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| Tips for Stablehands: |
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Rilna's Handy-Dandy Tips For Stablefolk:
Okay, actually having some Real Life Experience with the equine set, I tend to haul a lot of terminology into my RP. This can be pretty baffling for some folks, so, having some spare time on my hands, I've set about creating a basic terminology. Now, despite what my friends call me, I am not a walking encyclopedia, so additions, corrections and suggestions would be much appreciated. Reach me via MOO-mail, or email me at icefire_147@yahoo.com **NB** While we call them 'runnerbeasts' on the game, I'll be referring to the species equus caballus as a 'horse' on here, for simplicity's sake.
A Glossary of Terms:
Conformation:
The blanket term describing the parts of equine anatomy, and the way it all fits together. See the diagram below. Sorry about the crappy quality of the scan!
Tack:
General term for articles placed on the horse in order to prepare it for riding, leading, or other handling. They usually either make communication easier, or riding more comfortable. The phrase "Tacking up" means "To put tack onto the horse." "Untacking" means "Taking tack off of the horse." Simple, no? Below, we have my mare and myself demonstrating what a horse in English Tack looks like.
Saddle: This one is easy enough. It's what you put on the horse's back to make riding easier and more comfortable. Personally, I see the Pernese using a hybrid between modern English and Western saddles. Probably something that resembles one of our old cavalry-style saddles. Saddles should rest above the withers of the horse, with enough room so as not to pinch. The front of a saddle is called the pommel, the back is the cantle. The lighter-coloured patches on the front of the saddle flap are knee rolls, and are used to help your legs grip better. The metal object dangling from the saddle is a stirrup. That's where you put your foot. The leather strap holding it is called, sensibly enough, a stirrup leather. Holding the saddle in place is a leather or woven-fiber band known as a girth. It fastens in place just behind the forelegs of the horse, and attaches to the saddle by means of buckles. In a Western saddle, it is known as a cinch, and is held in place by straps rather than buckles.
Saddle Pad: The white, fluffy thing in the picture. It goes between the horse and the saddle, and keeps the saddle from irritating the horse's coat, and also keeps horse sweat from ruining the saddle leather. Also known as a numnah.
Bridle: The bridle consists of several parts, but all work together to offer a greater and finer control of the horse. There are several styles, but a basic English bridle, like the one Desert Sandals is wearing, consists of the reins, the bit, the noseband, the crownpiece, the throatlatch, and the cheekpieces. The reins can be seen resting in my hands. They are the lines of communication between your hands and the horse's mouth, and should always be handled as considerately as possible. Bits come in many different shapes and sizes, but all serve the primary purpose of controlling and signalling commands to the horse. Snaffle bits, like the one Dee is wearing, are the mildest, whereas curb bits are the most severe, and can actually cause a horse pain if used too roughly or carelessly. The reins attatch to the bit, which attaches to the cheekpieces. The cheekpieces, logically, are the leather pieces running along the side of the horse's face. Everything attaches to them. The noseband fits just above the horse's nose, and buckles under their chin. The crownpiece rests in front of the horse's ears, while the throatlatch is fastened under their throat, loose enough that you can fit four fingers between the throat and the throatlatch.
And here we have a picture of Her Royal Highness sporting the latest in fashions: A Halter.
Halter: Also referred to as a headcollar, although that term is used mainly in the U.K. Fastened in place with a buckle, it is normally made of nylon, cotton or leather, although quite obviously we'd not have the first on Pern.
Lead Rope: Or, lead shank. Attached to the halter, it is a cotton or leather rope used to lead the horse from place to place. Leading a horse is customarily done from the left side, standing between the shoulder and the head of the horse, and holding the shank about six inches from the halter with your right hand, while your left hand carries the slack. Never loop a lead rope around your hand. If the horse bolts, you'll get dragged along behind them.
Grooming and Other Tools:
For every hour one spends riding a horse, one will spend at least two tending to it. A fact of life, but they're just such wonderful beasties that we put up with it. Or at least I do.
Hoof Pick: It's exactly what it sounds like: A small blunt hook-shaped implement used to pick crud out of horses' hooves. There's a whole procedure to using it properly and efficiently. RP with me if you want to learn.
Curry Comb: You can see one in my hand in the above picture. Generally made of rubber or metal, they are the first brush to touch the horse. Used in a circular 'massage' motion on the muscled areas of the body, they loosen caked dirt, sweat, or loose hair from the horse's coat. The more vigorous the motion, the better. Horses quite often will fall asleep during a thorough currying. Never to be used on the face, legs or other bony/sensitive areas. Pern not having rubber, they may use wooden ones.
Dandy Brush: The next brush up, it has coarse, stiff bristles, and, when applied in swift short strokes following the lay of the coat, removes the dirt and dust and crud loosened by the currycomb. Should be cleaned now and again during grooming by swiping the bristles vigorously with the currycomb. Also not to be used on face, legs, or other bony areas.
Body Brush: The final brush used, it has short, dense and soft bristles, and is used to remove any last traces of dust, and give the coat a shine. May be used on face and legs and other bony areas.
Mane and Tail Comb: To be used very gently to remove tangles from the mane and tail. Never tug at tangles, because if a hair breaks, it will take twleve to eighteen months to replace it completely.
Longe Line: Twenty, thirty or sixty foot rope, attached to either a halter or a specially designed longing cavesson in order to work with a horse on a long line, with or without a rider.
Longe Whip: Long-bodied whip with about a four to six foot lash. Used more as a signalling device during longing, rather than for punishment.
Riding Crop: Also known as a whip or bat, it has a small leather flap at the tip and is used to discipline an unruly or disobedient horse. Or stablehand. >:-) Like a spanking for a kid, this is really a last resort, and should never be used on a horse that is fearful, confused, or unsure.
Pitchfork: Three- or four-tined tool used for pitching bales of hay or removing soiled bedding from stalls.
Sifter: Similar to a pitchfork, but with many more, more closely spaced tines. Used in stall cleaning to separate manure from straw.
Muck Bucket: Large tub used to hold soiled bedding removed from cleaned stalls.
Clothing:
Riding Boots: Made of stiff leather and reaching to the calf, these boots also feature a raised heel. They support the leg while riding, and also help to keep the foot from slipping through the stirrup.
Jodhpur or Paddock Boots: These offer greater mobility and comfort that full riding boots, but still possess a raised heel for riding. If you're working around the barn a lot, these are what you'll be wearing.
Breeches: Tight fitting pants designed to fit inside riding boots. Fortunately for the sight of all, most career riders tend to be in good shape! Their completely unforgiving cut is actually for practical reasons, leaving no excess fabric to pinch at one's skin. The legs feature no inseam, for the same reason. Some styles feature leather or suede patches on the seat or inner knees, to provide better grip.
Chaps: Not simply for cowboys, leather chaps can convert regular pants into something you can ride in. They are also useful as protection against damage to breeches from dust, falling, trail debris, etc.
There are several other sorts of clothing, but they are reserved for formal circumstances like shows or races, so we won't go into them here.