racehorses. 

more than a reasonable or moderate degree or 

Überschuss 

amount of sth 

a sort of concentrated feed which includes 

Alleinfutter 

everything needed except forage 


Exercise Area 

At a three day event extensive areas suitable 

for the general exercise of horses must be 

available and must be open throughout the 

hours of daylight. These should include tracks 

and areas for hacking and for galloping. The 

organising committee must inform the 

competitors of the areas that are available for 

this purpose. Horses may be exercised only in 

such designated areas and/or in the practise 

areas for dressage and jumping. 

Übungsplatz 

exercise sheet Short blanket covering the kidneys. Nierendecke 

exercises to get a more 

correct position 

gymnastic exercises on the horse at the longe Sitzübungen 

Exhaustion 

glycogen and other reserves are getting low, 

muscles can no longer contract properly 

Erschöpfung 

exhaustion the horse has less power Erschöpfung 

Expression see: Cadence Kadenz 

extended … longer strides and thus more speed in one gait starker … 

Extension 

eye saver 

face drop 

facial nerve paralysis 

faint-hearted pulsation 

faintness 

Fall 

Fall 

Falling In 

Stretching and lengthening of the outline and 

stide out; in trot and canter you can see an 

increased phase of suspension. The horse 

covers as much groung as possible with each 

stride, but maintains the same tempo and 

rhythm. 

See also fly mask; used for horses showing 

allergic reaction at the eyes due to pestering of 

flies. 

palsy (paralysis) of the trigeminal nerve (the 

chief sensory nerve of the face, includes the 

muscles of the ears, lips, eyelids and nose. 

symptoms: e.g. drooping of the ear 

Verstärkung 

Fliegenmaske 

Gesichtsnervenlähmung 

The speed of pulsation is lower than the normal 

langsamer Puls 

one. 

If the horses body is too weak to work 

properly. Often faintness comes after hard 

work or with horses that are not in the best 

Schwächeanfall 

shape. Often they will also break down. 

Normally they are ok again after some 

infusions. 

If the horse`s shoulder or hindquarters, or any 

part of the rider`s body touches the ground, it 

Sturz 

is considered a fall, which brings automatic 

disqualification. 

A competitor is considered to have fallen when 

he is separated from his horse in such a way as 

to necessitate remounting or vaulting into the 

saddle. A horse is considered to have fallen 

when at the same time both its shoulder and 

der Sturz 

quarters have touched either the ground or the 

obstacle and the ground or when it is trapped 

in a fence in such a way that it is unable to 

proceed without assistance or is liable to injure 

itself. 

also possible: Falling on inside shoulder, falling 

out, falling over outside shoulder. Is a lateral 

deviation of the shoulders caused by loss of 

balance. 


Über die Schulter ausfallen

falopian tube, splpinx, 

oviduct 

either of two uterine tubes through which an 

ovum travels from the ovary to the uterus. It 

connects the ovary with the uterus 

Eileiter 

false canter Außengalopp 

false girth 

if the bellyband is parted into two leather 

straps, the false girth means the smaller back 

one. 

Used for a horse that was in contention early 

kleiner Bauchgurt 

faltered 

and drops back in the late stages. It is more 

drastic than weakened but less drastic than 

stopped. 

zurückfallen 

Fan- shaped Jump 

Farewell of Nations 

is like the triplebarre, but there is only one 

gland on the one side and on the other side 

there are three glands. The front pole is the 

lowest and the last pole the highest. 

Ceremonious parade of mounted competitors in 

sequence of participating nations in the show 

arena as an opening event at international 

horse shows like the CSI Aachen 

Fächersprung 

Umzug der Nationen 

Farrier 

A farriar is a skilled craftsman who shoes 

horses. 

Hufschmied 

farriers apron Leather apron to protect the farrier’s legs. Hufbeschlagsschürze 

fat an oily substance found in certain seeds 

Vitamins found in the fat portion of the feed 

Fett 

fat-soluble Vitamins and stored in the fatty tissues of the horse; 

vitamins A, D, E and K 

fettlösliche Vitamine 

fatty acid an acid that originates from hydrocarbons Fettsäure 

fatty acid 

end product of fat after being hydrolysed by 

enzymes 

Fettsäure 

fatty acid 

end product of fat after being hydrolysed by 

enzymes 

A unit of scoring equal to each point a rider is 

Fettsäure 

Fault 

penalised for committing an error, such as 

knockdowns, refusals and exceeding the time 

allowed. 

Fehler 

Faults on the course 

These are failings on the test. As faults are 

considered knocking down an obstacle, 

disobedience and fall of competitors or horses. 

Fehler auf der Strecke 

feces pieces of excrement Pferdeäpfel 

feces pieces of excrement Pferdeäpfel 

federal championship 

a competition of young horses and ponies 

which are bred in Germany 

Bundeschampionat 

Federation Equestre 

International 

Internationale Reitsport 

The world governing body for equestrian sports 

Vereinigung 

feed food for animals, or a type of this das Futter 

feed efficiency 

the efficiency with which a horse is able to use 

ingested nutrients 

Futterverwertung 

feed grain grain used for nourishment Futtergetreide 

feed mite 

very small animals living in feed, sign of a bad 

quality 

Futtermilben 

feed requirements 

specified amount of feed which a horse needs 

to stay healthy and fit 

Futterbedarf 

feed requirements the amount of feed an animal needs der Futterbedarf 

feed storage room room where the feed is stored Futterkammer 

feed store special store to purchase animal feed Futterhandlung 

feed tub see manger Futterkrippe 

feed, to to give food to an animal füttern 

feed-bag 

a bag which is fastened over the muzzle and 

used for holding feed; nose bag 

Futtersack 


feeding 

the activity of giving food to a person, animal 

or plant 

die Fütterung 

feeding ground the place where the horses are fed Fressplatz 

feeding instruction 

Recommended amount and way of feeding a 

feed stuff. 

Fütterungsempfehlung 

feeding schedule a plan that lists what to feed at which time Futterplan 

feeding stuff all the different feeds Futtermittel 

feeding time the time when the horses are fed Fütterungszeit 

feeding trough 

mostly they are fix assempled in the horse 

stable, you put the grain in it 

Futtertrog 

felt numnah 

Felt pad placed under a saddle to prevent from 

Filzdecke 

chafing. 

Fence 

fence work 

Fence Work - 

Fenced over Water Jump 

fender 

fender 

Fennel 

Fenugreek 

fermentation 

A vertical obstacle. In show jumping the fence 

is often made of materials such as hedges, fake Hindernis 

stone, brick, planks and poles. 

Part of the competition Working Cowhorse: a 

cow has to be moved along the long side of the 

arena, along the short side and has to be 

circled on the left and on the right hand 

This is the second part of the discipline 

Working Cowhorse. The rider and the horse 

have two minutes to work the cattle, to control 

it in the arena. There is a special pattern which 

they have to complete. 

in most cases a high- and long- jump, doesn´t 

have the wideness of the open water jump, 

because the horse has to jump high and far. 

The obstacle can be substructured either by a 

upright jump or by an oxer. 

covering leather part of the stirrup straps, to 

avoid the jeans getting dirty from the horse´s 

sweat 

Very broad and thick "stirrup leathers" for 

Western and stock saddles. 

it is a European herb of the carrot family; it 

stimulates the pancreatic acid 

the seeds are used as tonic for the mucous 

membranes and for blood cleaning 

Decomposition of organic substances by the 

action of enzymes ( espc. Carbohydrates ) 

under anaerobic conditions. 

Teil der Disziplin Working 

Cowhorse, in dem mit dem 

Rind gearbeitet werden 

muss 

Teil der Disziplin Working 

Cowhorse 

Überbauter Wassergraben 

Schweissblatt am 

Steigbügelriemen 

Fender 

Fenchel 

Bockshornklee 

Fermentierung 

Fertile Able to produce a live foal Fruchtbar 

Fertilisation 

Reproduction recreational artificial manipulative 

affiliation of a spermatozoon with an oogenoon Befruchtung 

fertility 

the percentage of mares covered by one 

stallion or the property of a mare that easily 

gets pregnant 

Fruchtbarkeit 

fertilization the uniting of an ovum with a sperm Befruchtung 

fetlock Fesselgelenk the ankle of the horse. 

fetlock 

The area or joint of the lower leg above the 

pastern and below the cannon. 

Fessel 

fetlock boots See ankle boots. Streichkappe 

fetus 

an unborn offspring from the 41st day after 

conception to birth 

Fetus 

fever the horse has higher blood temperature 

Excessive temperature shows that the 

Fieber 

fever 

organism is fighting against pathogenic germs. 

Fieber 

It often appears in connection with a dull coat 

and anorexia. 


fever/ague/pyrexia 

Every temperature that is above the normal 

temperature. 

Fieber 

fibre the part of food that one´s body cannot digest Ballaststoff 

field 

The playing field is 300 yards long by 150 

yards wide 

half small circle to the center line, then a 

das Spielfeld 

figure of eight 

complete small circle back to the center line, 

Einen 8er reiten. 

ending with a half small circle back to the initial 

point 

fill the hay-net, to 

See also stuff the hay-net, to; to put hay into a 

das Heunetz füllen 

special wide mesh net. 

fill the hay-net, to to place hay in the hay-net das Heunetz füllen 

Filling 

are all objects that are put under the obstacles, 

for example pot flowers, casks and some other, 

to render the obstacle design more cheerful. 

Füllung 

FILLY A female 3 years of age or less. Jungstute 

Filly Female foal 

In addition to the red and white boundary flags 

Stutfohlen 

finish sign 

the finishing line of each phase is also marked 

by distinct signs. 

Zielmarkierung 

first aid kit 

Collection of instruments, bandages and lotions 

Erste-Hilfe-Kasten 

for first aid purposes. 

first rider the rider who leads the section Tetenreiter 

first turn Bend in the track beyond the starting point. die erste Kurve 

FIRST-OVER 

The first horse to make a move on the leader in 

Erstangreifer 

a race, moving up on the outside. 

Fishmeal it is a protein and mineral source Fischmehl 

Fissure deep furrow in a bone 

At veterinary checks veterinarians assess 

Knochenriss 

Fit to continue 

metabolic and soundness factors and on their 

basis they decide if a horse is allowed to 

continue the competition or not. At every vet 

check the horses should still be able to go 

further 20 kilometres. 

After the endurance competition the 

Gesund / fit für die weitere 

Teilnahme an der 

Veranstaltung 

Fit to travel 

veterinarians decide whether the horse is in 

such a good state of health that it can be 

trailered. 

Transporttauglich / 

Transportfreigabe 

flag 

involves extending opposite arm and leg from a 

Fahne, Kniewaage 

quad position 

flag 

flags 

Flags 

flake 

flank 

flapping leg 

flash noseband 

Signal held by a man (referred to as a flagman) 

standing just in front of the gate at the exact 

starting point of race. Official timing starts 

when flag is dropped to denote proper start. 

the flags show the rider from which side he 

must jump the obstacle. The red flag is on the 

right side and the white flag on the left side. 

Every obstacle has to be flanked by a white 

and a red flag 

a section of a bale of hay; when you open a 

bale of hay it falls into flakes 

two- step swinging exercise; 1. Swinging 

motion to inside seat 2. Swinging from inside 

seat to dismount on the outside of the horse 

the leg is not laid on the horse evenly but has 

an irregular contact to the horse. 

Thin strap used for nervous horses in addition 

to the normal noseband. 

die Flagge 

Hindernisflagge 

Hindernisflaggen 

eine Scheibe vom 

Heuballen 

Flanke 

flatternder Schenkel 

Pullerriemen 


flat feet Flachhuf 

The hoof is large and the 

sole is close to the ground. 

flat rings Flat bit rings instead of round ones. flache Ringe 

Flexibility The ability to move the joints freely Lockerheit 

Flexion 

Articulation of a joint so that the angle between 

Biegung 

the bones is decreased. 

flexion 

the head and body of the horse are in a specific 

Stellung, Biegung 

position 

flexion to the inside 

the horse's head and neck are bent to the 

inside. 

Innenstellung 

flexion to the outside 

the horse's head and neck are bent to the 

outside. 

Außenstellung 

float boot See travelling boot. 

See also saddle cloth or sqared numnah; 

Transportgamasche 

floded numnah 

Rectangular pad placed under the saddle to 

Schabracke 

prevent from chafing and to protect the leather 

of the saddle from sweat. 

flora 

normal bacteria and protozoa in the digestive 

tract 

Darmflora 

fluent transitions the transitions are not stagnant or irregular. flüssige Übergänge 

fly bonnet See ear cover. Fliegenkappe 

fly mask 

Mask fixed to the halter with tape fastenings 

for horses at pasture persecuted by flies. 

Fliegenmaske 

fly repellent Spray to protect the horse from flies. Fliegenspray 

Flying Change 

Flying Change 

flying change 

flysheet 

fly-spray, 

flyveil 

foal 

FOAL 

foal heat 

foal pneumonia 

Change of canter lead in the air during an 

unbrocken canter stride. Change must occur in 

rear and front, or cross canter will result. 

Change of canter lead performed by the horse 

to rebalance during turns and changes of 

direction. 

the horse switches canter leads in the air, in 

one stride; changing leads during the canter 

without trotting 

See also net rug, net cooler; rug with very fine 

meshes to avoid insect bites. 

you spray it on the horse`s coat to keep away 

flies and other insects 

Browband with long fringes to chase flies away 

from the horse’s eyes. 

a young horse from birth until the age of one 

year 

A newly born horse. Also describes the act of a 

mare giving birth. 

the heat of the mare around 5 to 9 days after 

foaling 

inflammation of the lung in foals, primarily 

caused by bacterial infections (Rhodococcus 

equi); symptoms: nasal discharge, coughing, 

high respiratory rate, increased respiratory 

effort 

Fliegender Wechsel 

Fliegender Wechsel 

fliegender Galoppwechsel 

Fliegendecke 

Fliegenspray 

Fransenstirnband 

Fohlen 

Fohlen bzw abfohlen 

Fohlenrosse 

Fohlenpneumonie 

Foal-Heat First heat after foal is born Fohlenrosse 

Foaling Giving birth to a foal Ein Fohlen gebären 

fodder a coarse food, like hay ( Rauh- ) Futter 

Folic acid important for red blood cell production 

a small grand or cavity from which secretions 

Folsäure 

follicle 

are generated, such as that in which an ovum 

develops 

Follikel 


follicle stimulating 

hormone 

forage 

forage acre 

a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland of 

both mare and stallion; stimmulates the 

development of ova-producing follicles in the 

mare and growth of sperm in a stallion 

Feedstuffs from leaves and stocks of plants; 

grass, hay, haylage 

a measure of the grass available for grazing on 

a pasture 

FSH 

das Grünfutter 

Portionsweide 

foregirth Vorgurt 

foregirth 

Additional girth fixing the saddle to prevent it 

from slipping forward. 

the part of the horse between head and 

Vorgurt 

forehand 

shoulder, including the front limbs; the part in 

front of the rider´s hand 

Vorhand 

forelegs 

forelock 

The front, or thoracic limbs of the horse.They 

are attached to the trunk by purely muscular 

connections.During locomotion, the forelimb 

functions primarily for weight-bearing rather 

than propulsion. In the standing horse, the 

forelimbs together support approximately 60% 

of the weight of the horse. 

The part of the mane that lies between the ears 

on the forehead. 

fork front part of the western saddle under the horn 

Vorderbeine 

Schopf 

Gabel vorn am Sattel, auf 

der das Horn sitzt 

fork 

a tool or implement with two or more prongs 

set on the end of a handle 

Gabel, Forke 

fork 

Tool used for the work in the stables, for 

example mucking out. 

Mistgabel, Forke 

fork Pommel of the Western saddle. 

the weight is put too much on the upper legs 

fork seat 

and the groin. Both seat bones are relieved 

from weight and the lower legs are slipping 

backwards. 

the rider is sitting too much on his thigh and 

Spaltsitz 

fork seat 

not enough on his fundament. So he has no 

good contact 

riders go into walk in single file around the 

Spaltsitz 

form a ride 

outside of the arena with a horse's length 

between each. Usually the instructor will set 

the order of horses and nominate some one to 

take the lead (at the front). 

Reitkommando: ‘Abteilung 

bilden’ 

Forward 

A direction. Also used to designate impulsion, 

speed, tempo or stride length. 

Vorwärts 

forward seat 

sitting in a position that takes the weight out of 

leichter Sitz 

the saddle 

forward seat = basic seat Vorwärtssitz 

Foster mother Mare that nurses a foal that has lost its mother Amme 

foul, to 

Whenever a player plays against the rules, it is 

called a foul. The other team then gets the ball regelwidrig handeln 

or a penalty. 

Foundation colours Angeborene Farben 

foundation number 

the number to identify the horse which is 

Eintragungsnummer 

foundation sires 

entered into the passport 

male horses that founded or established a 

breeding line 

Gründungsväter 

four-in-hand Hungarian way to hold four reins in one hand. „vier in einer Hand" 

Fracture broken bone Knochenbruch 

fracture A bone is broken Knochenbruch 


Frame 

The longer or shorter outline of the horse 

dictated by the relative degree of extension or 

collection. Can also refer to the horse´s 

confirmation. 

Rahmen 

FREE LEGGED A pacer which races without wearing hobbles. ohne Hobbles 

free test 

Free walk 

Freedom 

Freestyle Reining - 

freeze burn 

french link snaffle 

part of competition; performance is selforganized 

(with music) 

Relaxed walk in which the horse is allowed to 

lengthen and stretch to the bit. 

The reach and scope, and lack of constriction, 

in the movement of the fore and hind limbs. 

Kür 

Freier Schritt 

Fluss 

Freestyling is an attendances magnet and it is 

very popular especially in the USA. The rider 

decides what or who he wants to interpret. He 

has to choose suitable music and has to make Reining-Kür mit Musik und 

his own pattern. This discipline is similar to Kostüm 

dressage. A freestyle (KÜR) has to be ridden 

which is about 4 minutes. Rider and horse have 

to show perfect maneuvers to music. 

Naturally occurring freeze burn (frostbite) is 

rare at horses, even in the worst climatic 

conditions. Iatrogenic (something which is 

caused by the veterinary) freeze burns are 

used to create freeze marks for identification 

purposes. 

Double-jointed mouthpiece with flat middle 

piece. 

Erfrierung 

fresh forage apples, carrots, grass Saftfutter 

frog 

front-runner 

Frozen Semen 

fruit 

Bend of horny substance in the middle of the 

sole of a horse's foot, dividing into two 

branches and running towards the heel in the 

shape of a "V". 

A horse who usually leads (or tries to lead) the 

field for as far as he can. 

Semen that is frozen to achieve prolonged 

storage 

the part of a plant that contains seeds and 

flesh and can be eaten as food 

Doppelt gebrochenes 

Gebiss mit flachem 

Mittelteil 

Strahl 

der Feldführer 

Gefriersperma 

full cheek snaffle See crossbar snaffle, snaffle with cheeks. Knebeltrense 

full halt is used to tell the horse that is has to stop. ganze Parade 

Furall spray Creates its own coating over the wound Wundspray 

furlong One-eighth of a mile; 220 yards; 660 feet. 

futurity competition for young horses 

Wettbewerb für junge 

Pferde 

gadgets 

gag bit 

gag bit cheek straps 

Gait 

Gait analysis 

Obst 

auxiliary equipment; any piece of equipment 

strapped to the horse, except a normal saddle Zubehör (Hilfszügel etc., 

and bridle with a regular snaffle bit, or a double die Pferd beeinflussen) 

bridle with a normal curb and a bridoon 

Sharp bit with strong leverage often used in 

Polo and eventing. 

Straps needed to link the cheek piece and the 

reins by passing them through the gag bit. 

Any of the various foot movements of a horse, 

as a walk, trot, pace, canter or gallop. For 

dressage purposes there are three gaits: walk, 

trot and canter. 

With the gait analysis, you can understand the 

horses „Way of going”. 

Aufziehtrense 

Backenstücke für 

Aufziehtrensen 

Gangart 

Ganganalyse 


Gallop Gallop is a sort of canter but faster. Renngalopp 

Gallop 

Gallop is a three beated gait of the horse like 

the canter but faster. 

is a European bulbous herb of the lily family 

Renngalopp 

Garlic 

and is used as a natural antibiotic; it fights 

infection 

Knoblauch 

garlick 

a plant of the onion family with a strong taste 

and smell 

Knoblauch 

gas colic 

When a horse suffers from this type of colic, 

gas, built in the intestine, stretches it (large 

intestine or caecum) and causes pain. These 

colics usuallly pass with moving the horse and 

letting it stretch its body as it wants. 

Gaskolik 

gastric juice 

The digestive fluid secreted by the glands in 

the mucous membrane of the stomach. 

A g.r. is always fatal. It originates in eating 

very much concentrated feed, especially grain, 

Magensäure 

gastric rupture 

or something that´s swallowed dry and 

thickens when it gets in touch with fluid, like 

bran or mash. Because the horse isn´t able to 

vomit, the stomach can burst. 

Magenruptur 

Gate A high, narrow fence. Steilsprung 

gate 

one of the obstacles of trail competitions: gate 

has to be opened and closed from horseback 

Gauze bandage 

Bandage which is used to secure sterile 

dressings. 

Mullbinde 

gauze pads For cleaning and applying to wounds. Gaze 

Gear - Synonym for equipment 

Cowboyausdruck für 

Ausrüstung (Equipment) 

gel pad 

Pad placed under the saddle filled with a sort of 

Gelpad, Gelkissen 

gelatine to absorb pressure. 

Geld, to To remove a stallions testicles Kastrieren 

gelding a castrated stallion Wallach 

Gene 

All-purpose saddle which can be used for 

Gen 

general purpose saddle dressage, show jumping, eventing and leisure 

riding. 

Mehrzwecksattel 

Generation Entirety of all traceable ancestry Ahnenreihe 

genotype the horse's total genetic makeup Genotyp 

get flat, to 

the horse has too high speed so it hasn´t 

enough power for the take-off and jumps very 

flatly over the obstacle. When the horse gets 

flat it will be given jumping faults. 

Tor 

flach werden 

get left behind, to q.v. Sit too far back, to 

it has just two wheels and a forward-facing 

Hinter der Bewegung 

gig 

seat for two people (the driver and another 

person). 

if the bellyband is parted into two leather 

zwei-rädriger Wagen 

girth 

straps, the girth means the front one which 

leads under the front part of the belly. 

Bauchgurt 

girth 

a long piece of leather or cloth passing around 

the body of a horse to fasten a saddle 

Sattelgurt 

girth Gurt 

girth galls 

sores which develope due to friction between 

the girth and the horse 

Gurtdruck 

girth sleeve 

Cloth tube placed around the girth to prevent 

from chafing. 

Gurtschoner 

girth straps 

Two to three leather straps the girth is buckled 

Gurtstrippen 

to. 


give and retake (the reins) Überstreichen 

give the reins completely, 

to 

there's no contact between hands and horse's 

mouth; the reins are taken at their ends 

Zügel hingeben 

give the reins, to 

the rider opens his fist or goes with his hand up 

Zügel nachgeben 

to the horse's mouth 

give the reins, to die Zügel locker lassen 

give the reins, to to move the reins forward a bit 

a form of sugar which, in its natural form is 

nachgeben 

glucose 

found in fruit, honey, etc; can easily be 

converted into energy 

Glukose 

go for a canter 

work on the outermost track of the arena. E.g. 

ausreiten 

go large 

if you were on a circle at A a 'go large at A' 

Reitkommando: ‚ganze 

command would mean stopping going the circle 

Bahn’ 

and rejoining the outer track when you next 

pass A. 

go large, to to go around the whole arena in one direction ganze Bahn 

go on circle, to 

this is the form of a ring which uses the whole 

breadth of the riding arena 

auf dem Zirkel geritten 

go with the movements, to to fit into the movements of the horse in die Bewegung eingehen 

goal 

gogue 

Golden Seal 

Any time a ball crosses the line between the 

goalposts, it is considered a goal regardless of 

whether a horse or a mallet caused the ball to 

go through. In order to equalize wind and turf 

conditions, the teams change sides after every 

goal scored. 

Auxiliary rein providing pressure on the bit and 

the GENICKSTÜCK. Option of buckling a pair of 

additional reins to it. 

it has large rounded leaves and a yellow 

rootstock; it cleans wounds from surface 

eruptions 

good and easy seat the rider has a well balanced and elastic seat 

Goose-stepping 

grable noseband 

Exaggerated movement of the forelegs, in 

which the forefeet are not set down where the 

forelegs are pointing, but are retracted. Also 

called flipping, boxing or kicking. 

Noseband with straps crossing the horse’s nose 

diagonally. 

The most important or prestigious races in 

North America are assigned grades (I, II, or 

graded race 

III) based on the quality of previous winners 

and the race's influence on other races or 

championships. 

graduate Winning for the first time. 

grain 

the seed or seedlike fruit of cereal grasses, 

such as oats, corn or barley; used as feed 

das Tor 

Gogue 

Kanadische Gelbwurz 

Weicher, geschmeidiger 

Sitz 

"Lampenaustreten" 

Mexikanisches Reithalfter 

Getreide, Korn 

Granulomatous enteritis unknown cause, main symptom is weight loss Darmkatarrh 

Grass the horse’s natural feed Gras 

grass 

plants on which horses graze, having narrow 

leaves called blades and jointed stews 

das Gras 


Grass Sickness 

disease in which there is damage to the parts 

of the nervous system which control the 

function of the horse's digestive system, exact 

cause unknown, occurs mainly in grazing 

horses, mortality rate exceeds 90%, 

symptoms: depression, colic symptoms, 

inability to swallow, trembling, sweating, 

weight loss. 

Graskrankheit 

graze, to to feed on growing grass or herbage grasen 

Grazer Bit - 

A bit that allows the horse to graze. Often used Kandare, mit der das Pferd 

in endurance tests 

auch grasen kann 

grazing bit Western bit with curved shanks. 

Grease is a kind of gunge. Eventing grease is 

Westernkandare 

grease 

used in an attempt to protect the horse´s legs 

should he hit a fence. 

Schmiere 

grease the hooves, to 

to put some hoof-oil on the hooves using a 

Hufe einfetten 

grease, to 

greasy heel 

brush 

To put oil either on the hooves or the leather 

equipment. 

einfetten 

This disease was mostly seen in draught horses 

with hairy heels and is now only seen in horses 

which have a very long coat. It can be caused 

by infectious disease or by autoimmune Seborrhöe 

diseases of the skin. The horse gets a lot of 

scales and the coat can stick together. It is also 

accompanied by an itch. 

green fodder hay, grass, … 

A pattern of individual white hairs. Grey horses 

Grünfutter 

grey 

are generally born coloured and progressively 

aquire white hairs throughout the coat as they 

age. 

to crush sth into small pieces or powder 

Grau 

grind, to 

between two hard surfaces or using an 

electrical or a mechanical apparatus 

mahlen 

grist crushed grains Schrot 

Groom see pit crew 

the person who takes care of the horses' 

health, comfort and the leather carriage 

groom 

cleaning; used to accompany the driver in 

former times. 

Pferdepfleger 

Groom 

Groom 

groom, to 

Great Reliable Optimistic Organised Mate. A 

person responsible for the feeding, exercising 

and stabling of horses. 

Person that cares about the welfare of a horse 

including feeding, cleaning the stable and 

saddling 

to take care of horse and rider during the ride; 

to water and feed the horse 

Pferdepfleger 

Pferdepfleger 

pflegen, betreuen 

groom, to To clean a horse. putzen, bürsten, striegeln 

groomimg-box 

you keep all the brushes and other things in 

this box 

Putzkasten 

grooming Act of taking care of a horse. die Pflege 

grooming block 

Porous stone for rubbing out manure stains 

especially for grey horses. 

Schimmelstein 

grooming box Box for keeping your grooming kit. 

The various brushes, combs and other 

Putzbox 

Grooming kit 

equipment used to clean the horse's coat, 

mane, tail and hooves. 

Putzkiste 

grooming tools Objects needed for cleaning a horse. Putzzeug 

gross energy ( GE ) the total energy in a feed Gesamtenergie 


Ground jury 

Ground Jury 

ground-tying 

It is a name for the three judges who will mark 

your tests at a three day event. They consist of 

a president and two other members. As well as 

judging the dressage, they oversee the whole 

Grund Jury 

competition which includes watching the trot up 

and making judgement, with the assistance of 

the vet, as to whether horses are sound 

enough to compete. 

Consists of official judges at an event, the 

members of the Ground Jury are appointed to 

evaluate a competitor or an event 

horse keeps standing without being tied 

anywhere, just with the rein(s) hanging to the 

ground 

Basis Jury 

Pferd bleibt unangebunden 

stehen, wenn Zügel zu 

Boden hängt 

group race 

European equivalent to North American graded 

races. 

group riding lesson when several people are taught Gruppenreitstunde 

group vaulting 

a group of six vaulters show manoeuvres 

during competition 

Gruppenvoltigieren 

grullo 

smokey/ mouse-coloured horse with a dorsal 

Graufalbe 

stripe 

guarding kind of aids to restrict the horse verwahrend 

guarding verwahrend 

Guard-rail 

A rail positioned in front of an obstacle to help 

the horse to find the right point to take-off 

Gullet - The chamber of the westernsaddle 

Gum colour 

Gut noise 

The pink colour should return within five 

seconds after applying pressure on the gum 

with finger pressure. In case of shock the gum 

colour will turn into a light pink or even white. 

Gut noises are a sign of an active gut. They are 

loud enough to be perceived by listening on 

either side of the abdomen. 

Absprungstange 

Kammer des 


Zahnfleischfarbe, 

Überprüfung der 

Kapillarfüllung am 

Zahnfleisch 

Darmgeräusche 

gut parasites worms which live in the intestines Darmparasiten 

gut parasites worms which live in the intestines Darmparasiten 

Gut sounds 

Gut sounds are the sounds of digestion that 

can be heard with a stethoscope. They are 

monitored during the vet checks to ensure that 

the digestion process ist functioning properly. 

Darmgeräusche 

gymnastic mat 

mat around the -> barrel to provide safe 

landing 

Gymnastikmatte 

Habronemiosis 

parasitic worms, causing raised, ulcerated 

areas that do not heal 

Habronemose, Befalll mit 

Habronema sp. 

hackamore 

Bitless headstall based on the principle of 

leverage. 

Hackamore 

gebissloser Zaum aus 

Bosal und Mecate 

(keinesfalls mit der 

Hackamore - A bridle without a bit. 

