Hack
[Equine Activity] A hack is a ride along a path or trail, distinct from any competitive riding. The term was also used for a horse for hire or a worn out horse.
Hackney
[Horse Breed] The Hackney Horse was developed in Britain as a fast, high-stepping trotter with a flashy appearance that is capable of long-distance trotting.Hackamore
[Equine Equipage] A hackamore is similar to a bridle but lacks a bit. It relies on exerting pressure via its noseband on the horse's face.
Haflinger Horse
[Equine Breed] Haflingers are a small horse breed native to the Tyrol region in Europe. They are adapted for use in mountainous terrain and are strong and hardy. Haflingers are always a shade of chestnut in color. They are popular as a driving animal in smaller conveyances.
Half Pass
[Dressage] The horse moves both forward and steps to the side crossing its legs in the process. I always enjoy watching a rider do this. You will notice that the horse's body is slightly bent in the direction of movement.
Halter Class
[Showing] In a halter class horses are shown in a halter without tack or a rider and judged on their conformation and suitability for breeding. There is also halter showmanship in which young handlers are judged on their ability to groom and present a halter horse rather than on the horse itself.
Hand
[Equestrian Unit of Measurement] This is used in speaking of the height of a horse and equals 4 inches or 10 centimeters metric. Horses are generally are 15 to 17 hands tall. Ponies are smaller. Horses height is measured from their withers which is a stationary body part unlike their head. The record height of a horse was a draft horse named Big Jake acknowledged by Guinness World Records as the tallest horse in the world, at 20 hands, 2.75 inches (82.75 inches). Ever notice that they all seem that big when you are trying to mount.
Handicap Race
[Horse Racing] A handicap race is one in which a handicaper assigns a certain account of extra weight to horses with better win records in an effort to achieve parity among the entries.
Handy Hunter Classes
[Horse Show Category] Handy hunter classes judge the maneuverability of a horse on a course. It may be called over fences, when jumping is included or under saddle, if jumping is not included. The word "handy" implies a horse that turns well (is supple) and well balanced during movements. The word hunter is used as the skill set required is similar to that needed on a typical hunt field.
Hanoverian Horse
[Horse Breed] Hanoverians are a warm-blooded breed, known for their elegance, strength and athleticism. The breed was established at the Hanoverian State Stud farm at Celle, which was founded in 1732 by George II, the King of England and Elector of Hanover. The breeders were looking for a multipurpose horse that might be used as a military mount but also an elegant carriage horse. Today Hanoverians are well represented among horses featured in various kinds of competitive sport riding disciples.
Hark
[Fox Chasing] "Hark" is called by a hunter for silence when fellow hunters are having a conversation that might obscure sounds that would indicate the hunt is on the trail of a fox. Often groups of hunters are widely dispersed over the country side and there is no line of sight between the hounds and some elements of the field. The ability to hear horns or the distant cry of the hounds can be critical. You might wonder if such an archaic term is still in modern use, but I can assure you it still is. I seem to hear it every time I open my mouth when fox chasing.
Hazer
[Rodeo] In steer wrestling a hazer is the second rider in the arena who rides parallel to the steer and keeps it running straight for the benefit of the primary rider, who is called the bulldogger. The bulldogger must then grab the steer by the horns, slip out of the saddle and wrestle the steer to the ground.
Head Shaking
[Equine Behavior] Head shaking is a vice, in which the horse repetitively shakes its head from side to side for no clear reason. Some believe this is often an indication of a underlying veterinary problem and that might be ruled out rather than assuming it is totally behavioral. An entity, called trigeminal nerve-mediated headshaking, has been defined and is believed to result from neuropathic facial pain. The would be similar to trigeminal neuralgia in humans.
Headcollar
[Equine Equipage-British Usage] Equivalent to halter (American English usage)
Headstall
[Equine Equipage] A headstall is that part of a bridle less the bit and reins that confine the horses head and thereby keep the bit and reins in place. They are generally constructed of a series of leather straps held in place with buckles and loops that can be unfastened for cleaning purposes.
