Tag: Glossary of Judging Terms

FORWARD - Moving or tending to move toward the direction in which the horse is facing (in contrast to sideways, backward, or standing still);...

RELAX/RELAXATION - 1.Referring to the horse’s mental/emotional state:  calm, without anxiety or nervousness. 2. Referring to the horse’s physical state: commonly used to indicate the...

UPHILL - Good longitudinal balance, with elevated forehand and lowered croup (engaged hindquarters).  The degree of engagement of the hind limbs is balanced with...

SELF-CARRIAGE - State in which the horse carries itself in balance without taking support or balancing on the rider’s hand. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

ALIGNMENT- Referring to the horse, the lining up of the horse’s body parts from tail to poll.  One of the four aspects of straightness...

MARCHING - Taking purposeful steps in the walk. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

HALF-HALT - A momentary effect of the aids that increases the attention and improves the balance of the horse. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

CONFIDENCE - The boldness and self-assurance with which the horse performs, and the trust in his partnership with the rider. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

WAGGING - The horse’s muzzle, head and/or neck moves left-and-right or in circles, indicating constraint or incorrect acceptance of contact/connection. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

FLEXION - In the limbs—articulation of a joint or joints so that the angle between the bones becomes smaller. At the poll, there are three...