When and where were horseshoes invented?

We...actually aren't sure. In fact, what people call "hoof boots" predates the nailed on horseshoe, being used by the Romans.

We know that horseshoes appeared in northern Europe just after the Roman period, so they may have been invented in wet, muddy climates where hoof boots, especially primitive ones, would tend to be pulled off of the horse's feet. But we still don't know who first nailed a crescent of iron onto a horse's hoof (or what the horse thought about it!).

What is a mullen mouth?

A mullen  mouth is a bit which is curved instead of straight. The idea is that it rests more comfortably on the horse's tongue.

What is a twitch?

A twitch is a rope placed around a horse's lower lip or, in extreme cases, the ear. Traditionally, it was used to ensure horses stood still for veterinary treatment. Many people now think twitching a horse should be done only as a last resort if nothing else will get the animal to stand safely.

What are "road studs"?

Road studs are small studs attached to a horse's shoes. They're designed to increase traction on tarmac/asphalt, and thus are most often seen on carriage horses or trekking/trail riding horses that have to work on the road.

Why do sleighs have bells?

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..."

Sleigh harnesses traditionally have bells on them - why? It's actually for a very obvious reason. A horse on soft snow pulling a sleigh doesn't always make enough noise for people to hear them coming.

And, of course, tradition.

Note the bells on the saddle there. (Image source Pete Markham via Wikimedia Commons).

What is a belly guard?

If you watch jumpers and eventers, you will see that many of them appear to have a leather "pad" on their stomachs.

This is a "belly guard" and it's either a special girth or an attachment. The point is that jumping horses often have studs on their shoes for extra grip on landing. Many horses, when jumping high, will tuck their hooves in pretty tight against their stomachs. The guard stops the studs on their shoes from digging in.

(You might also hear of a belly guard for turnout - this is a fly sheet that covers only the horse's stomach to protect them from certain kinds of flies).

The dark brown belly guard is particularly visible on this white horse. Image source Nordelch via Wikimedia commons.

Why do riders wear hairnets?

If you look at videos or pictures of an English show, you'll see a lot of the lady riders wear hairnets.

Rider's hairnets are generally a similar color to your hair and they're designed to keep long hair neatly out of the way without using a pony tail holder, which can be annoying with a helmet (I personally just use the holder, but I've never had that issue).

It's also, well, tradition.

What is a carrot stick?

Answer: Something which gets old school horsemen rolling their eyes.

The term "carrot stick" was invented by the Parellis, who promote a particular style of horsemanship (some people love it, some people think it's absolutely awful and teaches people to be afraid of their horse).

What is a carrot stick actually?

It's just a whip. And if it has a lash on the end, that's a "savvy string."

Yes.

Really. The only difference is that, yes the Parelli "carrot stick" is more expensive.

(In other words, the horse world is as vulnerable to fads and gurus as anything else).

(You might detect some bias against the Parellis. They promote not wearing a helmet so you pay more attention. I have little patience with that).

Why are their traffic cones at the barn?

Because most riders "steal" some at some point to use as a training aid. Traffic cones are used as a cheap alternative to poles for weaving exercises, as halt markers in arenas that don't have dressage letters, to teach novice riders where the letter X (the center of the arena) is, etc.

So every barn will have a few around - sometimes actually acquired, uh, legitimately. (Come on, we've all done it).

What are peacock stirrups?

Peacock stirrups are stirrups which have a rubber or leather band on the outside, designed to give under pressure. They are often used when teaching young children how to ride, as they significantly reduce the risk of catching a foot in the stirrup and getting dragged. A lot of people think they look awful, but they are a good safety device. (Older children often refuse to use them).

(Note, western people do not use peacock stirrups but do sometimes use breakaway stirrups of a different design).

What are hock hobbles?

Ugh. Hock hobbles are a training device sometimes used in western pleasure that connect the horses hocks to their mouth so they get pulled with each step. It "encourages a low head."

(You know I don't go ugh about something unless I really have a problem with it).

I couldn't find a usable picture, so I'm going to link this page, which has a graphic of how they're used: http://sufficienthorse.blogspot.com/2016/03/rehabbing-broken-neck.html. They're sometimes confused with breeding hobbles, which also attach to the hocks, and are used to make absolutely sure the mare doesn't kick the stallion and injure him.

What are traces?

The traces are the straps that secure a harness horse to its load. In some cases, especially for heavy loads or farm machinery, chain traces are used.

