Horse Glossary: Common Equine Terms Explained

This is a plain-English horse glossary for horse owners — a quick, brand-neutral reference to the equine terms you run into around the barn, in feed rooms, at the vet, and while shopping for tack and trailers. Each entry gives a clear, accurate definition so you can understand what something means before you decide what your horse needs.

Definitions here are general educational information, not product recommendations or veterinary advice — always consult your veterinarian or farrier about your individual horse. Where a term connects to a part of our directory, you will find a link to browse that category of verified products and providers.

Automatic Waterer: An automatic waterer is a plumbed water bowl or trough that refills itself with fresh water as a horse drinks, usually controlled by a float valve. It keeps clean water available at all times and reduces the daily chore of filling buckets, though it makes it harder to monitor exactly how much each horse drinks. See also Stall Mat. Browse Horse Barn Accessories →
Bell Boots: Bell boots are bell-shaped protective coverings that fit around a horse's pastern and over the hoof. They guard against overreaching, where a hind foot strikes the heel or shoe of a front foot, helping prevent injuries and pulled shoes. See also Hoof Boot. Browse Tack →
Biotin: Biotin is a B-vitamin commonly fed to horses to support hoof quality. Supplementing biotin over several months may help improve the growth and strength of weak, brittle, or cracked hooves, since hoof horn grows slowly and changes take time to appear. See also Farrier, Hoof Boot. Browse Horse Health →
Blanket Denier: Denier is a measure of the thickness of the threads used in a horse blanket's outer fabric. A higher denier number, such as 1200D or 1680D, indicates a heavier, more tear-resistant shell that better withstands rough wear, weather, and pasture play. See also Fly Sheet. Browse Tack →
Coggins Test: A Coggins test is a blood test that screens for Equine Infectious Anemia, a serious viral disease in horses. A current negative Coggins is often required to transport horses across state lines, attend shows, or board at many facilities, and it is typically renewed once a year. See also Farrier. Browse Services for Horses →
Colic: Colic is a general term for abdominal pain in horses, most often involving the digestive tract. It can range from mild gas discomfort to a life-threatening intestinal blockage or twist. Signs include pawing, rolling, looking at the flank, and not eating, and colic should always be treated as a veterinary emergency. See also Electrolytes. Browse Horse Health →
Cribbing: Cribbing is a behavior in which a horse grips a solid object, such as a fence rail or stall edge, with its top teeth and pulls back while sucking in air. It is considered a stable vice that can wear down teeth and is often linked to stress, boredom, or limited turnout. See also Slow Feeder. Browse Horse Health →
Cross-Ties: Cross-ties are a pair of ropes or straps attached to opposite walls of an aisle or grooming area that clip to both sides of a horse's halter. They hold the horse centered and relatively still for grooming, tacking up, and veterinary or farrier work. See also Quick-Release Snap. Browse Tack →
Electrolytes: Electrolytes are essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, and chloride that a horse loses through sweat. Supplementing electrolytes helps replace those losses during hot weather, heavy work, or long-distance travel, supporting hydration and proper muscle and nerve function. See also Salt and Mineral Block. Browse Horse Health →
Farrier: A farrier is a trained professional who cares for horses' hooves, including trimming, balancing, and fitting and applying horseshoes. Regular farrier visits, typically every six to eight weeks, are essential to keep a horse sound and comfortable. See also Biotin, Laminitis. Browse Services for Horses →
Fly Mask: A fly mask is a mesh covering worn over a horse's face to protect the eyes and ears from flies and other biting insects. The mesh is designed so the horse can see and breathe through it while keeping pests away, which can also help horses prone to eye irritation. See also Fly Sheet. Browse Fly Control →
Fly Sheet: A fly sheet is a lightweight, breathable mesh blanket that covers a horse's body to keep biting insects off the skin. Unlike a winter blanket, it is meant for warm weather and provides insect protection, and some versions also block sun to reduce coat fading. See also Fly Mask. Browse Fly Control →
Founder: Founder is a common name for the damaging effects of laminitis, particularly when the coffin bone inside the hoof rotates or sinks. A horse that has foundered is often chronically lame and requires careful hoof care and management to stay comfortable. See also Laminitis, Farrier. Browse Horse Health →
Gastric Ulcer Supplement: A gastric or ulcer supplement is a feed product intended to support stomach health in horses prone to gastric ulcers. These products often aim to buffer stomach acid or coat the stomach lining. Diagnosed ulcers require veterinary treatment, and supplements are typically used for ongoing support rather than as a cure. See also Slow Feeder. Browse Horse Health →
Gooseneck vs Bumper-Pull Trailer: A gooseneck trailer hitches to a ball mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, while a bumper-pull trailer hitches to a receiver behind the rear bumper. Goosenecks are generally more stable and offer more capacity for larger loads, while bumper-pull trailers are lighter, less expensive, and easier to hitch to a wider range of vehicles. See also Quick-Release Snap. Browse Horse Trailers →
Hay Net: A hay net is a mesh bag that holds hay and is hung in a stall, trailer, or paddock. It reduces waste by keeping hay off the ground, and small-hole versions slow how fast a horse can pull hay through, extending feeding time. See also Slow Feeder. Browse Feeds for Horses →
