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.

All ABC DEF GHI JKL MNO PQR STU VWX YZ
A
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.
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B
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
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C
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®
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D
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.
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E
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
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F
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
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G
Girthy #
Horse shows discomfort when cinched. Check fit, skin, and program. Learn: Guide
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H
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.
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I
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.
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L
Liniment (Gel) #
Topical support for muscles, tendons, and joints. Apply a thin layer on intact skin; allow absorption before gear. How to UseShop 16oz Gel
Lymphangitis (Cellulitis) #
Rapid, painful swelling; often one hind; possible fever. Urgent—call your veterinarian. Guide
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M
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.
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N
Nasal Ointment (Pre‑Haul/Work) #
Used by some riders for respiratory support before hauling or training. Breathe to Run™
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O
Overnight “Stocked Up” #
Even, cool fullness after stall time; usually improves with movement. Heat, pain, one‑leg, or strong pulses—vet. Learn more
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P
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
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Q
Quittor / Fistula #
Chronic infection/drainage around the hoof or lower limb. Veterinary condition. Guide
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R
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.
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S
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 happensStocked‑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
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T
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
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U
Unilateral vs. Bilateral Swelling #
Unilateral = one leg (more concerning), bilateral = both legs (often routine stocking‑up). Heat/pain or strong pulse—vet.
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V
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.
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W
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‑StepHow to Wrap Safely
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