Heavy Cavalry
[Military] Heavy cavalry was a category of mounted troops mounted on powerful horses and often armored. They were intended as shock troops to break the enemy's line of battle or envelope his flank. Improvements in firearms and artillery over time limited their role. The U.S. military never deployed heavy cavalry units.
Heavy in the Bridle
[Equine Behavior] A horse that pulls on the reins and may fight the bit is said to be "heavy in the reins." The rider can deliberately lighted the pressure, but by doing that control is surrendered and who knows what will follow. Trainers often suggest that a rider shift their horse's balance more to the hindend. That is something I have never been able to achieve myself in part because I never enjoyed ring work. So, this is not really my horses fault, but my own laziness. Horses naturally are “on the forehand," using their head and neck for balance and carrying the majority of the rider's weight on their front legs and shoulders. There are several ring exercises, including doing figure eights, that help horses to learn to carry more weight in the hindquarters and thus be more balanced and reduce any tendency to be heavy in the bridle.
Herd Bound
[Equine Behavior] A herd bound horse suffers what amount to an anxiety attack when removed from its herd or when the other horses are removed. It can be difficult to preform routine duties in the stable area when working with such a horse. Slowly building up a tolerance to leaving the herd will eventually solve the problem.
Hill Topper
[Fox Chasing] Members of a hunt may include individuals that do not chose to jump their horses and constitute a second field. A senior member of the hunt, who is familiar with the terrain, often conducts them, allowing them to view the chasing often from a hill top. Member who do hunt are called the first flight and get to be much closer to the action.
Hock
[Equine Anatomy] The hock is the complex of hindlimb joints between the tarsal bones and tibia of a horse. It is equivalent to the human ankle and heel. It receives a lot of stress in a working horse and is a site accounting for some lameness issues. The posterior aspect of the hock forms an angle at the middle position of the horse's rear leg.
Hold Hard
[Fox Chasing] The command to hold hard is given to a member of the hunt by an official of the hunt when there is a need for the rider to urgently halt his horse.
Homestretch
[Horse Racing] The homestretch is one of the four sections of an oval race track and is the one that is a straightaway closest to the viewing stand. The starting and finish lines are along the homestretch.
Hoof Knife
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[Farrier Equipment] A farrier uses a hoof knife as an initial step in removing dirt, exfoliated sole material and trim the shedded material from the frog.
Hoof Nipper
[Farrier Equipment] A farrier uses a steel hoof nipper to trim the away excess hoof wall at the edges of the hoof.
Hoof Pick
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[Equine Equipage] A hoof pick is a metal tool used to clean the bottom of a horse's hoof.
Hoof Rasp
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[Farrier Equipment] A Hoof Rasp is a heavy duty file, used by a farrier to do a final trimming and shaping of the hoof edge and sole. It is important it that the angle that the hoof rests on the ground must be properly maintained.
Hoof Tester
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[Veterinarian Equipment] A veterinarian uses a blunt, scissor-like hoof tester as part of a lameness evaluation, while checking for tenderness by applying pressure to the hoof wall.
Horn
[Equine Anatomy] The horn of a horse's hoof is the hard, keratinized, outer surface of the hoof.
Horse Whisperer
[Training] A horse whisperer is that trainer, who seems to get rapid and amazing results when working with horses. Their basic approach is working from an understanding of the animals' natural instincts and using non-coercive methods. There is controversy as to who was the original horse whisperer and the term as also the title of a major 1998 motion picture. Watching a trainer's exhibition of applying these techniques is always impressive.
Hot-Bloods
[Horse Breed Category] Hot blooded breeds are breeds said to be fast, energetic, often flighty, and relatively poor keepers. Thoroughbreds and Arabians are said to be hot-blooded breeds but Arabs are fairly good keepers. A hot-blooded horse can made a very good riding horse if worked regularly and schooled but many riders would rather have a more reliable, mixed or cold-blooded riding horse.
Hunter Pace
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[Equestrian Event] A hunter pace is a cross country event over water and jumps where a predetermined optimum time is the key to winning. Often these are sponsored by local hunts and feature a kind of simulated hunt field (well, maybe a bit more of a civilized one without the multi-floral rose, etc.).