Simple equestrian terms and what non-horsey people think they mean

Buckle up as we take a a look at common equestrian terms, while discovering what non-horsey folk think each one means.

Snaffle

A simple type of bit, that fits in the horse’s mouth typically with a joint in the middle and used with a single pair of reins. The bit is attached on to the bridle and is used when riding.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “Thing that straps to their face that they eat from”
• “A brand of horse treats, like a snaffle bar”
• “A type of apparatus or something for their nose”
• “Is it the soft bit they sometimes put over their noses like to cushion the bridle”
• “That sounds gross. “
• “A horse mask”
• “A bit to eager”

Forelock

A lock of hair growing from the poll, hanging down over the forehead forming at the top of the man’s, running down between the horse’s ears onto the face.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “The point at which a horse’s front leg co-contracts parallel the floor.”
• “Full extension of the front legs”
• “When a horse gets cramp in its front legs”
• “A type of strap to go around the head of the horsey.”
• “Neck collar”

Metal curry comb

A metal device with serrated ridges used for removing dirt or hairs from a body brush.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “A particular type of comb used to make the horse look pretty. One of many grooming tools. Designed by someone called Mr. Curry? Curry comb is obviously the best ? I assume.”
• “A type of mane braid”
• “A type of comb? With curry on it”
• “Something to sift through your Balti”
• “Special utensil to fish up curry”
• “If it’s a comb that makes curry, I want one”
• “What a comb looks like after you brush the horse’s tail once it’s had a poo.”
• “Curry scented comb”
• “A comb for specifically curry coloured horses”

A green horse

A young or inexperienced horse.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “Dead”
• “A horse that hasn’t ridden a race before”
• “An illness, looking under the weather e.g. “That horse looks Green”, Green with flu.”
• “A lucky horse? Or one that poops a lot”
• “A sustainable horse”
• “I’m gonna say that a green horse is one that has been out of action for a while, maybe an old horse, but then has a come back and ready to go! Like recycled.”
• “As close to the wizard of Oz’s rainbow coloured horses as you can realistically get”

Throat lash

A strap passing under the horses throat, to keep the bridle in position.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “Go to whip a horse but accidentally miss the side and hit it in the neck region e.g. “Oh sorry I just throat lashed that horse.”
• “A strap that you can pull the horse with to direct it when not sat on the horse … To go around the throat lol”
• “Like whip lash but for horses”
• “Yanking the reins?”
• “An encouraging movement to make the horse move faster”
• “Oh goodness”
• “Horse equivalent of the cone of shame”

A fresh horse

A term used for a sharp, excitable or unsettled horse.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “One that’s been on a long weekend somewhere”
• “Pre-race”
• “Fresh trim, just had a haircut”
• “A new born”

The Wither

The bony formation at the bottom of the neck and start of the back between the shoulder blades. This is the highest part of the back and where a horses height is measured from.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “Wither is a technique used by horse riders to slow the horse down after racing.  “Roberta withers horse a)’ to allow her to dismount after a spectacular race”
• “It’s a behaviour when the horse doesn’t want to come out or go into its trailer or stable. It’s refraining from instruction.”
• “A pace somewhere between canter and gallop e.g. ‘he’s withering’”
• “slacking (wither without you)”
• “Your horse has died”

Numnah

A pad which goes underneath the saddle.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “A cream e.g. Deep heat for horses.”
• “When a horse kicks with its back legs and hits a person. That person is a numnah.”
• “A numnah is a word used to describe transition between running stages and speeds of the horse, and how well they respond to the riders command. So the numnah between a canter and gallop can be smooth or jerky ect. A horse can have a good numnah or a bad one.”
• “How to ask your horse if he/she is ok”

Wind-sucking

A term used to describe habitual behaviour and a vice, which involves repeated arching of the neck and noisily sucking in and swallowing air.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “When a horse accidentally breathes in when their supposed to be breathing out, when he’s running, causes them to choke.”
• “Maybe a foal baby or some breathing thing caused by the high-speed winds in races”
• “Going as fast as you can”
• “Heavy breathing”
• “Out of breath”
• “Horses lips blowing in the wind”
• “Burping your horse”

Pommel

The front arch of a saddle.

Non-horsey folk suggestions:

• “Pommel is a pretend horse, made from wood or metal, which can teach beginners how to sit on a horse and how to put a saddle on one ect. Can be as simple as a cylinder model or a full on horse statue.”
• “A jump”
• “A horse ale (i.e going for a cheeky pommel with the lads)”

A big thank you to all willing participants, your responses were witty, yet hilariously unfounded. We would like to take this time to assure certain individuals that equestrians are not quite as brutal as your definition of a “throat lash” would insinuate.