English Horse Riding Terminology

 

Bit

A metal bar placed in the mouth of the horse attached to the  bridle and used with reins to direct and guide the horse. 

 

Bridle

See diagram above. Placed around the head of the horse and used to guide and direct.

 

Canter

A three-beat horse gait, with both front and rear legs on one side landing further forward than those on the other side.This gait begins with the outside hind leg, followed by the simultaneous landing of the outside front and inside hind, finished by the inside front. It is at a higher speed than trot but at a lower speed than the gallop. 

 

Change the rein

Change the direction that you are riding in

 

Crop

A short whip. 

 

Diagonal

Trotting: The set of legs that move forward at the same are the diagonal pair. When a rider posts while riding at the trot, they can rise either matching when the left or the right foreleg and opposite hind leg hits the ground. When riding a circle in rising trot, the rider sits when the outside front and inside hind legs are on the ground.

 

Gallop

The fastest natural horse gait. 

 

Gait

The way a horse moves its legs. The natural gaits are walk, trot, canter and gallop. 

 

Girth

Wide, flat strap used to secure the saddle to a horse's back.

 

Hack

An informal ride. Often out on roads and countryside lanes. See our Engage Sessions page.

 

Mout/ Dismount

Getting on the horse/get off the horse

 

Saddle

A device placed on the back of a horse where the rider sits. Designed to support and stabilize a rider. 

 

Stirrup

A pair of light frames that are attached to the saddle by the stirrup leathers. This is where the rider places their feet to ride. 

 

Tack

The term for all the equipment that horses wear and use. 

 

Trot

A diagonal, two-beat, intermediate-speed horse gait.

 

Walk

A four-beat gait, the slowest of the natural horse gaits.

​

Interested? Come to one of our RDA Training days to get hands on experience! Email us at nottsunirda@gmail.com