Horse English Quiz 3: Riding & Lessons

1The slowest of the basic gaits is the ___.

The walk has four beats.▶ Hear it

2The two-beat gait between walk and canter is the ___.

The trot – the gait most riders learn second.▶ Hear it

3The three-beat gait, faster than trot, is the ___.

The canter /ˈkæntə/ – no R sound at the end.▶ Hear it

4The fastest gait is the ___.

The gallop is the racing gait.▶ Hear it

5Going up and down in the saddle in time with the trot is called ___.

British rising trot, American posting trot. The opposite is sitting trot.▶ Hear it

6Getting on a horse is called ___.

You mount from the left side – the near side.▶ Hear it

7Getting off a horse is called ___.

Dismount – and run up your stirrups afterwards.▶ Hear it

8A block or set of steps that helps you get on is a ___.

A mounting block is also kinder to the horse’s back.▶ Hear it

9If someone lifts you onto the horse by holding your lower leg, they give you a ___.

“Can you give me a leg-up?”▶ Hear it

10Before you get on, you should check the girth and ___ it if necessary.

“Check your girth” – a loose girth can make the saddle slip.▶ Hear it

11The signals a rider gives with legs, hands, seat and voice are called the ___.

The natural aids. Whips and spurs are artificial aids.▶ Hear it

12To ask a horse to go forward, you usually ___.

Leg means “go”: squeeze, don’t kick.▶ Hear it

13In riding language, a full stop is called a ___.

“Prepare to halt… and halt.”▶ Hear it

14“Shorten your reins” means: ___.

Slide your hands forward along the reins so there is less rein between your hand and the bit.▶ Hear it

15A horse that suddenly runs off out of control ___.

It bolts. A horse that bucks kicks up its back legs; one that rears stands up on its hind legs.▶ Hear it

16An enclosed area for riding lessons is an ___.

Also called a school or manège /mæˈneɪʒ/.▶ Hear it

17Riding around the edge of the arena, next to the fence, is riding on the ___.

“Go large around the outside track.”▶ Hear it

18Changing direction across the diagonal is called changing the ___.

Change the rein. Rein sounds like rain.▶ Hear it

19A circle 20 metres across is a ___ circle.

“Ride a 20-metre circle at A.”▶ Hear it

20A lesson on a horse working in a circle on a long line, controlled by the instructor, is a ___ lesson.

Lunge /lʌndʒ/ lessons are great for improving your seat.▶ Hear it

21“Heels down!” means ___.

Heels down = a secure leg and a safe position.▶ Hear it

22“Sit up tall!” means ___.

Shoulders back, eyes up.▶ Hear it

23“Prepare to trot … and trot on!” Here, trot on means ___.

On = continue or go forward.▶ Hear it

24“Walk on a long rein” means ___.

A reward and a rest for the horse.▶ Hear it

25After the lesson, you ___ the horse by walking until it is calm and its breathing is normal.

Warm up before work, cool down after.▶ Hear it