Horseback Riding Glossary for Beginners in Maryland

A

Aids

The signals a rider uses to communicate with a horse. Natural aids are the legs, hands, seat and voice; artificial aids include items such as a riding crop.Beginner riding lessonsBuild confidence in the saddle

B

Bit

The piece of the bridle that sits in the horse's mouth and helps the rider communicate through the reins. Bits come in many gentle, mild designs.Essential tack & equipmentSee: Bridle

Blanket

A covering placed on a horse for warmth or protection in cold, wet or windy weather. Not every horse needs one; it depends on the horse and conditions.

Bridle

The headgear worn by a horse that allows the rider to communicate and steer. It usually includes a bit, headstall and reins.Bridles & starter gearTacking up

C

Colt

A young male horse, usually under four years old. A young female is called a filly.Meet our horses

Cross-ties

Two ties clipped to either side of the halter that hold a horse safely in place for grooming and tacking up.Grooming basics

Canter

A three-beat gait that is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop. It feels like a gentle rocking motion once a rider is ready for it.Learn the gaits in a lessonIntermediate lessons

Cinch

The Western term for the strap that secures the saddle around the horse's barrel. In English riding it is called the girth.

Conformation

The overall physical structure and proportions of a horse. Good conformation supports soundness, comfort and long-term health.Best horse breeds for beginnersChoosing horse size

Curry comb

A grooming tool, often rubber, used in small circular motions to loosen dirt, mud and shedding hair before brushing.How to groom a horseSee: Grooming

D

Dressage

An English discipline focused on precise, balanced movements — often described as ballet on horseback. Great for building control.English vs. WesternRiding lessons

Dismount

To get down off a horse. New riders are taught a safe, controlled way to dismount early in their lessons.

E

English riding

A riding style that grew from European traditions of sport, hunting and cavalry. It uses a smaller, lighter saddle.English vs. Western ridingTake a riding lesson

F

Farrier

A trained professional who cares for horses' hooves, trimming them and fitting horseshoes when needed.Seasonal horse careMeet our horses

Foal

A baby horse of either sex, generally under one year old.

Forage

Grass and hay — the fibrous plant material that forms the foundation of a healthy horse's diet.

G

Green horse

A horse that is young or early in its training and still learning. Green horses are best matched with experienced riders.Best breeds for beginners

Gait

A pattern of footfalls or way of moving. The basic gaits are the walk, trot, canter and gallop.Riding lessons near AnnapolisSee: TrotSee: Canter

Gelding

A male horse that has been castrated. Geldings often have calm, steady temperaments, which suits lesson programs well.

Girth

The English-riding term for the strap that holds the saddle securely around the horse's barrel.

Grade horse

A horse of mixed or unrecorded breeding. Many grade horses make wonderful, steady lesson and trail partners.

Grooming

Cleaning and caring for a horse's coat, mane, tail and hooves. Grooming also builds trust and lets a rider check the horse over.A simple grooming routineHow your first visit works

H

Halter

A simple headpiece, without a bit, used to lead or tie a horse on the ground (not for riding).See: Lead ropeHandling & grooming

Hand

The unit used to measure a horse's height. One hand equals four inches, measured from the ground to the withers.Choosing the right horse sizeSee: Pony

Hoof pick

A small tool used to clean dirt, stones and debris from the underside of a horse's hooves.

Horsemanship

The overall skill, knowledge and understanding involved in handling, caring for and riding horses well and kindly.Confidence in the saddleWhy families choose us

L

Lameness

Any irregularity in a horse's gait, often from soreness or injury. A vet or farrier helps diagnose and treat it.Year-round horse care

Lunge line

A long line used to exercise or train a horse in a circle around the handler, often before riding.How lessons work

Lead rope

A rope attached to a halter, used to lead a horse safely from the ground.

Lesson horse

A calm, well-trained, experienced horse used to teach riders. Lesson horses are chosen for patience and reliability.Our horseback riding lessonsKids' lessons

M

Mare

An adult female horse, generally four years old or older.

Mounting block

A small set of steps or a sturdy platform that makes it easier and kinder on the horse for a rider to mount.How your first ride worksBeginner lessons

Mucking out

Cleaning manure and soiled bedding from a horse's stall, an important part of daily horse care.

P

Paddock

A fenced area of land where horses are turned out to graze, move and relax.

Pony

A fully grown equine measuring under 14.2 hands. Ponies are not baby horses; they are simply smaller, and often hardy.Ponies vs. horsesKids' riding lessons

Posting trot

Rising and sitting in rhythm with the horse's trot. Posting makes the trot smoother and more comfortable for the rider.Beginner riding lessonsSee: Trot

R

Reins

The straps a rider holds, connected to the bridle, used to help steer and communicate with the horse.Beginner tack guideLearn rein aids in a lesson

S

Seat

How a rider sits and balances in the saddle. A steady, independent seat is the foundation of good riding.Confidence in the saddleRiding lessons

Stallion

An adult male horse that has not been gelded. Stallions are spirited and are not used for beginner lessons.See: Gelding

Saddle

The seat a rider sits in, placed on the horse's back. English and Western saddles differ in size, shape and design.Saddles & beginner tackTacking up

Saddle pad

A pad placed between the horse's back and the saddle for comfort, cushioning and protection.

Stirrup

The footrest that hangs from each side of the saddle, supporting the rider's feet and aiding balance.

T

Tack

A general term for the equipment used to ride a horse, including the saddle, bridle, girth and pads.Essential tack for beginnersSee: SaddleSee: Bridle

Trail ride

A ride that takes place on outdoor trails, through woods or open country, rather than in an enclosed ring.Guided horseback trail ridesBest local riding trailsFind your trail

Trot

A two-beat gait faster than a walk. It is bouncier until a rider learns to post or sit it smoothly.Learn to post the trotSee: Posting trot

Turnout

Time a horse spends outside in a paddock or pasture to graze, move freely and socialize.Seasonal horse careSee the farm

W

Walk

The slowest, four-beat gait, and the gait where every rider begins building balance and confidence.

Western riding

A riding style that grew from American ranch-working traditions. It uses a larger saddle with a horn.How the two styles differGuided trail rides

Withers

The ridge between a horse's shoulder blades, at the base of the neck. A horse's height is measured to this point.Choosing the right horse sizeSee: Hand

Y

Yearling

A young horse between one and two years of age.