Mechanical Hackamore, 

einer scharfen 

Außenkandare, zu 

verwechseln) 

Haematoma 

large blood blister, localised collection of blood 

from a damaged blood vessel 

Hämatom 

Haemolytic anaemia 

reduction in the number of erythrocytes caused 

Hämolytische Anämie 

by an agent damaging the cells 


Haemolytic disease of the 

newborn 

destruction of the foal's red blood cells by 

antibodies, formed in the mare's circulation 

against foal red blood cells that have leaked 

into her bloodstream during pregnancy 

Hämolyttische Anämie 

beim Fohlen 

hair Polish 

Spray for highlightening the horse’s coat, 

especially for show. 

Fellglanzspray 

Hair Rope - Rope made of horse hair 

Mecate, aus Pferdehaar 

geflochtenes Seil 

half circle change out of the corner 

Kehrtvolte (Germany), 

Umkehrt wechseln (Aut) 

half circle change out of the corner Umkehrt wechseln (Aut) 

half circle 6/8/10m this is the form of a small ring with can be Volte 6/8/10m 

diameter 

ridden in different sizes 

an exercise, basically a "pay attention, please" 

used to communicate to the horse that the 

Durchmesser 

half halt 

rider is about to ask for some change of 

direction or gait, or other exercise or 

movement. 

halbe Parade 

half- volt a small half circle halbe Volte 

half-breed, part-bred horse with only one purebred parent 

An effect of the aids which increases the 

Halbblut 

Half-halt 

attention and improves the balance of the 

horse. 

Halbe Parade 

half-moon mouthpiece 

Half-pass 

halt too gradual 

Bit with a piece in the middle shaped like a half- Gewölbtes Mundstück, 

moon; often used in the Icelandic horse scene. Halbmondtrense 

The horse is proceeding equally forwards and 

sideways. The horse length bent in the 

direction of the movement. 

the transition to halt is not distinct but 

hesitant. 

Traversale 

halt, to to slow down the horse till it stops halten 

Halter 

This discipline is a breeding show for western 

horses. The judges will look especially at the 

exterieur but also the representation of the 

horse. The horses will be shown in the hand 

only. 

Parade zum Halten 

auslaufend 

halter headpiece of rope, leather or nylon Stallhalfter 

halter 

Halter breaking 

halter class 

See also headcollar, headstall or stable halter; 

leather or nylon construction to tether and walk Stallhalfter 

a horse; also used in halter competitions. 

Getting a foal used to the halter and being 

handled by humans 

competitions where the horses are not ridden, 

just shown at halter 

hame part of the neck collar 

hame strap 

leather piece which connects the neck collar 

with ... 

hand ride 

The jockey urges a horse with the hands and 

arms without using the whip. 

handicap 

handicap 

Race where the racing sectretary or track 

handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. 

You can tell how good a player is on his 

handicap. The range is from -2 (the least) to 

10 (the best). 

Vorführen an der Hand und 

die beurteilung des 

Pferdes. 

Ein Fohlen ans Halfter 

gewöhnen, zähmen 

Wettbewerbe, in denen die 

Pferde nur vorgeführt 

werden, nicht geritten 

das Ausgleichsgewicht 

die Vorgabe 


HANDICAPPING 

The first step in successfully picking a winner 

(or "handicapping") is becoming familiar with 

reading the racing program. Each program has 

a section explaining the information format 

used at that particular track. Probably the best 

place to start when handicapping 

Standardbreds is time. Since over 99 percent 

of all harness races are conducted at the onemile 

distance, valid comparisons can be made 

among horses. 

hindern 

handily 

Working or racing with moderate effort, but 

more effort than breezing. 

handle 

~s are attached to the ->surcingle to give 

safety to the rider 

Griff 

hands put vertically when the thumb is on top of the fist aufrechte Hände 

handstand 

person is standing on his hands; often part of 

on exercise (e.g. -> flank) 

Handstand 

Hanoverian 

Popular sport horse derived from the breeding 

of German horses with Thoroughbred horses. 

Bred originally to refine the quality of cavalry 

and farm horses , but has evolved into a 

versatile horse which excels at many 

equestrian sports, including dressage, 

showjumping and eventing. 

Hannoveraner 

harmful substances substances causing harm 

The gear which is used to attach the sulky to a 

Schadstoffe 

HARNESS 

horse, to carry the hobbles and to enable the 

driver to steer the horse. 

Fahrgeschirr/Ausrüstung 

harness 

the leather-construction which binds the horse 

to the vehicle so the horse can pull it forward. 

Geschirr, Anspannung 

harness 

Collection of equipment needed for driving or 

draught. 

Geschirr 

harness to see explanation above. anspannen an 

harness trotting 

The trotter pulls the sulky and the driver 

trough the race. 

das Trabfahren 

harness, to verb for connecting horse and carriage. 

Pferd vor den Wagen 

spannen 

harness-maker 

professional saddlemaker who has specialized 

on making driving harnesses. 

These mites can cause great irritation to thin- 

Geschirrmacher 

harvest mites 

skinned horses. They are seen mostly in the 

late summer and early autumn months. This 

condition is mostly seen on the white areas of 

the legs. 

Trombidiose – 

Herbstgrasmilbenbefall 

have a temperature, to the word for suffering from fever. Fieber haben 

Hawthorn 

it belongs to the rose family and has white or 

pink flowers; it will regulate heart rate 

Weiß-/Rotdorn 

Hay dried grass Heu 

hay 

variety of different regional grasses and 

legumes that have been cured, dried and balled das Heu 

to serve as the bulk of a horse´s diet 

hay bag 

Like a hay net, but instead of having meshes, 

there is only one big hole in the bag the horse 

can eat the hay from. 

Heusack 

hay cubes hay pressed in small cubes Heucobs 

hay net 

hayfork 

Wide mesh net to fill in the hay; helps to avoid 

the horse wasting hay by tredding on it. 

you need it to portion out hay or silage, 5 to 10 

cm space between the tines 

Heunetz 

Heugabel 


Haylage grass silage wilted to 35 to 50 percent moisture Heulage 

haylage 

haymaking 

hay-net 

forage that is baled at a higher moisture 

content than dry hay and then stored in a 

sealed plastic wrap 

the process of cutting grass and spreading it to 

dry 

it's a wide mashed net, mostly used in a horse 

trailer. You fill it with hay and the horse always 

can get it. 

Heulage 

Heuproduktion 

Heunetz 

hay-net a coarsely woven bag for holding hay das Heunetz 

hay-net a strong bag from which horses are fed hay Heunetz 

hay-rack a feeding rack that holds hay for a horse Heuraufe 

hay-rack 

Metal grid fixed on the wall to put the hay in it 

so that the horse doesn’t step on it. 

Heuraufe 

haystack large pile of hay firmly packed for storing 

A piece of equipment for riding in the dark 

Heuhaufen 

head lamp 

which is attached around the helmet of the 

rider. 

Stirnlampe 

head of the stretch Beginning of the straight run for the finish. 

like a body-brush for brushing the head but it 

die Zielgerade 

head-brush 

must be softer because horses are sensitive on Kopfbürste 

their face 

headcollar See stable halter, halter or headstall. Stallhalfter 

headpiece Nackenriemen 

headpiece 

Piece of the bridle, made of leather, located 

behind the horses' ears. 

Genickstück 

headshaking 

Most horses shake their heads because of 

disturbance in the eyes, the ears or in the 

nostrils- caused by flies, itching or allergies. 

Kopfschütteln 

headstall part of the bridle that fits round the head Reithalfter 

headstall See headcollar, stable halter or halter. Stallhalfter 

Headstall - Headpart of a bridle Kopfstück des Zaumzeugs 

healing restoration of one's health Heilung 

Health certificate 

Veterinarian certificate that proves the health 

condition of a horse 

Gesundheitszeugnis 

health, soundness 

hearse 

heart 

heart beat 

Heart rate 

Heart rate 

heart rate 

the condition of being sound in body, mind or 

spirit; freedom from physical disease or pain 

Gesundheit 

a four-wheeled carriage in which the coffin was 

carried; pulled by horses known as the "Black 

Brigade". Leichenwagen, -kutsche 

The pump of the cardiovascular system which 

propels the fluid through the vessels. 

The contraction of the heart muscle to pump 

the blood through the body 

At rest the heart beats 25 to 40 times per 

minute. Can be measured by placing a hand 

directly over the heart. 

The heart rate is generally measured as beats 

per minute (Bpm). A low resting heart rate 

gives an advantage to a horse in endurance 

riding. 

The heart rate refers to the frequency of 

cardiac cycles and is usually measured by the 

number of beats per minute. A horse has a 

heart rate at rest of 32-44 beats/minute. 

Herz 

Herzschlag 

Herzfequenz 


Herzfrequenz 

Herzfrequenz

Heart rate monitor 

Heart rate recovery 

heart sounds 

heart valves 

Heat 

heaves 

A piece of equipment which allows the rider to 

monitor the horse's heart rate while riding. It 

usually consists of electrodes under the saddle 

or girth, and a monitor worn by the rider like a 

watch. 

Rate at which the heart rate falls to an 

expected value or to the resting rate after the 

exercise has come to an end. 

Listening to the heart enables the listener to 

hear the sounds that accompany contraction of 

heart muscle and the sounds associated with 

closure of the heart valves. 

The heart valves or atrioventricular valves 

prevent expulsion of ventricular blood into the 

atria when the ventricles contract. They also 

prevent the backflow of blood that has just 

been ejected from the ventricles. 

To raise body temperature in certain areas of 

the body, e.g. to avoid fast reduction of body 

temperature after exertions or shock, to treat 

swellings, injuries or ulcers. 

Pulsmeßgerät 

Regenerationszeit 

Herztöne 

Herzklappen 

Wärme 

a lung disease. Symptoms: horses with heaves 

have great difficulty exhaling, chronic cough, 

exercise intolerance, increased respiratory rate, 

wheezing may be audible, 'heave line' between Dämpfigkeit 

the flank and thorax. Cause: Pollen, dust or 

molds result in allergic bronchitis that is similar 

to asthma in people. See also COPD 

heel The hind part of the septum of the hoof. Trachtenwand 

heels down Fersen tief 

height&weight measure Measuring tape to determine the horse’s Maßband zur 

tape 

physical values. 

Gewichtsbestimmung 

Hematocrit 

The hematocrit represents the percentage or 

concentration of red blood cells in blood. 

By centrifugation blood can be divided into its 

component parts. Hematocrit is the water- 

Hämatokrit 

hematocrit 

insoluble part: the erythrocytes. The 

hematocrit of a healthy horse at rest is 

between 30-40% of blood. 

The principal component of erythrocytes. 

Hämatokrit 

hemoglobin 

Hemoglobin is an important structure for 

binding oxygen in erythrocytes. 

Hämoglobin 

hepatitis inflammation of the liver 

Hepatitis/ 

Leberentzündung 

herbs 

seed plants as distinguished form a bush or 

tree; a plant used as a medicine 

Kräuter 

herd work 

Part of the competition Working Cowhorse, 

where a cow is separated from its herd and the 

horse has to avoid the cow getting back 

Prüfung Working 

Cowhorse/ Cutting 

herpes virus 

Caused by viruses, symptoms lead from a cold 

to death of foals before or after the birth. Also 

paralysis of different parts of the body can be 

seen. 

Herpes 

hesitating transition the transition is not fluent but gradual. zögernder Übergang 

High bandage 

high stifles 

see: short hip 

high/medium/low port bit 

Bandage to protect wounds above the hock and 

knee joint. 

(unbroken) bit with high/ medium or low space 

for the tongue of the horse 


Hoher Verband 

(=aufgesetzer Verband) 

Gebiss mit 

hoher/mittlerer/geringer 

Zungenfreiheit

hindlegs 

hindlegs and frontlegs 

continue on one track 

hindquarters 

hindquarters leaving the 

curve of the circle 

hindquarters, haunches 

Hippomane 

Main role is to provide the force for propulsion. 

Should have long heavy musceling through 

gaskin and stifle. 

Same function as hindlegs. Consists of 

hindlegs, croup and tail. 

the hind pair of legs of a horse; the part of the 

horse behind the rider´s hand 

Accumulation of waste minerals within the 

allantois 

Hinterbeine 

Hinterhand und Vorhand 

bleiben auf einem 

Hufschlag 

Hinterhand 

die Hinterhand weicht von 

der Zirkellinie ab 

Hinterhand 

Fohlenbrot 

hitching rings Strong rings in the wall to tether your horse. Anbindering 

hobbles 

HOBBLES 

rope tied around the horse´s legs so that the 

horse can still move, but not run away 

The straps which connect the front and rear 

legs on the same side of a horse. Most pacers 

wear hobbles to help balance their stride and 

maintain a pacing gait. The length of hobbles is 

adjustable and a trainer registers the length 

that best suits his or her horse. There are also 

trotting hobbles that work through a pulley 

system to help trotters maintain their gait. 

Fussfesseln 

Fuß-"fesseln" 

hobbles Fußfesseln, Hobbles 

hobnail Special nail to fix the horseshoe to the hoof. Hufnagel 

hock Sprunggelenk 

Is the main joint on the 

hind leg. 

hock The main joint on the hindleg. Sprunggelenk 

hock boot 

Boot protecting the hock for example for 

travelling. 

Sprunggelenksskappe 

hog, to 

To clip a part of the horse down to the skin, for abrasieren (z.B. die 

example the mane. 

Mähne) 

Hold time Synonym for break time Pausenzeit 

holding of the reins 

how to hold the reins; there exist different 

kinds of holding the reins 

See also leather punch, revolving punch; Pair 

Zügelhaltung 

hole punch 

of tongs to make holes of different sizes in 

straps. 

Lochzange 

hollow (=concave) side 

Sagging or depressed back caused by slackness 

hohle Seite 

Hollow back 

or sustained contraction of the back muscles; 

lacking springy tension and impeding swing 

and elasticity 

Durchhängender Rücken 

hollow back 

the rider's back is not straight, it makes a light 

Hohlkreuz 

curve to the front 

hollow back/dipped back a back which dips excessively Senkrücken 

hollow knee 

the knee is not rested against the saddle. You 

can look through the knee and the saddle 

hohles, offenes Knie 

hollow loins ? hohle Nieren 

hollow mouthpiece Non-massive, light bit. 

A combination that consists of two little hills 

Hohltrense 

Holstein jump 

and a short sunken road in between. On the 

top of the hills a fence is possible. 

is a double combination. The upright jumps, 

Holsteiner Wegesprung 

Holstein Jump 

consisting of two white poles, are positioned on 

Holsteiner Wegesprung 

two small walls at a distance of at most two 

strides. 


Holsteiner 

HOME STRETCH 

homeostasis 

Breed of warmblood horse derived from native 

north German horses. Bred originally as a 

cavalry and carriage horse , but, with infusions 

of Thoroughbred blood, has evolved into a 

versatile sport horse which excels at many 

equestrian sports, including dressage, 

showjumping and eventing. 

The straight length of the track, nearest the 

spectators, where the finish line is situated. It 

is called this because it is the final part of the 

track a horse travels down during a race -- on 

its run 'home' (or run to the finish line). 

To sustain a constant inner setting or balance 

in the organism. Via control cycles between 

hypothalamus and the nerve-/hormon system 

basic processes like temperature or blood 

pressure are controlled. 

Holsteiner 

Zielgerade 

Homöostase 

hood 

Additional part of a rug covering the horse’s 

neck. 

The equine foot. Includes the coronary band 

Halsteil (einer Decke) 

hoof 

and all parts distal. Sometimes refers to only 

the horny parts of the foot. Needs very 

accurate care. 

direct hoof abscess caused by penetrating 

Huf 

hoof abscess 

wounds, indirect hoof abscess caused by the 

Hufgeschwür/ Hufabszess 

migration of moisture and bacteria into fissures 

and cracks along the white line 

hoof care Looking after the hooves. Hufpflege 

hoof grease 

Grease to brush on cleaned hoofes. They 

should be watered before. 

Huffett 

hoof knife Sharp bent knife to cut out the hooves. Hufmesser, Rinnmesser 

hoof oil 

Oil to brush on cleaned hoofes. They should be 

Huföl 

watered before. 

hoof rasp 

Heavy, two-sided rasp to finish off the edge of 

the hoof after it has been cut out. 

Hufraspel 

hoof tar 

Tar formerly used to desinfect the hoof; today 

it is known as to be cancerous. 

Holzteer 

hoof-oil, hoof-grease 

you put it on the hooves so that they do not 

become brittle 

Huföl, Huffett 

hoof-pick a pointed metal for cleaning the hooves Hufkratzer 

hoof-pick 

Hook on a handle to remove dirt, stones etc. 

from the hooves. 

Hufkratzer 

hook 

A player may spoil another's shot by putting his 

mallet in the way of the striking player. 

hook Part of the curb bit for fixing the curb chain. Kinnkettenhaken 

hook over manger a mobile manger; like a bucket with two hooks Futtereimer 

hooks 

Hops 

Horehound 

hormone 

horn 

Pair of hooks you thread into loops on the inner 

side of riding boots to help pulling them on. 

Stiefelanzieher 

it is a vine of the mulberry family and it helps 

Hopfen 

against stress 

this bitter mint has leaves and it is used for the 

Weißer Andorn 

treatment of colds 

Substances which are produced by glands or 

special tissues. They have the function to Hormon 

control other organs. 

A sort of hook on the top of the fork of Western 

Horn (Westernsattel) 

saddles. 


horn 

Substance, the tough insensitive parts of the 

hoof, such as wands are made out of. 

Horn 

Horner's syndrome 

damage to the sympathetic nerve supply to the 

Horner-Syndrom 

eyeball 

horse boot the ~ is affixed at the horses leg Gamasche 

horse care 

Everything a rider has to do to keep his/her 

horse(s) clean, healthy and happy. 

discipline of horse sport; different number of 

Pferdepflege 

horse driving 

horses harnessed to different types of 

carriages. 

Fahrsport, Fahren 

horse Flies Infestation 

horse identifier 

Horse passport 

Horse flies can give very painful bites to horses 

and also to humans which are around the 

horses. They are most active during the 

summer and they only feed during the day. 

Their bites cause painful papules and wheals 

that can turn to chronically nodular, crusted 

lesions. These lesions can be found anywhere 

on the body but especially on the lower legs. 

The person who checks the lip tattoo of each 

horse as they enter the paddock to make sure 

the correct horses are running in the race. 

Bremsenbefall 

der Pferdebegutachter 

Record of identification that includes full name, 

address and signature of the owner, description 

Pferdepasssport 

of the horse completed includes a record of 

vaccination and medication control tests 

Horse show Horse tournament Pferdesportveranstaltung 

horse slows down on the the horse slows down with his forehand and not das Pferd bremst auf der 

forehand 

with his hindquarters 

Vorhand 

Horse Trials It is a slightly outdated name for eventing. Vielseitigkeit 

horsemanship 

the ability to get along with the horse very 

good 

it belongs to the mustard family and the roots 

Pferdeverstand 

Horseradish 

are a useful tonic for the gall bladder and 

pancreas 

Kren 

Horsetail 

these plants have leaves reduced to nodal 

sheaths; used for bone repair 

Zinnkraut 

hot walker 

Someone who walks horses to cool them out 

after workouts or races. 

hung 

A horse holding the same position, unable to 

gain on the winner. 

zurückbleiben 

Hungarian Harness way to harness horses; created in Hungary. „Ungarische Anspannung" 

hunter hack 

hunter under saddle 

Hunter under Saddle 

similar to Hunter under saddle, but including 

two jumps 

competition for Quarter Horses, in which they 

have to be shown with English saddle and 

bridle, pleasure-like 

Englischreitprüfung für 

Quarter Horses mit zwei 

Sprüngen 

Englischreitprüfung für 

Quarter Horses 

Here the rider has to show a horse which is 

willing, easy to ride and with strong gats. The 

horse will be ridden with an english saddle and 

bridle and the rider has to wear english clothes. 

The judge will evaluate the horse´s condition Englisches Vorreiten mit 

with 80% and the exterieur with 20%. Hunter englischer ausrüstung. 

Under Saddle demands the three main gaits 

walk, trot and canter like in western pleasure 

but with more speed. the class Hunter Hack 

the rider has to take two obstacles additionally. 


Hunters 

Horses that are judged on their style and 

athletic ability to jump a course of obstacles in 

a safe and careful manner. A hunter type hores 

can be of any breed. 

Hunter 

hunting-saddle Jagdsattel 

Hurdle Little hindrances in the shape of bushes. Hürden 

hurried the horse gets more and more speed übereilt 

Hypericum 

this herb has small leaves and yellow flowers; 

Johanniskraut 

hyperkalemic periodic 

paralysis (HYPP) 

it heals physically damaged nerves 

inherited disorder; primarily limited to Quarters 

Horses linked to the sire “Impressive”. 

Symptoms: muscle cramping, quivering 

muscles, difficulty breathing, paralysis. Death 

can occur from heart or respiratory failure due 

to toxic effects of high blood levels of 

potassium. 

HYPP 

hyperlipidemia abnormally elevated levels of fat in the blood Hyperlipidämie 

hypothermia/supercooling If the body temperature is lower than 37.5 °C Unterkühlung 

hypoventilation 

HYPP 

IAD – Inflammatory Airway 

Disease 

Ice bags 

Ice boots 

If you see the ribcage just going in and out for 

breathing just a little bit but very fast one can 

speak of hypoventilation. 

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, hereditary 

disease, mainly of the descendants from the 

sire Impressive 

lower respiratory tract disease, not infectious; 

symptoms: coughing, nasal discharge 

Can be used to prevent or reduce swelling from 

blunt trauma (e.g. a knee that hit the fence), 

reduce bleeding or swelling at the edge of a 

fresh wound 

A piece of equipment to cool down the horse's 

legs to minimize inflammatory processes after 

a long training ride or a competition. 

abgeflachte Atmung 

Erbkrankheit, die meist bei 

Impressive-Nachkommen 

auftritt 

IAD – entzündliche 

Atemwegserkrankung 

Eisbeutel 

Kühlgamaschen 

Identical twins Eineiige Zwillinge 

Identification Number 

Identification number for 

horses 

Immobilization 

Upon arrival, each horse is issued with an 

identification number, which must be worn at 

all times. It may be replaced by the draw 

number, which must then be worn until the end 

Identifikationsnummer 

of the event. Failure to display either number 

incurs first a warning and, in the case of a 

repeated offence, a fine imposed on the 

competitor by the ground jury. 

Numbers provided for sport horses by the FEI 

organising committee on arrival at the event, 

kept throughout the event 

Immobilization, by means of splints, casts or 

braces, hold a joint or bone in place. This is 

done to prevent an injured area from moving 

while it heals. 

Identifikationsnummern für 

Turnierpferde bei 

internationalen 

Veranstaltungen 

Ruhigstellung 

impaction colic 

I. are intestinal blocks caused by a firm mass 

of food. Most of the time it occurrs in the large 

intestine. Appropriate treatment resolves it 

more or less easily. 

Verstopfungskolik 

Impactive colic 

the intestinal contents cease to move along the 

Anschoppungskolik 

intestine 

impost Weight carried or assigned. das Gesamtgewicht 


Impulsion 

In and Out Combination 

Thrust. The horse`s desire to carry himself 

forward, including elasticity of steps and 

roundness. Increased engagement is a 

prerequisite for improved impulsion 

consists of two obstacles. In most cases they 

are two cavalettis, small crosses or low upright 

jumps because the horse has to get over the 

second obstacle without a stride between, but 

it has to take off again immediately after 

landing from the first jump to the second. 

Schwung 

In- Out Kombination 

in hand am Zügel 

in straight position gerade (aus)gerichtet 

inactive leg q.v. passive leg passiver Schenkel 

Inborn defect Defect in the genes Erbfehler 

incline the weight, to the rider changes his center of gravity 

organisms that live in the colon, converting 

Gewicht verlagern 

indigenous microbes plant material of little nutritional value into Darmflora 

indigenous microbes 

utilizable nutrients 

organisms that live in the colon, converting 

plant material of little nutritional value into 

utilizable nutrients 

Darmflora 

Individual Competition Test Class counted for an individual final ranking Prüfung für Einzelwertung 

individual vaulting = single vaulting Einzelvoltigieren 

indoor arena 

a large area indoors (with a roof) where horses 

Reithalle (überdacht) 

can be ridden or exercised 

infection illness caused by virus or bacteria Infektion 

Infertility A temporary inability to reproduce 

Vorrübergehende 

Unfruchtbarkeit 

infertility 

when a mare/ stallion is not able to produce a 

foal 


Infertility 

inability to conceive and produce viable 

offspring 


inflammation 

Inflammations are characteristic answers of the 

biological tissue to internal or external stimuli. 

Entzündung 

Its function is to eliminate the bacteria, virus or 

foreign substance like dort, for example. 

inflammation 

An immune reaction of the organism because 

of an appeal. The aim of this reacion is the 

elimination of the releasing agent and its 

results. 

Entzündung 

inflammatory reaction 

The horse reacts with a swelling where the 

sting is located 

Entzündung 

influence, to to act on the horse einwirken 

influenza vaccination Impfung gegen Influenza 

ingestive behaviour Behaviour exhibited by a horse during feeding. Fressverhalten 

ingredients 

any of the foods that are combined to make a 

particular dish 

Inhaltsstoffe 

Inheritance 

You can use it to put the disinfectant on the 

Erbanlage 

injection, jab 

wound. This is much easier to do with a jab 

than without because the disinfectant can be 

placed exactly. 

Spritze 

injury horse suffers from hurt inflicted from outside Verletzung 

inner rein the rein next to the center line innerer Zügel 


inner track 

INQUIRY 

moving parallel to the outermost track but 

closer to the centre to allow other riders to 

pass between you and the edge of the arena; zweiter Hufschlag 

riders working at slower paces should be on the 

inside track 

Stewards may conduct an inquiry as a result of 

any incident which may have occurred during a 

race, to determine whether or not certain 

drivers and/or horses were responsible for the 

incident and whether they should receive due 

punishment. 

Untersuchung/Prüfung 

insemination 

the procedure of manually introducing the 

semen into the uterus of the mare 

the institution where the stallion's semen is 

Besamung 

insemination station kept, edited in lab and introduced into the 

uterus 

Besamungsstation 

insemination technique insemination with fresh or frozen semen Besamungstechnik 

inside the side next to the center line innen 

inside seat seat with body, shoulders, head facing inside Innenquersitz 

Inspection of saddlery Control of the tack (including the bit) 

International judge 

International Transport 

Certificate 

Interval training 

Interval training (IT) 

Sattelzeug Inspektion mit 

Gebißkontrolle 

Person with judging qualification for 

Internationaler Richter 

international level 

Certificate for the transport of a horse from one Internationale 

country to another 

Transportbescheinigung 

The debit phases are short and the training has 

to be done with maximum intensity. It should 

be trained to the maximum load. The debit 

phases are followed by relaxation phases which 

are longer than the debit phases and less 

intense. 

A form of conditioning that devides the exercise 

into brief work periods of high intensity that 

are followed by rest periods of lower intensity. 

The objective of interval training is to teach a 

horse's tissues to tolerate anaerobic work. 

Intervalltraining 

Intervalltraining 

Intestinal worms roundworms/tapeworms Darmwürmer 

intestines 

consists of colons in which the fermentation 

takes place 

Dickdarm 

intestines 

consists of colons in which the fermentation 

takes place 

Dickdarm 

Introduction Rides 

Competitions that vary in distance between 25 

and 39 kilometres 

A stakes race open only to horses who are 

Einführungsritte 

invitational 

invited to enter. Generally no entry fee is 

charged. 

das Einladungsrennen 

INVITATIONAL 

A race for the top horses in the area. Also 

known as Open or Free-For-All. 

Einladungsrennen 

inwards einclined elbows the rider's elbows rest against his body. eng anliegende Ellbogen 

Iodine it is involved in the synthesis of thyroxine Jod 

Iodine 

Disinfectant to clean wounds. Should always be 

diluted in order to avoid irritations. 

iodine 

Antiseptic liquid to put on injuries to avoid 

inflammation. Should be part of every stable 

medecine chest. 

Jod 

iodized salt salt with added iodine iodiertes Salz 

Irish Car the traditional two-wheeled vehicle of Ireland. 

„Irischer Wagen", „Irische 

Kutsche" 

Jod 


Iron 

Irregular 

important for haemoglobin production and 

enzyme activation 

Impure, unlevel or uneven. Can be momentary 

or pervasive, and may or may not be due to 

unsoundness. Can be a result of hard rein aids. 

Does not mean unsteady in tempo. 

Eisen 

Taktunrein 

irregular pulsation 

The pulsation is not in the same beat but 

sometimes faster, sometimes slower than the 

regular one. 

Unregelmässiger Puls 

jag of reins harter Zügelanzug 

jog very slow and comfortable trot langsamer Trab 

joint 

And articulation, place of union or junction 

between two or more bones of skeleton. 

Gelenk 

Joint disease 

articulation between two or more bones, 

usually to allow a degree of movement 

Arthrose 

jointed mouthpiece 

Bit with a single joint in the middle of it; most 

common bit. 

the rider must find the best take off pole to the 

Einfach gebrochenes 

Mundstück 

jugde the take-off, to obstacle. This process is called to jugde the 

take- off 

taxieren 

jugular groove 

Period of time that it takes the jugular vein to 

Drosselrinne 

Jugular refill time 

refill after blood flow has been blocked at the 

bottom or the middle of the neck. This test 

reflects the blood volume and the efficiency of 

the heart at pumping blood. 

Füllungszeit der Vena 

jugularis externa 

Jump 

Any obstacle that the horse has to jump over 

and/or across. 

Boots open at the front to protect the horse 

Sprung 

jump boots 

from injuries and at the same time train it to 

be carefull at fences. 

is an obstacle where the horse lands straight in 

Springgamasche 

Jump into water 

the water. This jump requires the horse´s 

confidence in the rider. 

is a task where the horse has to get over an 

obstacle from the water and to land on the 

Wassereinsprung 

Jump out of water 

ground. This jump costs the horse much power 

Wasseraussprung 

and energy because the water lessens the 

horse´s impetus. It is part of the most cross 

country competions. 

it is another cross-country obstacle. It´s a 

Jump up 

wood pile in front of a small hill the horse has 

to run up. 

Short for "show jumping", an Olympic 

Aufsprung 

Jumping 

equestrian event where each horse must clear 

a number of obstacles on a set course within a 

specified time. 

Springen 

jumping bat 

Short crop used in showjumping and crosscountry. 

Saddle specially designed for showjumping, 

Springgerte, Springstock 

jumping saddle 

with projecting saddle flaps, kneerolls and calf 

rolls. 

Springsattel 

jumping seat 


leichter Sitz 

the saddle over the fence 

include three or more obstacles put up at 

certain distances. They are used in order to 

Jumping series 

improve the horse´s flexibility and skill. The 

rider learns how to adapt the moment of 

extension more easily. 

