Basic Horse Equipment and Pasture Management Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering horse equipment parts (bridle, saddle), martingale types, saddle materials, pasture management, and fencing specifications.

Headpiece and Throatlash

A component made from one piece of leather that, together with the cheek pieces, supports the bit.

Browband

A part of the bridle that lies across the brow of the horse to prevent it from slipping back.

Cheekpieces

The parts of the bridle that attach to the headpiece at the top and the bit at the bottom.

Bit

The bridle part that attaches to the cheekpieces and reins.

Reins

Equipment attached to the bit used to help steer the horse.

Cavasson Noseband

The standard type of noseband and the only kind to which a standing martingale can be attached.

Rubber Over Leather Reins

Rein material that provides the best grip, especially in rain or on a sweaty horse.

Jumping Saddle (Close Contact)

A type of saddle with a flat seat and panels that are cut forwards.

Dressage Saddle

A saddle featuring a deep seat, straight cut flaps, extra long billets, and a shorter dressage girth.

General Purpose Saddle

A saddle designed for general riding that is shaped between a dressage saddle and a jumping saddle.

Saddle Size Measurement

Saddles are measured from the pommel to the cantle with standard sizes ranging from $15" - 18"$.

Tree

The foundation of the saddle, typically made of laminated wood, plastic, or fiberglass.

Seat

The top of the saddle between the pommel and cantle where the rider sits, formed by strips of webbing stretched across the tree.

Stirrup-Bars

Parts attached to the tree that should be open-ended to allow stirrup-leathers to slide off if a rider falls.

Gullet

The space between the bars of the saddle, generally known as the space under the saddle that rests above the horse’s spine.

Waist Or Twist

The area of the saddle located between the seat and the pommel.

Pommel

The very front of the saddle which is higher than the seat to provide stability.

Cantle

The back of the saddle that is higher than the seat to give the rider security.

Skirt

A small piece of leather covering the stirrup bar to help prevent rubbing on the inside of the rider’s leg.

D Rings

Metal rings on the saddle used to attach items, with the front ones mainly used for connecting a breastplate.

Stirrup Irons

Stainless steel foot supports that should allow $\frac{1}{2}"$ at each side of the rider’s boot.

Rawhide Stirrup Leathers

Stirrup leathers that are virtually unbreakable and usually used by cross country riders.

Running Martingale

A control device attached to the girth that passes between the forelegs, through the neck strap, and ends in two rings.

Standing Martingale

A control device attached to the girth and then to the back of a cavesson noseband.

Irish Martingale

Two rings connected with a strap approximately $4"$ long, used under the horse’s neck with reins passed through it.

Bib Martingale

A combination of a running and Irish martingale where a bib fills the space where the running martingale divides.

Breastplate

Equipment designed to prevent the saddle from slipping backward.

Crupper

A loop that fits around the horse’s dock and fastens to the D ring on the back of the cantle to stop the saddle from slipping forwards.

Sacrifice Paddock

An area where horses are kept during wet or drought conditions and periods of insufficient pasture growth.

Rotational Grazing

A management practice where rest periods allow grass to recover, increasing the quality of forage.

Dividing Fence Height

The general recommendation for dividing horse fences is $1.37\,m - 1.52\,m$ ($4.5 - 5\,feet$).

Perimeter Fencing Height

The recommended height for perimeter fencing is $1.52\,m$ ($5\,feet$) or higher.

High-Tensile Wire Fencing

A style of fence where posts can be placed as far as $60\,feet$ ($18\,m$) apart, typically using 4-5 wires.