So, You Think You Love Horses?

Some Reflections on the Nature of Horses and Man

Glossary of Equestrian Terms Words Beginning with V

Photo by Bethany Pastorial

• Vaulting

  [Equestrian Sport] Vaulting is a ancient sport in which the rider preforms gymnastic routines on the back of a moving horse. The horse is often controlled by a second person holding a lunge line. Interestingly enough the 1920 Summer Olympics Games featured men's vaulting but thereafter in was dropped and it currently is not a formal Olympic event. However, there are a number of other first rate competitions, including at the World Equestrian Games held every four years.

• Vaulting Surcingle

  [Equestrian Sport] A vaulting surcingle is a special surcingle designed for use in the sport of vaulting. It has a padded seat and handles and replaces a true saddle.

• Vetting (Pre-Purchase Veterinarian Exam)

  [Horse Management] A vetting is often a contingency when a horse is purchased, particularly the more expensive ones. The purpose is to establish that the horse is sound and healthy.

• Vices

  [Horse Behavior] Vices are any undesirable, stereotypical and purposeless behavioral mannerism expressed by a given horse. They may be viewed as "bad habits," or as indications of stress or boredom in a horse confined in a stall. There also is a sense that vices are not dissimilar to human obsessive-compulsive disorders and many seem to respond to treatment with the medication Fluoxetine. However, management should also consist of allowing animals more grazing time and introducing more novelty into their environment. Like people I believe animals in their own way may need a sense of purpose. Inactivity may be as damaging to a horse as it is a person. Among the more common vices are: cribbing, wind sucking, weaving, head shaking and wood biting. The fear that the these behaviors can somehow infect horses without them is not supported by facts.

• Voice Commands

  [Horse Instruction] Voice commands are verbal directions given to a horse in the course of our interacting with them. A horse, of course, is a non-verbal animal, but they are about as capable as a dog in recognizing the intent of human language. It is important to use the same intonation when speaking the word. I draw out walk and use a short sharp trot. When I say canter I put an accent on both syllables. In a group of horses I will speak the horse's name first and then then to action I wish. They do know their own names. When mounted I assume they realize that I am not directing some other horse. I try to always use the appropriate aide when I use a voice command just so they associate the two and know I am speaking to them.. When I see that something is upsetting my horse I pat it on its withers and say in a soft voice, "Its okay." That about as many syllables as I try to throw at a horse.

• Volte (French fencing term for turn)

  [Dressage] A volte is a small circle of a prescribed diameter of 6, 8, or 10 meters that a horse rides at a trot or canter during a dressage test. As a training exercise they help improve a horse's strength, balance, and coordination.