Sprungreihe 

jumping-saddle Springsattel 


Jump-off 

In jumping, an extra round held to break a tie 

for first place after the final scheduled round of 

competition. All horses with clean rounds 

return to jump a shortened course against the 

clock. The horse with the fastest time and the 

fewest faults will be the winner. 

Stechen 

Juniors 

A person may compete as a junior from the 

beginning of the calendar year in which s/he 

reaches the age of 14 until the end of the 

calendar year in which s/he reaches the age of 

18. 

Junioren 

Juniper 

this shrub has needles and berries; the tea is a 

Wacholderbeere 

muscle relaxant 

Kelp 

it is large brown seaweed which is a regulator 

of thyroid 

Seetang 

kicking board the wall in the arena Bande 

kidney 

organ which filters blood and produces the 

urine 

Niere 

kidney 

organ which filters blood and produces the 

Niere 

kidney 

kidney link and ring 

kilometre markers 

urine 

The most important organ for detoxication. It 

also regulates water supply and electrolytes 

Niere 

supply. Kidney has also a function in delivery of 

hormons. 

metal loop in form of a kidney; it is located on 

the lower part of a neck collar. The martingale 

and the pole strap are fixed there. 

The routes of phases A and C are marked at 

intervals of 1,000 metres by signs. The signs 

shall indicate the distance from the start of the 

phase and shall include the letter of the phase. 

nierenförmige 

Metallschlaufe 

Kilometermarkierungen 

kimblewick One-piece bit with slotted D-rings. Springkandare, Kimblewick 

kineton noseband 

Kissing spines 

A special type noseband with two metal plates 

at either side of the muzzle. 

most common long-lasting back problem, 

painful contact between adjacent spines 

Bügel-Reithalfter 

"Kissing spines", 

Berührung der 

Dornfortsätze 

knee 

The joint between the forearm and the cannon 

bone. 

Karpalgelenk 

knee guard A leather guard to protect the rider's knee. der Knieschutz 

knee rolls 

Blocks fixed on the front part of the sweat flap 

to help the rider keep his legs in position; 

usually used on showjumping saddles to 

prevent the rider's knee from sliding forward. 

Kniepauschen 

kneeling exercise with the vaulter bending his legs Knien 

Knock down To cause any part of an obstacle to fall. 

the horse kicks off a pole strongly so that the 

Abwurf 

knock down, to 

pole falls down. This process is called to knock 

down. 

abwerfen 

knock knees x-beinig 

knocked down hip abfallende Hüfte 


The fore limbs deviate 

medially above the knee 

and laterally below the 

knee. The limbs are bent 

inward, under the horse. 

The points of the hip bones 

are not level because of a 

past injury.

knock-in 

If the ball goes wide of the goal, the defending 

team is allowed a free 'knock-in' from the place 

where the ball crossed the goal line, thus 

getting the ball back into play. 

der Einwurf 

knots bridle Simple cord bridle. Knotentrense 

knotted headstall Halter made of rope material. Knotenhalfter 

Labour Abdominal muscle contractions Wehen 

laced reins 

Reins with thin leather hanks plaited around 

them. 

umflochtener Zügel 

Lacers lace-boots 

The main problems cause sodium, copper, 

selenium, calcium, carotin and vitamines A and 

E. In certain circumstances you can recognise it 

kurze Schnürstiefel 

lack of nutrients 

by noting changes in the horse, or you can 

have the horse´s blood- or urine structure 

analysed. Normally you can accomodate it with 

Nährstoffmangel 

minerals in the feed 

Lactate 

It is a substance in the muscle which you can 

measure after hard work to find out about the 

training degree. 

Laktat 

Lactation Giving milk Laktation 

Lactic acid 

Lactic acid is a toxic by-product of anaerobic 

metabolism; it contributes to fatigue 

Laktat 

lactose The sugar found in milk. Milchzucker 

LAME 

The term used to describe a horse which is 

limping or has difficulty walking properly. 

lahmen 

Lameness 

gait abnormality resulting in a lack of 

symmetry in the stride pattern 

Lahmheit 

lameness 

Laminitis 

laminitis, founder 

Landau Wagonette 

Laryngeal hemiplegia 

(roaring) 

laryngeal hemiplegia, 

roaring 

An impairment of a horse´s gait or gaits. It´s a 

restriction of movement often caused by pain. Lahmheit 

inflammation of the sensitive laminae that lie 

between the hoof and the pedal bone, often 

caused by a high sugar intake (e.g.from rich 

grass) 

Hufrehe 

inflammation of the laminae, the soft-tissue 

structure between the hoof wall and the 

underlying coffin bone; common cause is 

overfeeding; symptoms: lameness, heat in the 

feet, increased digital pulse in the feet, 

reluctant or hesitant gait ("walking on 

Hufrehe 

eggshells"), a "sawhorse stance," with the front 

feet stretched out in front and the hind feet 

positioned under the body to bear more weight. 

“Founder” means usually a chronic condition 

associated with rotation of the coffin bone. 

Wagonette with a leather hood which can be 

open longitudinally to lie back towards the 

sides of the road. 

damage of the laryngeal nerve _ characteristic 

roaring noise when breathing in during fast 

work, exercise tolerance reduced because of 

the reduced oxygen supply to the lungs 

Paralysis affecting one side of the larynx, 

caused by damage to either of the two 

recurrent laryngeal nerves 

„Landauer" 

Kehlkopfpfeifen, 

Kehlkopflähmung 

Kehlkopfpfeifen 

laryngitis 

inflammation of the larynx (voice box); 

symptoms: quickened breath, rough snoring 

sound on breathing, harsh cough 

Kehlkopfentzündung 

Late Execution after the aids. Verzögert 


Late Behind 

Lateral 

Lateral movement 

Lath 

latigo 

lead (-rope) 

lead bar 

In flying changes. The hind legs change after 

the forelegs. 

nachspringen 

To the side, as in flexion, bend, suppleness, or 

direction of movement. Can also mean unpurity lateral 

in walk (ambling) or canter 

Any movement which involves motion in a 

sideways direction (e.g. shoulder-in, croup-in) Seitengang 

A thin white strip that marks the boundary of a 

water jump. Is is lined with plasticine to show 

wheater a horse`s hoof touched it. 

specially treated leather, used for fixing the 

girth at the rigging 

See also tying-up rope; A rope to fix your 

horse with. 

shorter part of the "swingle trees"; it is directly 

behind the horse (nearly at the height of the 

hock) to hold the trace-ends in their position. 

Latte 

fettgegerbtes Leder 

Anbindestrick, Führstrick 

Stange 

Lead Rope - Rope used to lead a horse by hand Führseil 

leader 

horse in front position; it has to be a reliable 

and experienced one. 

Führungspferd 

leading file the rider at the front of the ride Teten-Reiter 

lean backwards, to to put the upper body backwards sich zurücklehnen 

lean forward, to to put the upper body forward sich vorbeugen 

LEASING 

As opposed to buying a harness horse, people 

have the option of leasing one. Just like some 

people lease a car instead of paying the money 

up-front, leasing a horse gives people use of a 

Leasing 

horse without large capital outlay. An 

agreement or contract must be drawn up 

between the two parties, and the lease must be 

registered with the relevant controlling body. 

leather bit 

Soft bit made of leather. It usually adapts to 

the shape of the horse’s mouth. 

Ledergebiss 

leather girth Saddle or lungeing girth made of leather. Ledergurt 

leather punch See hole punch, revolving punch. Lochzange 

left hand course 

walk in the arena so the rider's left hand is 

inside and the right hand is closer to the wall 

linke Hand 

leg aids the rider gives signals to the horse with his legs Schenkelhilfen 

leg flap See fender. Fender 

leg pads 

Quilted cloth placed under bandages to absorb 

pressure. 

Bandagierkissen 

leg positioned back zurückliegender Schenkel 

leg straps 

leg swelling 

Straps fixed on the inner side of rugs to 

prevent it from fluttering in the wind. 

An abnormal thickening of a horse´s leg or 

legs, caused by several reasons: 

inflammations, increased filling of lymphatic 

vessels, diseases os muscles or tendons or just 

sensitiveness to changes in weather. 

Beinschnüre 

Schwellung der Beine 

leg yielding 

an exercise which lets the horse react to the 

rider' s leg 

Schenkelweichen 

legs 

any of the leafy grasses characterized by 

Beine, Schenkel 

legumes 

having seed pods, able to use atmospheric 

nitrogen; including e. g. clover, lespedeza and 

alfalfa; high in protein and vitamins 

Leguminosen, 

Hülsenfrüchte 


Leg-yielding 

Sideways movement; the horse yields the leg 

of the rider and moves sideways and forwards. 

No bending of the horse, only position against 

the direction of movement. 

Schenkelweichen 

length from the horse's nose to his hindlegs eine Pferdelänge 

Length Bend 

The horse is uniformly bent round your inside 

leg. The inside surface area of the horse is the 

Laterale Biegung 

same shape as the circumfence of the corner or 

circle. See also "Bend" 

lengthen the reins das Zügelmaß verlängern 

lengthen, to to make s.th. Longer länger schnallen 

lengthen, to 

the extension of the pace is the lengthening of 

the frame and stride 

zulegen, verlängern 

Lengthening 

Elongation of the stride and the outline of the 

horse 

letters ( A,C,K,E,H,M,B,I,V,R,S,P) that are 

Tritte verlängern 

Letter Cones 

placed symmetrically along a low rail to 

provide reference marks for the different 

manoeuvres in the dressage arena 

The letters help the competitor to find his way 

through the course. On phase D obstacles with 

elements or options are, in addition to the 

Viereckbuchstaben 

letter markings 

numbers, lettered (A, B, C etc.). Each 

compulsory passage on phases A, B, C and D 

are marked with the relevant letter of the 

phase. 

Buchstabenmarkierungen 

leukocytes 

The white blood cells. A horse has 

approximately 5.000-10.000 leukocytes per _l 

blood. They serve the immune system. 

Leukozyten 

libido sexual drive or instinct Libido 

Lice 

Insects which bite horses and suck their blood. 

Läuse 

That causes the horse to rub itself. 

lice 

Lice are very common, particularly in the 

months of January and February. They cause 

hair loss and are particularly common in hairy, 

poor groomed ponies which are kept in very 

crowded conditions. Lice are mostly found 

beneath the mane, in the sub maxillary space 

and above the tail head. 

Läuse 

Licensed stallion Stallion that has the license for breeding Gekörter Hengst 

licensing, artificial 

insemination 

Lift 

manual introduction of semen into the genital 

tract of a mare 

Upward thrust. The degree to which the horse 

thrusts off the ground. Refering to the piaffe it 

means the lifting of the forelegs. 

Künstliche Besamung 

Knieaktion 

ligament 

A ligament is a short band of tough fibrous 

connective tissue.Ligaments connect bones to 

other bones to form a joint. 

Band 

light hand the rider uses a soft hand Weiche Hand 

light seat 


entlastender Sitz 

light seat 

the saddle 

the upper part of the body is bent forward a bit 

and the rider is not sitting in the saddle with 

his whole weight. So it´s especially important 

for young horses or at the beginning of the 

lesson not to put too much weight on the 

horse's back. 


Entlastungssitz

Lightness 

Refers to the horse`s lightness on its feet and 

lightness in the reins, a component of self- 

carriage. 

Leichtigkeit 

line 

the interbreeding of horses within a particular 

line of descent usually to perpetuate desirable 

traits 

(Zucht) Linie 

line (AE) American word for reins. Fahrleine 

Line breeding 

line up 

Line Breeding is the process whereby relatives 

are bred to one another 

in some classes the riders have to get in a row 

next to each other 

Liniezucht 

liniment, ointment A lotion for medical treatment . Tinktur 

Aneinanderreihen der 

Reiter, ähnlich dem 

Aufmarschieren 

link of knee to the saddle the knees have close contact to the saddle. Knieschluss 

linseed 

the seed of flax, generally used in the form of 

oil, jelly or tea, both as a laxative and to 

improve the condition of a horse´s coat 

der Leinsamen 

linseed oil oil from linseed 

the flax plant has fibres and seeds; the seeds 

Leinsamenöl 

Linseed/Flaxseed 

are called linseed and they support the healing 

of ligaments 

Leinsamen 

lip strap 

Prevents the horse from catching the lower 

bars of the Weymouth bit with its lips. 

Scherriemen 

lipids 

any of a group of fats and fatlike substances 

that form a part of living cells 

Lipide 

litter 

straw etc used for animals to lie on and to soak 

Streu / Strohbett 

up the urine 

Live-foal rate 

Number of mares foaling per number of mares 

bred over the season 

Geburtenrate 

liver 

organ producing gall, a substance that 

emulgates fats 

Leber 

liver 

organ producing gall, a substance that 

emulgates fats 

The main organ of metabolism. It produces bile 

Leber 

liver 

and decompose nutrients. It has also a function Leber 

in detoxication. 

The liver is involved in digestion and toxic 

Liver disease 

waste removal. Tumours, toxic chemicals, toxic Leberkrankheit, 

plants etc. are the most mmon causes of Hepatopathie 

chronic liver disease. 

Liverpool 

A water jump that has a pole over it or just 

beyond it. 

Liverpool 

Locomotive system 

loin strap 

The locomotive system consists of the skeletal 

system, the joints and the muscular system. 

back piece of a single or pair harness; it goes 

around the upper part of the croup; it connects 

the breeching on either side of the buttock. 

Bewegungsapparat 

Schweberiemen 

long back ? langer Rücken 

long centre line the line between C and A Mittellinie 

long croup ? lange Kruppe 

Long Endurance Rides 


Lange Distanzritte 


long hip 

It has a long femur which drops the level of 

stifle to or below the sheath line on a male 

horse. 

lange Hüfte 

long line = lunge/ longe Longe 

long loins ? lange Nieren 

long price 

term used to describe the costs of an expensive 

teures Pferd 

horse. 


long rein 

long rein 

long, weak pastern 

Longitudinal 

allowing the horse to stretch his neck by letting 

the reins out from their normal riding length. 

allowing the horse to stretch his neck by letting 

the reins out from their normal riding length. 

The horse is prone to injure ankles, tendons 

and ligaments because the pastern is too long 

relative to length of limb. 

In the lengthwise dimension (as opposed to 

lateral), from back to front or front to back. 

Reitkommando: ‚die Zügel- 

aus- der- Hand- kauen- 

lassen’ 

Reitkommando: ‚die Zügel- 

aus- der- Hand- kauen- 

lassen’ 

lange, weiche Fessel 

Längs- 

look through the horse's 

ears, to 

direction where you are looking to 

durch die Pferdeohren 

schauen 

lope slow canter 

If a horse loses weight and you don´t know 

langsamer Galopp 

loss of weight 

why, you have to do a vet-check. Some 

reasons could be parasites, problems in the 

digestive system or toothache. 

Abmagerung 

lounger 

person who controls the horse with the -> 

lunge 

Longeur 

low positioned knee put 

flat against 

the correct position of the knees 

tiefes, flach anliegendes 

Knie 

low school 

low stifle 

see: long hip 

dressage riding Dressurreiten 

lower leg unit of tibia and fibula Unterschenkel 

lowered heel the correct position of the rear part of the feet tiefer Absatz 

lowered heel tiefer Absatz 

Lubricant 

Grease the thermometer before insertion into 

the rectum with a Lubricant 

Gleitmittel 

Lucerne 

it is a deep-rooted European leguminous plant 

and fed as green hay or chaff 

Luzerne 

lug (in or out) 

Action of a tiring horse, bearing in or out, 

failing to keep a straight course. 

taumeln 

lumbago see tying up Kreuzverschlag 

Lumbar muscles 

Muscle which extends the spine. It also raises 

and supports the head and neck. 

An organ of the external respiration (absorption 

Lendenmuskulatur 

lung 

of oxygen and dispensary of corbon dioxide). It 

Lunge 

also serves the control of water- and heat 

balance. 

lunge 

A long rein, which can be attached to the -> 

bridle ring or -> cavesson 

Longe 

lunge a long line used to guide a horse in training Longe 

lunge 

See also lungeing rein; Very long lead used for 

basic work from the ground: Used to keep the 

horse on a circle. 

Longe 

lunge lesson 

a lesson where the rider´s horse is on the 

lunge. Especially for beginners or seat 

correction. 

Longestunde 

lungeing rein See lunge. Longe 

lungeing whip Artificial aid. Long crop used to lunge a horse. Longierpeitsche 

Lungworm (Dictyocaulus 

arnfieldi) 

Lymphangitis (Monday 

Morning Disease) 

Parasites in the lung of donkeys. They may 

pass lungworm to horses that share their 

grazing. 

An inflammatory process that either blocks the 

lymphatics or makes the lymphatic wall 

permeable so that the fluid leaks out. 

Lungenwurm 


Lymphgefäßentzündung, 

Lymphödem

lymphatic system 


Lymphosarcoma 

An important adjunct to the circulatory system. 

It consists of lymph vessels which have a fluid 

called lymph. It served the immune system. 

The interconnected system of spaces and 

vessels between body tissues and organs by 

which lymph circulates throughout the body. 

A particulary malignant tumour. In the horse it 

most commonly affects the gut walls. They can 

no longer absorb nutrients. 

Lymphsystem 

Lymphsystem 

Lymphosarkrom 

macrominerals Minerals found in the body in large quantities. Makromineralien 

Magnesium 

required for enzyme systems, associated with 

calcium and phosphorus 

Magnesium 

Maiden Mare that has never been covered Maidenstute 

MAIDEN A horse which has not yet won a race. 

Horses who have not yet won a race are 

Pferd ohne Sieg 

maiden race 

referred to as maidens, hence a race for non 

winners. 

main bar 

Main or Longissimus dorsi 

maintainance 

maintenance ration 

longer part of the "swingle trees"; it connects 

the two lead bars directly in its middle. 

muscle used in rearing, kicking, jumping and 

turning aids. It is the longest and strongest 

muscle. The rider sits on it. 

the need of an animal to hold his body 

condition 

the amount of food a horse needs to cover its 

maintenance 

Hauptstange 

Musculus longissimus dorsi 

Erhaltungsbedarf 

Erhaltungsration / 

Grundration 

maize silage / corn silage silage made out of maize Maissilage 

malanders 

Male fern 

First of all this is an eczema in the fetlock 

flexure. It can be caused of many things, but 

normally it is because of dirt and wetness when 

the horse is poor groomed. Sometimes it can 

Mauke 

be an allergic reaction on something. The 

recovery needs a lot of time and if you do not 

start with the treatment very quickly, the 

malanders could turn chronically. 

this large fern is toxic but in the right dosage it 

is used to kill and expel tapeworms 

Gemeiner Wurmfarn 

mallet see "stick". der Schläger 

mamma milk-secreting gland in the female Euter 

Mammary glands Glands in the udder of the mare Milchdrüsen 

mammary glands 

An organ, situated in the inguinal region 

between the hindlegs, that produces and 

secrets milk for the nourishment of the foals. 

Euter 

mane 

Long hair that has its origin in the crest; the 

mane protects the horse's neck from rain and 

insects. 

Mähne 

mane comb Object for detangling the horse’s mane. Mähnenkamm 

mane-brush brushing the mane to clean it and to tidy it up Mähnenbürste 

mane-comb 

Manege / arena 

for brushing the mane tidily before cutting or 

plaiting it 

An area for training horses. Normally a 

rectangle area measuring twenty to fourty or 

twenty to sixty metres. 


Mähnenkamm 

Viereck, Reitplatz

Manganese it activates enzymes Mangan 

mange 

There are two sorts of mange: chorioptic 

mange and sarcoptic mange. Chorioptic 

mange: It causes itch (“itchy heel”). The 

affected horse stamps, kicks and wants to rub 

its heels on the other hind leg or against a 

suitable thing. The condition is mostly seen at 

horses with hairy heels. There is no problem to 

find the mites. Sarcoptic mange: This is very 

rare at horses. It causes small hairless patches 

which exude serum. Most of the patches are on 

the neck and shoulder, but they can also be 

everywhere on the body. 

Räude 

manger a long open box from which horses can be feed Futterkrippe 

manger 

a trough or open box in a stable for holding 

feed 

Futterkrippe 

manger 

See also trough; Object out of which the horse 

eats its concentrated feed. 

Krippe, Futterkrippe 

manoeuvre = exercise; a performed figure Übung 

manure collector 

Tool to shove droppings into a sort of bucket 

with handle. 

Bollensammler, Mistboy 

Marching Purposefulness in the steps of the walk. schreiten 

mare female horse Stute 

mare performance test examination to assess the abilities of mares Zuchtstutenprüfung 

Maritime Pine 

Markers 

it is a tree and the tea made from the needles 

helps against chronic cough 

They are supposed to show the rider the right 

way through the cross country parcours. 

Seestrandkiefer 

Wegweiser 

markers Bahnpunkte 

Market Harborough 

Special extended martingale combined with 

ringed reins. Auxiliary rein used whilst riding to 

Thiedemann-Zügel 

encourage correct use of neck and back 

muscles. 

markings 

parts of the coat without pigmentation, for 

example a stripe 

leather strap which goes from the girth 

Abzeichen 

martingale 

between the forhand to the kidney ring on the 

neck collar so the collar cannot slip left or 

right. 

Martingal 

Martingale 

Item of tack which consists of a neck strap 

which buckles around the horse's neck and 

another one which attaches to the girth at one 

end, passes through the neck strap and 

attaches to either the noseband (standing 

martingale) or the reins (running martinglae) 

at the other. Used to prevent the horse from 

raising his head above the level of the rider's 

hand and evading the rein aids. 

Martingal 

martingale a device for steadying a horse`s head 

Auxiliary rein the reins pass through. In case 

Martingal 

martingale 

the horse lifts its head up to high, it provides 

additional pressure on the bit. 

item of equipment which consists of a strap 

which buckles around the horses neck, and 

another strap which attaches to the girth at 

Martingal 

martingale 

one end, passes through the neckstrap and 

attaches the reins at the other end; used to 

prevent a horse from raising his head above 

the level of the rider's hand. 

Martingal (Hilfszügel) 


martingale stops 

Little rubber rings used to hold the martingale 

branches together if they are too long. 

Martingalschieber 

mash 

a mixture of bran, meal etc.; mixed with warm 

das Mash 

water and used for feed 

Mass start 

It is a starting method. Mass start means that 

all riders start at the same time. 

Massenstart 

Massage 

Act of pressing, and rubbing the body of horses 

Massage 

(i.e. with one's hands). 

masticate chewing of food kauen 

masticate chewing of food kauen 

Masturbation 

Masturbation by a stallion is considered by 

some to be a further vice, thought to originate 

from boredom, especially if sexually frustrated 

Masturbieren 

Mating When a stallion covers a mare Decken 

Maturity Sexually mature Geschlechtsreife 

maturity competitions for horses older than four years 

measuring vessel 

measuring vessel (scoop) 

a hollow container ( barrel, bowl, bottle or cup 

) used for holding feed and to measure the 

amount of the feed 

it's a cup with a scale on it to portion out grain 

or nutrients 

mecate rope or reins made from horse-hair 

Mecate - Rope or reins made of mecate i.e. horse hair 

Wettbewerb für vierjährige 

Pferde und älter 

der Messbecher 

Messbecher 

Meconium Fohlenpech 

Medication 

Medium 

There are strong rules and regulations 

regarding the use of certain medical substances 

If you need to treat your horse during the 

Medikation 

weeks leading up to a three day event, check 

with your vet and the rule book that the 

medication you are going to use is legal. 

A pace between collected and extended, with 

moderate lengthening of the outline and 

relative upward thrust than in extension. 

aus Rosshaar geflochtenes 

Seil/Zügel 

aus Pferdehaaren 

gefertigtes Seil (auch 

Zügel), Durch ein 

spezielles Gerbverfahren 

erzeugtes, 

widerstandsfähiges Leder 

Mittel- 

medium … a specific stride length of each gait Mittel… 

Medium Endurance Rides 



Mittlere Distanzritte 

meet the corners, to 

the corners should be ridden like a quarter 

circle of 6, 8 or 10m 

Ecken ausreiten 

Melanoma 

A tumour of the cells that manufacture the 

black pigment called melanin. 

Melanom 

melanomata 

These melanomas with high tendency to 

malignancy are seen particularly on grey 

horses and become more common in middle 

and old age. They are specially found on the 

vulva, the prepuce, the anus and on the 

hairless ventral areas of the tail. They are also 

seen on the head and the neck and sometimes 

within the anus on the rectal wall. 

Melanome 

melon shaped quarters croup like a melon Melonenkruppe 


Metabolic problems 

Metabolism 

metabolism 

metabolism 

metabolizable Energy (ME) 

metal curry comb 

They refer to the pathological function of the 

cardiovascular system, the neurologic system, 

the digestive system and / or the muscular 

system. In the exercising horse these are 

usually results of dehydration, electrolyte 

imbalances, energy depletion or acid-base (pH) 

imbalance. 

Chemical changes in living cells by which 

energy is provided for vital processes and 

activities. 

The physical and chemical processes in an 

organism by which energy is made available. 

All processes which contain reception, 

transformation and delivery of molecules and 

energy in the organism. It’s connected with 

transport and loft between the bodycells. There 

are biochemical processes in which energy are 

produced and used up. 

Gross energy in the feed that is not lost in the 

feces, urine and gas. 

Object for getting off mud and the winter coat, 

but only on the fleshy parts of the body. 

metabolische Probleme 

Stoffwechsel 

Metabolismus, 

Stoffwechsel 

Stoff- und Energiewechsel 

verdaubare Energie 

Eisenstriegel 

metritis 

inflammation of the innermost lining of the 

uterus; the leading cause of infertility in 

broodmares 

Gebärmutterentzündung 

microflora bacteria normally in the body Mikroflora, Darmflora 

microminerals Minerals found in the body in small quantities. Mikromineralien 

Milk powder dehydrated milk 

involves a series of single leg passes beginning 

Milchpulver 

mill 

from forward seat and moving the vaulter to an 

Mühle 

inside side seat, a reverse seat and back to 

sitting forward 

mineral feed a supplementary feed containing minerals Mineralfutter 

mineralization 

the process of depositing minerals or naturally 

occuring inorganic chemicals 

organic substances found in the earth or water; 

Mineralisierung 

minerals 

any of certain elements such as iron, 

phosphorous etc; essential to the health of 

animals and plants 

Mineralien 

mix, to 

a machine splits up into many small peaces for 

schroten 

easier digestion 

mix, to to combine different things mischen 

mixed feed feed which is mixed of different ingredients Mischfutter 

Mobile boxes Stabling of horses in a mobile stable 

Easy maneuverability of the 

Mobilboxen 

Mobility 

shoulders/forehand, made possible by shifting 

of weight to the hindquarters. 

Schulterfreiheit 

moisture 

small amounts of water that are present in the 

air, in a substance or on a surface 

Feuchte 

Molasses 

a syrup made from boiling down sweet 

vegetable or fruit juice, feed as a sweetener 

Melasse 

molasses 

a thick dark sweet liquid obtained from sugar 

while it is being refined 

Melasse 

mold/mould a fungal growth on organic surfaces 

Inflammation of the eye. The horses become 

Schimmel 

moon blindness 

light-shy and the eye is often swollen. The 

cause is not found yet. 

Mondblindheit 

morning glory 

Horse who performs well in morning workouts 

but fails to fire in actual races. 


morning line 

Approximate odds quoted before wagering 

begins. 

die Startquoten 

motor van See also trailer; Used for transporting horses. Transporter 

moulded quarters croup divided in two parts Spaltkruppe 

mount 

jump of the -> vaulter onto the horse into a 

sitting position 

Aufsprung 

mount, to to get on the horse aufsitzen 

mount, to to get on the horse. aufsitzen 

mounting 

see "decken"; the action of the stallion to get 

on to the mare for covering her 

Decksprung 

mouthpiece 

Object buckled to a bridle placed in the horse’s 

Mundstück 

mouth to pass on the rein aids. 

movement the action of the gaits 

The manner in which the horse moves over the 

ground. (Scored in dressage tests) Also a 

Bewegung 

Movement 

gymnastic exercise (shoulder-in, half-pass, 

etc.) as opposed to a figure (circle, change of 

rein, etc.) or a transition. 

Bewegung 

movements Lektionen, Bewegungen 

move-off to start the motion in ... anreiten im… 

muck out, to to remove or clean up horses manure ausmisten 

muck out, to 

See also remove the droppings, to; To remove 

the excrements of horses. 

ausmisten 

muckrake 

it's a fork to clean up a horse stall, tines are 

close together 

Mistgabel 

mucosa 

glandular epithelium with cells secreting 

mucus, enzymes or fluids 

Schleimhaut 

mucosa 

glandular epithelium with cells secreting 

mucus, enzymes or fluids 

Schleimhaut 

Mucous membranes 

Mud fever, "greasy heel" 

mule foot ? 

They are examined in the mouth, the eyes and 

the nostrils and should be pink and moist. This 

is one of the metabolic criteria at vet checks. 

A skin infection on the legs (mostly in pastern) 

caused by wet, muddy conditions and by dusty 

conditions where there is sandpaper-like effect. 

Schleimhäute 

Mauke 

A narrow hoof with straight 

quarters and a large frog. 

Mullein 

this Eurasian herb has woolly leaves and few 

flowers; it relieves persistent coughs 

Kleinblütige Königskerze 

mullen mouthpiece Curved one-piece bit. gebogene Stange 

murmurs 

Abnormal heart sounds. Usually a result from 

valve disorders. 

Herzgeräusche 

Muscle 

Horses use their muscles to produce 

movement. 

Muskel 

muscle 

An organ which by contraction produces the 

movements of an organism. 

Very small parts of a muscle. A muscle consists 

Muskel 

Muscle fibre 

of many of them. There are different types of 

muscle fibres. 

Muskelfaser 

muscle rupture breaking of a muscle caused by overstraining Muskelriss 

Muscle tone 

The tone of the muscles is a useful hydration 

parameter because it reflects the blood and 

oxygen flow to all tissues, including the 

muscles. 

Muskeltonus 

Muscular having big and strong muscles muskulös 

Muscular dystrophy 

a disease in which the muscles become weaker 

mutuel clerk 

over a period of time. 

The person at the window who takes your bets. 

Also called a teller. 


der Wettenannehmer

Muzzle 

muzzle 

myeloencephalitis 

nail bind/ close shoeing 

Usually made of leather or a plastic bowl which 

is fixed to the halter to avoid that the horse 

ingests nourishments. 

The part of the face consisting of chin, mouth 

and nostrils. 

inflammatory disorder of the brain and spinal 

cord 

caused by a nail being driven too close to the 

white line and thus the sensitive tissues of the 

hoof, symptoms: sudden lameness; shoe 

should be removed 

Maulkorb 

Maul 

Myeloenzephalitis 

Nageldruck 

Nail prick, nail thread 

penetration of the sole of the horse's hoof by a 

nail or other sharp object to the depth of the 

sensitive laminae 

Vernagelung 

Naked oats 

oats without the husk; good for performance 

horses with poor appetites 

“Nackter Weizen” 

naked oats oats without the husk Hafer ohne Spelze 

Narcolepsy The sudden onset of sleep in an active horse. Narkolepsie, Schlafdrang 

narrow croup not very broad croup schmale Kruppe 

narrow hips enge Hüften 

The expanse between the 

hips is narrow. 

