The Kill (51 page)

BILLET STRAPS
:
Leather straps underneath a saddle to which the girth is buckled.

BUCKLE GUARD
:
Leather flap that protects the underside of the saddle from being worn away by the buckles of the girth.

BUTT BAR
:
Restraining device at the rear of a trailer stall that prevents a horse from backing out.

CANTLE
:
Raised rear part of a saddle.

CHECK
:
Interruption of the chase during a foxhunt.

COLIC
:
Abdominal pain characterized by pawing, looking at the flank, and rolling. Mild colic can often be resolved with nonsurgical veterinary treatment, but acute colic can be life-threatening and often requires surgery, as in the case of a colon torsion—twisted gut—whereby a portion of the intestine twists, causing a blockage.

COLORS
:
Distinctive color or colors—unique to a particular hunt—typically worn on the collar of a hunt coat. Wearing colors is a privilege awarded at the master’s sole discretion, generally to members who have hunted regularly for several years, shown exemplary skill and sportsmanship, and contributed to the success of hunt activities.

COOP
:
Wood panel jump, fashioned after a chicken coop.

COVERT
:
Area of woods or brush where a fox might be found. Pronounced “cover.”

CUBBING
:
Informal foxhunting in early fall, used for training and conditioning young hounds and horses. Cubbing attire—“ratcatcher”—is less formal than foxhunting: tweed or wool coat in a muted color, earth-tone breeches, brown or black leather boots, light-colored shirt and stock tie or man’s tie, black riding helmet, and brown leather or string gloves.

DRAW
:
Search for a fox in a certain area.

FIELD
:
Group of people foxhunting, excluding the master and hunt staff.

FOXHUNT
:
Hunt with hounds, followed by riders on horseback, after a fox. Hunting attire is formal: black wool melton coat, buff or rust breeches, black leather boots, white shirt, canary or tattersall vest, white stock tie secured with a horizontal gold stock pin, black riding helmet, and brown leather or string gloves. Male hunt members who have earned colors, and lady masters/hunt staff, may wear a scarlet coat, white breeches, and black leather boots with brown tops.

FULL CRY
:
Sound of a pack of hounds in hot pursuit.

GONE AWAY
:
Call on the horn when the fox has left the covert and the hunt is on.

GIRTH
:
Strap fastened around a horse’s belly to hold the saddle in place.

HACK
:
Leisurely ride, usually cross-country.

HAND
:
Measurement of a horse, from the ground to the highest point of the horse’s withers. One hand equals four inches.

HILLTOPPERS
:
Group of foxhunters who generally go at a slower pace than the rest of the field and usually do not jump. Also referred to as the “second field.”

HOUNDS
:
Foxhounds. They are never called dogs.

HUNT BREAKFAST
:
Meal served after the hunt. Usually hosted by the property owner where the hunt meet is held.

HUNTSMAN
:
Person who controls the hounds.

LONGE
:
To work a horse in a large circle at the end of a long line.

MASTER
:
MFH (Master of Foxhounds)—the person in command of the hunt.

MEET
:
Assembling of a foxhunt at a certain place.

NATIONAL FENCES
:
Portable hurdle fences that are moved from one racecourse to another.

OUTRIDER
:
Mounted official charged with catching loose horses and maintaining order on the racecourse.

OXER
:
Spread jump with at least two sets of jump standards.

RUN
:
Period during which the hounds are actively chasing the fox.

POINT-TO-POINT/STEEPLECHASE
:
Cross-country horse event consisting of races over hurdles, timber, and on the flat. Sanctioned steeplechase races often offer substantial purse money, but point-to-point races are referred to as the “pots and pans” circuit—very little money is offered; the prizes awarded are mostly silver trophies.

POMMEL
:
Raised front part of a saddle.

SCARLET
:
Red coat worn by certain select members of the hunt. Also referred to as a “pink” coat, after the British tailor, Mr. Pinque, who designed it.

SCARLET IF CONVENIENT
:
Phrase used on formal invitations indicating it is proper for gentlemen who have earned their hunt colors to wear scarlet tails/white tie to a black-tie event.

SCENT
:
Smell of the fox.

STIRRUP CUP
:
Drink served to mounted riders before the hunt.

STOCK TIE
:
Hunting necktie—white for formal foxhunting, plain or colored for cubbing—tied in a square knot or four fold, secured with a plain gold safety pin fastened horizontally.

TACK
:
Equipment used on a horse.

TALLYHO
:
Hunting cry when the fox is sighted.

TRI-COLOR
:
Horse show championship ribbon consisting of three colors—champion combines blue, red, and yellow streamers; reserve champion features red, yellow, and white.

VIEW
:
To see the fox.

WHIP
:
Short for “whipper-in.” Person who helps the huntsman control the hounds.