Equestrian Terminology

verb to walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace

• The elderly couple was ambling along the path in the park.
• We spent the afternoon just ambling around town, not really going anywhere in particular.
• Let's go ambling through the woods and see what we can find.
• His thoughts were ambling aimlessly, unable to focus on one particular idea.

verb to sit or stand with a leg on each side of; straddle

• The knight bestrode his horse, his legs bestraddle the beast's wide back.
• I saw him bestaddle the fence to get to the other side more easily.
• She was bestaddling her bike like a pro, weaving in and out of traffic.
• His responsibilities bestaddle him like a heavy burden, weighing him down constantly.

verb to sit or stand with one leg on each side of something

adverb in a manner that involves sitting or standing with one leg on each side of something

• The knight bestrode his horse with confidence as he prepared to face the enemy.
• He bestrode the dance floor like he owned it.
• She bestrode the competition and came out on top.
• His influence bestrode the entire industry, shaping its direction for years to come.

noun a pair of small screens attached to a horse's bridle to prevent it from seeing sideways and behind, used to keep the horse focused on what is ahead

• The horse wore blinders to help keep its focus during the race.
• I need to put on my blinders and concentrate on finishing this project.
• Don't let your blinders stop you from seeing the bigger picture.
• She had blinders on when it came to her relationship, refusing to see any red flags.

noun a piece of equipment used to control a horse, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins

verb to bring (a horse) under control with a bridle

• The equestrian adjusted the bridle before riding the horse.
• Make sure to tighten the bridle before you start riding.
• I love how that horse looks with its fancy bridle on.
• She struggled to bridle her emotions during the difficult conversation.

noun a female horse kept for breeding purposes

• The farm owner invested in a high-quality brood mare to improve the breeding program.
• My neighbor's brood mare just gave birth to a beautiful foal.
• That brood mare is a real money-maker for the ranch.
• She was like a brood mare, constantly giving birth to new ideas and projects.

noun a three-beat gait of a horse or other quadruped between a trot and a gallop

verb to move at a canter pace

• The horse began to canter gracefully around the arena.
• I love watching the horses canter in the field.
• Let's go for a canter down the trail.
• Her thoughts seemed to canter through her mind, never settling on one for too long.

noun a decorative covering for a horse or for its saddle or harness

verb to dress or adorn in a rich or showy manner

• The knight's caparison was intricately embroidered with the crest of his family.
• She loved the caparison on her horse because it made them look so fancy.
• Check out the cool caparison on that horse, it's lit!
• The elaborate caparison of lies could not hide the truth for long.

noun a movement in which a horse jumps and kicks its hind legs in the air

• The horse performed a perfect capriole during the dressage competition.
• Did you see that horse do a capriole? It was amazing!
• That horse totally just did a capriole like a boss!
• Her emotions seemed to capriole from joy to sadness in an instant.

noun a half turn made by a horse and rider in dressage

verb to perform a caracole on horseback

• The horse executed a perfect caracole during the dressage competition.
• Did you see how the horse did a little caracole before coming to a stop?
• That horse has some serious caracole skills!
• Her thoughts seemed to caracole wildly in her mind, never staying on one topic for long.

noun something sure or easy

verb to tighten (a saddle girth) on a horse

• Securing the belt around the suitcase was a cinch.
• Don't worry, fixing that issue will be a cinch.
• Piece of cake, installing the new software is a cinch.
• She believed passing the exam would be a cinch, but it turned out to be quite challenging.

noun a strap that passes under the tail of a horse and is fastened to the saddle to prevent it from slipping forward

• The rider adjusted the crupper to ensure the saddle remained secure on the horse.
• Don't forget to check the crupper before you go for a ride.
• I heard that crupper is a pain to deal with when saddling up.
• The new regulations acted as a crupper, preventing any further misuse of funds.

noun a type of horse with a mottled gray coat

adjective describing the color pattern of a horse's coat

• The dapple gray horse trotted gracefully around the arena.
• I saw a beautiful dapple gray horse at the farm today.
• That dapple gray mare is a real stunner, dude.
• The dapple gray clouds hung low in the sky, signaling an impending storm.