Nasal polyp 

Polyps are benign tumours on the inside of the 

nostrils. They cause air turbulence. 

Nasenpolyp 

nasogastric tube 

a tube put into the nose that leads down to the 

Nasen-Schlund-Sonde 

stomach 

nasogastric tube 

a tube put into the nose that leads down to the 

Nasen-Schlund-Sonde 

stomach 

Nation Cup series 

National Equestrian 

Championships 

Horse sport series where teams from different 

countries compete against each other, every 

country can only organize one Nation Cup per 

discipline (dressage, show jumping) and year 

Championships at national level 

Nationenpreis Serie 

Nationale Meisterschaften 

in Reitsportdisziplinen 

natural highly-gifted (horse) hochtalentiert 

natural cover 

the opposite of insemination, so the stallion is 

mounting and fertilizing the mare directly 

Navel Scar of the umbilial cord Nabel 

Navicular disease 

A group of different scenarios that produce the 

same result, namely chronic lameness because 

of pain in the heel region of one or more feet. 

Natursprung 

Hufrollenentzündung, 

Strahlbeinerkrankung 

NCHA National Cutting Horse Association Verband für Cutting-Pferde 

near lead 

near side 

the rein of the left horse in front position; when 

driving the "Achenbach Style" it is held 

between thumb and forefinger. 

refers to the left side of the horse; it is called 

the "near side" because of old traditions, where 

the horse was always handled and mounted 

from the left side. 

„führungsnah", linke 

Position 

linke Seite des Pferdes 

near wheel 

the rein of the left horse in back position; when 

driving the "Achenbach Style" it is held 

between forefinger and middle finger. 

„Radnähe", linke Position 

nearside The left-hand side of a horse. 

nearside the left hand side of the horse links 

nearside horse 

horse on the left side (seen from the position of Pferd auf der linken Seite 

the driver). 

(vom Fahrer aus) 

neck collar see collar. Nacken-Kummet 

neck rein synonym to the outside rein äußerer Zügel 


neck reining 

rein aid: changing directions by touching the 

horse´s neck with the outside rein 

Lenken des Pferdes durch 

Berührung des Halses mit 

dem äußeren Zügel 

neck strap 

part of the bridle which goes over the neck 

behind the ears. 

Genickstück 

neckshot 

A ball which is hit under the horse's neck from 

either side. 

This disease is seen very frequently. The 

nodules are up to a centimeter, sometimes a 

little bit more. They occur in the dermis over 

the back, the sides of the chest and the 

necrobiosis 

shoulder. The nodules cause the horse no 

harm, except there are directly on the space 

where the saddle is. The condition is mostly an 

allergic one which produces collagen 

degeneration. 

Nekrobiose 

nephritis inflammation of the kidney 

The nervous system coordinates the activity of 

Nierenentzündung 

nervous system 

the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs 

and processes input from the senses and 

initiates actions. 

Nervensystem 

net cooler 

See also net rug, cooler or sweat-rug; blanket 

to protect the horse from flies. 

Fliegendecke 

net rug See net cooler, cooler or sweat-rug. Fliegendecke 

net-rug 

covering sheet that protect horses against 

insects 

Fliegendecke 

Nettle this plant has stinging hairs and contains iron Nessel 

Neuralgia 

never pull on the reins 

That is pain in the nerve itself. Neuralgia of one 

of the fascial nerves is thought to be one of the 

causes of head shaking. 

it's a mistake of most riders to use only rein 

aids; thereby they forget the leg and the 

weight aids, which are very important 

New Zealand rug Waterproof blanket for horses at pasture. 

nipper 

No man´s land 

non-pro class 

nose 

nose guard 

nose twitch 

Pair of special tongs the farrier uses to pull off 

horse shoes. 

This is an area at the beginning of phase C 

immediately after the end of the steeplechase 

where the groom is allowed to attend to the 

horse if necessary. Nowadays with the addition 

of the C box, no man´s land has almost 

become obsolete. However, it does give the 

groom an opportunity to check that the horse 

still has all its shoes on and the boots have not 

slipped. As no man´s land is part of phase C, 

which has an optimum time, do not stop the 

horse unless it is absolutely necessary. 

competitions for people who do not earn 

money with riding (amateurs) 

Smallest advantage a horse can win by. In 

England called a short head. 

Sheepskin or fleece wrapped around the 

noseband to prevent chafing. 

Helps to keep the horse calm while vetting the 

injury 

Neuralgie 

nie am Zügel ziehen 

Regendecke, 

Neuseelanddecke 

Hufbeschlagszange 

"No man´s land" 

(Niemandsland) 

Amateur-Klasse 

die Nasenlänge 

Nasenschoner 

Nasenbremse 

noseband part of the bridle which goes around the nose. Nasenriemen 

noseband 

Part of the bridle. One strap leads around the 

poll, the other one is fixed around the nose. 

Reithalfter 


nose-band Nasenriemen 

nostril discharge 

A healthy horse always has a bit of a clear 

secretion out of its nostrils. After a bigger effort 

it can be white. But if it becomes more than Nüsternausfluss 

usual it´s an indication of a respiratory disease. 

Then the secretion can become yellow. 

nostrils The external opening of the airways. Nüstern 

novice see beginner Anfänger 

novice q.v. beginner Anfänger 

NRCHA National Reined Cowhorse Association 

Verband überwiegend für 

Working-Cowhorse-Pferde 

NRHA National Reining Horse Association Verband für Reining-Pferde 

nuchal ligament 

number markings 

A mucle that starts at the poll and ends at the 

withers; it helps the muscles in the neck 

supporting the head. 

The number markings help the competitor to 

jump over the obstacles in the correct order. 

Each compulsory passage on phases A and C 

are marked with numbers. On the phases B 

and D every obstacle is numbered. 

Nackenband 

Zahlenmarkierungen 

numnah 

a special piece of cloth that lies under the 

saddle on horseback 

See also saddle-shaped numnah or quilted 

Satteldecke 

numnah 

numnah; Cloth or pad placed under a saddle to Satteldecke 

prevent from chafing. 

numnah pad 

Felt, canvas or sheepskin pad placed under the 

Sattel-Pad 

saddle to prevent from pressure. 

Nurse,to A mare giving milk to her foal säugen 

nutrient carbohydrates, proteines & lipids Nährstoff 

nutrient carbohydrates, proteines & lipids Nährstoff 

nutrient content amount of nutrients in the feed 

any feed constituent that is necessary for the 

Nährstoffgehalt 

nutrients 

support of life; six basic classes: water, 

proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, 

vitamins 

Nährstoffe 

nutrition 

the process of providing and receiving food 

necessary for health and growth 

Ernährung 

nutritional value see nutrient content Nährstoffgehalt 

nutritional value 

availability of utilizable nutrients in a certain 

diet 

Nährwert 

nutritional value 

availability of utilizable nutrients in a certain 

diet 

Nährwert 

nutritive value see nutritional value Nährwert 

oaks A stakes race for 3-year-old fillies. 

Oats 

it is a cereal grass and it helps against nervous 

Hafer 

exhaustion 

oats 

a cereal grass, the grain of this grass is used 

for feed 

Willingness to perform what is asked by the 

der Hafer 

Obedience 

rider. Can only be there when the rider asks 

what the horse is able to perform. 

Gehorsam 

Obstacle 

Obstacle 

Any object that a horse must clear to complete 

the course in show jumping and eventing, such 

as fence, gate or water jump. 

always consists of at least two or three poles 

which are put on flat, low cups and fixed to two 

jumping stands. 

Hindernis 

Hindernis 


OCD 

off lead 

It starts during the first 6 months of a foal's 

life. A localised deficit in the blood supply to 

the bone leads to weak area of cartilage. Later 

the stress of work causes a flap of cartilage to 

become mobile. The horse becomes lame. 

the rein of the right horse in front position; 

when driving the "Achenbach Style" it is held 

between fore- and middle finger. 

OCD, osteochondritis 

dessicans, Knochen- und 

Knorpelentzündung 

„führungfern", rechte 

Position 

off side the right side of horse and rider whilst riding rechte Seite 

off wheel 

Official 

Official International 

Events 

the rein of the right horse in back position; 

when driving the "Achenbach Style" it is held 

between middle and ring-finger. 

A person that fulfils an official function at a 

horse sport event like course designer, chefsteward, 

steward and judge 

Horse shows that are held on an international 

level with qualified foreign participants 

„radentfernt", rechte 

Position 

Offizieller 

Offizielle Internationale 

Veranstaltungen 

offset-knees see: 

bench knees 

offside The right hand side of the horse. 

offside the right hand side of the horse rechts 

offside horse 

horse on the right side (seen from the position 

of the driver). 

Pferd auf der rechten Seite 

(vom Fahrer aus) 

Offspring Nachzucht 

offspring, progeny, 

descendants 

breeding products Nachkommen/ Nachzucht 

oilseed 

seed covering a high amount of oil; e.g. 

soybeans, cottonseeds, linseed, sunflower seed Ölsaat 

ointment a drug used on skin 

This is something you put on a wound or an 

Salbe 

ointment 

injury, so that the wound heals better. It also 

sterilizes the wound. 

Wundsalbe 

Olympic Equestrian 

competition classes 

Equestrian classes for senior riders at Olympic 

level in the disciplines show jumping, dressage 

and eventing 

Olympische Reitbewerbe 

omega-3 fatty acid special kind of fatty acids, essential fatty acids Omega-3 Fettsäuren 

On the aids 

The horse responds instantly an generously to 

all the aids accepting the contact and 

maintaining connection. 

An den Hilfen 

on the aids the horse accepts all your aids. an den Hilfen 

On the bit 

Supple acceptance of the contact. Includes 

lateral and longitudinal flexion, a rounded back, 

acceptance of the riders weight, engaged Am Zügel 

hindquarters, an arched neck. The horse`s 

head is in or in front of the vertical. 

on the bit am Zügel 

on the centreline with an arena figure. You walk from A to C (or C to durch die Länge der Bahn 


A) and change the direction 

wechseln 

on the centreline 

with/without change of 

rein 

it's a straight line from the middle of one short 

side to the other 

durch die Länge der Bahn 

wechseln/geritten 

On the forehand 

The horse places too much weight on the 

forelegs; longitudinally poor balance. 

Auf der Vorhand 

on the right/wrong to sit down on the saddle at the right or wrong auf dem richtigen/falschen 

lead/leg 

time 

Fuß 

on/behind/in front of the 

girth 

feasible positions of the leg am/hinter/vor dem Gurt 


One day event 

It consists of dressage, showjumping and cross 

country. One day events often take place over 

two days. 

Ein-Tages-Turnier 

one ear bridle Western bridle put over one ear of the horse. Einohrtrense 

one hip bone lower 

see: knocked down hip 

one length eine Pferdelänge 

one loop on the long side 

an arena figure. You leave the track after the 

second corner from the short side, make a 

einfache Schlangenlinie 

serpentine and return to the track at the end of 

the long side. 

One star Also known as novice level. 1 Stern 

one/two loop(s) on the 

long side 

one-ear-headstall 

it's a curve on which you leave the path on the 

long side once or twice and reach it again 

before the next corner 

bridle with a leather strap around one ear 

instead of a fore-head strap,only suitable for 

curb bits 

einfache/doppelte 

Schlangenlinie an der 

langen Seite 

Einohrkopfstück ohne 

Stirnriemen, nur geeignet 

für Gebisse mit Anzügen 

one-sided 

unilateral; the rider shifts his weight to one 

seat bone because of that the horse turns off to einseitig 

hold the balance 

one-sided obliqueness 

every horse has one side more stiff than the 

other 

einseitige Steifheit 

(“schlechte Seite”) 

oocyte an unfertilized egg cell Oozyte 

oogenesis the development of an egg cell Oogenese 

open behind 

open in front see: 

base wide 

hinten bodenweit 

The hind legs are too wide 

apart. 

open order 

Open Water Jump 

Optimum time 

working individually and not in ride order. 

Needs awareness of where everyone else is to 

avoid collisions. It's easier if everyone stays on 

the same rein. If you need to pass head to 

head the rule is 'left shoulder to left shoulder'. 

frei reiten (ohne Abteilung 

/ Reihenfolge) 

can be up to 4.5 metres wide. The horse has to 

approach at a very high speed and jump over 

Wassergraben 

low, but far. While jumping the horse shouldn´t 

touch the water surface. 

It is the ideal time set by the course designer 

for completing the cross country course. 

optimale Zeit 

optimum time 

The distance chosen, carried out at the chosen 

speed, gives the optimum time. 

optimale Zeit 

orchiectomy removal of one of both testicles Hodenentfernung 

orchitis inflammation of a testicle Hodenentzündung 

ordinary noseband 

See also cavesson noseband; Most common 

noseband. 

1) evolution of one variety out of another 2) 

Englisches Reithalfter 

Origin 

kinsmanlike relationship of one individual with 

its parents 

Abstammung 

origin 

the family tree or pedigree of the horse; his 

genetic roots 

Abstammung 

ossification the formation of bone Verknöcherung 

Osteochondrosis dissecans 

(OCD) 

developmental orthopedic disease of cartilage 

in growing horses. Symptoms: stiffness, 

lameness and pain in the affected joint 


Chips/ OCD/ Gelenkmaus

out of bounds 

When a ball crosses the sideline or goes over 

the sideboards it is considered out of bounds 

and the umpire throws in another ball between 

the two teams at that point. No time-out is 

allowed for an out-of-bounds ball. 

out of pattern 

disqualified because the different exercises 

have not been shown in the right sequence 

This is the time when horse and rider are 

Disqualifizierung wegen 

Verreiten 

Out time 

allowed to leave the vet check again to go back Aus-Zeit 

on the trail. 

outdoor arena an arena without a roof. Reitplatz (ohne Dach) 

outer rein the rein closer to the wall. äußerer Zügel 

Outline 

The carriage, posture, profile, or silhouette of 

the horse. 

The person who rides the horses that 

Kontur/Haltung 

outrider 

accompany the race horses to the post and 

catches any horses who get loose. 

The direction away from which the horse is 

Outside 

bent. Or the side that is away from the center 

of the arena. 

Aussen 

outside seat seat with body, shoulders, head facing outside Außenquersitz 

outwards inclined elbows 

your elbows are not in the correct position but 

extended from the body. 

abstehende Ellbogen 

ovarian cysts 

reproductive disorder, fluid-filled sac in the 

ovary 

Eierstockzysten 

ovariectomy a surgical operation to remove an ovary Eierstockentfernung 

ovary 

either of two reproductive glands in the mare 

that produce eggs 

Eierstock (s. Ovar) 

over at the knee 

over at the knees see: 

buck knees 

A conformation fault in which the foreleg is 

bowed forward at the knee. 

vorbiegig 

Overbent 

Excessive lateral displacement of the neck 

relative to the body, occurring in the neck itself 

or at the base of the neck, causing lack of 

uniformity of the lateral curve of the horse. 

überstellt 

overfeeding to give the horse too much to eat Überfütterung 

overfeeding to give the horse too much to eat Überfütterung 

Overflexed Head of the horse pulled behind the vertical. Überzäumt 

overgrazing the overuse of a pasture Überweidung 

overnight race 

overo 

overreach boots 

Overstep 

over-straight hind legs 

see: straight hind leg 

overweight 

A race where entries close a specific number of 

hours before running (such as 48 hours), as 

opposed to a stakes race where nominations 

close far in advance. 

coloured horse with dark basic colour, dark legs 

and irregular white that does not cross 

between the withers and tail 

besondere Scheckung, 

Grundfarbe dunkel mit 

unregelmäßigen weissen 

Flecken und dunklen 

Beinen 

See also bell boots; Guard for the coronet and 

bulb of heel to avoid injuries caused by treads. Sprungglocken 

also: Overstride, Overtrack; the placement of 

the hind foot in front of the fore foot. 

Surplus weight carried by a horse when the 

rider cannot make the assigned weight. 

Übertreten 


das Strafgewicht

ovulation 

ovum 

The 24- to 28-hour period in a mare's 

reproductive cycle when the ovum is 

discharged from the ovary 

a mare's egg, which, after fertilization by the 

stallion, develops into an embryo 

Eisprung (s. Ovulation) 

Eizelle 

Ox Bow Wide stirrups used on stock or Western saddles Steigbügel für Arbeitssättel 

Oxer 

Oxer 

Oxer 

A fence with two or more vertical jumps several 

Oxer 

feet apart. 

consists of two glands, one behind the other, 

and the front-pole is lower than the back- 

Oxer 

pole.This makes horses not only jump high, but 

also jump far. 

Spread fence. Can be an ascending oxer - with 

the front rail lower than the back rail, or a 

square oxer (also known as a parallel), with 

front and back rail of the same height. 

Oxer 

P & R Pulse and respiration Puls und Atmung 

P & R person 

The person who notes the respiration and the 

heart rate of the horse on the veterinary card. 

PA - Helfer 

Pace 

Any one of the variations within each gait: 

collected, working, lengthened, medium, 

extended. 

Tempi 

Pace see: Amble Pass 

pacer 

type of horse which is distinguished by his 

action and driven with a sulky in trotting races. 

A pacer moves lateral two-times whereas a 

trotter moves in diagonal two-times. 

Passgänger, Traber 

pad thick blanket below the saddle Sattelunterlage 

pad 

a piece of soft stuffed material to use under a 

saddle 

Sattelunterlage 

pad 

Thick cushion placed under the saddle to avoid 

pressure. 

Sattelunterlage, Pad 

Pad - 

Saddle-blanket which is put under the western 

saddle 

In order to avoid bruises on limbs an adequate 

dicke Sattelunterlage 

Padding 

padding, e.g. cotton, foam rubber etc., is 

inevitable. 

Polsterung 

Paint Horse 

coloured Quarter Horse, managed in an own 

association and breed 

gescheckte Quarter 

Horses, eigene Zucht und 

Verband 

pair driving driving with two horses in pair harness. zweispännig fahren 

pair harness harness for two horses. 

are high jumps, too. It consists of a straightly 

Zweispänner 

Palisade Rails 

applied pole in combination with a diagonally 

applied one. 

Eisenbahnschranke 

palomino 

A yellow horse with nonblack points; generally 

pale mane and tail. They vary from a rich gold 

shade to a clear yellow shade. 

pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas 

panel 

Padded area where the saddle lies on the 

horse’s back. 

Palomino 

Pankreatitis/ 

Bauchspeicheldrüsenentzü 

ndung 

Sattelkissen 


papillomata 

Parallel Oxer 

Papillomata are seen frequently in young 

horses from the age of 6 months to 24 months. 

They are spread over the muzzle and lips. They 

are of viral origin and disappear spontaneously 

in a few months. When they are very small, 

they look like warts which also humans often 

have. 

An obstacle that has front and back rails of 

equal height, set wide apart to produce a 

spread. 

Warzen 

Carre-Oxer 

Paralysis complete loss of function of an area of the body Lähmung 

parasites 

Parasitic microfilaria 

parent verification 

PARI-MUTUEL RACE 

PARKED 

P. are creatures that subsist on other 

organisms without benefiting them. They can 

be microorganisms, worms or even flies. They 

all have a horse as their host, at least for part 

of their life. Common internal parasites are 

divided into two groups: worms and bots. 

Parasite that lives in the ligamentum nuchae, in 

the neck. The worm produces microscopic 

microfilaria that migrate to the skin and 

eyelids. 

procedure of identification when the parents 

have to be determined 

A race in which wagering is allowed, held at a 

track licensed by a state’s racing commission. 

Pari-mutuel races are held at licensed parimutuel 

racetracks or fairs. 

A horse racing on the outside, with at least one 

horse between it and the inside rail. 

Parasiten 

parrot mouth lower jaw is set back Überbiss 

Mikrofilarie, Filarienlarven 

Vaterschaftsnachweis 

Rennen, auf das gewettet 

wird 

Pferd in zweiter Spur 

(außen) 

Parsley 

this European herb belongs to the carrot 

family; its leaves stimulate the 

Petersilie 

kidneys 

Parturition Delivering a foal Ein Fohlen gebären 

pas-de-deux vaulting 

two vaulters (male and female) are acting 

during competition 

Pas-de-deux Voltigieren 

Passage 

Passage 

A trot in which the phase of support of one 

diagonal pair of legs is prolonged while there is 

a hesitation in the forward travel of the other 

Passage 

diagonal pair of legs, giving a floating, hovering 

impression; the hindquarters carry more 

weight and propel forward. 

Dressage movement in which the horse trots in 

an extremely collected and animated manner. 

Passage 

Passion Flower 

this plant has big flowers; it is helpful against 

nervous-system difficulties 

Passionsblume 

passive leg passiver Schenkel 

The connection between 

pastern Fessel 

the coronet and the 

fetlock. 

pastern Extends from the fetlock to the top of the hoof. Fessel 

pasture Area for grazing horses. Weide, Grünfutter 

pasture method 

most natural way of covering; stallion and 

mares are together out in the pasture, so there 

is no human intervention and a greater risk of 

injury for the horses 

patellar luxation dislocation of the kneecap 


In der Herde decken 

Patellaluxation/ 

Kniescheibenluxation

pattern 

fixed order of exercises, that every rider has to 

maintain 

Aufgabe mit festgesetzter 

Reihenfolge der einzelnen 

Lektionen 

Peas protein-rich seeds Erbsen 

pedigree the record purity of breed of a horse Stammbaum 

Pedigree selection Abstammungszuchtwahl 

pelham 

Plain mouthpiece with four rings. Can either be 

used as a curb bit (with two pairs of reins), or 

in combination with pelham roundings. 

Pelham 

pelham roundings Straps buckled to the pelham. Pelhamriemchen 

pemphigus foliaceus 

It is the most common autoimmune skin 

disease of the horse. The age of the affected 

animals has been reported from 2 months to 

20 year old horses. First you can only see some 

skin lesions which are very fragile and rupture 

Pemphigus foliaceus 

easily. The lesions begin on the face and limbs 

and frequently become generalized within 1 to 

3 months. The treatment includes the use of 

immunosuppressive agents and the therapy is 

very expensive. 

Penality Point 

A point added to a rider`s score for committing 

Fehlerpunkt 

an error. 

penis the male reproduction organ Penis 

Pennyroyal 

this European mint has small aromatic leaves 

which repel mosquito and flea 

Polei-Minze 

Peppermint 

Perfect Course 

Performance class 

Person responsible 

Phaeton 

Phase A 

Phase B 

Phase C 

Phase D 

this aromatic mint has dark green leaves and 

small pink flowers; it aids against colic attacks Pfefferminze 

A course that is termed "perfect" is one in 

which the number of riders qualifying for the 

jump-off is the same as the number of ribbons 

offered. 

contains all competitions, in which the horses 

are ridden 

The person that has the legal responsibility for 

a horse, normally the competitor, the owner, 

the Chef d´Equipe, the team trainer or the 

team veterinarian 

open carriage with four wheels driven from the 

forward-facing seat. 

It is one of the 4 parts of the cross country 

course of a three day event (with 

steeplechase). The riders trot a way for 4 - 6 

kilometers. It is called a section of roads and 

tracks. It is similar to phase C. 



steeplechase). It is a steeplechase course. The 

riders ride this 3500-4000 meters in gallop and 

jump over 12 obstacles. 



steeplechase). The riders trot a way for 4 - 6 

kilometers. It is called a section of roads and 

tracks. It is similar to phase A. 



steeplechase). It is the real cross country 

course with about 30 difficult obstacles which 

look very natural. 

Reitprüfungen 

Verantwortliche Person 

offene, vierrädrige Kutsche 

Phase A 

Phase B 

Phase C 

Phase D 


the beginning of the lesson, gives the horse the 

phase of suppling exercises Lösungsphase 

possibility to prepare mentally for the lesson 

phase of working 

the part after the phase of suppling exercises, 

you work with the horse 

Arbeitsphase 

Phosphorus required for bones and teeth Phosphor 

PHOTO FINISH 

When two horses cross the finish too closely to 

identify a winner, officials call for a photograph 

of the race, taken exactly at the finish line, to 

help them determine who was ahead. 

Zielbild 

Physiology of the horse 

Physiotherapy 

the use of exercises, rubbing, heat…. In the 

treatment of sick horses. 

A proud and rhythmic movement in trot 

Physiotherapie 

Piaffe 

performed nearly on the spot. Hindquarters 

carry more weight; proof of real collection. 

This describes a dressage movement in which 

Piaffe 

Piaffe 

the horse trots in place with the forehand 

elevated and the croup lowered. 

Piaffe 

pick out the hoof, to To remove dirt, stones etc. from the hoof. Huf auskratzen 

pick the hooves, to to clean the hooves with a hoof-pick Hufe auskratzen 

Picket-up nail entry of a metallic foreign body into the hoof Nageltritt 

pigeon toed see: 

toes-in 

pigeon toed/ toe in 

Pile of Wood 

Pinto 

pinworms 

Pit crew 

A conformation fault in which the hooves are 

turned in towards each other. 

can be an natural stacked heap of wood in the 

forest or an imitated one in a cross- country 

competition. A lot of trunks are piled up and 

fixed by four side-posts. 

coloured horse, that does not belong to Paint 

Horses 

P. live in the horse and crawl out at night 

through the anus to lay eggs under the tail 

area. This irritation can lead to tail rubbing. 

Helpers who care for horse and rider during the 

whole ride. Typically they water and feed the 

horse and the rider and carry equipment. 

zeheneng (Vorderbeine) 

Holzstoß 

gescheckte Pferde (ausser 

Paint Horses) 

Pfriemenschwanz 

Trosser, Betreuer 

pitch-fork Tool for giving hay to horses. Heugabel, Heuforke 

Pivoting 

PLACE 

placenta 

Avoidance of picking up a foot in the proper 

rhythm, turning around a grounded/stuck foot. 

Used in reference to pirouettes or turns on the 

haunches or forehand. 

The horse you select must come in first or 

second. 

an membrane that connects an unborn fetus by 

the umbilical cord to the mother's uterine wall; 

It is expelled after birth (s. Nachgeburt) 

drehend 

auf Platzierung 

Plazenta 

plain leather reins Reins without bars. Usually used as curb reins. glatte Lederzügel 

plain mouthpiece One-piece bit. Ungebrochenes Mundstück 

plait aid rubber bands Rubber band to fix the mane plaits. Einflechtgummis 

plait the mane, to to interweave three strands of mane hair Mähne einflechten 

plait, to To style a horses' mane for competition. einflechten 

plaited reins Reins made out of plated leather. geflochtener Zügel 

plaiting band 

Adhesive tape wrapped around the plaited 

mane. 

Klebeband zum Einflechten 


plaiting needles 

Plaiting needles are stronger than usual 

needles and blunt ended. 

Flechtnadeln 

plaiting thread A yarn that is available in different colours. Flechtfaden 

plaiting thread 

In Britain, plaited manes are sewn together 

with it. 

Einflechtgarn 

plaiting-tie, hair-tie 

with this you fasten little plaits for dressage 

competitions 

is flat so that ist can not roll away easily. 

Mähnengummis, 

Einflechtgummis 

Plank 

Horses often don´t like to jump over it because 

Planke 

the plank makes the jump non- transparent by 

plant fiber 

plant fiber 

pleasure 

Pleurisy 

its width 

substance in plants consisting of 

polysaccharides, builds the cell walls, can't be 

digested 

substance in plants consisting of 

polysaccharides, builds the cell walls, can't be 

digested 

competition where you have to ride the horse 

in walk, jog and lope 

Infection of the membranes in the chest. Pus 

gets in the space between the lungs and the 

chest wall. 

Pneumonia An inflammation of the lung. 

pneumonia 

POCKET 

podotrochleosis, navicular 

disease/syndrome 

an inflammatory condition of the lungs; 

characterized by the filling of air spaces with 

fluid, resulting in impaired gas exchange 

A horse in a pocket is unable to obtain a clear 

run because it has other runners situated in 

front, behind and to the side of it. 

lameness caused by damage to the navicular 

bone (Strahlbein); one of the most common 

causes of intermittent forelimb lameness in the 

horse 

Rohfaser 

Rohfaser 

Turnierdisziplin 

Pleuritis, Brustfell-, 

Lungenfellentzündung 

Pneumonie, 

Lungenentzündung 

Lungenetzündung 

eingeschlossen 

Hufrollenentzündung 

point of the foot toes Fußspitzen 

points of the arena q.v. markers Bahnpunkte 

poisoning 

Poisonings in horses are most often caused by 

poisonous plants. Although many of these 

plants are disdained by them, horses do eat 

some of them. Examples of poisonous plants 

are: ferns, meadow-saffran, yew-treethorn- 

Vergiftung 

apple and deadly nightshade or belladonna. 

Symptoms would be disturbance of equilibrium, 

colic, diarrhoea, shock, profuse sweating, 

fever, problems in the gastro-intestinal tract 

and paralysis or paresis. 

poisonous plants 

plants containing substances that cause harm 

or death when eaten 

Giftpflanzen 

Poisonous plants Plants which are indigestible for herbivores. Giftpflanzen 

pole 

pole 

pole bending race around six poles 

Markers at measured distances around the 

track, marking the distance from the finish. The 

die Entfernungsmasten 

quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of a mile 

from the finish, not from the start. 

the long hard bar between the two horses of a 

pair harness, or the outer bars of a single one. Stange 


Slalomrennen um sechs 

Stangen

Pole Bending - 

pole strap 

This discipline is a slalom race.The rider has to 

ride through six poles in two directions. If the 

ride loses his hat he will get 5 seconds added. 

The distance between the poles from the first 

up to the last pole is 6.3 meters. The rider can 

decide whether he starts from the right hand 

side or from the left hand side. 

fixed with the kidney ring, it connects the lower 

part of the neck collar with the cross head. 

Slalomrennen um sechs 

Stangen herum 

Aufhalteriemen 

polish-cloth, stable rubber 

a piece of fabric to remove the last dust so that 

Wischtuch 

the horse shines 

Poll 

The highest point of the horse´s skull (the 

occipital crest). 

Genick 

poll (of the neck) 

The portion of the horse's neck just behind the 

ears. 

Genick 

Polo bandages See stable bandages. Stallbandagen 

polo ground see "field". das Spielfeld 

polo helmet 

A specially durable helmet with a chin strap 

and preferably a faceguard. 

der Polohelm 

pomace remains when something is squeezed Trester 

pommel the raised part at the front of a saddle Vorderzwiesel 

pommel Highest part at the front of the saddle seat. Vorderzwiesel 

pond 

A jump into water or out of a waterhole. The 

water is no deeper than 40 cm. 

poor frog development schwache Strahlausbildung 

Der Teich 

The foot is less able to 

absorb concussion, which 

may lead to heel 

port 

elevated bend in the middle of an unbroken 

curb bit 

contraction. 