Hoof Boot: A hoof boot is a removable boot that fits over a horse's hoof to provide protection and traction. Hoof boots are used as an alternative to metal shoes, for horses transitioning to barefoot, or to protect a sore or healing hoof on the trail. See also Farrier, Bell Boots. Browse Tack →
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in joint fluid and connective tissue. As a joint supplement, it is fed or administered to help support lubrication and cushioning in the joints, and it is commonly used in horses managing wear or stiffness. See also Joint Supplement, MSM. Browse Horse Health →
Joint Supplement: A joint supplement is a feed product designed to support joint health and comfort in horses, especially active or aging ones. Common ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid. Results vary by horse, and supplements support, but do not replace, veterinary care for lameness. See also Hyaluronic Acid, MSM. Browse Horse Health →
Laminitis: Laminitis is painful inflammation of the laminae, the sensitive tissues that bond the hoof wall to the coffin bone inside the hoof. It can be triggered by factors such as overeating rich grass or grain, illness, or metabolic conditions, and severe cases can lead to founder. Laminitis is a veterinary emergency. See also Founder, Farrier. Browse Horse Health →
Latigo: A latigo is the long leather or nylon strap on a Western saddle used to fasten the cinch to the saddle. The rider threads and ties the latigo to tighten the cinch securely before riding. See also Cross-Ties. Browse Tack →
MSM: MSM, short for methylsulfonylmethane, is a sulfur compound fed to horses as a joint and connective-tissue supplement. It is often included in joint formulas for its role in supporting comfort and normal inflammatory response, and it is one of the most common ingredients in equine joint products. See also Joint Supplement, Hyaluronic Acid. Browse Horse Health →
No-Climb Fence: No-climb fence is a woven wire fencing with small, closely spaced rectangular openings, usually about two by four inches. The small holes prevent a horse from getting a hoof through and reduce the chance of injury, making it a popular choice for safe horse containment. Browse Horse Fencing →
Poultice: A poultice is a moist clay or paste applied to a horse's leg or hoof to help draw out heat, reduce swelling, or soothe sore tissue. It is often packed on after hard work or wrapped overnight to support recovery, and is commonly used on the lower legs and feet. See also Standing Wrap. Browse Horse Health →
Quick-Release Snap: A quick-release or panic snap is a hardware fastener designed to be released quickly even under tension. It is used in cross-ties and trailer tie systems so a handler can free a panicking or struggling horse fast, reducing the risk of injury. See also Cross-Ties. Browse Tack →
Salt and Mineral Block: A salt or mineral block is a solid block a horse can lick to obtain sodium and, in fortified versions, trace minerals. Free-choice access encourages adequate salt intake, which supports hydration and helps meet daily mineral needs alongside the regular diet. See also Electrolytes. Browse Feeds for Horses →
Slow Feeder: A slow feeder is a feeder, net, or grate with small openings that limits how quickly a horse can eat its hay. By extending feeding time, it more closely mimics natural grazing, helps reduce boredom, and can support digestive health and weight management. See also Hay Net. Browse Feeds for Horses →
Snaffle Bit: A snaffle bit is a common type of horse bit that applies direct pressure to the mouth without leverage. It usually has a jointed or solid mouthpiece attached to rings on each side, and it is widely used in training and everyday riding because of its relatively mild, direct action. See also Latigo. Browse Tack →
Stall Mat: A stall mat is a heavy rubber mat laid over a stall floor to cushion the surface, provide traction, and ease the strain on a horse's legs and joints. Mats also reduce bedding use and make stalls easier to clean and keep dry. See also Automatic Waterer. Browse Horse Barn Accessories →
Standing Wrap: A standing wrap is a padded bandage applied to a horse's lower leg, typically while it rests in a stall. It provides support, helps control swelling, and protects the leg. Standing wraps must be applied with even, correct tension, because a wrap that is too tight or uneven can injure the tendons. See also Poultice. Browse Tack →
Withers: The withers are the raised ridge at the base of a horse's neck where the shoulder blades meet, just in front of the saddle area. A horse's height is measured to the top of the withers, and their shape strongly affects how a saddle should be fitted. See also Latigo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the InfoHorse.com horse glossary?

It is a plain-English reference that defines common equine terms for horse owners — words and product types you encounter when caring for, feeding, and outfitting a horse. Each definition is general, brand-neutral, and written to be accurate and easy to understand.

Is the health information in this glossary veterinary advice?

No. The definitions here are general and educational, not veterinary advice. Conditions such as colic, laminitis, and gastric ulcers are emergencies or require professional diagnosis — always consult your veterinarian about your individual horse. Please read our Health Disclaimer before acting on any health information.

Where can I find products related to these terms?

Many glossary entries include a "Browse" link to the matching category in our directory, where you can see verified manufacturers and providers. Every listing is individually reviewed by Ann Pruitt before it goes live — see our Advertiser Disclosure for how that works.