noun a descent from a horse or bicycle

verb to get off or alight from a horse, bicycle, or other mode of transportation

• The rider was instructed to dismount from the horse before entering the competition arena.
• Hey, can you dismount from the bike so I can take a turn?
• I had to dismount from the skateboard to avoid crashing into the fence.
• It's time to dismount from your high horse and start listening to other people's opinions.

noun a set of equipment or articles for a particular purpose

• The royal equipage arrived at the palace in a grand procession.
• The fancy equipage pulled up to the party and everyone's jaws dropped.
• Check out that sick equipage rolling down the street!
• His words were like an equipage of emotions, carrying the weight of his feelings.

noun a young female horse, usually under the age of four

adjective relating to or characteristic of a filly

• The filly showed great potential on the racetrack.
• I can't wait to see that filly race next weekend!
• That filly is a real speed demon!
• She's just a young filly trying to find her way in the world.

noun A fast, flowing gait of a horse or other four-legged animal, faster than a canter but slower than a full-out run

• The horse began to gallop across the field, its hooves pounding against the ground.
• I love watching the horses gallop around the track at the racecourse.
• Let's hop on our bikes and gallop down to the park for a picnic.
• The rumors began to gallop through the small town, spreading like wildfire.

verb moving or running quickly with a rhythmic, bounding gait

• The horse was galloping across the field with great speed.
• I saw a horse galloping down the street yesterday.
• That car was galloping through traffic like a maniac.
• Her heart was galloping with excitement as she waited for the results.

interjection used to express surprise, excitement, or enthusiasm

• Gee, I must say that your presentation was quite impressive.
• Gee, that movie was really good!
• Gee, that party was lit!
• Gee, the news of her promotion really lifted my spirits.

noun a rope or strap used for leading or restraining an animal, typically a horse

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• The equestrian fastened the halter securely around the horse's head.
• She grabbed the halter and led the horse to the pasture.
• I'll just throw on a halter and jeans for the casual party.
• The strict rules acted as a halter on their creativity.

verb to dance energetically or enthusiastically

• The horse was hoofing the ground impatiently as it waited to be let out of the stable.
• I saw the cow hoofing around in the field, looking for fresh grass to munch on.
• We were hoofing it to get to the concert on time, running through the crowded streets.
• She was hoofing it up the corporate ladder, taking on every challenge that came her way.

noun a person who buys and sells horses

• The horse trader negotiated the terms of the sale with the buyer.
• The horse trader haggled over the price of the horse.
• The horse trader was wheelin' and dealin' at the auction.
• He's a real horse trader when it comes to making business deals.

noun a large, solid-hoofed, herbivorous mammal domesticated since prehistoric times, used for riding and as a draft animal

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• The equestrian competition featured some of the most skilled horse riders in the country.
• I love going for a ride on my friend's horse, it's so much fun!
• That new car is a real horse, it's so fast!
• She's been working like a horse to meet the deadline.

noun A person who is skilled in riding horses, especially in horseback riding competitions or as a cavalry soldier.

• The horseman rode through the fields with precision and grace.
• The horseman looked so cool galloping on his horse.
• Check out that horseman showing off his riding skills.
• He was a true horseman, always leading the team to victory.

noun skill in riding, managing, or training horses

• His horsemanship skills were evident as he effortlessly guided the horse through the obstacle course.
• She's been practicing her horsemanship every weekend at the ranch.
• Check out that dude's sick horsemanship, he's a natural in the saddle.
• Horsemanship is like a dance between rider and horse, each moving in perfect harmony.

noun a horse or something resembling a horse

adjective relating to or resembling a horse

• The equestrian center offers riding lessons for those interested in improving their horsy skills.
• I love going for a ride on my horsy in the countryside.
• Check out that cool horsy over there, it looks so majestic!
• Her hair was long and flowing, resembling a beautiful mane of a horsy.

noun a long bounding stride or movement

verb to run or move with a long bounding stride

• The horse began to lope gracefully around the arena during the equestrian competition.
• I saw a dog lope past my house this morning.
• Let's lope over to the store before it closes.
• Her thoughts seemed to lope from one idea to the next, never staying on one for long.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• The farmer decided to purchase only one horse for his new stable.
• I saw a guy riding just one horse down the street earlier.
• Check out that dude on the one horse, he looks pretty cool.
• Sometimes in life, we have to learn to ride with just one horse and make the best of it.