Zungenfreiheit, erhöhter 

Mittelteil einer Kandare 

port The middle part of curb bits. Zungenfreiheit 

port bit Western one-piece bit with a large port. 

Westernkandare mit 

Zungenfreiheit 

portioned pasture see forage acre Portionsweide 

Position 

positions 

The lateral flexion at the atlanto-axial joint, so 

that the horse "looks" to the side; position right Stellung 

or postion left. Also: The posture of the rider. 

Each of the 4 team members plays a distinctly 

different position. Since polo is such a fluid 

game, the players may momentarily change 

positions but will try and return to their initial 

assignment. No.1 is the most forward offensive 

player. No.2 is just as offensive but plays 

deeper and works harder. No.3 is the pivot 

player between offense and defense and tries 

to turn all plays to the offense. No 4 or the 

Back, is the defensive player whose role is 

principally to protect the goal. 

die Positionen 

post Starting point or position in starting gate. die Startposition 


POST POSITION 

Generally, the closer a horse starts to the 

inside rail or barrier of the track (especially on 

smaller tracks), the better is its chance of 

winning. At the start, horses must either 

"leave" (start quickly) to get a good position or 

else find a place on the rail to avoid racing on Startposition 

the outside of other horses. When racing on the 

outside the horse is said to be "parked out", 

and loses ground on every turn. A horse on the 

inside has a better chance to get to the rail or 

quickly get a good position. 

post time Designated time for a race to start. die Startzeit 

post-foaling attention 

veterinary examination of the membranes and 

possible suturing of the vulva 

instead of being driven by a coachman, each 

Nachgeburtskontrolle 

postillion horses 

horse was used for being ridden and left from a Pferde der Postkutsche 

"post office". 

to rise out of the saddle when the outside 

posting trot 

foreleg moves forward, and sit down in the 

saddle when the inside foreleg moves forward; 

also see: rising trot 

leichttraben 

posting trot (AE) 

post-legged see: 

camped (out) behind 

the action of the rider rising from the saddle in 

rhythm with the horse in the trot 

This is the vet check after the ride. The post- 

leicht traben 

Post-ride inspection ride inspection decides whether the horses are 

placed. 

Nachuntersuchung 

Potassium it is important in body fluid regulation Kalium 

Poultice 

Special bandage when an infection has already 

happened, e.g. foot wounds. 

Umschlag 

Powerful to be able to produce great physical power. energiereich 

practice horse = barrel Atrappen/- Übungspferd 

Practise dreassage area 

Practise Obstacles 

At least one practise arena of 60 by 20 metres 

must be put at the disposal of the competitors 

two days before the first day of the dreassage 

test. If possible, this arena should be of the 

same consistency as the competition area. 

Übungs platz Dressur 

The only practise obstacles that competitors 

may jump are those provided by the organising 

committee. The organising committee must 

provide at least one fixed practise obstacle, of 

which the dimensions may not exceed those of 

the cross country phase and at least two Übungssprünge 

adjustable obstacles, one vertical and one 

spread. These obstacles must be marked with 

red and white boundary flags and must be 

constructed in the usual manner. No part of the 

obstacle may ever be held by anyone. 

Pregnancy When a mare is carrying a foal Trächtigkeit 

pregnancy diagnosis 

a veterinary examination to find out if the mare 

Trächtigkeitsdiagnose 

is pregnant or not 

when gestation ends before term and the 

pregnancy failure, abortion embryo dies (resorption, foetal death, abortion Fehlgeburt 

are more specific terms) 

Number of mares pregnant on a specified day, 

Pregnancy rate 

expressed per oestrus cycle or per breeding 

season 

Trächtigkeitsrate 

pregnancy, gestation when a mare is in-foal Trächtigkeit 


Preliminary Competition 

Test 

premature 

prepare the horse, to 

Class at the beginning of a horse show , 

favoured by many riders to get the horses used Einlaufprüfung 

to the show arena and the event atmosphere 

a foal born alive before the physiological end of 

gestation (between 300 and 320 days of 

gestation) 

to groom, saddle and bridle the horse before 

riding 

Frühgeburt 

Pferd fertigmachen 

Pre-ride inspection 

This is the vet check before the ride; here 

veterinarians examine the horses, assess their 

state of health and decide whether they are 

allowed to start. 

Voruntersuchung 

Pressure 

the action of putting force or weight onto 

something. 

Druck 

Pressure Bandage To control the bleeding of the wound Druckverband 

Pressure Bandage 

To reduce or staunch bleeding in case of 

arterial bleeding. 

Druckverband 

pressure of the leg 

the legs are close to the horse's body and give 

Schenkeldruck 

Prix des nationes 

Prize awarding ceremony 

Prize giving ceremony 

Processing of entries 

progesterone 

prospect 

Pro-Sport boots 

protective headgear 

protein 

Protozoal encephalitis 

proud flesh 

pull and slack 

pull on the boots, to 

a stronger impulse 

Another name for the team show jumping 

event. 

Ceremony where rosettes and prizes are given 

to the winner and the placed competitors 

During this ceremony the medals are presented 

to the winners of the competition. 

The necessary administrative tasks before 

horse sport events can take place ( Processing 

of the entry data, accreditations, hotel 

booking,..) 

hormone involved in the female menstrual 

cycle, pregnancy (supports gestation) and 

embryogenesis 

young horse which seems to become a good 

athlet 

Closed boot, ideal for high impact sports. 

Superior protection for ligaments and tendons. 

This is a hard hat which is compulsory for 

anyone riding a horse on the flat at an event to 

wear. Protective headgear complying with the 

European (EN), British (PAS), North American 

(ASTM), Australien/New Zealand tested 

standards is compulsory for anyone jumping an 

obstacle. 

a constituent of animal and plant cells 

consisting of many elements; an essential 

component of a horse´s diet 

That is an almost epidemic infection of the 

brain with protozoa. 

exuberant granulation tissue; red, rubbery, 

bleeds easily. Granulation tissue normally 

protects wounds from bacterial damage. 

rein aids by pulling the reins shortly and giving 

slack immediately 

See also put on the boots, to; trying to get into 

(usually rather narrow) boots. 

Nationenpreis 

Preisverleihung 

Siegerehrung 

Nennungsverfahren und 

Veranstaltungsvorbereitun 

g 

Progesteron 

vielversprechendes Pferd 

geschlossene Gamasche 

Helm 

Protein 


Enzephalitis, 

Gehirnentzündung 

Wildes Fleisch 

spezifische Zügelführung 

des Westernreitens durch 

kurzzeitiges Annehmen 

und sofortiges Nachgeben 

Stiefel anziehen

pull the mane, to 

To lighten the amount of hair in the horse’s 

mane. 

Mähne verziehen 

pull up, to halten 

pull/rush, to 

the rider approaches the obstacle in an 

uncontrolled way 

you pull/eradicate some mane-hair with this 

stürmen 

pull-comb 

little mane-comb when a horse has got a very 

thick or untidy mane; then you can handle the 

mane better while plaiting it 

Verziehkamm 

pulled muscle a hurt caused by overexpansion of a muscle Zerrung 

pulling comb Fine comb for pulling the hair. Verziehkamm 

pulmonary alveoli 

The smallest terminations of the air passages 

in the lungs. 

Lungenbläschen 

pulmonary system 

pulsation 

pulse 

There blood circulates through the lungs and 

absorbs oxygen and delivers carbon dioxide. 

Because of the heart beat, the blood is not 

running continuously through the body, but in 

little streams which you can feel under the 

skin, called pulsations. The horse's normal 

pulsation is 28-40 per minute and can be 

raised to 240 per minute under work. 

Count the number of beats of the heart from 

the horse stethoscope under his left elbow 

pulse see heart rate! Puls 

Pulvermanns Grave 

Punctured sole 

Lungenkreislauf 

Puls 

Puls 

is a 15 metre long obstacle which consists of a 

fenced over water jump and two upright jumps. 

It starts with a take-off followed by a fenced 

Pulvermanns Grab 

over water jump and finishes with a jump up. 

It is also an artificially fixed obstacle invented 

by the hunting- rider Eduard F. Pulvermann. 

When a horse stands on a nail or a sharp flint it 

may puncture the sole. A wrongly placed 

horseshoe nail can do the same. 

Nageltritt 

punish, to to tell the horse that it did something wrong strafen 

purebred 

Purity 

Purpura haemorrhagica 

Pushing out 

put a tourniquet on, to 

pyrogenic 

bred from members of a recognized breed, 

strain or hind without admixture of other blood 

over many generations 

Correctness of the order of the footfalls and 

phases of the gaits. 

It is caused by an immune reaction following a 

bacterial disease. The reaction damages the 

blood vessel walls. 

Hind legs operating too far behind the horse, 

pushing backwards more than carrying. 

In case of life-threatening bleedings which 

cannot be stopped by using a pressure 

bandage it is useful to put bandages, inner 

tubes or similar not incising material above the 

wound to stop the bleeding. 

For example some viruses or other illnesses will 

cause fever in the body. You call them 

pyrogenic, because they lead to fever. 

quadrem four horses harnessed in pairs. 

quadriga 

a Greek chariot with four horses harnessed 

abreast. 

Reinzucht 

Reinheit der Gänge 

Onchozerkose, Onchocerca 

cervicalis, 

Blutfleckenkrankheit 

Hinten raustreten 

Abbinden 


Fieber erzeugend 

Vierer-Zug, Vierer- 

Anspannung 

(grch.) Vierer-Gespann

QUALIFIER 

A race in which a horse must go a mile below 

an established time standard to prove itself 

capable of competing in pari-mutuel races. 

Quarter Horse the most important Western Horse breed 

Quarter Mile Race - 

quarters 

In former times the English loved their horses 

as well as their horseraces. So they organised 

races when ever they had time or where ever it 

was possible. During the history a quarter mile 

was the standard. And here the American 

Quarters Horses were the best sprinters in this 

distance in the world. so they got their name 

Quarter Horse. 

Part of the septum of the hoof. Lies between 

heel and toe. 

quatering See brush down or quick grooming. 

quick grooming See quatering or brush down. 

quilted numnah 

Rabies 

rabies 

race roller 

Race track 

racing secretary 

See also saddle-shaped numnah or numnah; 

Cloth placed under the saddle to prevent from 

chafing. 

A deadly nerval illness, spread all over the 

world. 

Virus infection which causes encephalitis. Usual 

for carnivores, but also horses can get it when 

they are bitten by an infected fox, wolf or dog. 

Girth to fix a rug crossing diagonally under the 

horse’s tummy. 

The horses gallop on this course. The aim for 

horse and rider is to run as fast as possible to 

win. 

The official who writes the conditions of races 

and assigns weights for handicap races. 

Qualifikation 

wichtigste 

Westernpferderasse 

Rennen über eine 

Viertelmeile 

Seitenwand (Huf) 


drüberputzen 


drüberputzen 

Satteldecke / gesteppt 

Tollwut 

Tollwut 

Kreuzdeckengurt 

Rennbahn 

der Rennsekretär 

racing-saddle Rennsattel 

rack chain 

rafter hips flache Hüfte 

See also chain; A chain to tether your horse 

with. 

Anbindekette 

Wide, flat, hip shaped like 

a "T" when viewed from 

behind. 

ragged hips sharp point of hips spitze Hüften 

Ragwort poisoning 

Ragwort is poisonous at all times of the year. 

It´s toxic to the horse's liver. 

A wooden bar or pole, as part of an obstacle. 

Jakobskreuzkraut- 

Vergiftung 

Rail 

Rails must be a minimum of four inches in 

diameter and six feet in length. 

Stange 

Rain sclad Skin infection in the horse. Hautausschlag 

rain sheet Waterproof rug. Regendecke 

raincoat Waterproof coat for outdoor riding. Regenmantel 

raised pulsation 

The speed of pulsation is not normal but much 

higher; due to various causes 

rasender Puls 

rake Tool to gather droppings. Rechen 

rake, to the horse tries to pull away the reins 

gegen die Hand stoßen, 

gegen den Zügel pullen 

randem 

three horses harnessed one in front of the 

other, in one line. 

the horse kicks off a pole with the forehand or 

Dreier-Zug, Dreier- 

Gespann 

rap, to 

hind legs but the pole doesn´t have to fall 

down completely 

anschlagen 


Raspberry Leaf 

it is a plant of the rose family which has red 

fruits and is used to prompt fertility 

Himbeere 

ration 

The amount of feed an animal is allowed to eat 

Ration 

during a twenty-four-hour period. 

ration per day what a horse gets on a day 

you should give feed more than once a day, 

Menge pro Tag 

ration per feed 

about 2 or 3 times, ration per feed is what you 

give them in one of this times 

Menge pro Futterzeit 

ration per feed 

amount of feed which is given to the animal by 

die Menge pro Futterzeit 

one meal 

ration, to 

you buy single properties of your feed and than 

mixen 

you add it 

ration, to 

to limit the amount of sth that sb is allowed to 

have 

rationieren 

Raw Semen Semen that is undiluted Nativsperma 

rawhide kind of leather Rohhaut 

rear file just the rider at the rear of the ride 

Rearer Person who raises you horses Aufzüchter 

Rearing Raising young horses Aufzucht 

Re-check 

Re-check means that the rider has to present 

his horse to the veterinarian once again before 

going back on the trail. 

Re-Check, zusätzliche 

Untersuchung 

Recipient mare Mare that receives the embryo 

that means what you should feed the horse per 

Empfängerstute 

recommended 

day, you can see the amount on the description empfohlen 

of the feed 

Record of Vaccination Register document for vaccinations Impfpass 

Rectal thermometer 

recurrent airway 

obstruction (RAO) 

red boundary flags 

Red Card 

Red Clover 

redworms 

referee 

refinement breeding 

reflexes 

Refusal 

Used to measure the exact body temperature 

which should be between 37.6 – 38°C. 

Elasticity of the lungs is reduced because of 

pathological changes in alveoli. 

Fieberthermometer 

Dämpfigkeit 

The boundary flags shall be used to mark the 

starting and finishing lines, to mark compulsory 

passages and to define obstacles. The red rote Grenzflagge 

boundary flags are placed in such a way that a 

competitor must leave them on his right. 

Suspended participation at horse sport events 

(often in combination with a fee) because of a 

Rote Karte 

violation of the official regulations that are valid 

for horse tournaments 

this Eurasian herb has red- purple flowers and 

it improves the size and the number of red 

blood cells 

They are the most common internal parasites 

of the horse. Larvae invade the blood vessels 

which supply the intestine. This causes 

damages to the blood vessels and the gut. The 

adult worm lives in the large intestine and 

sucks blood. A very high risk of colic!! 

A referee on the sidelines makes all the final 

decisions concerning penalties or infractions of 

the rules. 

the crossing-in of other breeds to create a 

lighter type of horse 

Automatic act of an organ because of an 

adequate signal. 

Rotklee 

Zwergfadenwürmer 

der Hauptrichter 

Veredlungszucht 

Reflexe 

A horse`s act of stopping in front of an 

obstacle, penalised unless the horse then clears 

Verweigerung 

the obstacle without having to improve its runup. 


Refusal 

refusal of feed 

refuse, to 

registration 

registry card 

Regularity 

rein 

Rein - Giving the rein 

Rein - Take the rein 

At obstacles or elements with hight (exceeding 

30 cm), a horse is considered to have refused if 

it stops in front of the obstacle to be jumped. 

At all other obstacles (30cm or less in height) a 

stop followed immediately by a standing jump Verweigerung 

is not penalised, but if the halt is sustained or 

in any way prolonged, this constitutes a 

refusal. The horse may step sideways but if it 

steps back this is a refusal. 

If a horse stops eating and refuses everything, 

there definitely has to be an aggravative 

problem- often with a tooth, maybe a choke or 

a very bad state of health. You always should 

have this checked immediately. 

the horse won't jump the obstacle and stops 

short in front of it. 

if a horse fulfils certain criteria and the 

breeding association permits the horse to get 

registered in studbook 

a certificate to identify a horse which also 

includes the pedigree 

Correctness of the gait, to include purity, 

evenness, and levelness. Irregularities may be 

momentary or pervasive, and they may or may 

not be caused by unsoundness. 

See also snaffle rein; Pair of leashes leading 

from the bit rings to the hand of the rider. 

Pushing the hand towards the horse´s mouth 

or the bit, to allow the rein to drop, dangle or 

loop. 

To momentarily close the fingers on the rein to 

block or to "not give" or "not to be light" 

Futterverweigerung 

verweigern 

Eintragung 

Papiere 

Regelmäßigkeit 

Zügel 

den Zügel hingeben 

Gegenhalten 

rein aids 

the rider gives signals to the horse with the 

reins 

Zügelhilfen 

Rein back 

T'he horse moves backwards on the riders 

command. Footfalls same as in trot. 

Rückwärtsrichten 

rein back, the the horse moves backwards Rückwärtsrichten 

rein back, to like walk but backwards rückwärtsrichten 

rein handling way of handling the reins, how to use them. Leinenführung 

rein pressed against the 

horse’s neck 

am Hals anliegender Zügel 

rein rings 

Small rings sewn on to the reins to fix auxiliary 

Zügelringe 

reins. 

Little rubber diamond shaped rings to stop the 

rein stops 

martingale rings from getting stuck in the rein 

buckles. 

Martingalstopper 

reiner reining-specialised horse or rider 

Reining-Spezialist (Pferd 

oder Reiter) 

Reining 

competition including roll-backs, sliding stops, 

flying lead-changes, etc. 

Turnierdisziplin, Western- 

Dressur 


Reining - 

Reining is the top discipline of western riding. 

It is the western dressage with a lot of quick 

lections ridden in a perfect execution. Reining 

will be ridden in canter, mixed with spins, stops 

and back up. To ride it in a correct way the 

horses need special hoof shoes and the ground 

anspruchsvollste Westernhas 

to be a special one. There is a pattern 

Dressurprüfung 

which the rider has to know. There are 

maneuver like spins, sliding stops, flying 

changes, roll back, speed control and back up. 

Reining has been approved as an FEI discipline 

since April 2002. The reiners want it to become 

an olympic discipline. 

reins 

connecting lines between the horse's mouth 

and driver's hand. 

Fahrleinen, Fahrzügel 

reins 

a long line fastened usually to both sides of a 

bit by which a rider controls the horse 

Zügel 

Reins - Part of a bridle, Zügel 

reins for a four-in-hand reins for driving a four-horse-chariot. 

Leinen für einen Vierer- 

Zug 

Relative Straightness 

Relaxation 

release of the reins 

relieving 

The horse is going staight when the inside hind 

leg follows the track of the inside foreleg. 

Unruffled mental state. Calmness without 

anxiety or nervousness. Also: Absence of 

muscular tension other than that needed for 

optimal carriage, strength and range and 

fluency of movement. 

you give the horse a completely loose rein; 

long and low 

the opposite of weighting down; there's less 

contact to the saddle; the weight is taken out 

of the saddle 

Relative Geraderichtung 

Entspannung/Losgelassenh 

eit 

am langen Zügel 

entlastend 

remove the droppings, to See muck out, to. ausmisten 

renal insufficiency 

Renvers 

Resistance 

Respiration 

respiration 

respiratory system 

impaired renal function, can be caused by a 

preceding illness or by the administration of 

certain antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, 

which can be toxic to the kidneys 

Sideways movement on three tracks;The 

horse`s quarters are to the track with the 

forehand away from the track. The outside hind 

leg creates one track. The outside foreleg and 

inside hind leg create the second track, the 

inside foreleg creates the third track. The horse 

must have lenght bend in the direction of 

movement 

Acts by a horse that indicate a refusal to 

continue a round, such as rearing, making a 

half turn, or stepping back. 

The horse should breathe between 10 to 20 

times per minute in composure 

Niereninsuffizienz 

Renvers 

Widersetzlichkeit 

Atmung 

The means by which a horse obtains and uses 

oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide. There 

the ventilation of the lungs and the transport of 

gases between the lungs and blood and Atmung 

between the blood and tissues are involved. A 

horse has a respiratory frequency at rest of 10- 

14 cycles/min. 

A system by which oxigen is taken into the 

body and carbondioxid is expelled from the 

body. Consists of muzzle, nostrils, airways and 

lungs. 


Atmungssystem

Rest day 

Retained meconium 

A day without any competition entries or 

intensive training for a horse 

The first feace of a foal is called meconium. It 

must be passed within a day or two after the 

foal's birth. The toxins can be fatal if the 

meconium can´t pass the colon. 

Ruhetag 

Darmpechverhaltung, 

Mekoniumverhaltung 

reverse 

turning the horse around in direction to the 

middle of the arena 

Handwechsel zur 

Bahnmitte hin 

reverse seat 

seat with body, shoulders, head facing 

backwards 

Rückwärtssitz 

revolving punch See hole punch; leather punch. Lochzange 

reward to tell the horse/ rider she/ he was good Belohnung 

reward, to to praise loben 

reward, to tell the horse that it did something right. belohnen 

Rhomboideus 

It is the muscle which lifts shoulder and the 

forehand. Pulls the scapula forward. 

Rautenmuskel 

Rhythm 

The characteristic sequence of footfalls an 

phases of a given gait. 

Are awarded to those who finish in the money. 

Rhythmus 

Ribbons 

The color of the ribbon indicates the placing of 

the horse (blue - 1st, red - 2nd, yellow - 3rd, 

etc.) 

Ribs are the long curved bones which form the 

Schleife 

ribs 

rib cage. Ribs surround the chest and protect 

the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of 

the thoracic cavity. 

Rippe 

ridden out 

Finishing a race without rider urging him to do 

his utmost. 

ride bare-backed, to riding without a saddle Ohne Sattel reiten 

ride behind, to the rider follows another horse 

The dressage test is ridden without a person 

hinterherreiten 

ride from memory, to 

telling you what lections to ride. You have to 

auswendig reiten 

know the different parts and the order they are 

ridden in. 

At the ride meeting the rider is informed about 

all important things concerning the ride. He 

Ride meeting 

gets information about the trail as such and 

about all kinds of changes, for example 

changes in the hold times. 

Vorbesprechung 

ride on a bent line, to auf gebogener Linie reiten 

ride order 

the order of horses that the instructor sets at 

the start of the lesson 

Reihenfolge (in der 

Abteilung) 

ride out to ride in open country Ausritt 

ride out on horse, to riding in open country ausreiten 

ride, the 

when riding in a certain order one after another 

die Abteilung 

opposite: open order 

Rider card see Veterinary card 

riding gear Equipment for the rider. 

Horse suitable for riding, with the conformation 

Reitausrüstung 

Riding Horse 

associated with comfortable riding action are 

called riding horses. 

Reitpferd 

riding instructor trainer Reitlehrer/in 

riding instructor somebody who gives riding lessons 

the horse with the student is held on a long 

Reitlehrer 

riding lesson on the longe rope until he has enough knowledge to control 

the horse by himself 

Longenstunde 

riding out q.v. ride out; hack Ausritt 

riding-saddle Sportsattel 

rigging 

Part of the Western saddle where you fix the 

cinch 

Befestigungsmöglichkeit 

für den Gurt 


Rigging - Part of the saddle where the lasso is fixed 

right hand course 

right, best 

when the right hand of the rider is towards the 

centre of the arena and the left hand shows to 

the edge, the rider rides on right hand course 

the rider chose the take- off ideally. The horse 

jumps the obstacle in the optimal way. 

Ringbone New bone is building arround the pastern. 

ringbone 

degenerative disorder, new bone growth on the 

pastern and coffin joints. Usually caused by 

trauma, long term concussion, hard work, 

nutritional imbalances and inherited poor 

conformation. Can develop in or around the 

upper pastern joint (high ringbone) or the 

coffin joint area (low ringbone). 

Befestigungsmöglichkeit 

des Westernsattels für die 

Gurtung 

rechte Hand reiten 

passender (Absprung) 

Krongelenkschale, 

Ringbein 

Schale 

rings part of the bit where the reins are attached Trensenringe 

Ringworm 

rising trot 

rising trot (BE) 

Ringworm is a non-itching fungal skin disease. 

Hairs break off at skin level, leaving bald areas. 

to rise out of the saddle when the outside 

foreleg moves forward, and sits down in the 

saddle when the inside foreleg moves forward; 

also see: posting trot 

the action of the rider rising from the saddle in 

rhythm with the horse in the trot 

Trichophytie oder 

Mikrosporie, Borken-, 

Glatzflechte 

leichttraben 

leicht traben 

roach back opposite of dipped back Karpfenrücken 

Road Book 

The Road book includes maps and important 

information about the course. 

Handbuch zur Strecke 

roan 

A term generally used for the intermixture of 

white hairs and coloured hairs. 

Stichelhaarig 

roan (blue, red) 

Rocking/Rocking Horse 

Canter 

horses with interspersed white hair on their 

body and neck, basic colour black: black legs 

and mane; basic colour sorrel: red legs and 

mane 

A canter in which the neck/forehand goes too 

much up and down, due the lack of sufficient 

forward movement, lack of sufficient 

engagement or to interference by the rider. 

stichelhaariges Pferd, 

(Grundfarbe Schwarz: 

Schwarzer Behang, Beine; 

Grundfarbe Fuchs) 

Schaukelgalopp 

rock-minerals block of minerals offered to lick 

it's salt pressed with mineral nutrients or salt 

Mineralleckstein 

rock-salt 

direktly outfrom the mountain in form of a 

stone 

Salzleckstein 

rock-salt block of salt offered to lick der Salzleckstein 

rock-salt 

See also salt-lick; Block of salt to provide 

additional minerals. 

This is an elite international four star, CCI****, 

Salzleckstein 

Rolex Kentucky Three Day 

event. It is held at the Kentucky Horse Park in 

Lexington, Kentucky. It is the only four star 

eventing competition in the United States of 

America. 

"Rolex Kentucky Three 

Day" 

roll 

Blocks fixed on the sweat flap To help the rider 

Pausche 

keep his legs in position. 

roll, to see to crush schroten 

roll-back 

horse turns around for 180°, mostly out of 

canter 

180°-Wendung, meist aus 

hohem Tempo 

rolled Sewn in form of a roll, not flatly. rundgenäht 

roller = surcingle Voltigiergurt 


oller 

See also surcingle; Girth to fix the rug or used 

for lungeing. 

Deckengurt, Longiergurt 

roller bit Bit with one or more rotating parts. 

If a horse rolls, in principle it´s a good sign. 

But if a horse rolls, gets up, rolls again and 

Gebiss mit Rolle(n) 

rolling 

gets up and so on, it can show you that it 

suffers from a colic, which can be very 

dangerous. Another reason could be an 

aggravating itch. 

Wälzen 

ROM 

Register of Merit, contains horses which have 

achieved a special amount of points in one 

class 

Art lesitungsbuch, in das 

Pferde aufgenommen 

werden, die eine 

bestimmte Anzahl von 

Punkten in einer Disziplin 

errungen haben 

Romal-reins Roma-reins are closed at the end. 

abgeschlossene, 

geschlossene Zügel 

roman nose see common head Ramskopf 

Roof Jump 

is a fixed artificial obstacle which looks like a 

roof but of smaller dimension. 

Dachsprung 

roof jump 

A jump through a house or a barn. It looks like 

a jump into a window. It is an in - out - 

combination with a roof on top. The difficulty is 

the darkness inside the jump, since horses do 

not like to jump into darkness. 

überdachter Sprung 

Roofed over Jump 

is often an upright jump over a pole or board 

with a roof over it. That means the horse has 

to jump through the obstacle. 

Überdachter Sprung 

Rope - Ropes can be used as reins or lasso 

the rosehip is the small red seed from the 

Seil, Wurfseil, Lasso 

Rosehips 

rosebush; this fruit/seed has an iron and 

Hagebutte 

vitamin C source which has a positive effect on 

Rosemary 

the immune system response 

it belongs to the mint family and the needles of 

this evergreen herb are used for coat and skin 

health 

Rosmarin 

rosette 

round metal plate which decorates the crossing 

point of neck strap, cheek piece and throat 

lash. 

Rosette 

rosette 

Prize for placements, belongs to the horse 

owner 

Masche 

rotational grazing 

The practice of changing the pasture areas of 

horses for better utilization. 

Umtriebsweide 

Rotavirus 

A virus that causes diarrhoea, associated with a 

Rotavirus 

loss of suck, and sometimes colic. 

roughage Feed with a high fibre content; see forage 

A complete section of the grand prix or class in 

Rauhfutter 

Round 

which all the horses have their turn on course. 

Some grand prix hold two rounds before the 

jump-off. 

Runde/Durchlauf 

round-pen round fenced arena runder umzäunter Reitpatz 

round-stiched bridle The pieces of the bridle are rolled. rundgenähte Trense 

Roundworms 

weight loss, respiratory problems; two groups: 

Parascaris equorum, Strongylus vulgaris 

Rundwürmer 


oundworms 

route race 

They live in the small intestine. They can 

become 0.5 cm thick and 25 cm long. Mainly 

foals suffer very much from them. They get 

them from the mares and become weak and 

depressed. The biggest dangers are 

obstructions and bowel ruptures. 

A race run at a mile or longer, generally around 

two turns. 

Spulwürmer 

das Routenrennen 

rowel Little wheels at the end of the neck of spurs. Sporenrad 

rub, to 

1. to massage a part of the horses body for a 

particular purpose; 2. to wipe a cloth over a 

horses body as to dry the horse or apply anti 

fly solution 

abreiben 

rubber (grip) reins 

Reins with rubber coating so they can't slip 

easily through the rider's fingers. 

Gummizügel 

rubber bit Soft, flexible bit made of rubber. 

Holds the bit high in the horse's mouth to help 

Gummigebiss 

rubber cheekers 

prevent the horse from getting its tongue over Gebisshalter 

rubber curry comb 

rubberband neck extender 

Rubbing alcohol 

Rue 

rug 

rug bib 

rug bib 

the bit. 

Soft version of the metal curry cumb for 

getting off mud and the winter coat, but only 

on the fleshy parts of the body. 

a gadget; goes from the girth area through the 

bit rings to the poll; 

This is to disinfect your thermometer after and 

before you use it. 

it is a European herb with bitter leaves; it is 

toxic but in the right dosage strengthens the 

capillary walls 

A blanket to protect your horse from cold an 

dirt. 

A sort of muzzle to prevent your horse from 

biting its rug. 

To prevent chafing of the horse's shoulder by 

rugs. 