They are secured to the collar.

What are hames?

Hames are the metal or wooden strips that are part of a horse collar, and take a lot of the force of the pull. They stabilize the collar and make it easier for horses to pull very heavy weight.

You can see the top of the hames in this shot - they sort of curve outwards. It looks like they're using the left one as a bridle hook.

How much does a saddle weigh?

Another of those things that's so natural to horse people we often forget to tell others.

The weight of a saddle is highly variable. English saddles weigh less than western saddles.

A typical English saddle weighs about ten pounds.

A typical western saddle weighs 30-40 pounds.

Roping saddles, which are designed to have extra structural integrity when the steer is pulling on the saddle average 50 pounds.

The heaviest modern saddles are western parade saddles, which are covered in silver and weigh 75 to 100 pounds. (The horses are conditioned to carry the extra weight and not asked to do it for long - but I don't envy the cowboys. I don't think I could get one of those on a horse!)

The lightest modern saddle is obviously a racing saddle. There are racing saddles on the market that weigh 10 ounces.

If you're looking at historical saddles, then I'm unable to find great information, but Medieval saddles were light, similar to English saddles, albeit in a quite different design. The McClellan saddle is known for being very light.

What about "running shoes" for horses?

Thanks to +Nobilis Reed  for pointing this out to me on Facebook.

A company called Megasus Horsetech, which is based in Germany, has started making something they call "Megasus Horserunners" which are basically rubber, clip on horse shoes that resemble sneakers. They believe these are better than traditional horse shoes. (And like many people who say that claim nailing on shoes hurts the horse - it doesn't unless somebody screws up).

So, are running shoes for horses a good idea? My personal jury is out. Temporary horseshoes are far from a new thing, but most horses that need shoes...need shoes. And this system seems finicky, with tape and such - traditional hoof boots are probably better.

But it opens up the question of what might happen with horse shoes and technology in the future - and I'm not sure. We haven't changed, significantly, how we shoe horses in centuries.

Does the flank strap force a bronc to buck?

No, although a tight strap around the flank can make a horse buck and kick to try and get rid of it. The flank strap on a bronc (or bull) is actually fitted pretty loosely, with just enough pressure to let the animal know it is there.

It is a training signal to tell the horse it is time to start bucking now - broncs are horses with a job the same as ordinary saddle horses, and is released by the wranglers once the horse is no longer needed to buck.

A ranch (saddle) bronc at Dubois Rodeo.

What is a bucking dummy?

Was looking through videos today and found this one:

This is a stock contractor testing young horses as bucking stock and that weird thing on their back is a modern bucking dummy.

These are also used to test and train bulls. The dummy is designed to be bucked off, just like a rider, and in this case the contractor is deciding which of these young horses has a good enough bucking reflex to make a rodeo bronc - and which will be sold to be trained as riding horses. The dummy can also be released remotely, so the trainer can control when the "buck off" happens.

Did Native Americans really ride with just a strap around the horse's jaw?

The answer is: Sometimes.

The "war bridle" as it is called was certainly used by some Native Americans.The strap was made of rope, horsehair or leather, and it was used only on well trained horses who needed very little rein action - you cannot steer a horse by direct reining in an Indian bridle.

(This is not the same thing as a modern war bridle, which is run over the poll).

The Indian war bridle was actually not the mild device people romanticize it into.

However, the Native Americans used a variety of riding styles and equipment. On the Plains they copied Spanish style saddles (and, like the Spanish, mounted from the right).

Indian war bridles are still sometimes seen occasionally, but you're more likely to see traditional western style bridles made in styles and with decorations that fit the fashions of that particular group.

How does a side saddle rider cue her horse?

So, if you see somebody riding side saddle, you'll realize something. If legs are used to control the horse, what do you do when you only have one on one side?

The answer is a ladies' whip. It is longer than a normal riding crop and more like a dressage whip, and is used to replace the leg cues on the right side. Ladies' whips normally have a flapper like crops, rather than a short lash like dressage whips. It is never used to hit or discipline the horse. Victorian ladies' whips were often fashion accessories as well.

A lady jumping side saddle, you can clearly see the whip in her right hand. Image source: Wikimedia commons.

What is a road blanket?

Something you don't hear about very much. Road blankets were loose blankets that covered the horse's body and neck and were designed to go over harness. They were used when horses had to wait an extended amount of time outside or when doing slow work in cold/wet weather. The reins would actually go under the blanket so that the leather was protected.