Barn‑Ready Reference (Educational Only)

Horse Care Glossary (A–Z)

Plain‑English terms you actually use in the barn—plus links to deeper guides and show‑friendly routines. If you hit a red flag (heat + pain, strong digital pulse, one‑leg swelling, wounds, fever, non‑weight‑bearing), call your veterinarian.

Horse Health Care Hub Solution Finder How to Use Liniment Wrap Method

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Abscess #: Localized pocket of infection (often hoof) that can cause sudden lameness. Keep the horse safe and call your farrier/veterinarian.

Acute vs. Chronic #: Acute = sudden onset (e.g., a new swelling post‑ride). Chronic = long‑standing (e.g., old windpuffs). When in doubt—vet.

Bandage Bow #: Damage from uneven or overly tight wraps. Use smooth quilts, even tension, ~50% overlap. See: Wrap Method

Bounding Digital Pulse #: Stronger‑than‑normal pulse at the fetlock/pastern, often with heat—treat as a red flag and call your veterinarian. See: Leg Anatomy

Bowed Tendon #: Injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon with a bowed contour. Requires veterinary diagnosis and a rehab plan. Learn: Guide

Cannon Bone #: Main long bone between the knee/hock and fetlock. A landmark for checking swelling and symmetry.

Cellulitis / Lymphangitis #: Rapid, painful limb swelling—often one hind—with heat and possible fever. Urgent: call your veterinarian. Learn: Guide

Cold‑Backed #: Horse shows back sensitivity at mount/start. Evaluate fit, warm‑up and post‑ride care. Learn: Cold‑Backed Relief

Concentrate (Liniment) #: Economical format for baths/soaks—dilute per label. Shop Concentrate

Cool & Scrape #: Short cool‑water passes with immediate scraping so fresh cold can contact the leg; total 10–20 minutes. Learn: Icing Guide

CryoSpray® #: Targeted cooling for post‑work hot spots. Shop CryoSpray®

Digital Pulse #: Pulse at the fetlock/pastern. Compare left/right daily; strong/bounding pulses with heat are a red flag. Map it: Leg Anatomy

Dragging Toe #: Scuffing the toe during stride; may signal fatigue, soreness, or farrier/fitness needs. Guide

Dry‑to‑Touch (Wrap‑Ready) #: After a thin liniment layer, hair feels dry—not slick. This is your cue that gear/wraps can go on. Recheck at 15–30 minutes.

Edema #: Fluid swelling (may “pit” when pressed). Even, cool limb fill may be routine; heat + pain or one‑leg swelling—vet.

Electrolytes #: Support hydration under your veterinarian’s guidance—especially during heat/travel. See: Hydration Guide

Fetlock #: Joint above the pastern; key landmark for checking swelling and digital pulses.

Four‑Beat Lope #: Irregular lope cadence that can hint at discomfort/balance issues. Learn: Guide

Girthy #: Horse shows discomfort when cinched. Check fit, skin, and program. Learn: Guide

HISA Compliance #: Following current Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules. Always verify the latest version. Our HISA page

Hollow Back #: Horse drops the back under saddle; may reflect fit, strength, or discomfort. Guide

Hydro‑Lyte® #: Topical electrolyte support product. Hydration Guide

Hot vs. Warm #: “Warm” after work often settles with cool‑&‑scrape. “Hot” with pain or a strong digital pulse is a red flag—stand down and call your veterinarian.

IceBath™ #: Ready‑to‑use cooling wash for post‑work rinse cycles. Shop IceBath™ RTU

Ice Boots #: Cold packs for legs; limit total contact to ~10–20 minutes per maker directions; avoid direct ice on skin.

Inflammation #: Body response that may feel hot/painful and show as swelling. Work with your veterinarian on diagnosis and care.

Liniment (Gel) #: Topical support for muscles, tendons, and joints. Apply a thin layer on intact skin; allow absorption before gear. How to Use • Shop 16oz Gel

Lymphangitis (Cellulitis) #: Rapid, painful swelling; often one hind; possible fever. Urgent—call your veterinarian. Guide

MasterMudd™ (Poultice) #: Equine poultice used post‑competition over clean, intact skin. Shop MasterMudd™

Micro‑Ramps #: Small, steady increases in work during a return‑to‑work plan with your veterinarian/trainer. Abort if red flags appear.