Gummistriegel 

Halsverlängerer (aus 

Gummi) 

Reinigungsalkohol 

Weinraute 

Decke 

Deckenbeißschutz 

rug up, to To put on the blanket. eindecken 

run away, to 

when the rider has lost control over his horse’s 

speed; the horse starts to gallop very fast; also 

see: bolt, to 

run down straight ride before a roll-back or a sliding stop 

Deckenscheuerschutz für 

Schulter 

durchgehen 

Geradeauslauf vor einem 

Roll-Back oder einem 

Sliding Stop 

run out, to 

the horse refuses the obstacle and runs around 

vorbeilaufen 

it. The horse ignores the rider aids. 

running martingale See martingale. 

Martingales are used as a help for riding. It 

Ringmartingal 

Running Martingale - prevents the horsefrom carrying its head very 

high 

Hilfszügel 

running rein Schlaufzügel 

running side-rein 

Auxiliary rein leading from the girth - chest - 

bit rings and back to the lateral part of the 

girth. 

"Wiener Zügel" / 

Dreieckszügel 

running-rein See draw rein. Schlaufzügel 

Run-out 

An attempt by the horse to escape the rider`s 

control in order to avoid jumping an obstacle. 

Vorbeilaufen 


Run-out 

A horse is considered to have run out if, having 

been presented at an element or obstacle on 

the course, it avoids it in such a way that the 

head and neck of the horse and the head of the 

rider when mounted fail to pass between the 

extremities of the element or obstacle as 

Vorbeireiten (am 

Hindernis) 

Run-up 

flagged. 

The short burst of speed put on by a horse in 

order to clear a jump. 

The trauma of birth can cause a rupture of the 

"Anlauf" 

Ruptured bladder 

bladder. The foal's abdomen fills with urine, the Harnblasenriss 

foal has colic and stops suckling. 

rye 

a cereal grass grown as forrage; its grain is 

used as feed 

Roggen 

s. Eierstock Ovar 

s. Eisprung Ovulation 

saddle a leather seat for a rider on a horse Sattel 

saddle 

More or less rigid object fixed on to the horse’s 

Sattel 

back for riding purposes. 

saddle bag 

Bags fitting to the shape of a saddle for trail 

riding. 

Satteltasche 

saddle blanket Saddle-shaped cloth placed under the saddle. Satteldecke 

saddle cloth See floded numnah or sqared numnah. Schabracke 

saddle cover See dust cover. Sattelüberzug 

saddle flaps 

Parts on either side of the saddle covering the 

girth straps. 

Sattelblätter 

saddle gall, saddle sore 

skin sore or gall upon a horse's back, made by 

the saddle 

Satteldruck 

saddle girth See girth. Sattelgurt 

saddle grease Special leather grease for the saddle. Lederfett 

saddle rack Bow to store the saddle. Sattelhalter, Sattelbock 

saddle tree Frame of the saddle. Sattelbaum 

saddle, to 

to put the saddle in the right position on the 

horse`s back 

satteln 

saddle, to To put the saddle on the horse. satteln 

saddle, to to put the saddle on the horse's back satteln 

saddlery 

See also tack; Objects like saddle, bridle etc. 

needed for riding. 

Sattelzeug 

saddle-shaped numnah See numnah or quilted numnah. Satteldecke 

saddle-tree the frame of a saddle 

A cup used on the back rail of a spread fence 

Sattelbaum 

Safety cup 

that releases to drop the rail if struck by the 

horse. 

Stirrups with a special shape or with rubber 

Sicherheitsauflage 

safety irons 

bands to free the rider's foot more easily in 

case of an accident. 

Sicherheitssteigbügel 

Sage 

saliva 

it is a mint with green aromatic leaves which 

strengthens the heart and heightens the senses Salbei 

clear, alkaline fluid discharge into mouth by 

salivary glands; contains digestive enzyme and 

moistens food ready for swallowing 

Speichel 

saliva fluid in the mouth making the food slippery Speichel 

saliva fluid in the mouth making the food slippery Speichel 

Salmonellosis 

salt 

salmonellosis is a bacterial illness that causes 

fever and profuse watery diarrhoea that leads 

to dehydration and often death. 

a white substance, obtained from mines and 

also found in sea water; to give flavour to food 

Salmonellosen, 

Salmonellenvergiftung 

das Salz 


salt Helps to stimulate the thirst Salz 

salt-lick See rock-salt. Salzleckstein 

salt-lick holder Object fixed to the wall to put a salt -lick in. Lecksteinhalter 

Salutation 

To acknowledge the Ground Jury by an 

inclination of the head (male competitors lift 

their hats) 

Gruß (des Reiters) 

Sand colic appears when the horse eats sand, fatal Sandkolik 

Sarcoids Sarcoids are a particular type of skin tumour. Sarkoid 

sarcoids 

scale of weights 

Schedule 

Sarcoids are the most common tumors found in 

adult horses. They start as hard nodules of 

fibrous material which erode through the 

superficial skin and then they look like 

granulation tissue. Surgical remove tends to 

stimulate the development of other sarcoids. 

Fixed weights to be carried by horses in a race 

according to age, distance, sex, and time of 

year. 

This announcement includes the most 

important facts about the competition, like the 

organising committee, the entry conditions, 

general rules and specific technical conditions. 

Sarkoide 

das Ausgleichsgewicht 

Ausschreibung 

school figures 

correct school figures are ridden with the aid of 

points along the arena marked by different 

letters 

Hufschlagfiguren 

school figures q.v. arena figures die Hufschlagfiguren 

school master, 

school/lesson horse 

a horse that you can lease for a lesson Schulpferd 

schooling Training in preparation for competition. aufwärmen/abreiten 

Schooling area 

An area in which the horses can be warmed up 

Abreiteplatz 

before a competition. 

scissors 

two- step swinging exercise; 1. vaulter moves 

from a forward seat to a reverse seat (first 

scissoring motion) 2. and returns back to 

forward seat (second scissoring motion) 

Schere 

scissors cutting the mane or the tail with it Schere 

scoop see measuring vessel der Messbecher 

Scope 

Amplitude (reach and roundness) of 

movement. 

Rahmen 

score amount of points achieved for one ride 

Video wall that enables the audience to be at 

durch einen Ritt erzielte 

Punkte 

Score boards 

close quarters, even in large and complex 

arenas 

Wertungstafel 

Score system 

At the beginning the starter has no points. In 

cross country, dressage and showjumping the 

rider can get penalty points. The rider with the 

least number of penalty points is the winner. 

Punktesystem 

scratch To be taken out of a race. gestrichen werden 

SCRATCHING 

A horse that is withdrawn (or scratched) from a 

vom Start zurückziehen 

race before the start. 

seat Area of the saddle the rider can sit on. Sitzfläche 

seat Sitz 

seat bones the bones of the buttocks 

excretion of mucus, acids,enzymes or 

Gesäßknochen 

secretion 

hormones into the gastrointestinal tract by 

special cells 

Sekretion 


secretion 

excretion of mucus, acids,enzymes or 

hormones into the gastrointestinal tract by 

special cells 

Sekretion 

sedative a drug to calm down the horse Beruhigungsmittel 

selection 

a choice of horses that fulfil specific criteria 

depending on the breed 

Selektion 

Selenium 

closely related to vitamin E as a cell membrane 

Selen 

stabiliser and protector 

Self-adherent bandage 

Can be used to anchor and protect lower layers 

Selbstklebender Verband 

Self-Carriage 

semen 

Semi membranosus 

Semitendinosis 

Senior class 

of bandages. 

State in which the horse carries itself in a 

balanced, correct and unconstrained posture, 

without taking support or balancing on the 

riders hand. 

the fluid secreted by the male reproductive 

organs and containing spermatozoa 

Part of hamstring group, well developed in race 

horses/eventers. 

Extends the hip and hock joints. Part of the 

hamstring group, well developed in eventers 

and race horses. 

Selbsthaltung 

Samen 

Musculus 

Semimembranosus 

Musculus Semitendinosus 

Standard forms for world and continental 

championships and the Olympic Games consist 

in the discipline dressage of a Grand Prix, a Seniorenklasse 

Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix freestyle test 

and in the discipline show jumping 

senior horse a horse which is six years and older Pferd sechsjährig und älter 

Seniors 

Sequence 

serpentine … loops, each 

loop to touch the long side 

of the arena 

serpentine … loops, each 

loop touch the long side of 

the arena 

serpentine divided into 

equal loops 

serpentine divided into 

equal loops 

serpentines 

A rider may compete as a Senior from the 

beginning of the calendar year in which he 

reaches the age of 18. With the express 

permission of his National Federation (NF), a 

rider may compete as a Senior in a Two Star 

competition from the beginning of the calendar 

in which he reaches the age of 16. With the 

express permission of his NF, a rider may 

compete as a Senior in a One Star competition 

from the beginning of the calendar year in 

which he reaches the age of 14. 

one obstacle behind the other is called a 

sequence if the distance between them takes 

the horse three, four, five or six strides. 

Senioren 

Sprungfolge 

serpentines begin at C (A) and end at A (C); 

you don’t ride into the corners but more on the 

circle- line before leaving the track and riding Schlangenlinien durch die 

towards the other side of the wall (= first Bahn, … Bogen 

loop); when crossing the centreline you have to 

change rising trot 

crossing the centre line in a right angle for 

different times alternately from the right and 

the left 

the loops should all have the same size 

the rider should be aware that every loop has 

got the same size and form 

schooling exercise in which the horse travels 

around the arena in a series of equal-sized 

loops, shaped like an S . Serpentines can be 

done in any pace and increase suppleness and 

control in horse and rider 


Schlangenlinie durch die 

Bahn mit … Bogen 

gleichmäßige Einteilung 

der Schlangenlinie 

gleichmäßige Einteilung 

der Schlangenlinie 

Schlangenlinien

Served mare Mare that has been covered by a stallion 

Usually a lamb's wool roll half way up the 

Gedeckte Stute 

shadow roll 

horse's face to keep him from seeing his own 

shadow. 

der Schattenschutz 

shaft Deichsel 

shaft horse wheeler in a tandem or randem. hinterstes Pferd 

shanks lever-arms fixed to bits 

Hebelarme, Anzüge der 

Kandaren 

shanks 

Long bars at either side of the bit providing 

leverage. 

these are parts of a curb bit which are located 

Anzüge 

Shanks - 

one on the left side and the second one on the 

right side. They function because of the 

leverage 

Anzüge des Curb Bits 

shavings material to provide a bed for a horse Späne 

shavings 

Wooden leftovers from the sawmill used as 

bedding. 

Späne, Schnitzel 

sheath The male horse's external sexual organ. 

A normal jump made of wood. It looks like a 

Schlauch 

sheep or cattle pen fenced area. The first jump is into the paddock 

and the second out over a fence. 

Schafkoppel 

sheep's profile looks like a head of a sheep Schafskopf 

shock mental or corporal concussion Schock 

shoe, to 

The act of fitting and securing metal shoes to 

the horse's feet, usually done by a farrier. 

beschlagen 

short back ? kurzer Rücken 

short croup ? kurze Kruppe 

Short Endurance Rides 



Kurze Distanzritte 

short hip kurze Hüfte 

It has a short femur (thigh 

bone) that reduces the 

length of quadriceps and 

thigh muscles. 

short loins ? kurze Nieren 

shorten the reins, to to correct the length of the reins Zügel nachfassen 

shorten the reins, to 

means to take the reins shorter in order to 

achieve better contact 

die Zügel nachfassen 

shorten the tail, to 

To cut off the tail with a pair of scissors when it 

den Schweif abschneiden 

is too long. 

shorten, to to make s.th.shorter kürzer schnallen 

shorten, to 

to make the distance covered in one step 

shorter 

sometimes necessary when you are in a ride 

verkürzen, aufnehmen 

shorten, to 

and you are far away from the others; when 

going large, you can shorten by not riding the 

corners as exactly as you should 

abkürzen 

short-legged 

too short legs, doesn't fit to the rest of the 

body 

kurzbeinig 

shoulder in 

Sideways movement on three tracks; The 

forehand is brought in off the track so that the 

outside hind leg creates one track, the outside 

Schulterherein 

Shoulder-in 

foreleg and the inside hindleg create the 

second track and the inside foreleg creates the 

third track. The horse is bent against the 

direction of movement. 

Schulterherein 

shovel 

a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of 

a curved container or scoop and a handle 

Schaufel 

shovel Tool for cleaning the stables . Schaufel 


SHOW 

The horse you select must come in first, 

second, or third. 

- 

show bit Western bit with decorated shanks. 

An office situated on the show ground that is 

Showkandare 

Show office 

responsible for seeing to it that the 

administrative organisation of the horse sport 

event works 

Meldestelle 

show rug Noble rugs used at horse shows. Showdecke 

Show-ground Area where a horse show takes place Veranstaltungsplatz 

Showjumping 

Showmanship at Halter 

Showmanship at Halter 

shy, to 

sickle hocked 

Showjumping is a form of competition in which 

horses are jumped over a course of fences, 

walls and other obstacles. This sport is often 

seen in the Olympics. This competitive sport 

consists of many elements. The course is prearranged; 

the event may be timed or untimed 

It is scored by a jury or panel of judges. 

competition, where the horse has to be shown 

at halter and the showman isjudged 

Showmanship at halter is an discipline where 

riding is not the most important thing. Here 

you will see a correct work on the hand. It is 

only for youth classes and amateur riders. Only 

the leader will be judged how he present his 

horse. For sure he will have a good educated 

and calm horse which will have a positiv 

influence on the whole of the evaluation. Next 

to the correct standing of the horse and the 

perfect attending of the demanded exercises 

the state of his fosterage of the horse, the 

equipment and the clothes will evaluate. 

Stallions are not admitted like in all youth 

classes. 

Where a horse jumps suddenly to one side, 

having been startled by a real or imaginary 

object. 

A conformation fault in which the horse stands 

with the hindlimbs bent more than normal at 

the hock, placing the hooves farther forward 

than ideally. 

sickle-hocked/sickle hocks sichelförmiges Sprunggelenk 

Disziplin, bei der das Pferd 

am Halfter vorgeführt und 

der Vorführer beurteilt wird 

Disziplin in der der Reiter 

bewertet, wird wie er sein 

führt, präsentiert und die 

festgelegten Aufgaben 

erledigt. 

scheuen 

säbelbeinig 

The hind legs are carried 

too far in underneath the 

body. 

sickle-shaped fassbeinig, O-Beine 

The hocks are too far 

apart. 

side rein rein connecting the -> surcingle to the bit Ausbinder 

side rein Auxiliary rein leading from the bit to the girth. Ausbinder / Ausbindezügel 

side- rein 

training reins which attach to the girth, saddle 

ring or surcingle at one end and to the bit at 

the other end. Side reins are used to help Ausbindezügel 

position the horse's head, or to prevent a horse 

from grazing while riding 

sidepull bridle without a bit gebisslose Zäumung 

Sidepull - 

It is a bridle without a bit. It is often used in 

training 

gebissloser Trainingszaum 

side-saddle Damensattel 

side-saddle 

Ancient saddle with specially formed horns so 

that ladies can sit sideways. 

Damensattel 


Silage 

grass preserved by pickling it in its own juices, 

made in silos, clamps or big bales 

Silage 

silage Fermented roughage. 

you change canter lead by first doing a direct 

die Silage 

simple change of leg transition and then striking off in the other 

counter lead 

einfacher Galoppwechsel 

simultaneous action of 

both legs 

the rider drives in the rhythm of movement 

with both legs at the same time 

beidseitiges treiben 

simultaneous action of the pressure is produced equally by both legs; used beidseitige 

legs 

to drive the horse forward 

Schenkelwirkung 

single harness just one horse is harnessed. Einspänner 

single riding lesson when only one person is taught Einzelstunde 

single vaulting 

only one vaulter shows exercises during 

competition 

Einzelvoltigieren 

Single,to 

Marking a horse for identification with a torrid 

iron 

Das Brennen 

single-driving to drive only one horse. einspännig fahren 

Sinusitis 

An inflammatory process in the respiratory 

system inside the nose. 

Nasennebenhöhlenentzünd 

ung 

sire a stallion which is licensed to cover mares Deckhengst 

SIRE STAKE 

sire, to 

Stake races designed to promote Standardbred 

breeding and racing within a state. Different 

states have different rules regulating eligibility 

to that state’s sire stakes program. Rules 

Zuchtrennen(speziell USA) 

include: a horse must be the offspring of a 

stallion standing in the state or a mare living in 

that state, owned by a resident of that state, or 

the horse was born in that state. 

the ability of genetic codes to be hereditary in 

the next generation; the transmission of genes Vererben 

sit too far back, to 

The rider in not in the right movement with the 

Hinter der Bewegung 

horse 

sit too far forward, to The rider moves before the horse Vor der Bewegung 

sitting trot 

the rider remains seated in the saddle while 

trotting 

aussitzen 

sitting trot 

while trotting, the rider remains in the saddle 

at every single step; opposite: rising trot 

aussitzen 

skeleton 

Made out of bones, some of them joined 

together. Functions not only as the support for 

the body but also for the protection of vital 

organs. 

Skelett 

skid boots 

Indispensible for those engaged in Polo and 

Polocrosse. 

Fesselkopfgamasche 

skilled rider person with more riding experience Fortgeschrittener 

skilled rider 

Skin pinch test 

skinny hood 

Slack 

rider who already is advanced in riding and 

more experienced in equitation than beginners 

The rate at which a fold of the horse's skin 

snaps back into position after it has been 

squeezed between the fingers. The skin should 

flatten back out in less than a second. This test 

can indicate dehydration. 

Helps to tame the mane and to prevent neck 

rugs and hoods rubbing the mane. 

In reference to the condition of the 

musculature of the horse`s topline/back: 

sagging, lacking muscle tone or springy 

resilience. Also: in reference to the reins: 

lacking contact. 

der geschulte / 

fortgeschrittene Reiter 

Hautfaltentest 

Deckenscheuerschutz für 

Hals 

Schlaff 


slack 

the rider´s hand is not directly in contact with 

the horse´s mouth, the reins are relaxed 

Reiten am 

durchhängenden Zügel 

slacken the girth, to Gurt lockern 

slacken the girth, to 

mostly done after dismounting; very gentle for 

the horse, because you take a lot of pressure 

off the belly 

den Sattelgurt lockern 

slacking rein 

when the reins are too long and no contact can schlackernder Zügel 

be established (faulty) 

(fehlerhaft) 

sledge vehicle for driving on snow in winter. Schlitten 

Sleepy foal disease 

This rather old-fashioned term was used to 

indicate any disease that made the foal 

lethargic withoutany other symptoms. 

A slicker protects the rider from the rain. It is 

Actinobacillus-equuliinfection 

des Fohlen 

Slicker - 

ineviable for the work on a farm, for the work 

with the cattle, work for cowboys 

Regenmantel 

sliding plates special horse-shoes to support the sliding stop spezieller Sliding-Beschlag 

Sliding Plates - 

These are special shoes which are used for the 

reining horses. With these shoes it is easier for 

the reining-horse to stop , to make a sliding 

stop. The condition makes it possible to slide 

more than with normal shoes. 

spezielle Hufeisen 

sliding stop 

the horse stops out of full speed, sliding on its 

hindlegs 

gleitender Stop auf der 

Hinterhand 

sling boots See Pro-Sport boots, Sport Medicine Boot. geschlossene Gamasche 

Slippery Elm 

this plant has large leaves; it heals damaged 

mucosal lining and it helps against colic 

Rotulme 

sloping croup croup going downwards at the tail abfallende Kruppe 

sloping pastern schräge Fessel 

Is one that is lower than 

50 degrees. 

sloping wall 

the wall which is at the edge of the arena; 

serves as margin for the arena 

Bande 

slotted rings Bit rings with various slots for the reins. Ringe mit Zügelschlitzen 

Small circle q.v. Volte Volte (German) 

Small circle q.v. Volte Kleine Tour (Aut) 

small of the back the lower part of the back Kreuz (Reiter) 

smooth change of flexion 

and bend from circle to 

circle 

when the rider doesn’t fall forward during the 

weiches Umstellen und 

Umbiegen beim Wechsel 

zwischen zwei gebogenen 

Linien 

smooth transition 

transition but feels like getting stronger 

weicher Übergang 

/deeper into the saddle, it has been a good and 

smooth transition 

snaffle a simple usually jointed bit for the bridle Trense 

snaffle (bit) Simple two-piece bit for all-purpose riding. 

Trensengebiß / einfach 

gebrochen 

snaffle bit broken bit without shanks Wassertrense 

Snaffle Bit - 

It is a kind of bit which is used especially for 

beginners. It is softer than a curt bit. 

Wassertrense 

snaffle rein 

See also rein; Different sorts of line leading 

from the bit rings to the hand of the 

rider. 

Trensenzügel 

snaffle rings 

See also bit rings; Rings on both sides of the 

bit. 

Trensenringe 

snaffle with cheeks 

Bit with two bars at either side of the horse's 

muzzle. 

Knebeltrense 

snake neck neck looks like that of a snake Schlangenhals 

snap 

Hook to clip things quickly on to an other 

object. 

Haken 


snip A white marking between nostrils Schnippe 

Society of breeders 

Federation that administrates every aspect that 

Zuchtverband 

deals with horse breeding 

sock white extending up to the fetlocks Socke 

Sodium 

like potassium, it is important in regulating the 

Natrium 

body fluid 

solid fence 

Jumps for an eventing course. They consist of 

earth, grass, wood, stones and ditches. 

Naturhindernis 

soluble Able to be dissolved. löslich 

Sore shins 

Young horses that are put into fast work before 

their bones are structurally mature may 

develop pain on the front of the cannon bone. 

Schienbein-Periostitis 

sorrel a red horse 

This is a term used if the horse is free from 

Fuchs 

Sound 

lameness or injury. The veterinarian 

commission checks it during eventing 

competitions. 

gesund/fehlerfrei 

sow mouth opposite of parrot mouth 

soya bean; a type or bean, originally from asia, 

Hechtgebiss 

soy bean 

used as a substitute for animal protein in 

certain foods 

Sojabohne 

Soya bean meal 

by-product of soya oil production, contains 

many essential amino acids 

Sojabohnenmehl 

Soya oil 

a pale yellow drying or semidrying oil, coat 

conditioner, source of fat for extra energy 

Sojaöl 

Soyabeans a hairy annual Asian legume, protein source Sojabohnen 

Spasmodic (colic) 

Abdominal pain caused by abnormal gut 

motility. 

Krampfkolik 

Spasmodic colic pain appears at intervals 

The horse suffers from very painful 

krampfartige Kolik 

spasmodic colic 

contractions. The veterinarians always help 

with antispasmodic injections. Horses respond 

very well to this treatment. 

Krampfkolik 

Species Gattung 

Speed 

1. The act or state of moving swiftly. 2. Rate of 

Tempo 

motion. 

Speed 

Rate of movement. The possibility to do 

something as quickly as possible. 

Schnelligkeit 

spelt grain of the wheat plant Dinkel 

spent grains 

the grain residue left after the malting process 

in the brewing industry 

Biertreber 

spermatozoon (-zoa, pl.) the male reproductive cell found in semen Spermie 

spine Rückgrat 

spiral in 

means to minimise the circle more and more 

until it’s almost a volte (or even a large 

pirouette) opposite: spiral out 

means to enlarge the circle- line more and 

Zirkel verkleinern 

spiral out 

more (mostly done after spiral in) opposite: 

spiral in 

Zirkel vergrößern 

splashed 

splay footed see: 

toes-out 

asymmetric white spots in the coat Schecke 

splay footed/ toe out 

Conformation fault in which the hooves are 

turned away from each other. 

zehenweit (Vorderbeine) 

spleen 

organ which is able to store blood, part of the 


Milz 

spleen 

organ which is able to store blood, part of the 


Milz 


spleen 

Splenius 

Splint 

splint 

splint bones 

Largest lymphoid organ of the body. The fluid 

in it is blood instead of lymph. The function of 

the spleen is poduction of lymphocytes and 

filtration. The spleen is a very important 

reservoir of red blood cells. 

Muscle which turns and extends the neck. 

Makes up the top line if well developed. 

Each horseleg has two splint bones, one on 

either side of the cannon bone. However, when 

we talk about splints we are referring to an 

area of new bone that forms on the ligament 

holding the splint bone against the cannon 

bone. 

Milz 

Musculus Splenius 

Swellings on the inside of the fore cannons. 

Splints result from inflammation and reaction 

Überbein 

of the periosteal tissue covering the small splint 

bones. 

The smaller second and fourth metacarpals. 

They are positioned medially and laterally, 

toward the palmar side of the third metacarpal. 

They are rudimental and inoperable. 

Überbein (Griffelbein) 

Griffelbeine 

split reins 

Pair of heavy thick reins which are not buckled 

and thus closed. 

it is for cooling and washing the place where 

geteilte Zügel, Split Reins 

sponge 

the saddle lies and for cleaning the nostrils, the Schwamm 

eyes and the genitals 

sponge 

Used to clean the horses eyes, nostrils and 

anus with water. 

Schwamm 

Sponge, Sponges 

They are used for cooling a horse along the 

trail and in vet checks. 

Schwamm, Schwämme 

sponge, to 

Cleaning the horse with sponge and water after 

abwaschen, abschwammen 

hard work. 

Sports Medicine Boot See Pro-sport boots, sling boots. 

Tendons are fibrous structures that are 

attached at one end to a muscle and at the 

geschlossene Gamasche 

Sprained tendons 

other end to a bone. Because they are so long 

at the horselegs, they can be damaged easily. 

This causes: hot, painfull, swollen, 

inflammatory tendons. 

An obstacle that combines width and height, 

Bänderzerrung 

Spread 

requiring the horse to jump horizontally as well Hoch-Weitsprung 

as vertically. 

spread jump 

A jump with more than two stands on each side 

and the poles from the back stand are higher 

than the first ones. There are two jumps close 

to each other (one behind the other). They can 

be up to 160 cm high and 200 cm deep. Some 

examples are the ascending jump, oxer, triple 

barre and the fran shaped jump. 

Hochweitsprung 

spring chip 

A safty-hook which can be opened quickly in 

case the horse panicks. 

Karabinerhaken 

sprint race 

A race run at less than a mile, generally with 

only one turn. 

das Sprintrennen 

spurs you use spurs to support your leg aids 

Small metal devices worn on the rider's boot to 

help enforce the leg aids. Come in a range of 

Sporen 

Spurs 

severety, from very mild blunt spurs to severe 

roweled models. Spurs capable of wounding 

the horse are forbidden at eventing 

competitions. 

Sporen 

spurs 

a metal device secured to the rider`s boots and 

Sporen 

moved against a horse`s flank 


Spurs - 

part of a rider's equipment. They are fixed to 

the boots and support the rider's leg aids 

Sporen 

Spurt Short and sudden increase of speed. Spurt 

sqared numnah See floded numnah or saddle cloth. Schabracke 

Square Oxer 

looks like an Oxer, but the upper poles are all 

of the same height and the substructure of the 

obstacle is identical, too. This makes it possible 

to jump the square oxer from both sides. 

Carree- Oxer 

squeeze the reins, to 

to move the reins with the fingers carefully; 

also called sponging 

Blood circulation is the movement of blood 

Am Zügel spielen 

Stabilization of blood 

circulation 

through blood vessels. In case of a shock the 

Stabilisierung des 

blood flow is low By means of leading a horse, 

Kreislaufs 

offering water to the horse and also cooling can 

support the blood-circulation. 

stable bandage See wool bandage. Stallbandage 

Stable bandages 

Support limb when used over a thick padding 

layer or for anchoring temporary dressings. 

Stallbandagen 

stable halter See headcollar, headstall or halter. Stallhalfter 

Stable plaque A prize given for placements Stallplakette 

stable-rug 

covering sheet placed over a horse if it is too 

cold 

Stalldecke 

stable-rug Blanket for horses in stable. Stalldecke 

stag neck neck that appears to be put on upside down Hirschhals 

stage of training says how much riding experience a person has Ausbildungsstand 

stagger 

Staircase 

stake 

STAKE RACE 

stallion 

Stallion licensing 

If the horse is very weak and about to break 

down but somehow manages to remain 

standing, moving his feet in an uncontrolled 

way 

is a vertical, about 35 inches high elevation, 

which can be built of several levels. The horse 

has to get over it like for an in and out 

combination. The obstacle looks like an 

ordinary staircase of larger stairs where the 

horse has to land on and to jump from. The 

staicase can be ridden as an up jump as well as 

a down jump. 

A race for which an owner must pay an entry 

fee to run his horse. The fees can be for 

nominating, maintaining eligibility, entering 

and starting, and are generally added to the 

amount put up by the track to make up the 

total purse. 

A race where owners make a series of 

payments, starting well in advance, to keep a 

horse eligible. If an owner misses a payment to 

a stakes race, the horse becomes ineligible. 

an uncastrated male horse; a male horse 

capable of reproduction 

Test for stallions where they need to fulfil 

certain criteria in order to get a license for 

mating 

taumeln 

Treppe 

Zuchtrennen 

Hengst 

Hengstkörung 

stallion licensing breeding show where stallions will be selected Körung 

stallion performance test 

a test which licensed stallions have to complete 

for getting their breeding permission; about 30 Hengstleistungsprüfung 

or 70 days 

stallion sales a market where stallions are sold Hengstmarkt 


Stance phase 

stand 

Standards 

standing under behind unterständig 

standing-under 

The period of a gait when the foot is in contact 

with the ground. 

standing in the deepest part of the horse`s 

back 

The various types of supports which hold up 

the rails and or planks of each jump. 

A conformation fault in which the cannon bone 

is not perpendicular to the ground, but angled 

before the hock. 

star A white marking above or between the eyes Stern 

starch 

starch 

start at a trot, to 

Start Order 

start sign 

STARTER 

Starting fee 

polysaccharid made up of amylose and 

amylopectin, major storage reserve 

carbohydrate of plants 

polysaccharid made up of amylose and 

amylopectin, major storage reserve 

carbohydrate of plants 

it’s an upward transition from walk to trot; the 

rider has to give forwards driving leg aids for 

starting to trot 

also: Jump Order, Order of Go; The Order of 

Go is determined in a drawing before the event 

so that each has an equal chance of attaining a 

favorable position. 

In addition to the red and white boundary flags 

the starting line of each phase is also marked 

by distinct signs. The finish of phase B will also 

be marked as the start of phase C. 

The person responsible for starting a harness 

race. The starter controls the start of the race 

from the back of the mobile vehicle. 

