Tag: Glossary

RELEASE - As used in the tests, the brief release of the contact, wherein the rider in one clear motion extends the hand(s) forward...

PUSHING OUT - Hind legs operating too far behind the horse, which favors pushing at the expense of carrying. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

GAIT - Characteristic limb coordination pattern recognized by the sequence and timing of the footfalls. Gaits used in dressage are walk, trot, and canter. Full...

ACCEPTANCE - Used in reference to the horse’s willingness to allow the maintenance of a steady contact, the application of the aids, and/or the...

CLOSED HALT - A posture at the halt in which the horse is secure in balance with a shortened base of support achieved by...

LIGHTNESS - Refers to one of the following: 1) Horse’s lightness on its feet. 2) Lightness of the rider’s aids/horse’s responsiveness to light aids. 3) Lightness/lift...

ON THE FOREHAND - Poor longitudinal balance, with failure to elevate the withers and/or lower the haunches. Full glossary: http://bit.ly/2019USDFGlossary

WIDE BEHIND - The horse travels with the hind feet further apart than the fore feet. This is an evasion of engagement which occurs...

FRAME - The outline of the horse, which should change according to the length of stride (shorter frame for collection, longer for extension) and...

TRACK/TRACKS 1 )The line(s) of hoof prints laid down as the foot or feet travel their individual path(s). There are two different versions...