noun a braid, especially of hair

verb to braid or intertwine

• She wore her hair in an elegant plait for the formal event.
• I like to plait my hair when I want a simple hairstyle.
• Her plaited hair looked really cool at the party.
• The intricate plait of lies eventually unraveled during the investigation.

noun a knob on the hilt of a sword or similar weapon, used to prevent the hand from slipping

• The knight gripped the pommel of his sword tightly as he prepared to charge into battle.
• He leaned against the pommel of the saddle, waiting for his friend to finish chatting.
• She accidentally hit her head on the pommel of the barstool.
• The CEO used his charisma as a pommel to win over the investors.

noun a small horse, especially one of a breed that is of a small size

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• The young girl rode her pony in the equestrian competition.
• I love going for a ride on my pony in the afternoons.
• That pony is so cute, I want to take it home!
• The new intern is just a pony in the office, still learning the ropes.

verb to move with lively, springy steps or movements

• The horse was prancing gracefully around the show ring.
• The little girl was prancing around the park with her friends.
• The dancer was prancing on stage like a boss.
• Her heart was prancing with joy at the sight of her loved ones.

noun provisions or supplies, especially food

• The farmer purchased high-quality provender for his livestock.
• I need to pick up some provender for the animals on the farm.
• Hey, don't forget to grab the provender for the critters.
• Education is the provender for the mind, nourishing it with knowledge and wisdom.

noun a long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs to guide or check a horse while riding

verb to guide or control with a rein

• The rider gently pulled on the rein to guide the horse in the right direction.
• Make sure you hold onto the rein tightly when riding the horse.
• I need to rein in my spending before I go broke.
• She had to rein in her emotions before speaking to her boss.

noun a long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs to guide or check a horse while riding or driving

verb to guide or control with reins

• The rider held the reins tightly as they guided the horse through the forest.
• I'll let you take the reins on this project and see what you come up with.
• She's really good at taking the reins and getting things done.
• It's time for you to take the reins of your own life and make decisions for yourself.

noun a noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'ride' and 'hounds' are both nouns.

preposition a preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'to' is a preposition.

• The wealthy landowner enjoyed participating in the traditional ride to hounds every weekend.
• I heard Sarah is going on a ride to hounds with the local hunting club next Saturday.
• Let's ditch this boring party and go for a ride to hounds instead!
• Embarking on a new business venture can feel like a ride to hounds, full of excitement and uncertainty.

noun A type of horse specifically trained for riding with a saddle

• The rancher rode his saddle horse out to check on the cattle.
• I love going for a ride on my saddle horse in the countryside.
• Let's saddle up the horse and hit the trail.
• She was the saddle horse of the team, always carrying the weight of the project on her shoulders.

noun a seat fastened on the back of a horse or other animal for riding

verb to put a saddle on a horse or other animal

• The cowboy adjusted the saddle on his horse before heading out to the field.
• Hey, can you help me lift this heavy saddle onto the horse?
• I feel like I've been riding this project with a saddle on my back for weeks.
• She felt like the weight of the world was a heavy saddle on her shoulders.

verb to put a saddle on (a horse or other animal)

adjective having a saddle

• The horse was saddled and ready for the ride.
• I saddled up my bike and headed out for a ride.
• I saddled my car and hit the road.
• She felt like she was saddled with responsibilities beyond her capacity.

noun a person who makes, repairs, or sells saddles and other leather goods for horses

• The saddler carefully crafted a custom leather saddle for the horse.
• I heard that the saddler is working on a new batch of horse saddles.
• My friend's dad is a badass saddler who can fix any saddle in no time.
• As a saddler of emotions, she knew how to mend broken hearts with care and precision.

noun a device with a small spike or pointed object attached to the heel of a rider's boot, used to urge a horse forward

verb to urge or encourage someone to do something

• The new tax incentives were designed to spur economic growth in the region.
• Let's go for a hike and see if we can find any spurs along the trail.
• I heard that concert really spurs up the crowd.
• His words of encouragement were the spur she needed to pursue her dreams.

noun a horse, especially a riding horse

• The knight rode his trusty steed into battle.
• I love going for a ride on my steed in the countryside.
• Check out that dude on his sick steed, cruising down the street.
• Education is the steed that will carry you to success in life.