A fee that has to be paid for the participation in 

one or more classes at a horse show 

Stützbeinphase 

Stand, freies Stehen 

vorwärts 

Hindernissteher 

The hind limb is placed too 

far forward. 

unterständig 

Stärke 

Stärke 

antraben 

Startliste 

Startmarkierung 

Startrichter 

Startgebühr 

starting gate 

Mechanical device with stalls for horses to 

stand in until the starter releases the doors in 

front to begin the race. 

die Startboxen 

Starting order Order of participation Startreihenfolge 

Starting Order/Cross 

Country 

Starting Order/Dressage 

Starting Order/Jumping 

Test 

The sequence of competitors starting at the 

cross country course is drawn. 


dressage test is drawn. 


jumping test must follow the reverse order of 

classification at the end of the cross country 

test. The lowest placed competitor will start 

first. 

starve, to if the horse doesn't get enough to eat it starves hungern 

Startreihenfolge/Geländest 

recke 

Startreihenfolge/Dressur 

Startreihenfolge/Springen 

state stud 

in Germany a state-run breeding-institution 

where stallions are kept; mostly combined with Landgestüt 

stud farms; see also "Hauptgestüt" 

static movement 

movement which should show no change of 

position referring to the horse 

statische Bewegung 

stay away, to 

be careful that the horses don't bite or kick 

each other 

Abstand halten 

steady grip 

Strap fixed at the pommel for riding beginners 

or scared riders to hold on to. 

Angstriemen 

Steeplechase 

A horserace across open country or over an 

obstacle course. 

Hindernisrennbahn 

Steeplechase fences A race track with hurdles and obstacles Rennbahnhindernisse 


steering to give the horses the right direction. steuern, lenken 

step movements of the feet in walk Schritt 

sterile pads 

Pads that help to bandage wounds without 

more dirt 

Overlay on a wound to avoid further 

Sterile Reinigungskisses 

Sterile site of wound contamination with foreign bodies, and secured Sterile Wundauflage 

with dressings. 

Sterility A permanent inability to reproduce Unfruchtbar /Steril 

Sterilization (=Asepsis) 

Stethoscope 

Steward 

stewards 

stick 

Destruction of all micro-organism in a specific 

setting in order to achieve sterility (=asepsis) 

A piece of equipment to monitor a horse's heart 

rate and its rhythm and to assess the activity 

of the intestines by listening to intestinal 

noises. 

An Official that has to care about the 

compliance with the official international 

regulations . For instance in the field of the 

stabling of horses and any irregular behaviour 

of persons who are accredited to the closed 

area at an international horsesport event 

The top officials of a race meet who are 

responsible for enforcing the rules of racing. 

Usually a stick is made of bamboo and is from 

49 to 52 inches long, depending on the heigth 

of the polo pony. 

Sterilisation 

Stethoskop 

Steward 

die Schiedsrichter 

der Schläger 

stick 

See also cane, whip, bat, crop; Artificial aid by 

which the rider may emphasize and back up 


encourage reluctant or 


to punish. 

Gerte 

stickers 

Calks on shoes which give a horse better 

traction in mud or on soft tracks. 

die Stollen 

You need it to fix the dressings or the 

sticking plaster, elastoplast 

bandages. 

Leukoplast 

Sticky 

Reluctance to lift the feet off the ground. 

Earthbound. 

Am Boden kleben 

stiff opposite of supple 

Inability to flex the joints or stretch the 

steif, starr 

Stiff/Stiffness 

musculature to the degree and in the way 

required to perform the task at hand. 

steif/Steifheit 

stifle 

The joint above the hock. Equivalent of the 

human knee. 

Knie 

Stillborn Fetal death after day 300 Fehlgeburt 

Stimulate thirst 

When the horse does not drink enough you 

have to stimulate his thirst 

Durst erzeugen 

sting The horse was stung by a bee or wasp Stich(Biene/Wepse) 

Stirrup - 

These are parts of the saddle. The riders put 

their feet in the spurs and his legs are fixed. 

Steigbügel 

stirrup leather Leather strap to fix the stirrup onto the saddle. Steigbügelriemen 

stirrup treads 

See also stirrup-insole; Piece of rubber fixed at 

the inside of the stirrups so the rider's feet 

can't slip out easily. 

Steigbügeleinlage 

stirrup, stirrup-iron 

A metal bow the rider rests his feet on, also 

used to get on the horse. 

Steigbügel 

stirrup-insole See stirrup treads. Bügeleinlage 

stirrup-iron 

a pair of D-shaped metal frames in which a 

rider`s foot is placed 

Steigbügel 

stirrup-leather the strap suspending a stirrup Steigbügelriemen 


Stock Saddle - 

Cowboy- oder 

This is the name of the typical western saddles. 

Westernsattel 

stocking white extending up to the cannon weiß bis zum Röhrbein 

stocky, thick-set ? gedrungen 

stomach 

stores the food while enzymes and acids are 

Magen 

stomach 

Stop watch 

splitting proteins into amino acids 

stores the food while enzymes and acids are 

splitting proteins into amino acids 

A watch with a hand and analog or a digital 

display that can be started and stopped at will 

for exact timing (as in a race). When you ride 

an eventing competition you can divide your 

speed to see whether you are well in time. 

Magen 

Stopuhr 

stop, to the horse stands still halten 

straddled leg your leg is not pointing to the horse's body. weggestreckter Schenkel 

straight back ? gerader Rücken 

straight croup croup straight like a line gerade Kruppe 

straight hind leg gerades Hinterbein 

straight pastern gerade Fessel 

The femur and tibia have 

very little angulation. 

It is higher than 60 

degrees to the ground in 

an adult horse. 

straighten the shoulder die Schulter zurücknehmen 

straighten the shoulders, 

to 

to put the shoulders back Schultern zurücknehmen 

straighten, to to elongate sich aufrichten 

straighten, to to lenghten your back 

a horse is straightened when the hindlegs point 

sich aufrichten 

straightened horse 

directly towards the forelegs without any 

gerade gerichtetes Pferd 

crookedness in the horse's body opposite: bent 

horse / crooked horse 

The hind legs follow the same path and step in 

Straightness 

the same direction as the forelegs. The spine is 

Geraderichtung 

straight on straight tracks and bent evenly in 

curves, circles or sideways. 

strained tendon, pulled 

tendon 

Strangles 

strangles 

The strain overload from weight bearing and 

exercise experienced by the flexor tendons can 

result in tendinitis or sprained tendon. 

Extremly infectious disease caused by a 

bacterium streptococcus equi. The bacteria 

become trapped in the lymph nodes around the 

horse´s jaw and throat. The glands swell 

tremendously in size as large abscesses form. 

highly contagious disease caused by the 

bacteria Streptococcus equi and affecting the 

horse's lymph nodes; symptoms: high fever, 

depression, lack of appetite, thick nasal 

discharge, swollen lymph nodes with 

abscesses. Occasionally, abscesses spread to 

other parts of the body. This is known as 

"bastard strangles" (usually fatal) 

Sehnenzerrung 

Druse 

Druse 

straps flat strips of leather to hold the girth Strippen 

straps Thin leather pieces with holes for buckles. Strippen 

Straw a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass Stroh 

straw 

the stalk of grains; plurally stalks when cut and 

dried, certain types of straw, mostly used for 

bedding 

Stroh 


straw 

stalks of grain after trashing to provide a bed 

for a horse 

Stroh 

strech rug 

All-over rug to prevent attacks from flies; 

especially for horses with sweet itch. 

The same reaction of the organism to dramatic 

Exzemerdecke 

stress 

changes, for example because of appearance of Stress 

enemies or cold snap. 

stretch 

Final straight portion of the racetrack to the 

finish. 

die Zielgerade 

stretch runner Horse who finishes fast in the stretch. 

stretch turn Bend of track into homestretch. die Zielkurve 

Stride 

Cycle of movements that is completed when 

the horses legs regain their initial positions. 

Schritt/Tritt/Sprung 

stride movements of the feet in gallop Galoppsprung 

stride off on off fore/near 

fore, to 

to start the motion of canter on off fore or on 

near fore 

angaloppieren rechts/links 

strike off at canter, to to change the gait to canter angaloppieren 

strike off from the halt, to start to canter from the halt. 

aus dem Halten 

angaloppieren 

strike off on near fore, to strike off at the right hand canter 

Condition in which the horse involuntarily 

im Handgalopp 

angaloppieren 

stringhalt 

hyperflexes the hock as it walks; the cause is 

unknown 

Hahnentritt 

stripe narrow white stripe down the face schmale Blesse 

strung up loins ? stramme Nieren 

stud a farm or similar place where horses are bred Gestüt 

stud farm 

in Germany a state-run breeding-institution 

where mares are kept; mostly combined with 

state studs; see also "Landgestüt" 

Hauptgestüt 

Stud-book 

book in which all needed data about all 

breeding horses are recorded 

Zuchtbuch 

stud-book, registry 

an official registration of the pedigree of 

purebred horses 

Stutbuch 

stuff the hay-net, to 

to divide into lots what you need per day, 

apportion in fixed amounts 

rationieren 

stuff the hay-net, to See fill the hay-net, to. das Heunetz füllen 

Subfertility 

Inability to reproduce at full potential, may be 

temporary or permanent 

Unfähigkeit die volle 

Zuchtleistung zu erbringen 

subtle transition a soft and fluent transition geschmeidiger Übergang 

suckling 

sugar 

Sugar beet 

Sugar beet pulp 

sugar beet pulp 

suitability for breeding 

sulky 

the action when a foal is drinking the milk from 

saugen 

its dam´s udder 

a sweet substance, often in the form of white 

or brown crystals, which is obtained from the der Zucker 

juices of various plants 

root vegetable, can be dried, shredded or 

Zuckerrübe 

pelleted 

soft mass from which most of the water has 

been extracted by pressure, high digestible Zuckerrübenmasse 

fibre 

the vegetable portion of the sugar beet that 

remains after the sugar is removed in the Rübennaßschnitzel 

processing plant 

includes the physical soundness of the genital 

Zuchttauglichkeit 

tract; the horse is able to reproduct 

The special, two-wheeled cart used for trotting 

der Sulky / der 

races. It is very light so that the trotter is not 

Traberkarren 

to much encumbered. 


SULKY 

sulky 

summer coat 

Also known as the cart or racebike, the sulky is 

attached to the harness and carries the driver 

and which the horse pulls. 

a low single-seated vehicle which is built of 

tubular steele with two pneumatic-tired 

wheels; used for trotting races. 

Thin coat horses get in spring after losing their 

winter coat. 

Sulky 

zweirädriger Wagen für 

Trabrennen 

Sommerfell 

Summer eczema Itching rash. Most common in Iceland horses. Sommerekzem 

summer sheet Light rug, also used on transport. Sommerdecke 

Sunflower seeds conditioning feed for hard-working horses Sonnenblumensamen 

sunken in loins loins gone back into the body gesenkte Nieren 

Super Horse 

Superficial digital flexor 

tendon 

superficial digital flexor 

tendon 

Superficial gluteal 

competition competition with elements from 

other competitions like Pleasure, Trail, Reining 

and Western Riding (only EWU) 

Flexes the joints of the lower leg, prevents 

fetlock from over extending & helps with 

weight bearing. Passes down the back of the 

cannon bone covering the DDFT, enclosing it at 

the fetlock joint forming Annular ligament. 

Flexes the joints of the lower leg, prevents 

fetlock from over extending and helps with 

weight bearing. 

Muscles which flex and extend the hip, pull 

hind leg toward the body Used for rearing, 

galloping and kicking. More developed in 

dressage horses. 

Turnierdisziplin, die es nur 

bei der EWU gibt 

Oberflächliche Beugesehne 

oberflächliche Beugesehne 

oberflächliche 

Glutäenmuskulatur 

(Gesäßmuskulatur) 

supple elastic, opposite of stiff weich, elastisch 

supple, to 

supplementary ration 

supplementation 

Suppleness 

especially done before competitions; means to 

do the suppling phase and certain exercises in 

order to prepare the horse for the following 

competition 

the ration a horse gets added to the daily 

ration 

adding a thing to sth else to improve or 

complete it 

abreiten 

zusätzliche Ration 

Ergänzung 

Pliability; showing ability to smoothly adjust 

the carriage (longitudinally) and the position or 

Geschmeidigkeit 

bend (laterally), without impairment of the flow 

of movement, or of the balance. 

Support Bandage 

Used to reduce pressure of a joint or limb and 

to control swelling. To prevent swelling, the 

bandage is being extended to include the lower 

Unterstützender Verband 

part of the limb. The support bandage can also 

be applied to the unaffected limb in order to 

reduce strain. 

supporting kind of aids to retrict the horse verwahrend 

supporting 

the aid is easily connected and gives no 

impulsion 

verwahrend 

surcingle 

See roller; Girth needed to lunge a horse to fix 

the auxiliary rein. 

Longiergurt 

surcingle See roller; Girth to fix the rug. Deckengurt 

surcingle 

Additional girth to fix the saddle in eventing, 

Polo, Horse Ball etc. 

Übergurt 

surcingle = vaulting surcingle Voltigiergurt 

surcingle pad pad under the surcingle to protect the withers Gurtunterlage 

Suspension 

The moment or phase of the trot or canter in 

which the horse has no feet on the ground. 


Schwebephase

swabbing 

swallow, to 

swan neck 

a quick and efficient method of assessing the 

presence of bacterial contamination within the 

reproductive tracts of both mare and stallion 

to cause or allow esp food or drink to go down 

the throat 

has a very long neck, usually with excessive 

bend similar to a swan 

Tupferprobe nehmen 

schlucken 

Schwanenhals 

swaying hindquarters q.v. Escaping hind quarters ausweichende Hinterhand 

swaying movements 

the horse doesn´t go straight. It´s not 

balanced. 

schwankende Bewegungen 

sweat flap 

Piece of the saddle, made of leather, laying 

under the girth straps. 

Schweißblatt 

sweat rug 

See also cooler, net cooler or net rug; A 

Abschwitzdecke, 

blanket you put on a horse after work to help it 

Fliegendecke 

to sweat out. 

a metal which you can bend so that you can 

sweat scraper 

pull down the sweat from riding and the water 

Schweißmesser 

after washing the horse so that the horse dries 

faster 

sweat scraper 

Tool to get water and sweat out of the horse's 

coat. 

Schweißmesser 

sweat-rug 

covering sheet placed over a horse that is 

cooling off after a good sweat 

Abschwitzdecke 

sweep, to to clean the ground with a broom fegen 

sweep, to To clean the stable with a broom. fegen, kehren 

Sweet Iron - 

Sweet itch 

Swing 

swinging exercise 

swingle trees 

There are bits which consist of metal and 

others which are made of iron or a part in the 

bit is made of iron. It tastes good and the 

horse will be animated to champ on his bit. 

This will have an effect on its head position 

Allergic disease. The horse becomes 

hypersensitive to the saliva injected into the 

skin by the Culicoides biting midges. The 

horses rub the bitten areas, usually mane and 

tail. 

An uninterrupted sequence of rein backs 

followed by forward steps in walk; repeated 

several times. 

point of gravity referring to the horse is in 

motion during this kind of exercise 

swinging system of lead and main bars behind 

the hindquarters of the horses to connect them 

einfaches Eisen, das nicht 

rostfrei ist und einen für 

Pferde angenehmen 

Geschmack hat 

Juckende Dermatitis, 

allergische Reaktion auf 

Gnitze 

Schaukel 

dynamische Übung 

"schwingende Äste" 

switch a flexible short whip for the rider Gerte 

swivel iron 

Special stirrups with joints to encourage the 

rider to relax his ankles. 

Steigbügel mit schräger 

Trittfläche 

Synchronization of oestrus 

Manipulating the timing of oestrus- mainly to 

ease mare management 

Rossesynchronisation 

synthesis 

the chemical production of a substance in 

plants and animals 

Synthese 

systemic circulation 

It carries blood that has returned from the 

lungs to all areas of the body. 

Körperkreislauf 

systole 

Refers to contractions of a heart chamber in 

the process of emptying. 

is a solid natural obstacle which looks like an 

Systole 

Table 

ordinary table, but much higher and broader in Tisch 

dimension. 


table 

A jump made of wood, mostly a stack of logs. 

It looks like a table. The horse can not jump 

over the table, it has to jump on top of the 

table and down on the other side. 

Der Tisch 

tack See saddlery. Sattelzeug 

tack room 

Warm and dry place to keep all the horses' 

equipment. 

Sattelkammer 

tail 

long hair to shoo away flies and other insects 

by beating 

Schweif 

tail bag 

Bag show horse owners use to save the horse’s 

Schweiftasche 

tail from dirt, chafing etc. 

tail bandage Bandage used as a tail guard. Schweifbandage 

tail flap Piece of rug covering the tail. Schweiflatz 

tail guard 

Cover put over the tail to prevent it from 

getting chafed by the horse. 

Schweifschoner 

tail shot 

Hitting the ball behind and across the horse's 

rump. 

tail strap See crupper. Schweifriemen 

tail wrap See tail guard. Schweifschoner 

tail-brush brushing the tail to clean it and to tidy it up Schweifbürste 

tail-spray a grooming means for the tail and the mane Schweifspray 

take a wide turn, to make a really big turn im weiten Bogen wenden 

Take off Pole 

shows the horse where to start its jump. This 

pole is put at a distance of 2.20 metres in front 

of the obstacle. It helps the horse to find the 

correct point for the taking off. 

Absprungstange 

take off the bridle, to 

The contrary of "to bridle"; taking off the bridle 

abzäumen 

after work. 

take off the bridle, to abtrensen 

take the bridle off, to 

means to remove the bridle from the horse’s 

head after riding 

abzäumen 

take the reins, to 

the rider closes the hand more than normal or 

turns the wrist 

Zügel annehmen 

take up the reins, to 

to establish a contact between rider's hand and 

Zügel aufnehmen 

horse's mouth 

means to shorten the reins in order to get 

take up the reins, to contact between your hands and the horse’s 

mouth 

die Zügel aufnehmen 

take up the reins, to to shorten the reins Zügel aufnehmen 

take vigorious action synonym for forceful energisch 

take-off 

this is the phase when the horse jumps away 

from the base. 

Absprung 

Take-off point 

The optimum point before an obstacle for a 

horse to jump. 

Absprungpunkt 

tandem 

two horses in a line; breast collar on the leader Zweier-Zug, Zweierand 

neck collar on the wheeler. 

Gespann 

Tansy 

this herb has finely divided leaves; the oil of 

the leaves repel insects 

Rainfarn 

tape fastening Way of fixing two pieces of cloth together. Klettverschluss 

Tape measure Abdominal girth Bandmaß 

Tapeworms 

not proved if tapeworms cause any clinical 

problems or not 

Bandwürmer 

Tapeworms 

Parasite in the intestine of the horse. They can 

cause colic. 

Bandwurm 

tapeworms 

These parasites usually surround the iliocaecal 

valve. Their heads have suckers. They can 

grow to about 8cm long and 2cm thick. They 

belong to the group of flatworms. 

Bandwürmer 


TD (Technical delegate) 

In accordance with the national eventing rules 

every event must have a technical delegate. 

A.T.D. is appointed by the Equestrian 

Federation of your country as its official 

representative at each official event. 

Technischer Delegierter 

team Each team consists of four players. die Mannschaft 

Team Competition Test 

A competition where the team results count for 

Mannschaftsprüfung 

the final placement 

team harness 

more than two horses are harnessed together 

in different variations. 

competition in which a group of three riders 

Gruppenanspannung 

Team Penning 

has to separate 3 cows from their herd and 

bring them into a small corral 


Team Penning 

A team of three riders has to separate cattle 

from a herd and round them up in a corral in 

2.5 minutes. The team which is fastest will win. 

Die Arbeit mit den Rindern, 

jedoch in einem Team von 

3 Reitern. 

team vaulting = group vaulting 

Use of a stallion to encourage a mare to 

Gruppenvoltigieren 

Teasing 

demonstrate oestrus behaviour under 

controlled conditions 

this procedure is also known as “trying”; the 

Abprobieren 

teasing 

object is to see whether the mare is in oestrus 

and ready to accept the stallion 

a very strong, well built barrier which is high 

Abprobieren 

teasing board 

and long enough to prevent the mare from 

striking out and/ or kicking the teaser 

Probierstand 

Technical Delegate 

Person required to approve all the 

administrative arrangements for an event from 

the time of the appointment until the end of 

the event, Has to take care that the 

accomodation for competitors and grooms, the 

stabling and the feed for the horses and the 

training area are suitable in all respects 

Technischer Delegierter 

teitch 

Mechanical tool to calm the horse by twisting 

its upper lip. 

Nasenbremse 

teller See mutuel clerk. der Wettenannehmer 

Temperament 

temperature 

Tempi changes 

Tempo 

tendinitis, tendonitis 

tendon 

The temperament of an eventing horse should 

be even-tempered, motivated and militant. 

A scalar physical value for body heat. The unit 

can be Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F). The 

temperature of horses varies from 37.2°- 

38.1°C or 99.0°-100.6°F. 

More than one flying changes put together to 

form a movement. (two time tempi changes is 

a change of leg every second canter stride) 

Rate of repetition of the rhythm. Faster tempo 

is more strides or beats per minute. (Not 

necessarily correlated with length of stride or 

miles per hour) 

inflammation of a tendon or tendon muscle 

attachment 

A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective 

tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendons 

function primarily to facilitate movement. They 

are similar to ligaments except that ligaments 

join one bone to another. 

Temperament 

Temperatur 

Changements 

Tempo 

Sehnenentzündung 

Sehne 

tendon rupture breaking of a tendon caused by overstraining Sehnenriss 


Tenosynovitis inflammation of a tendon and its sheath 

Terraced- Jump 

terret 

testicle, testis 

is constructed like the Staircase but it has got 

only one level, which means that there is only 

one up and down jump. 

rings through which the reins go; they help to 

hold them separate and not to get tangled up. 

either of a pair of male sex glands contained 

within the scrotum, they secrete spermatozoa 

and testosterone 

Sehnenscheidenentzündun 

g 

Terrassensprung 

Leinenangel, 

Leinenschlüssel 

(Ringvorrichtungen) 

Hoden 

testosterone male sex hormone by the tests Testosteron 

Tetanus 

A bacterium that produces a deadly toxin. It 

comes into the body through wounds. Causes 

muscle spasms 

Tetanus 

tetanus 

Illness of the nervous system caused by 

bacteria that come into the body through open 

wounds and cuts. Later they expel toxines that 

Tetanus 

move into the brain. There they damage 

important parts of the brain which leads to 

paralyses of the muscles. 

tetanus booster 

Important to avoid infections with Tetanus 

when the horse is wounded 

Tetanus Impfung 

tetanus shot Impfung gegen Tetanus 

tether a rope by which a horse is fastenend or led Führstrick 

the whole ride 

what ever the next instruction is, everyone 

should do it 

Reitkommando: 

‘Abteilung…’ 

thick neck very thick Speckhals 

thin neck neck looks like a long piece of wood 

The referee sitting at the sidelines. If and when 

Bretthals 

third man 

the two umpires on the field are in 

disagreement, the third man makes the final 

decision. 

der Seitenrichter 

thirteen-in-hand driving with 13 horses harnessed. 13er-Zug 

thorough grooming 

To groom a horse very carefully, for example 

gründlich putzen 

thoroughbred 

Thoroughbred 

Three day event with 

steeplechase 

Three day event without 

steeplechase 

for competition or show. 

e.g. racing horses that are characterized 

through their light conformation and highspirited 

temper 

Vollblut 

The Thoroughbred is a horse breed developed 

in the 18th century in England when English 

mares were bred by imported Arabian stallions 

to create a distance racer. "thoroughbred" is an 

Vollblut 

adjective that describes full blooded 

descendants of a particular breed. Some 

consider the proper name of this particular 

breed to be the "English running horse". 

This event consists of dressage, cross country 

(with roads and tracks and steeplechase) and 

showjumping. 

This event, which is the new Olympic format, 

consists of dressage, cross country (no roads 

and tracks and steeplechase) and two rounds 

of showjumping. 

Three star Also known as advanced level. 3 Sterne 

Drei-Tages-Turnier mit 

Hindernisrennbahn 

Thrifty 

Describes a horse that is easy to keep, which 

maintains good condition of small rations. Also 

called a good-doer. 

sparsam 

throat lash 

leather strap of the bridle which goes under the 

Kehlriemen 

throat. 

throat-lash 

Strap surrounding the throat from one ear to 

the other. 

Kehlriemen 

throat-latch Kehlriemen 


Drei-Tages-Turnier ohne 

Hindernisrennbahn

Throughness 

throw in 

throw the rider, to 

throw the rider, to 

Thrush 

thrush 

Thuja 

Thyme 

tick infestation 

tied-in below the knee ? 

Also: (stepping) Through, (stepping) Through 

the Neck/Bridle, Through Lettingness; The 

supple, stretched, and unblocked state of the 

horse`s musculature. See also: Connection 

A chukker begins and many plays resume with 

the umpires bowling the ball between the two 

ready teams. 

when the rider dismounts unwillingly; mostly 

because the horse is bucking, rearing or shying 

happens when the rider doesn’t smoothly join 

the rhythm or when the horse has got a very 

uncomfortable trot 


der Einwurf 

den Reiter abwerfen 

aus dem Sattel heben 

Infection of the hoofhorn and frog. Horn matrix 

becomes softened by moisture, often 

aggravated by ammonia compounds in wet 

Strahlfäule 

bedding. Bacterial infection invades and softens 

horn, this produces a foul-smelling black 

substance. 

degenerative condition of the frog of the foot, 

characterized by infection and blackening of the 

Strahlfäule 

affected area; usually occurs in horses housed 

under unsanitary conditions 

thess evergreen shrubs and trees are part of 

the cypress family; they are used for wart 

treatments and repel insects and parasites 

Lebensbaum 

this Eurasian mint has small aromatic leaves; 

the burned leaves help against throat infections Thymian 

Horses are exposed to a number of species of 

ticks, according to the geographic area. A 

direct effect can be observed to the skin 

damage, irritation and pain (tick preferentially 

bite areas where the skin is thin) or the 

secretion of neurotoxic products. Ticks are also 

Zeckenbefall 

important in horses because they favour the 

development of bacterial infections. Bites from 

adult ticks occur more commonly at the base of 

the ears, the anal and the genital area and the 

fetlocks. They are characterized by papules and 

black crusts. 

The lower leg is narrower 

below knee than just 

above the fetlock, which 

can cause strain on the 

tendons just below the 

knee. 

tighten the girth, to to stabilize the saddle nachgurten/Gurt anziehen 

tilted in the poll 

when the horse carries his head askew; while 

riding, you realise it when one ear of your 

horse is getting lower than the other ear 


im Genick verworfen

Time fault 

Time faults 

Time limit 

time limit 

Time measurement 

time out 

TIME TRIAL 

tobiano 

The length of the course and the speed 

demanded determine the time allowed. 

Completing the course in less than the time 

allowed is not rewarded, but exceeding the 

time allowed is penalised by one penalty for 

each second or part of a second in excess of 

the time allowed, up to the time limit. 

Exceeding the time limit involves elimination. 

A penality for exceeding the designated time 

limit. A rider is penalized 1/4 faults for each 

second over the allotted time. 

It is the maximum time you are allowed to be 

on the course. It is usually double the optimum 

time. 

The maximum time for finishing the course or 

one of the phases of the cross country. If the 

competitor exceeds the time limit he will get 

penalty points. On phases A and C the time 

limit is one fifth more than the optimum time. 

On phases B and D the limit is twice the 

optimum time. 

Taking the time that a competitor needs to 

complete a test or a jumping course 

An umpire calls time-out when a foul is 

committed, and accident occurs or at his own 

discretion. A player may only call time-out if he 

has broken tack or is injured. No time-out is 

allowed for changing horses or replacing a 

broken mallet, although a player may do so at 

any time. 

An attempt to have a horse beat its own best 

time in a non-competitive event. A time trial is 

not a race. Galloping horses hitched to sulkies, 

called prompters, are used to push a horse to 

its best effort. 

coloured horses with white as basic colour, 

dark colour covers one or both flanks 

Zeitfehler 

Zeitfehler 

Zeitlimit 

Zeitlimit 

Zeitnehmung 

die Auszeit 

Zeitfahren 

spezielle Art der 

Scheckung, Grundfarbe 

Weiss, mit weissen Beinen 

und einer bzw. beiden 

dunklen Flanken 

todder the tail, to 

To sort the tail hair with one's fingers instead 

of using a comb. 

verlesen / den Schweif 

toe The front part of the septum of the hoof. Zehenwand 

The limb may rotate 

toes-in/ toed-in zeheneng 

inward from as high as the 

chest or as low as the 

fetlock. 

The pastern bones and 

toes-out/toed-out zehenweit 

hoof are twisted and 

pointed outward. 

Tom Thumb bit 

Tom Thumb bars stop the bit from slipping 

through the horse's mouth. 

Cloth or rubber strap used to tie down a 

Knebeltrense 

tongue strap (or tie) horse's tongue to prevent it from choking in a 

race or workout. 

das Zungenband 

too close, getting under 

the fence 

too far back, standing back 

too havy hand 

the rider chose the take-off point too late and 

the take- off is too close. The jump will be too 

close and the horse often knocks down a pole. 

the rider chose the take- off point too early and 

the take- off lay too far away. The jump will be 

too far. 

the rider produces too much pressure with his 

hand 

später (Absprung) 

früher (Absprung) 

Zu harte hand 


too straight behind 

see: straight hind leg 

torsion/intestinal volvulus 

total digestible nutrients 

(TDN) 

total leather seat 

TOTE BOARD 

touch up with the whip, to 

tovero 

It is nearly the same like a displacement. It 

occurrs when a piece of intestine twists. The 

consequences and the medical treatment is the 

same. Nowadays we tend to let the horse roll, 

if it likes. In some cases the intestine gets back 

to its original position. But you shouldn´t try 

treating it without calling your vet. 

includes all the digestible nutrients- protein, 

fat, carbohydrates and fibre; represents the 

approximate energy value of the feed 

Breeches with leather at the bottom and the 

inside-legs. 

An electronic board, usually in the infield of a 

track, which posts the odds, amount of money 

bet, results of a race and the wagering payoffs. 

in this case, the whip isn’t meant as a 

punishment, but rather as a motivation for 

rating speed or for a better activity of the 

hindquarters for example 

coloured horse with white basic colour, just a 

few dark spots around ears and mouth, one or 

two blue eyes 

Darmverschlingung 

Gesamtheit der 

verdaulichen Nährstoffe 

Ganz-Leder-Besatz 

Totalisator 

mit der Gerte berühren 

Scheckung mit weisser 

Grundfarbe, einige wenige 

dunkle Flecken im Gesicht, 

ein oder beide Augen blau 

towel, to To rub the sweat and wetness off the horse. abtrocknen, trocknen 

toxic poisonous giftig 

toxic plants see poisonous plants Giftpflanzen 

toxification illness caused by toxines Vergiftung 

trace 

long lateral strap from the neck collar back to 

langer Riemen 

trace elements 

Tracheal collapse 

the lead bar. 

a substance occuring or needed only in 

extremely small amounts, esp in the soil, for 

the growth of plants 

The tracheal rings are no longer whole or rigid, 

a cross-section across the trachea shows an 

ellipsis rather than a circle. When the horse 

breathes air through the narrowed section of 

the trachea the breathing is noisy. 

