Glossary of Equestrian Terms
Words Beginning with R

Rack
[Equine Gait] The rack is one of 5 gaits processed by the American Saddle Horse breed. It is a 4-beat gait with each foot hitting the ground separately. The motion is quick and energetic with the head carried high. It is an impressive sight. At horse shows when the rack is called for the audience always becomes very animated. However easy for the rider, the rack is rather hard on the horse and is not a gait for prolonged riding. It is also a gait that is not a natural one, it requires training to develop in a horse but most horses will pick it up without harsh measures.
Ratcatcher Shirt
[Riding Apparel] A ratcatcher is a high collar shirt that is considered appropriate for informal hunt wear or for ordinary showing. It is generally worn with a stock tie. The origin of the term is uncertain and may be either pejorative or may be descriptive from a time when hunts also chased other local animals considered vermin, such as rats.
Rearing

[Equine Behavior] A rearing horse stands on its hind legs with the forelegs off the ground. It is a common behavior in wild stallions and uncommon in mares. Domestic horses are fully capable of rearing and can be trained to do so on command. When done spontaneously, it needless to say, is dangerous to the horse's handler. It is indicative of aggression, misbehavior or it some cases pain.
Recurrent Iridocyclitis (Moon Blindness or Periodic Ophthalmia)
[Veterinary Medicine] Recurrent iridocyclitis is serious, recurring inflammatory of the eyes that can result in total loss of sight over time. Signs of inflammation appears in either one or both eyes suddenly and then remit in a few days. The horse is sensitive to light, has a closed eye lids, constricted pupils, conjunctivitis and lacrimation. Riboflavin may have preventative value, but is not helpful in treatment. Certain species of bacteria may also play a role and can be treated with antibiotics. Autoimmune etiologies are suspect and can be treated by steroids. I should point out that this condition may represent several different diseases with different causes, all presenting with the identical symptoms of recurrent iridocyclitis. In addition, there are several common and less serious conditions that present with some of the symptoms of recurrent iridocyclitis. There is no substitution for a prompt veterinary consultation if this condition is suspect.
Red Maple Tree Leaves (Acer rubrum)
[Toxic Plant for Horses] Wilted leaves of the red maple tree are toxic to a horse. They contain gallic acid and it is believe a second yet unidentified toxic agent. These produce a condition in which large quantities of red blood cells are suddenly destroyed (hemolytic anemia). The poisoning is manifest by lethargy, discolored urine from blood breakdown products and dusky gums from a lack of oxygen in the blood. Horses are fairly good about excluding dead leaves when they graze but if there are a large quantity in their environment they may ingest some. It is estimated that they would need to eat over a pound to reach a dangerous dose. The red maple leaf is recognizable as the one in the Canadian flag. If you have some in the area of your pasture you should strongly consider breaking the old chain saw out.
Refusal
[Stadium Jumping] A refusal is when a horse fails to jump a fence as required on the course. A rider will receive penalty points when this occurs. It is also any similar event during more ordinary recreational jumping. The fault may be with the horse, with the human or more commonly both. The advantage or disadvantage of riding a horse is that it has its own brain and will size up a situation. There are those times when a horse uses better judgement than the rider and a refusal saves both from catastrophe.
Rein-Back
[Dressage] Rein-Back is the dressage term for precise backing movements. In a rein-back the horse takes backward steps in diagonal pairs and ends with its feet properly squared. If that sounds as if it should be easy for the horse and rider to master it is not. Basic backing for the novice horse is somewhat counterintuitive. The animal is being asked to step back to a place it cannot see when it feels it is perfectly capable to go forwards and then turn into that place. For the most part backwards pressure on the bit indicates a stop or a slowing to the horse. However, in the case of backing it signals the animal not to go forwards. The rider also remains upright providing another cue to the horse and finally pressure with the legs tells the horse to do something but the other aids cue "not forwards." Once the horse figures this out the prompt release of aids tell the horse it correctly interpreted the riders intention. It takes a fair amount of work on the part of a novice rider and mount to pick this up. In dressage this is refined to the degree that an observer barely perceives the riders use of any aids.
Riding Habit
[Riding Equipage] A riding habit is the formal attire that is typically worn by a horseback rider often during showing or hunting and the term is especially applied to woman's attire. A more casual rider might wear certain elements of it.
Riot
[Fox Chasing] A pack of hounds are said to run riot when they become disorganized and run on the scent of some animal other than the fox. This is to be avoided at all costs but happens. I have seen a deer bolt from a woods at full speed and seconds later followed by a couple of hounds in full cry miles from where any hunt was being conducted. I wondered how they were ever going to recover those hounds.
Roadsters
[Horse Category] Horses used for light driving rather than for draft work were referred to as being roadsters.
Roan
[Equine Coat Color] A horse is said to be roan if white hairs are mixed with any other solid coat color.
Rollback
[Horse Maneuver] A horse doing a rollback generally executes a fast 180 degree pivot on its hindquarters in a limited area. It is seen in both English riding during show jumping when fences are placed in such a way that the jumper must quickly turn and reorient to a jump placed at an extreme angle to the prior one and also in Western riding during reining demonstrations. In show jumping the rider might be giving an option of doing the rollback or going the long way around and facing a time penalty.
Rolling