noun a horse race over a course equipped with obstacles to be cleared, such as hedges, walls, ditches, and water

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• The steeplechase is a horse racing event where horses race over a course with obstacles such as hedges and ditches.
• I can't believe how fast those horses go during the steeplechase!
• The steeplechase is like a crazy obstacle course for horses.
• Life can sometimes feel like a steeplechase, with obstacles to overcome at every turn.

noun a drink offered to a departing guest as they leave on horseback; typically an alcoholic beverage served in a small cup

• Before the hunt, the riders were offered a stirrup cup of sherry.
• Hey, don't forget to grab a stirrup cup before we head out on the horses.
• Let's sneak in a quick stirrup cup before the party starts.
• The warm tea served as a comforting stirrup cup before the long journey ahead.

noun a support or brace for the foot in a saddle, consisting of a looped strap that hangs from the saddle and is placed around the foot of the rider

• The equestrian adjusted the position of the stirrup before mounting the horse.
• Make sure your foot is securely in the stirrup before you start riding.
• I felt like a cowboy with my boots in the stirrups, riding through the fields.
• She used the success of her first book as a stirrup to launch her career as a writer.

noun a horse of pure breed, especially one descended from recognized lines

adjective of pure breed; pedigreed

• The owner proudly showcased his prized thoroughbred at the prestigious horse show.
• My neighbor's thoroughbred is always the fastest horse at the racetrack.
• That thoroughbred is a real speed demon on the track!
• She was a thoroughbred in the world of finance, always outperforming her peers.

noun a rhythmic gait of a horse or other quadruped, faster than a walk and slower than a canter

verb to move at a pace faster than a walk by alternating steps of the two forelegs and two hind legs

• The horse began to trot gracefully around the ring during the dressage competition.
• I saw a cute puppy trotting down the street with its owner.
• Let's trot on over to the store and grab some snacks.
• She could feel the excitement building in her chest as she trotted towards her dream job.

verb to cause to fall from a horse; to dismount or throw from a horse

• The knight managed to unhorse his opponent during the jousting tournament.
• I saw that guy get unhorsed in the rodeo last night.
• He got totally unhorsed in the debate with his boss.
• The unexpected news completely unhorsed her and left her speechless.

verb past tense of 'unrein', meaning to remove the reins from a horse or other animal

adjective not under control or restraint; unruly

• The horse remained unreined as it galloped through the field.
• The horse was completely unreined during the ride.
• The horse went wild, totally unreined.
• His emotions were unreined, causing him to act irrationally.

verb to remove the saddle from a horse

• After the ride, the stable hand carefully unsaddled the horse.
• I'll help you unsaddle your bike before we head inside.
• Let's quickly unsaddle and grab some lunch.
• It's time to unsaddle ourselves from the burdens of the past and move forward.

noun the sound a horse makes

verb to make the sound a horse makes

• The sound of a horse's whinny echoed through the stables.
• I knew my horse was happy when I heard her whinny as I approached the barn.
• The horse let out a loud whinny when it saw its favorite treat.
• The child's laughter filled the room, sounding like a joyful whinny.

verb to beat or strike with a whip or similar instrument

adjective having been beaten or struck with a whip

• The chef whipped the cream until it formed stiff peaks.
• I whipped up a quick dinner for us before the movie.
• He got whipped in the video game tournament last night.
• The strong winds whipped through the trees during the storm.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adjective a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• It is not advisable to try to ride two horses at once as it can be dangerous.
• Trying to ride two horses at once is just asking for trouble.
• Dude, you can't ride two horses at once, that's just crazy!
• In life, sometimes you have to learn how to ride two horses at once to juggle multiple responsibilities.

noun a small portion or slice of something

• The cantle of the saddle provides support and stability for the rider.
• Make sure you adjust the cantle on the saddle before you ride.
• I almost fell off because the cantle wasn't tight enough.
• The cantle of the company's success lies in its innovative products.

adjective describing a great distance or duration

adverb in a lengthy or extended manner

• The distance between the two cities is quite longe.
• I can't believe how longe it took to finish that project.
• Let's take the longe route to avoid traffic.
• His patience was wearing thin, as if his fuse was growing longe.

