S

Saddle
A device to allow the rider to sit and stay on a horse.
Western saddles: Choosing the right saddle for reining and cutting - Larry Trocha
How to Fit a Western Saddle - April Reeves

Sand colic
A digestive disorder from horses picking up sand or dirt while feeding.

Schooling show
A show where the entrants are using the experience to begin the season.

Sclera
The white area of the eye that encircles the cornea.

Scotch
A term used in reining where a horse anticipates the sliding stop and slows down before the stop.

Seat
Where the rider sits on the saddle.
How a rider sits in the saddle.

Senior
A horse of 5 or older.

Serpentine
A series of half circles and straight lines going from one side of the arena to the other, requiring the horse to change direction each time.

Set-Up
To stand a horse for judging.

Shafts
The two poles that run on either side from the buggy.

Shank
A lead rope with a chain.
To snatch the end of a chained lead rope quickly to get the horses attention.

Shedding blade
A long, thin metal blade for removing winter hair.

Sheet
A light cover for the horse, often used after bathing or for protection against sunlight.

Shoer
A farrier, blacksmith.

Shoulder-In
A lateral movement where the shoulders and quarters move on two separate tracks, and the horse is slighly bend in the direction.

Showmanship
A class judged in-hand, of the handlers abillity and turnout of his horse.

Shy
A horse that spooks easily.

Side pass
Sideway movement with no forward. Legs cross over each other.

Side step
When a horse moves sideways only, one step at a time.

Sidebone
The inflammation from the ossification of lateral cartilage in the foot.

Simple Lead Change
To change from one lead to another by either walking or trotting in between.

Sire
The father of a horse.

Skirt
The leather or material flaps that wrap around a western saddle.

Slack
The looseness in the reins.

Sliding Stop
Used in reining and patterns; a long, soft, slide to a halt, where the horse 'tucks' his hindquarters under his frame and balances on his back legs to a stop. Special shoes are designed to aid the horse in this maneuver.
The Sliding Stop - Larry Trocha

Snaffle
A bit with a mouthpiece that joins in the middle. Has no shanks.

Snatch
To pick up and jerk the reins quickly.

Snip
A small white streak on the nose area.

Sock
White above the fetlock.

Sole
The bottom of the foot that impacts with the ground.

Sored
Physical damage caused by improper training methods.

 Sorrel
A body color of reddish or copper hues, with a mane and tail the same.

Sound
A horse with no vices or defects that affect serviceability.

Spavin
A soft tissue damage involving the hock.

Splint
An inflammation of the splint bone, often calcifying and hardening. Causes by impaction, stress or injury.

Splint boots
Protective boots for the cannon bones of the legs.

Spooky
A horse that shys or startles easily.

Sport horse
An English horse suited for jumping, dressage, cross country, eventing or endurance.

Spread
A style of jumping fence with width from front to back.

Stakes class
Show classes that involve higher purses/winnings.

Stallion
An uncastrated male horse over the age of 4.

Stallion Syndicate
A group ownership in a stallion.

Standardbred
A harness/track horse bred for racing.

Steward
The official who assists a judge and interprets and enforces the show rules.

Stifle
The joint formed between the large hip bone (femur; equivalent to our thigh bone) and the tibia (equivalent to our shin bone).
Article: Weak and chronic stifle lameness: Dr. Jim Hamilton DVM

Stirrup
Saddles: English: the metal support for the foot / Western: the leather covered support for the foot.

Stock horse
A western horse of Quarter Horse type for farm and ranch work.

Stocking
White leg marking above the cannon.

Straight
Term for a horse whose body parts travel in line behind each other, regardless of the bend.

Strangles
A bacterial disease in the head and neck respiratory system.

Strawberry roan
A mix of red and white hairs throughout the body.

Stride
The distance or length in a gait.

Striking
A dangerous habit when a horse reaches out with the front leg and foot in attempt to hit.

Strung out
When the hindquarters are not disengaged, and tend to 'swing out the back door'.

Stripe
White streak down the face.

Strongyle
A parasite blood worm.

Stud
A stallion who breeds mares. Standing at stud: breeding at a particular farm or facility.

Substance
A horse of strength and solidity.

Suckling
A foal still with it's mother nursing.

Sulky
A light weight two-wheel cart for racing.

Surcingle
A device that straps around the firth area. It's fitted with numerous rings that allow the handler to attach equipment or ground drive the horse.

Sweat scraper
A metal blade, somewhat thicker and lighter than the shedding blade, for removing water or sweat.

Sweet feed
Any feed with added molasses.

Swells
The front projections on a western saddle. Used to assist the rider in staying in the saddle.