So, You Think You Love Horses?

Some Reflections on the Nature of Horses and Man

• Off-Tract Thoroughbred (OTTB)

  [Equine Situation] Every year the Thoroughbred racing industry produces thousands of hopeful, future champions and also every year the industry must repurpose an equal number of animals. In the past some of these animals found a good home, some were tragically slaughtered and others neglected by owners who bought them cheaply at auction. The picture is much better today. A coalition of industry and equine welfare groups are rehoming large numbers of beautiful horses in the prime of their lives. I can talk knowledgeably about this in that both my wife and self are riding off-tract Thoroughbreds. Both myself and my wife owned and rode former racehorses.

  On the Bit

  [Basic Riding] A rider always wishes to be what is called "on the bit." This is maintaining proper contact pressure with the reins and bit so as to effectively use the them as an aid in communicating the rider's intentions to the horse. Contact pressure with a horse's month should be neither too firm (too hard) nor too loose (too soft). Just like in the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" it should be just right. When learning riding this is something you get a feel for over time and I hate to see a novice rider intentionally hank some poor horse in the mouth. When a horse either raises or lowers its head and breaks this contact it is called being above the bit or being behind the bit and the rider then has lost any leverage on the horse's mouth. Neither of these situations is desirable.

• Open Up

  [Fox Chasing] Hounds are said the be opening up when they first beginning vocalizing (speaking or crying) that they have scented a fox (discovered a line).

  Orlov Trotter

  Horse Breed] Orlov Trotters are an uncommon breed that originated in Russia during the latter 18th century. They are said to combine of speed, strength, stamina, agreeable temperament. They are cold weather adapted and are useful in both in harness and under saddle. They lack the speed of the Standardbred and are not typically raced.

• Outrider

  [Horse Racing] An outrider is one of several mounted individuals charged with maintaining a safe environment on the tract and responding to on field emergencies. They are most visible when running down a loose race horse and escorting the winning rider at the end. They also ride to the aid of any fallen jockey and summon paramedics if necessary. They are well-mounted on a fast horse, carry a radio and generally wear a red coat and riding helmet. The term was originally used for the mounted escort of a royal person in a carriage. They rode around the carriage, providing security and clearing the way,

• Outside Leg

  [Schooling] When doing ring work or riding in a circle the rider's outside leg is closer to the outer fence or wall rather than the center of the circle. The point is that it might be your right or your left side depending whether or not you are going clockwise or counter-clockwise. It is not your basic port and starboard dilemma. When picking up a lead and impelling the horse into a canter you may be going straight but the term is still used and the circle more imaginary. It also may not be all that important to the effort expended by the horse which lead it is on when going straight.

• Over, Under or Through

  [U.S. Cavalry Motto] "Over, under or through" is the motto of the 104th Cavalry Regiment. It implies a willingness to be up to the challenge of never going around a problem. It also describes a cross country riding game Theodore Roosevelt played with his children. However, in practice I have discovered that going around may be the only sensible thing to do.

• Overshot Jaw or Overjet (Parrot Mouth)

  [Veterinary Medicine] A horse with an overshot jaw has a lower jaw shorter than the upper one, causing a malocclusion of the teeth. The nipping teeth (incisors), but not the cheek teeth (molars) are affected. The condition appears genetic and becomes noticeable as a young horse's jaw develops. It presents problems nipping glass and results in poor nutrition. There are treatments available if the condition is recognized early.

• Oxer

  [Show Jumping] A jump construction that has two elements of supports and poles set apart. There are several sub-types of oxers. These are more difficult and force the horse to stretch out his jump.