Dam
[Pedigree of a Horse] The mother of a individual horse. The grandmother is called a second dam and so on.
Dandy Brush
[Grooming Implement] Dandy brushes are one of several types of brushes used for grooming horses. The bristles of a Dandy brush are intermediate between softer body brushes and stiffer bristle brushes. The bristles are made from either natural or synthetic fibers. The handles they are mounted on come in various styles as well. I find under most ordinary circumstances I can get away with using only a Dandy, but it is good to have a variety available when another type is needed.
Dentist (Equine Dentist)
[Equine Practitioner] Equine dentists specialize in the care of horses' teeth. Most licensed veterinarians include these services as well. In many states non-veterinarians are permitted to perform certain equine dental procedures but as yet strict educational standards and licensing are uncommon for those non-veterinarians holding themselves out as equine dentists. Horses' teeth are extremely important to their well-being and regular care required. Over time with grazing irregular sharp edges or hooks form on the occlusal surfaces of teeth. These can interfere with the animals nutrition. A procedure called the floating of teeth removes these irregularities.
Destrier
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[Equine Type] A destrier was a medieval horse type, bred to carry an armored knight into battle or jousts. We often picture them as similar to our modern draft horse breeds but in fact they were likely not quite that large. They were prized and were pampered animals for their time, treated better than most humans.
Direct Rein
[Basic Riding] A rein held by the rider such that it is held in a straight line from the bit to the rider's endow and the preferred positioning of the reins.
Divot
[Result of Horse Activity] A divot is the impression of a horse's hooves in soft ground that often results in a torn up piece of turf. It is possible to restore the ground pushing the turf back and flattening the surrounding ground. Spectator are often invited the fix the divots resulting from a polo match.
Dock
[Anatomy of the Horse] The lowest vertebral bone segment of a horse's spine before the tail.
Docking a Tail
[Obsolete Human Practice with Respect to Horses] The deliberate removal of the lower portions of a horses tail, including most all of the hair. This was done with carriage horses to avoid getting reins caught under the tail and also with some military horses and hunters to avoid brush or foreign objects tangling in a tail.. A docked horse cannot swish flies and the practice is considered outmoded. Temporary braiding or bandaging the tail achieves the same purpose.
Doctor Bristol Mouthpiece Snaffle Bit
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[Equine Equipage] Doctor Bristol mouthpiece snaffles are a type of multi-jointed snaffle bits that have a flat link in the center of the mouthpiece which lays at an angle to the plane of the bit. They appear similar to a French link snaffle but the French link is set in the plane of the bit while the Dr. Bristol is at an angle. The French link is considered to be a milder bit than the Dr. Bristol.
Dog Fox
[Fox Chasing] This is a term for a male fox. Vixen is used for the female.
Dorsal Stripe
[Equine Coat Marking] The dorsal stripe is a primitive coat marking commonly found in horses with a dun coat color, as well as other types of equines. It has been selectively bred out of most modern horse breeds with the development of different coat colors centuries ago.
Dragoon
[Military] Dragoons were a type of mounted soldiers that originally used horses for mobility but dismounted to fight on foot. Over time they also fought mounted and other than the name, there was little distinction between dragoons and cavalry.
Driving
[Form of Employing a Horse and Vehicle] Driving is the term describing the hitching of one of more equines to a wagon, carriage, cart, sleigh, or other horse-drawn vehicle, using a harness. Some would say it is a lost art but that is not entirely fair. There are still people who drive horses for pleasure, in competitions, as a conveyance for tourists, in harness racing or even among the Amish for everyday transportation or work, etc.
Drop Fence
[Show Jumping] A jump construction in which the landing side is lower than the take-off.
Dutch Warm Blood Horse
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[Horse Breed] Dutch Warm-bloods are a warm-blood breed that originated in the Nederlands. There were carriage and draft animals in their ancestry but the breeders wished to produce a light horse, while retaining many of the favorable characters, such as strength seem in their forebears. Strict selection procedures applied to breeding stock produces reliable animals seen frequently seen today in dressage or jumping competitions.