Horse jargon can be confusing to the uninitiated. This guide breaks down the horsey jargon so a beginner can sound like a pro, or at least nod along convincingly.

Here’s a look at some of the most common terms a beginner will encounter around horses.

Groundwork

Brown horse performing groundwork exercises

Even before getting into the saddle, groundwork introduces many basic training concepts. Horses must first have good ground manners to reduce risks and potential injuries to themselves and humans. Groundwork can also be less intimidating for new riders, helping both rider and horse build confidence, trust, and an effective working relationship.

Working the Reins

Rider shortening the reins while mounted on a horse

The reins are a direct line of communication between the horse, through the bit, and its rider. Proper rein length depends on the task being performed.

  • Soft hands: An advanced skill describing a rider’s hands as soft, forgiving, and supple when giving direction through the reins. Hard or harsh pulls travel straight to the bit inside the horse’s mouth, the opposite of soft hands.
  • Shorten: The rider moves their hands up along the reins, closer to the horse’s mouth, increasing pressure on the bit. Also called tightening the reins or taking up the slack.
  • Lengthen: The opposite of shorten. The rider moves their hands down the reins, decreasing pressure on the bit.

Brush up on 11 popular phrases contributed from horse racing too!

Leg Work

Learning proper leg pressure while riding is crucial to avoid confusing the horse, which is why “leg work” comes up often in horse jargon. Good riders keep a constant but soft pressure around the horse.

Two terms are common here are:

  • Quiet leg: Like soft hands, quiet leg describes a rider whose legs move very little and only apply pressure to give a cue or directive. Riders without quiet legs are said to be “busy with their legs” or “unsteady in their legs.”
  • More leg: An instructor calling for more leg pressure around the horse.

Deep Seat

Skilled riders move in unison with their horse rather than against its movement. Developing a deep seat (imagine sitting back on the pockets of a pair of pants) helps a rider move with the horse instead of against it.

Heels Down

Rider shown with heels down in the stirrups

A rider’s heels should always sit closer to the ground than their toes. Low, flexible heels tend to go hand-in-hand with a deep seat and a quiet leg, and heels down also keeps the feet properly positioned in the stirrup.

Conclusion

Understanding horse jargon is a bit like learning a new language. With practice, speaking “horse” comes quickly. It always helps to remember that even the most seasoned riders were beginners once.

Saddle up, pull on a pair of breeches, lace up the boots, and enjoy the ride.

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