[Horse Behavior] It is natural for horses to roll, but in rare cases it is a response to pain, such as colic or labor. Typically, it begins with a horse looking for a place to roll. Its head is down and it often circles around and paws the ground. If it likes the spot, it drops and rolls over several times, often letting out grunting sounds. The first time I watched this I swore the there was no way the animal could stand up again, but they always do. They tend to let out a grunt and shake all over. The implied reasons that horses roll are many. They may have an itch, a coat that is sheading or in the case of stallions it is felt they use it to mark territory. I am sure if horses spoke they would tell you that it just feels good.
Roman Riding

Roman Rider Dusti Dickerson

[Equestrian Entertainment] Roman riding is a type of trick riding in which the rider balances on a pair of galloping horses. I sometimes go to horse shows, watch competitors and think I could do that (I know I can't). When it comes to Roman and other forms of trick riding, I do not even fantasize that I would do those.
Rope Halter

[Horse Equipage] The usual halter is made of flat leather or nylon and buckles or hooks in place. A rope halter is made of rope, commonly 5/16 inches thick, that is folded and knotted into the shape of a halter. This is done in such a way that there are two parallel rope strands behind the pole and over the nose. It is tied off using the loop with a half hitch on the left side of the face so that the end is facing down and away from the eye. The advantage of a rope halter is that it puts a little more pressure on the horse's face at the contact points and is harder for him to ignore. A knowledgeable rider can fashion one on the trail from a length of rope and they hold up very well with rough use.
Round Pen
[Schooling] A round pen is a round enclosure with a gate and high walls and may be constructed of wood or metal. The pens are used for the initial starting of green horses and for training thereafter. A typical round pen is built on level ground and is about 60 feet in diameter. The round shape is desirable because uncooperative horses will often run into corners in square or rectangular enclosures and turn their flanks to the trainer. A round pen should be inmate enough that the horse must interact with the trainer and the trainer can easily follow the horse on foot but large enough to allow the horse to circle in various gaits. However, a pen is just a tool and the critical element is the skill of the trainer using it.
Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues)
[Military] The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. In 1969 it was amalgamated with the Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) to form the Blues and Royals. The regiment maintains a mounted troop, which conducts a colorful mounted changing of the guard ceremony in the courtyard in front of the Horse Guards building.(facing Whitehall). This ceremony is less well-know than the foot ceremony at Buckingham Palace but is a must see by any horse lover when visiting London. You are likely to get a front row seat without the mass of usual tourists. The term "horse guards" is also applied to the once traditional home of the British the War Office military headquarters in the Horse Guards building. The Blues and Royals wear a blue tunic, a metal cuirass, and a matching helmet with a red plume.
Runout
[Stadium Jumping] A runout is when a horse dodges past (generally at the last possible moment) one side of a standing jump rather than jumping the fence as required on the course. A rider will receive penalty points when this occurs but it is a rare occurrence among veteran riders and mounts. It is also any similar event during more ordinary recreational jumping. I rode a mare who I could count on the pull this stunt and it took much ring work on my part and hers to properly correct the problem. In all honesty, I feel the fault was with both of us and I realized that every time she successfully did it we were reinforcing the behavior. Properly jumping with a horse requires a complex series of timed and coordinated steps on the part of the rider and a willingness on the part of the animal. It is not so easy to master.