Nasal Ointment (Pre‑Haul/Work) #: Used by some riders for respiratory support before hauling or training. Breathe to Run™

Overnight “Stocked Up” #: Even, cool fullness after stall time; usually improves with movement. Heat, pain, one‑leg, or strong pulses—vet. Learn more

Poultice #: Clay‑based topical used post‑competition. Thin layers, intact skin, follow label. Layering System

Pastern #: Area between fetlock and hoof; common site to palpate the digital pulse.

Pre/Post‑Ride Care #: Warm‑up, cooldown, cool‑&‑scrape if warm, thin liniment → absorb, optional wraps, recheck at 15–30 minutes. Guide

Quittor / Fistula #: Chronic infection/drainage around the hoof or lower limb. Veterinary condition. Guide

Recovery Loop #: Daily 5‑step routine: cool‑&‑scrape → thin gel → absorb → optional wraps → recheck. Open plan

RTU (Ready‑to‑Use) Spray #: Broad, fast liniment coverage post‑ride/haul. Shop RTU Spray

Red Flags #: Heat + pain, strong/bounding digital pulse, pronounced one‑leg swelling, wounds/punctures, fever, non‑weight‑bearing, rapid worsening—call your veterinarian.

Scratches (Dermatitis) #: Skin irritation on lower limbs from moisture/friction. Keep clean/dry; call your veterinarian for treatment guidance.

Show‑Safe #: Products/routines suitable for event rules and quiet aisles. Is Draw It Out® Show‑Safe?

Standing Wrap #: Rest wrap with smooth quilt and even tension (~50% overlap). Recheck heat/tension/slip at 15–30 minutes. How to Wrap

Stocking Up #: Even, cool limb fill after stall time. Movement helps. Don’t confuse with one‑leg swelling with heat/pain. Why it happens • Stocked‑Up vs. Injured

Stifle #: Knee‑like joint in the hind limb. Sticky transitions, reluctance to step under, or short stride can hint at discomfort—talk to your pro/vet.

Splint #: Bony enlargement on the cannon region; requires professional evaluation. Guide

Tendon Sheath #: Fluid‑filled sleeve around a tendon. Swelling here can look like windpuffs. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis.

Toe Drag #: Scuffing the toe during stride; monitor and consider farrier/fitness/soreness factors. Guide

Unilateral vs. Bilateral Swelling #: Unilateral = one leg (more concerning), bilateral = both legs (often routine stocking‑up). Heat/pain or strong pulse—vet.

Veterinary Red Flags #: Heat with pain, strong/bounding digital pulse, one‑leg swelling, wounds/punctures, fever, non‑weight‑bearing, or rapid worsening. Call your veterinarian.

Windpuffs #: Soft, cool swelling near fetlocks; often cosmetic but monitor for changes. Learn more

Withers #: Top of the shoulder where many saddles measure fit. Check here for symmetry and sensitivity when assessing back comfort.

Wrap Method #: Safe, repeatable process for standing wraps. Step‑by‑Step • How to Wrap Safely

Open: Recovery Loop How to Use Liniment Shop 16oz Gel Shop IceBath™ RTU Ask Our AI

Educational content. Not a medical device or veterinary advice. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult your veterinarian for medical concerns and follow current show rules.

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Draw it Out® Complete Equine Performance® Bundles

Draw It Out® 128oz Concentrate Horse Liniment — The Barn Essential

Draw It Out® 16oz High Potency Horse Liniment Gel – Powerful, Natural Relief

Draw it Out® Complete Equine Performance® Bundles

Draw It Out® 128oz Concentrate Horse Liniment — The Barn Essential

Draw It Out® 16oz High Potency Horse Liniment Gel – Powerful, Natural Relief

The Real Rider’s Glossary | Horse Care Terms Made Simple

Horse Care Glossary (A–Z)

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