noun a sound made by a horse, especially a whinny

• The whicker of the horse's mane could be heard as it trotted down the path.
• I love the sound of the whicker when my horse greets me in the morning.
• I can't wait to go see the new foal and hear its adorable whicker!
• The gentle whicker of the wind through the trees was a soothing sound.

adjective describing something that is without a rider

• The riderless horse galloped through the field, its reins flapping in the wind.
• I saw a riderless bike parked outside the store, I wonder where the owner went.
• The riderless skateboard zipped down the hill, narrowly avoiding a collision.
• The team felt like a riderless ship without their leader to guide them.

noun a physical activity or event in which a person or animal jumps into water from a height or distance

• The equestrian competition included a water jump obstacle for the horses to navigate.
• The water jump in the obstacle course was a refreshing challenge for the participants.
• I totally nailed that water jump on my wakeboard at the lake.
• Facing that difficult decision felt like trying to make a water jump in a fast-moving river.

noun a fast pace or speed

adjective describing something that is moving or happening quickly

verb to bite or chew noisily

adjective showing eagerness or enthusiasm

• The horse was champing at the bit, eager to start the race.
• He was champing at the bit to get out of the office and start his weekend.
• She was champing at the bit to spill the tea on what happened at the party.
• The students were champing at the bit to show off their new project to the class.

noun a room used for storing horseback riding equipment such as saddles, bridles, and grooming supplies

• The tack room is where all the horse riding equipment is stored and organized.
• Let's meet in the tack room before our trail ride.
• I'll grab the saddle from the tack room, it's right over there.
• In the chaos of life, sometimes we all need a mental tack room to organize our thoughts.

noun A type of horse breed known for its elegance and athleticism

• The Andalusian horse is known for its elegant appearance and graceful movements.
• Have you seen that Andalusian horse at the ranch? It's so beautiful!
• That Andalusian horse is one fancy steed, dude.
• Her dance performance was as graceful as an Andalusian horse.

interjection used to express surprise, amazement, or excitement

• The horse suddenly stopped in its tracks, causing the rider to exclaim 'whoa.'
• Whoa, did you see that skateboard trick? It was awesome!
• Whoa, that party was lit last night!
• Whoa, slow down and think about what you're saying before you speak.

noun a small piece of turf or grass that is dug out of the ground, especially by a golf club during a stroke

• The golfer carefully repaired the divot on the fairway.
• I accidentally stepped on a divot while walking across the golf course.
• I hate it when my ball lands in a divot, it messes up my shot.
• The economic downturn created a divot in the company's profits.

noun a person who participates in or is skilled at equestrian sports involving jumping over obstacles

• The equestrian gracefully guided her horse over the oxer in the show jumping competition.
• I can't believe how high that oxer is, it's going to be a challenge for the riders.
• Dude, did you see that horse clear the oxer? It was epic!
• Jumping over that oxer symbolizes overcoming obstacles in life.

noun a person or thing that winks, such as a device on a vehicle that indicates a change of direction

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• The horse was equipped with winkers to help keep its focus during the race.
• The horse had these funny-looking winkers on its eyes, I wonder what they're for.
• I can't believe he actually wore those winkers to the party, what a fashion disaster.
• She put on her emotional winkers and refused to see the truth of the situation.

noun A burr is a small, prickly seed or fruit that can get stuck in clothing or animal fur.

preposition In/under indicates the location of the burr in relation to the saddle.

• The constant complaints from the employee were like a burr in the saddle for the manager.
• Her constant nagging about the project deadline was a real burr in my saddle.
• His constant teasing about my new haircut was a real burr in my saddle.
• The unresolved issue between the two countries was like a burr in the saddle of their diplomatic relations.

noun a French term meaning 'on horseback'

preposition used to indicate being on or astride a horse

• Le cavalier est à cheval sur son magnifique destrier.
• On va à cheval pour explorer la campagne.
• T'es à cheval sur ce sujet, non?
• Il est toujours à cheval sur les détails.

verb to move or run at a gallop

adverb moving or running at a gallop

• The horses were agallop as they raced around the track.
• I saw a bunch of kids agallop in the park, having a great time.
• The party was so wild, everyone was agallop on the dance floor.
• Her heart was agallop with excitement as she waited for the results.