Take a look. See how many you can correctly name. Then scroll down to check your answers.
Terminology for equine facial markings may vary somewhat, particularly in different breed groupings. Still, generally accepted descriptions are used fairly universally.
Actually, folks often mix up words, leading to very strange (and perhaps accidentally humorous) meanings. In the equestrian world, for example, several terms may be used interchangeably, even thought this is wholly inaccurate.
Try these ten oft-confused pairs (or sets) of words, just for horsing around.
bridal path vs. bridle path
If you trim your horse’s bridle path properly, you will have a well-groomed mount to ride down the bridal path to the altar. If you fail to trim his bridal path nearly, you may alter his appearance for the worse.
confirmation vs. conformation
Conformation dictates the proper presentation of a young horse in a halter class, where a horse show judge will assess his conformation, often long before the horse has experienced confirmation in his training.
for long vs. furlong
When the starting gate opens, even the slowest horse will not stand for long, covering each furlong before long.
gait vs. gate
In a trail class, the equestrian will plan a downward transition to the walk gait before attempting to open or close a gate.
gallop vs. Gallup
If equestrian enthusiasts were to commission a Gallup poll, would they find most riders prefer the walk, trot, canter or gallop?
Hey, barn manager! Did you order enough hay to feed the horses all winter?
nay vs. neigh
Horses may neigh, while pessimists natter and nay.
longe vs. lunge
A fencer will look for an opportunity to lunge, while an equestrian may simply need room to longe his horse.
pole vs. poll
According to a recent poll, a skilled rider will encourage his horse to flex at the poll before trotting over a ground pole.
reign vs. rein vs. rain
An equestrian does not reign supreme by holding on too tightly to each rein. The rider who does may need to be retrained, or he is likely to rain on his own parade, at least figuratively.
See? What a difference the correct word can make, even in the equestrian arena.
I am thankful for my horse/s! In fact, I am thankful for horses (in general) and for the ability and opportunity to enjoy them.
How about you?
Just for fun, try this Thanksgiving horse trivia quiz. (Try to answer all of the questions before scrolling down for the real answers.) Be sure to leave a comment, and let us know how well you did!
Thanksgiving Horse Trivia Quiz
1) In the 1998 motion picture The Horse Whisperer (starring Robert Redford, Kristen Scott Thomas, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Neill and Dianne Wiest), what was the name of Grace MacLean’s injured horse?
2) What team will host the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving Day 2009?
3) In what modern country did the ancient Trojan Horse appear? (Hint: Are you hungry yet?)
4) Which thoroughbred racehorse won the 2009 Kentucky Derby? (Hint: His name might make one want to dig deeper into the Thanksgiving turkey for a bit more stuffing.)
5) The first two giant Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons appeared in 1927. Was one of these first giant Macy’s Thanksgiving Day balloons really a horse?
6) The zodiac sign that corresponds to the end of November (including the Thanksgiving holiday time) is Sagittarius. Sagittarius is pictured as a centaur with an archery bow. What is a centaur?
7) What old-time dance may have mimicked turkeys practicing an equine gait?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Now . . .
are you
hungry
enough
to eat
like a horse?
(Scroll
down
for the answers
to the
Thanksgiving
Horse
Trivia
quiz.)
Answers to Thanksgiving Horse Trivia Quiz:
1) The horse’s name was Pilgrim in the film. Actually, he was a 1987 American Quarter Horse named Hightower.
2) The Dallas Cowboys will host the Oakland Raiders on Thanksgiving 2009.
3) According to Classical literature (such as The Aeneid, by Virgil), the Trojan Horse appeared in Troy, which was located in what is now Turkey.
4) Mine That Bird won the 2009 Kentucky Derby, with jockey Calvin Borel aboard.
5) The first giant Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons were Felix the Cat and a dragon.
6) Greek mythology portrayed centaurs as hybrid creatures (part horse and part human).
7) The turkey trot is a ragtime dance, which probably originated in the early 1900s.
