Here is a simple glossary of terms to help you get acquainted with the equine world.
The Riding Equipment
You will need to familiarize yourself with riding equipment known as “tack”. The bridle is the head piece used to carry the reins and which is placed in the horse’s mouth held by a bit. The reins are attached to the bridle and this is what you use to steer the horse. This equipment can be found at a Ranch Store In El Dorado Hills CA.
The Horse Itself
Knowing the parts of a horse’s body will be helpful when engaging in equine conversations. Of course you probably know what a hoof is, but there are some common terms such as fetlocks and withers that may not be as familiar. The fetlock is the joint at the lower part of the horse’s leg. Withers are the shoulders, so to speak, of the horse. The croup or rump is also important as this is the area at the back of the horse used as reference when loading your saddle. The muzzle is the nostrils, mouth and chin of the horse. Finally, the girth of the horse is the area at the front of the horse used to measure for your saddle.
The Gait of the Horse
The gait of a horse is the way a horse moves. In a way it is like the speed of a horse. A walk is the slowest pace for a horse and all feet are touching the ground separately step by step. A trot picks up the pace and as the horse begins to trot it will use two feet at a time in diagonal pairs. Now getting into a run, a canter or easy gallop, is a three foot gait; one diagonal pair hits at the same time and the next separately. The gallop is the fastest speed for a horse and each foot will hit the ground separately forcing the horse forward very quickly.
Ranch Store In El Dorado Hills CA – Whether you have decided to purchase your first horse or are about to embark on a horse riding course, knowing the basic terms will help you meet your challenges with a little more confidence.
Lee’s Feed has been offering all the animal feed products and services you expect in a good ranch store in El Dorado HILLS, CA since 1980. Go to website.