Spurenelemente 

Trachealkollaps, 

Abflachung der Trachea 

tracheitis inflammation of the trachea Luftröhrenentzündung 

track the path around the arena Hufschlag 

track 

when you are walking close to the wall you are 

Hufschlag 

on the first track 

track 

Track/Tracks 

describes the line on which the horse is 

travelling the outermost track is at the edge of 

the arena, the inner track is parallel but more 

to the centre of the arena 

1. The path next to the rail in the arena. 2. 

Used to refer to lateral movements - e.g. 

movement on 2 tracks. 3. Direction of travel, 

as in "track right" the right hand is towards the 

center of the arena. 4. Referring to a foot or 

feet, to travel in a line or path. The lines of 

travel o feet, viewed and counted by the 

observer as the horse approaches him (e.g. 3 

or 4 tracks for shoulder-in) 

Hufschlag 


Hufschlag/Hand

Tracking up 

Trail 

Trail 

Trailer 

The hind feet step into the tracks of the 

forefeet. 

competition in which rider and horse have to 

show their skills to face obstacles like gates, 

poles, etc. 

In die Spur der Vorderhufe 

treten 

Geschicklichkeitsparcours 

In this discipline the rider and the horse have 

to do ability exercises. Some obstacles are built 

in a certain way similar to those in nature. 

There is for example a gate, which the rider 

has to open, to pass through and close, a 

bridge, moat, rods, branches or tarps. The 

rider also has to back through two barrels and 

an “L”. It is not allowed to touch one of the 

rods. It is necessary that the horse will listen to Pfad, Disziplin des 

the rider and react immediately to the cues. It Westernreitens über einen 

has to be led through the obstacles. Scoring is Hindernis-Parcours 

based on the horse's willingness, ease and 

grace in negotiating the course. The different 

exercises should be ridden at a certain speed. 

For every break at one of the obstacles points 

will be taken off. The rider gets extra points 

for style and a correct performance of the 

exercise and also for the willingness of the 

horse. 

Transportation vehicle of one or more horses, 

which is towed behind another vehicle. 

Pferdehänger 

trailer See motor van. Anhänger 

training to teach the horse Ausbildung 

training Lead 

Long, thick lead preferably used by 

horsetrainers. 

Trainingsstrick 

trait an inherited characteristic Merkmal 

Trakehner 

Breed of warmblood horse, popular in a variety 

Trakehner 

of equestrian sports like eventing. 

Trakehner ditch 

Trakehner Ditch 

Tranquillizer or Sedative 

Transition 

A ditch filled with water and on the top of it a 

fence with only one pole. It is really hard for 

the horse to see this one pole over the water. 

Der Trakehner Graben 

belongs to the artificially fixed jumps. It´s a 

Trakehner Graben 

special kind of fenced over water jump. 

Drug whose action calms the central nervous 

system, decreasing emotional agitation without Beruhigungsmittel 

impairing alertness. 

The act of changing from one pace to another. 

Walk to trot and trot to canter are known as 

"upward transitions". Canter to trot and trot to 

walk are known as "downward transitions". 

transition to change between the gaits 

transition not noticable 

transition with irregular 

steps in between 

transitions within the/a 

gait 

Just change the pace within walk, trot or 

canter. For example from working trot to 

collected trot. 


Wechsel (von Gängen) 

Übergang zwischen den 

Gangarten 

nicht erkennbarer 

Übergang 

Übergang mit unklaren 

Zwischenschritten 

(Tempi-) Übergänge in 

einer Gangart

Travers 

Work on three tracks. The horse`s quarters are 

brought into the school so that the outside 

foreleg creates one track. The inside foreleg 

and the outside hind leg create the second 

track and the inside hind leg creates the third 

track. The horse is bent in the direction of 

movement. 

Travers 

treat snack a snack given to the horse as a reward Leckerli 

triga Greek three-horse-chariot, harnessed abreast. (grch.) Dreier-Zug 

trim, to "Hairstyle" for horses. frisieren 

Trip see: Round 

Triple bar 

A jump featuring three sets of rails at varying 

heights that produce a spread. 

Triple Bare 

Triple- barre 

Triple Combination 

consists of three glands, one behind the other, 

which makes the distance much farther for the 

horse. As with the Oxer the first pole is the 

lowest and the third pole is the highest. 

consists of three obstacles, which can be oxer 

and upright jumps, too. Their minimum and 

maximum distances are the same as in the 

double combination. 

Triplebarre 

Dreifache Kombination 

troika Russian method of harnessing three horses. russischer Dreier-Zug 

Trot 

Moderate-speed gait in which the horse moves 

from one diagonal pair of legs to the other, 

with a period of suspension in between. 

Trab 

trot a two beated gait; one of the three basic gaits Trab 

Trot up 

Trot the horse in front of the judges to see if it 

trots normally. (no lameness found) 

The veterinarian assesses the horse's 

Vortraben 

Trot-out 

movements and looks for any indication of 

lameness or pain. Therefore the horse has to 

trot alongside the rider. 

Vortraben 

trotter A horse used for trotting races. 

This type of trotting races is done without a 

der Traber 

trotting under the saddle sulky, a rider guides the trotter through the 

race. 

das Trabreiten 

trough See manger. Trog 

trough see drinking through Tränke 

true canter 

to start the canter on that hand on which you 

are in that moment 

Handgalopp 

Trunk 

Trying board /teasing 

board 

can be a natural as well as an artifical obstacle. 

It can be made of small, but also up to 1 metre 

thick trunks. Actually trunk is an element of 

every cross- country competition. 

Board, often made of wood and ideally twice 

the length of the horses. Mare and stallion are 

introduced on one side of the board and their 

reactions monitored. 

tub Kübel 

tug 

tug buckle 

turnip 

connecting point of trace and the lateral end of 

the bellyband; point of pulling energy. 

Baumstamm 

Probierstand 

"Zerr-Stelle" 

fixing loop for the trace and the lateral end of 

Zerr-Schnalle 

the bellyband. 

a plant with a round white (or white and purple 

die Futterrübe 

) root used as a vegetable 


Tweezers 

Can be used to remove splinters, thistles or 

other fragments that might be lodged in your 

horse’s skin 

Pinzette 

Twin pregnancy Mare is carrying two foals Zwillingsträchtigkeit 

twin pregnancy 

when two ovums were fertilized and two 

embryos will grow 

Zwillingsträchtigkeit 

twin pregnancy 

when two ovums were fertilized and two 

Zwillingsträchtigkeit 

Twisted gut 

Twisted gut (colic) 

embryos will grow 

lenghts of the intestine can become twisted on 

themselves 

Colic means abdominal pain. There is a big 

variety of causes. Displacement of one or 

more parts of the intestines. Mostly fatal. 

Darmverschlingungen 

Kolik durch verdrehte 

Eingeweide, 

Darmverschluss 

twisted mouthpiece Metal mouthpiece in form of a corkscrew. Mundstück / gedrehtes 

twisted wire bit Mouthpiece in shape of a corkscrew. 

A woodblock with a loop on one side applied to 

Gedrehtes Mundstück 

Twitch 

the upper lip, wrapping the lead rope around 

the nose. It is used to sedate a horse 

temporarily. 

school figure; you leave the track at K (H, M or 

Nasenbremse 

two loops on the long side 

F) and ride a loop towards E (B); at E (B) you 

doppelte Schlangenlinie 

immediately leave again and add a second loop 

to H (K, F, M) 

Two star Also known as intermediate level. 

The position of the rider for a jump, with the 

2 Sterne 

Two-point position seat out of the saddle and the body positioned 

forward. 

having a muscle condition wherein lactic acid 

Springsitz 

tying up/tied-up 

accumulates and is not expelled from the 

muscle tissue, thereby damaging the muscle 

fibres 

excessive amount of nitrogenous waste 

Kreuzverschlag 

Tying-up/Equine 

Rhabdomyolysis/azoturia 

products in the urine; the most common 

muscle problem in horses; this syndrome Kreuzverschlag 

affects the muscles and results in the partial or 

complete inability to move 

Tympanic colic 

large quantity of gas which cannot pass along 

the digestive tract 

This refers to the presence of a large quantity 

of gas, the pressure from which causes the 

Darmblähungen 

Tympanitic (colic) 

pain. It is a serious type of colic because so 

often there is a sinister reason as to why that 

gas cannot pass along the digestive tract and 

escape. 

Gaskolik, Blähungen, 

Fehlgärungen 

Type of Event Kind of Tournament Veranstaltungstyp 

Udder Pairs of mammary glands in the iliac region Euter 

Ulcerative lymphangitis 

umbilical cord 

Umbilical cord 

Umbilical hernia 

umpire 

a mildly contagious disease of horses caused 

by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis; 

lymphangitis of the lower limbs, marked by the 

presence of ulcers which discharge green pus 

a thick, tough cord that extends from the navel 

of the embyo or fetus to the mare's placenta 

and serves to convey nourishment to the 

embryo or fetus and carry away waste fom it 

Narrow, tube-like structure that connects the 

developing baby to the placenta 

Abnormal bulge that can be seen or felt at the 

umbilicus (belly button) 

There are two mounted umpires who oversee 

the game. 

Ulzerative Lymphangitis 

Nabelschnur 

Nabelschnur 

Nabelbruch 


der Schiedsrichter

unauthorised assistance 

Any intervention by a third party, whether 

solicited or not, with the object of facilitating 

the task of the competitor or of helping the 

horse is considered unauthorised assistance 

and the competitor is liable to be eliminated. 

verbotene Hilfe 

unconsciousness If you are not conscious anymore. Bewusstlosigkeit 

The entire forelimb leans 

under in front unterständig 

backward underneath the 

horse. 

The slope of the heels is 

underrun heels 

underslung heels 

see: underrun heels 

? 

shallower than that of the 

toe as viewed from the 

side. 

uneven heels ungleicher Huf Uneven length of heels. 

Uneven/Unlevel 

Unequal height of steps or bearing of weight on 

Ungleichmäßig 

both sides. 

unsaddle, to to take the saddle off the horse`s back absatteln 

unsaddle, to To take off the saddle after work. absatteln 

unsaddle, to to take the saddle off absatteln 

unsaddle, to 

means to take the saddle off the horse’s back 

after riding 

Term used to describe any condition, or 

absatteln 

Unsoundness 

conformation fault that limit the horse's ability 

to perform his job. Including sidebone, 

ringbone, roaring and others. 

Krankhaftigkeit 

upper leg thigh, lat. femur Oberschenkel 

upper part of the body Oberkörper 

upright jump 

Upright Jump 

upward transition 

A jump with two stands on each side with poles 

in between; depending on the class the height 

ranges from 60 to 160 cm. Some examples are 

the gate, plank or the wall. 

is a special kind of high jump where the horse 

has to jump upwards to pass the obstacle. 

According to the demand, two or three poles 

are put on to the rack. 

Steilsprung 

Steilsprung 

transition from a slower gait to a faster one; Übergang (in schnellere 

for example, a transition from a trot to a canter Gangart) 

urinary calculus, urolith 

general term for a stone (deposit of minerals, 

like calcium) lodged anywhere within the 

urinary tract 

Blasenstein, Nierenstein 

uterine atrophy the degeneration of the endometrium Gebärmutteratrophie 

uterus 

a mare's womb which houses the feus from 

Gebärmutter 

utilisation of the feed 

utilisation of the feed 

vaccination/immunisation 

vagina 

comception to birth 

digestion works differenty from horse to horse, 

some need more feed for same work than 

others 

the process of digesting feed and using the 

contained nutrients for other purposes which 

need energy, e.g.thermoregulation 

A shot to prevent you from suffering from that 

special disease. Often done with active or 

passive immunisation. 

a canal in the mare leading from the vulva to 

the uterus, in which copulation takes place 

Futterverwertung 

die Futterverwertung 

Impfung 

Vagina 

vaginitis 

inflammation of the vagina, characterized by a 

purulent discharge 

Vaginitis 

Vaginitis inflammation of the vagina Vaginitis 


Valerian 

this herb has big flowers. It calms the nerves 

and it is used as a sedative 

The person who takes care of a jockey's tack 

Baldrian 

valet 

and silks and helps him change for the next 

race. 

der Diener 

vaulter 

person who does vaulting exercises on the 

horse`s back 

Voltigeur 

vaulting 

is gymnastics on the horseback while lunging 

the horse on a -> circle 

Voligieren 

vaulting surcingle belt/strap passing over the ->surcingle pad Voltigiergurt 

vein 

velvet saddle pad 

ventricle 

vertebrae 

vertebral column 

Vertical 

Vervain 

vessel 

Vet Check 

Vet Gate 

Vet-check 

A vessel in which the blood flows in the 

direction of heart from the organs and tissues. Vene 

Noble rectangular numnah made out of velvet 

cloth. 

A part of the chamber that receives blood from 

the atria. The right and left ventricles pump 

blood from the heart through the pulmonary 

artery and aorta. 

Vertebrae (singular: vertebra) are the 

individual bones that make up the vertebral 

column. They consist of the vertebral body and 

the vertebral foramen.(cervical, thoracic and 

lumbar vertebrae) 

The vertebral column (also backbone or spine) 

is an alignment of vertebrae situated in the 

dorsal aspect of the abdomen. It houses the 

spinal cord in its spinal canal. 

Upright fence with no spread. Can be rails, 

planks, gate or wall. It is also used to describe 

the horse's head set, as in on the vertical. 

this herb has small leaves and small flowers; it 

helps to calm down horses who are 

permanently agitated and distracted 

They contain the fluids which circulate in the 

body. Vessels are arteries, veins and 

capillaries. 

A mandatory veterinary inspection in which all 

competing horses are evaluated for fitness and 

health. There are vet checks before, during and 

after every ride. 

A Vet Gate is a vet check which is combined 

with a break for horse and rider. 

After some tests (dressage, showjumping or 

cross country) at an eventing competition your 

horse will be checked by a horse doctor as to 

whether it is fit enough to compete in other 

tests. 

Samtschabracke 

Herzventrikel 

Wirbel 

Wirbelsäule 

Steilsprung 

Eisenkraut 

Gefäß 

Vet Check 

Vet Gate 

Veterinärcheck (-kontrolle) 

Veteran rider 

Riders that have reached a special age may 

compete in Veteran riders classes, Women 

from the year in which they reach their 45th 

birthday and men from the year in which they 

reach their 49th birthday 

Seniorenreiter 

veterinarian a doctor for horses 

It states the personal details of horse and rider, 

the results of the vet checks, the impressions 

Tierarzt 

Veterinary Card 

of the veterinarians (is the horse allowed to 

start, fit to continue and fit to travel?) and the 

placing 

Check-Karte 


Veterinary Commission 

Veterinary Inspection 

vibrissae 

A Group of qualified veterinarians that check all 

horses participating in an international 

horsesport event or in a national event held in 

certain disciplines such as endurance 

Checkup of the horse by a group of qualified 

veterinarians, Obligatory at any international 

event and in the disciplines of eventing and 

endurance 

Individual long hairs at the muzzle which 

contain nerves; they help to distiguish between 

edible food and toxic or inedible food. 

Veterinärkommission 

Veterinärinspektion 

Tasthaare 

vital capacity Volume of gas which the lung can absorb. 

any of several organic compounds found in 

Atemvolumen der Lunge 

vitamin 

most food and necessary for normal body 

function, can also be given as a supplement 

when necessary 

Vitamin 

Vitamin A 

required for vision, health of mucous 

membranes, growth, reproduction 

Vitamin A 

Vitamin B1 required for carbohydrate and fat metabolism Vitamin B1 

Vitamin B3, B5, B12 

required for carbohydrate, fat and protein 

metabolism 

Vitamin B3, B5, B12 

Vitamin C 

important for immune system, skin structure 

and connective tissue 

Vitamin C 

Vitamin D 

required for the uptake and transport of Ca and 

Vitamin D 

P 

Vitamin E used for blood clotting Vitamin E 

Vitamin K 

biological antioxidant, important for fat 

metabolism and reproduction 

A rider makes a decision not to continue on the 

Vitamin K 

Volontary Withdrawel 

course and to leave the ring. Generally this is 

Freiwillige Aufgabe 

done with a nod of the riders head or tip of the 

hat to the judge. 

volte 

this is the form of a small ring with can be 

ridden in different sizes 

a 10, 8 or 6 m circle mostly ridden at B or E 

Volte 

volte 

(but also possible at any other point of the 

arena) 

a 10, 8 or 6 m circle mostly ridden at B or E 

Volte (German) 

volte 

(but also possible at any other point of the 

arena) 

Kleine Tour (Aut) 

V-shaped head 

Overline of the head looks like a straight line 

from the ears downwards 

Keilkopf 

walk a four beated gait; one of the three basic gaits Schritt 

Walk the course 

To measure a jumping course by pacing off 

Den Pacours abgehen 

strides between obstacles before a competition. 

Wall A jump simulating an actual solid wall. 

is also a single element, but much bigger than 

the Barrier Gate and non-transperent, too. The 

Mauer 

Wall 

Wall is often the highest jump in a jumping 

competition. There are a red and a natural 

wall. 

Mauer 


Warmblood 

warmblood, light horse 

In general terms, a half-bred, or part-bred 

horse, the result of an Arabian or 

Thoroughbred cross with other breeds. Also 

one of a number of specific breeds of horse 

which were developed by crossing hotblood and 

coldblood horses to produce a more refined, 

but athletically strong and capable horse, such 

as the Swedish Warmblood, the Dutch 

Warmblood etc. 

e.g. German riding horse; not as light as a 

thoroughbred and not as heavy as a 

coldblooded horse 

Warmblut 

Warmblut 

warmblood, light horse 

e.g. German riding horse; not as light as a 

thoroughbred and not as heavy as a 

coldblooded horse 

Warmblut 

Warming-up Area Practice Area Vorbereitungsplatz 

Warm-up session 

Training session to prepare a horse for a horse 

show class 

Aufwärm-Training 

wash, to to clean a horse with water and a brush abwaschen 

washing kit 

The equipment needed for washing and 

cleaning the horse during an eventing 

competition should include: buckets, sponges, 

shampoo, swear scraper and towels. 

Waschausrüstung 

washing-box the place where you wash your horse 

Horse breaking out in nervous sweat before 

Waschplatz/Waschbox 

washy 

race, sometimes to the point it will be dripping 

from his belly. 

Water 

it is a liquid which descends from the clouds as 

Wasser 

rain 

water 

a liquid without colour, smell or taste, is used 

for drinking, washing, etc 

Wasser 

water bucket a container for carrying or holding water Wassereimer 

water bucket Pail to bring water to the horse. 

An obstacle that requires a horse to jump over 

Wassereimer 

Water jump 

a wide expanse of water, usually preceded by a Wassergraben 

low hedge or fence. 

The water point is a point along the course 

Water point 

where grooming isn't allowed. Instead there is 

water available for the horses. 

Wasserstelle 

water, to to put hay into the hay-net das Heunetz stopfen 

water, to to give water to an animal to drink tränken 

water, to to offer water to a horse for drinking tränken 

water, to To give water to horses. tränken 

water-brush 

a brush for washing the horse so that the dirt 

goes away more easily 

Waschbürste 

water-brush 

Plastic brush with very hard bristles used for 

washing horses. 

for washing the whole horse or when you want 

Waschbürste 

water-hose 

to cool it in the summer or only his legs after 

riding 

Wasserschlauch 

watering place a place where the horses go to drink Tränke 

watering through see drinking through Tränke 

Watering through on 

pasture 

is a ride through a shallow water trench the 

horse has to step through. 

Wasserdurchritt 

waterproof covering 

Plastic sheeting to cover hay and feed if 

necessary. 

wasserdichte Abdeckung 

water-soluble Vitamin 

Vitamin which is available in feed or 

wasserlösliches Vitamin 

synthesized by microorganisms in the intestine. 

weaner a foal that learns to stay away from its mother Absetzer 

weaner a foal that learns to stay away from its mother Absetzer 


Weaning 

To separate the foal from its mother, usually 

foals are weaned at 6 months 

the procedure of taking the foal away from the 

Absetzen 

weaning 

dam; 6 months after birth is a popular age of 

weaning 

the procedure of taking the foal away from the 

Absetzen 

weaning 

dam; 6 months after birth is a popular age of 

weaning 

Absetzen 

web reins See cord reins. Gurtzügel 

weight a measure of heaviness Gewicht 

weight aids 

the rider gives signals to the horse with his 

weight 

the opposite of relieving; there's contact to the 

Gewichtshilfen 

weight down on, to saddle; the weight is on one or on both seat 

bones 

belasten 

weight per bale heaviness of one bale Ballengewicht 

weight per litre heaviness of one litre Litergewicht 

well-schooled horse 

Well-Sprung Ribs 

the horse is used to being ridden and has 

already learned how to react to the rider’s aids 

Long rounded ribs giving ample room for lung 

expansion, well suited to carrying a saddle. 

das gerittene Pferd 

"gut gebogene Rippen", 

gute Mittelhand 

Western Bridle headstall, leather with ornaments/decoration komplettes Zaumzeug 

Western Horsemanship - 

Western Pleasure - 

Western Riding 

Western Riding - 

In this competition the accomplishment of the 

rider will be judged. Next to the aids and the 

posture of the rider during the separate 

lections will be evaluated. The demanded 

exercises have to be done very accurately and 

this demands an enormous control of the horse 

itself. There are no spectacular maneuvers but 

rider and horse have to be very ambitious. The 

competition consists of two parts: In the first 

part the rider has to do a short but an 

absolutely correct exercise. The first part 

counts 80%. 

The Pleasure is like a material test, equal and 

slow gaits will be shown at a loose rein. Also 

the representation of horse and rider will be 

judged. The judges want to see that it is a 

pleasure (=Western pleasure) to ride it. 

competition class with elements from reining 

and lots of flying lead changes 

This is a discipline which is like a dressage 

exercise. Here the rider and the horse have to 

make especially accurate flying changes. 

Jugend- und 

Amateurbewerb; ähnlich 

der Pleasure mit 

vorgegebener 

Einzelprüfung 

Dressurprüfung, bei der die 

Gangarten bewertet 

werden 


Disziplin im Westernreiten 

mit fliegenden 

Galoppwechseln an 

vorgeschriebenen Punkten 

wet, to when you givet the horse water tränken 

wet, to to cover or soak with liquid, esp water anfeuchten 

Weymouth bridle See double bridle. Kandarenzaum 

Weymouth set 

Combination of the two bits needed for the 

Kandarengebisse 

wheat 

wheelbarrow 

wheelbarrow 

double or Waymouth bridle. 

a cereal grass that contains grains, the huss of 

which ( bran ) may be fed to horses, high in 

vitamin E 

a load carrying device that consists of a shallow 

box supported by a single wheel 

Tool with one or two wheels to transport heavy 

things (horse muck, hay, etc.). 

Weizen 

Schubkarre 

Schubkarre 


wheeler horse near the wheels, in back position. 

This is one of the artificial aids used by a rider, 

hinteres Pferd 

Whip 

also known as crop. Carrying a whip during the 

Gerte 

dressage test is forbidden under penalty of 

elimination. 

whip an instrument for driving and lungeing 

See also cane, stick, bat, crop; Artificial aid by 

which the rider may emphasize 

Peitsche 

whip 

and back up the natural aids of seat and legs. 

Used to encourage reluctant or 


to punish. 

Gerte, Peitsche, 

Dressurgerte 

Whipping up 

white 

white boundary flags 

white muscle disease 

White Willow 

The repeated active upward evasion of the 

croup, usually in canter when the hind legs do 

not step sufficiently through, or in piaffe when 

the horse avoids lowering the haunches. 

Horses with unpigmented/pink skin. They have 

dark eyes and are entirely white exept for 

occasional small dark spots in the skin or hair. 

mit der Kruppe 

hochkommen 

Schimmel 

The boundary flags shall be used to mark the 

starting and finishing lines, to mark compulsory 

passages and to define obstacles. The white weiße Grenzflagge 

boundary flags are placed in such a way that a 

competitor must leave them on his right. 

muscle abnormality resulting from inadequate 

intake of selenium or vitamin E 

it is a small tree with long thin leaves which is 

used to relieve pain, inflammation and fever 

whoa voice aid to tell the horse to stop 

Wide behind 

The horse travels with the hind feet further 

apart than the forefeet; lack of engagement. 

Weißmuskelkrankheit 

Silber-Weide 

Stimmkommando zum 

Anhalten 

"Die Hinterhand im Stall 

vergessen" 

wide croup opposite of narrow croup breite Kruppe 

width see cheek Ganasche 

Willing to work Willingness to work. The work attitude. arbeitswillig 

WIN The horse you select must come in first. 

Fluid-filled swellings on the inside or outside of 

auf Sieg 

windgalls/ windpuffs 

the joint, often associated with poor 

conformation, may not necessarily cause pain 

or lameness. 

Gallen 

wind-pipe 

A part of the airways in which the air arrives at 

Luftröhre 

the lungs. 

windsuck collar See crib-biter strap. 

An apparatus on the side of a jump to frame it, 

to support the cups and to hold the rails in 

Kopperriemen 

Wing 

place. A wing is wider than a standard and 

similar to a gate. A jump has two wings, one at 

Fang 

each side. 

Wing 

is always put up besides the obstacle. It has to 

prevent the horse from breaking out at the 

obstacles. The wings must be as high as the 

obstacles itself. 

Fang 

winker stay 

connecting strap between the neck strap and 

the cup winkers themselves. 

Blendriemen 

winker stay buckle 

loop between the winker stay and the cup 

winkers. 

Blendriemen-Schnalle 

Winning round Jump-off Stechen 

winter coat Thicker coat horses start getting in autumn. Winterfell 


winter rug 

Blanket for clipped horses or to prevent horses 

from getting a thick winter coat. 

Winterdecke 

Wintergreen 

it is a low evergreen shrub; it has an antiinflammatory 

effect 

The highest point of the shoulder seen best 

with the horse standing square and the head 

Wintergrün 

withers 

slightly lowered. The tops of the two shoulder 

blades and the space between them define the 

withers. Important point to measure the 

height. 

unsteadiness of the hindquarters is often the 

first symptom. It´s caused by pressure on the 

Widerrist 

Wobbler syndrome spinal cord in the horse´s neck, but that 

pressure can arise from a number of different 

causes. 

Ataxie 

wool bandage 

Bandages made of wool, used for horses in 

stable (not for work!). 

the rider does not sit on the horse but is 

Wollbandage 

work in hand 

working with it from the ground opposite: 

work in the saddle 

Handarbeit 

work in the saddle 

the rider is sitting on the horse while working 

with it opposite: work in hand 

forelegs and hindquarters don’t foot in a 

Arbeit unter dem Reiter 

work on two tracks 

straight line / on the same track when you 

exercise lateral movements for example (like 

shoulder in; half pass etc.) 

Arbeit auf zwei 

Hufschlägen 

working … a specific kind of gait Arbeits… 

Working Cowhorse 

This cattle discipline consists of two parts: at 

first the rider has to ride a reining-exercise. It 

is called “dry-work”. In the second part a piece 

of cattle will be led in the arena and the rider 

and the horse have to control it in the arena. 

The rider has 2 minutes to work with the cattle. 

Die Arbeit mit dem 

At first the rider has to stop it on the short side 

eizelnen rind in der Arena. 

of the arena =boxing. Then he has to turn it at 

least one time in every direction on the long 

side against the wall. At the end the rider has 

to push the cow in the middle of the arena and 

to work it in a “8” -- that means 2 circles. The 

part is called the “fence-work”. 

working ration 

the daily amount of food a horse gets, when it 

must work 

International Sport Series open to Dressage 

World Cup Dressage Series 

riders from all continents 

World Cup Show jumping International Sport Series open to Show 

Series 

jumping riders from all continents 

World Equestrian 

Championships 

Arbeitsration 

Weltcup Dressur Serie 

Weltcup Spring Serie 

Championships held for equestrian disciplines 

(jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, vaulting, 

endurance riding) every 4 years. All Nations Weltmeisterschaften in 

who are members in the FEI can send 


individual riders or team riders if they fulfil the 

qualification standards. 

worms All worms can cause colic-symptoms. 

this plant has many small, greenish yellow 

Würmer 

Wormwood 

flowers; it helps against worms and internal 

parasites 

Wermut 

wound a hurt caused by a cut or something else Wunde 

yard brush 

Rectangular broom with hard bristles for 

cleaning larger areas. 

Besen 


Yarrow 

this Eurasian herb has small white flowers; it 

has a deflammatory effect on swollen tissues, it Schafgarbe 

enables wounds to close 

Yearling One year old horse 

a one-year-old horse; a race horse between 

Jährling 

yearling 

January 1st after its foaling and the following Jährling 

yearling 

yeast 

yellow body, corpus luteum 

yellow directional markers 

Young rider 

January 1st 

a one-year-old horse; a race horse between 

January 1st after its foaling and the following 

January 1st 

a type of fungus used for making beer and 

wine, or to make bread rise 

yellow tissue formed in the ovary after the 

ovum is discharged; if the ovum is fertilized 

this tissue secretes the hormone progesterone 

Yellow directional markers are be used to show 

the general direction to be taken and to help 

the competitor to find his way. Where 

necessary, they shall be superimposed with the 

letter of the phase. Passing close to them is not 

obligatory. 

A person may compete as Young rider from the 

beginning of the calendar year in which s/he 


calendar year in which s/he reaches the age of 

21 

Jährling 

Hefe 

Gelbkörper 

gelbe Wegmarkierung 

Junger Reiter 

Young Riders 

A person may compete as a Young Rider from 

the beginning of the calendar year in which he 


calendar year in which he reaches the age of 

21. 

Junge Reiter 

Zinc for wound healing, growth and immunity Zink 

zygote 

a cell that is the result of fertilization;That is, 

two haploid cells—usually (but not always) an 

ovum from a female and a sperm cell from a 

male—merge into a single diploid cell called the 

zygote; Animal zygotes undergo mitotic cell 

divisions to become an embryo 

the procedure of keeping the semen from the 

stallion by covering a phantom and using an 

artificial vagina 

the procedure of keeping the semen from the 

stallion by covering a phantom and using an 

artificial vagina 

Zygote 

absamen 

absamen 

Bandage which combines medicinal and 

physiotherapeutical features (e.g.: cooling and Angußverband 

disinfection) 

th end of the lesson, you give the horse the 

trocken reiten 

possibility to relax 

the riders of one group have to stay in one line 

aufmarschieren 

between A-C or E-B 

the rider drives in the rhythm of movement 

wechselseitiges treiben 

wtith one leg after the other 

to start the trot antraben

Complete Glossary English-German - Pferdewissenschaften

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