A cloth from the past. It has a smoother face than Melton cloth and many used for gaiters. In earlier times, this material was considered ideal for outdoor wear in the worst of weather, especially for coach driving.
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Jan
Boxy Foot
(Also known as club, donkey, or mule foot).
One foot which is smaller than the others are. It usually has a small frog and a high heal.
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Jan
Brabancon
A heavy draught horse of great weight and power, standing 16-17 hh, originating in Belgium. The Brabancon has a good temperament and a strong constitution and is a willing working. It is very popular in other countries and has often been exported to England where it is claimed to have had a certain influence on the Shire horse.
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Jan
Brace
An old term. A pair or couple of geldings is termed a brace.
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Jan
Brace, (Polo)
Footwork is more essential in polo, than any other form of riding. This term indicates the stance from which a stroke is played.
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Jan
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
The rhizomes (roots) are said to be five times more poisonous than the fronds, something to be remembered if ploughing and re-seeding pasture. The most common period for poisoning is between August and October, when the fronds are turning brown. Bracken contains an enzyme that induces vitamin B1 deficiency.
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Jan
Bradoon
(See Bridoon)
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Jan
Brain
Part of the central nervous system occupying the cranium (skull). It weighs 650gms (23oz) and forms about 0.7% o the body weight in a medium-sized horse.
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Jan
Brake (Action)
A horse is said to break when it changes from one pace to another.
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Jan
Brake (Carriage)
The brake slows the progress of a vehicle. A hand lever or foot pedal causes a block to press on the surface of the tyres on the rear wheels.
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Jan
Brake (Waggonette)
A large vehicle for a team or pair of horses. There are several types, the Waggonette Brake being the most frequent survivor. It has a high box, which seats a number of people, who face each other.
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Jan
Bran
A by-product of the milling process of wheat containing some flour, used as a bulk/fibre food. It is high in phosphates and low in calcium, if fed, a calcium supplement is needed to correct the imbalance especially in young or old horses.
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Jan
Branch
The surface of the shoe from the toe to heel on each side of the foot.
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Jan
Branch of the Suspensory Ligament
Leaves the Annual Ligament either side of the lone pastern bone and joins onto the extensor tendon at the front of the cannon bone, therefore joining ligament to tendon. Particularly in the front leg, these ligaments take the strain upon landing from a jump, which are normally about 60% of the horse's weight.
