The horse is ridden with a bridle and a blanket held in place by a surcingle. Safer, and more comfortable than, bareback.
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Jan
Blanket Spot
(See Appaloosa)
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Jan
Blankets
Made of wool or synthetic fibre, are used on a clipped horse under another rug during the colder months of the winter, they are less popular now that fitted under-rugs are made.
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Jan
Blaze
A white marking covering almost the whole forehead between the eyes and extending down the front of the face, including the nose and muzzle.
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Jan
Bleeder
A horse used for laboratory work in the production of serum.
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Jan
Blemish
A permanent mark left by an old injury or possibly by a disease. In the show ring, probably of little consequence in a Hunter class but important in a Hack class.
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Jan
Blinkers
(sometimes called winkers). Curved leather shields fastened to the bridle behind a horse's eye to prevent him seeing behind him. Used, unnecessarily, in the Army until 1853.
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Jan
Blood
The amount of blood a horse’s body contains is about one-eighteenth of its total weight, distributed roughly:
25% heart and larger blood vessels
25% liver and intestines
25% muscle
25% other parts.
The heart pumps the blood to all parts of the body, and returns through veins, the heart acting as the pump.
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Jan
blood line
the horses line of parents going back as far as possible
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mike
Blood Weed
An old term for a Thoroughbred of low standard, often shallow and light of bone type, known to old time dealers and ‘Blood Tit’.
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Jan
Blower
A not so old term for a telephone service between Bookmakers’ offices off course and Tattersalls’ enclosure on the course.
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Jan
Blue Eye
(See Wall Eye)
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Jan
Blue Grass Country
An area in Kentucky, U.S.A., with Lexington as a rough centre, where the grass is rich in lime and phosphates, and is ideal for breeding horses.
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Jan
Blue roan
A horse colour that is is basically black with white hairs giving an overall blue appearance.
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Shelley
Bluff
An old remedy - A bandage with leather eye sockets, put over the head of bad-tempered or excitable horses to keep them quiet.