T

Tack
Equipment for a horse, including saddles, bridles, blankets, halters, boots, specialty equipment.

Tail wrap
A loose form (compared to leg wraps) of wrapping for a tail. Used for trailering, breeding, foaling and training.

Tapadero
An extra wide leather covering on the stirrup of a western style saddle, much like a hood. Prevents the foot from slipping through the stirrup and is decorative.

Tapeworm (flatworm)
Cestodes/Anoplocephala perfoliata/anoplocephala manga/anoplocephaloides mamilana: Tapeworms are a potentially damaging parasite and a major cause for colic. Blood tests are better at finding them than manure tests. They attach to the small and large intestine in the ileocaecal junction, where they cause bowel irritation, intussusception, rupture, thichening at the site of attachment, and twisting of the intestine. They are passed through the horse and become food for oribatid mites. Acidic soils are the favorite breeding ground and tapeworms are found in various quantities in most horses all year round. Tapeworms can also live in hays and bedding. They range in size (8cm – 20cm in horses), flat (1.5cm wide), white, and triangular in shape and live in massive numbers. Tapeworms cause severe colic (sometimes fatal).

Tease
The action a mare takes when in heat, at the approach of a stallion. Breeders use this method to test a mare's receptivity to breeding.

Teaser
A stallion used to determine if mares are
in heat.

Temperament
The attitude and behavior of a horse. The consistency in which the horse behaves.

Temperature
Normal adult horses range from 99.5 degrees farenheit to 100.5.

Tendons
Strong, slightly elastic,  fibrous cords that support the joints and attach muscle to the bones.

Tetanus
A disease caused by a bacterial infection.

Texas gate
A barb wire gate.

Threadworms
Strongyloides westeri: horses can be infected by ingesting larvae (eating grass) or through the skin, where the larvae migrate to the lungs and wind pipe, where they are coughed up and swallowed. Larvae grow into adults in the small intestine. Threadworm larvae in the lungs can cause bleeding and respiatory problems. Untreated foals can suffer diarrhea, weakness, weight loss and poor growth.

Thorough Pin
An unsoundness or blemish in the hock region.

Thoroughbred
A breed registered with the Jockey Club. Not a word to describe purebred.

Throat latch
The strap on a bridle that passes under the jaw line and over the poll. It's purpose is to keep the bridle in place, especially during the riders fall, forward off the horse.

Thrush
An anaerobic bacteria on the foot that causes a foul smell and rot, especially within the frog area. From unsanitary and wet conditions.

Tiedown
A specialty piece of equipment that connects from a noseband to a breast collar. Also called a standing martingale.

Timothy
A quality grass hay.

Tobiano
A pinto or Paint coat pattern whose spots are larger and well defined.

Topline
The structure or curvature of the outline of a horse's poll, neck, back and croup.

Top side
The sire's side of the pedigree.

Tovero
The coat pattern on a Paint whose marking are both overo and tobiano.

Toxemia
The presence of bacterial toxins in the blood.

Trace
A heavy strap that runs along the side and attaches the harness to the cart.

Track
In racing, the round cornered oval shape the horses run on.
To follow.
Path of the horse's legs.

Tractable
A virtue in a horse's disposition that makes him trainable and cooperative.

Trailer
A vehicle that moves horses.
The long extension on the heel of a shoe.

Trainer
A person that specializes in the training of horses.

Transition
The up or down change between gaits; moving from a canter to a trot.

Trappy
A course with sharp turns.

Travel
The path the legs take while moving.

Travers
Another term for haunches-in. The outside legs cross in front of the inside legs; the horse is slightly bent to the inside; horse looks in the direction of the movement.

Tree
The frame or foundation of a saddle which all building begins.

Triple Bar
An ascending 'staircase' jump of three bars that are spread, and increase in height.

Trot
A two-beat diagonal gait.

Turn on the Forehand
When a horse's hindquarters move around the forehand.

Turn on the Hindquarters (haunches)
When a horse's forehand moves around his hind end.

Turnout
The finished appearance of horse and rider.
An pen or area to let the horse outside.

Twitch
A device used on the upper lip of a horse to distract him from handling duties; ie: during clipping, vetting.

Two point
To rise your seat slightly from a saddle, relieving the horses back from your weight. Used mainly in jumping.

Two-track (half-pass)
A lateral movement where the horse's front feet and hind feet move on separate tracks.

Tying up
A muscle stiffness caused from irregular feeding and training.
Tying Up Syndrome: Dr. Jim Hamilton

Type
A style of horse. Particular characteristics of a breed or body. Horses are called 'typey' when they reflect the quality of their breed's looks and attributes.