Glossary [Common Equine Terms]

Sometimes when people talk about horses, the language they use can get a little confusing. Hence, each month in this column, we will focus on certain aspects of equines, such as equine health, training, and such, with an occasional potpourri selection. The 15 words this month are all terms associated with breeding.

Breeder Owner of the dam (mother) at the time of breeding

Broodmare Sire A stallion is called a "brood-mare sire" if his fillies become good breeding stock

Crossbred A horse that has purebred parents of different breeds

Dam The female parent (mother)

Family A group of animals within a breed, all of which trace directly to a common ancestor

Get The offspring of a sire
(Used often in substitution of the word "offspring")

Inbreeding Breeding two individuals closely related in blood
(This is very rare)

Outcross Breeding two individuals of entirely different bloodlines

Pedigree Written record of the ancestry of an animal

Produce The offspring of a dam
(Used often in substitution of the word "offspring")

Purebred An individual horse whose parents are recorded in the same registry association

Sire The male parent (father)

Stamping His Get A stallion "stamps his get" if a marked amount of his characteristics are passed on to his offspring

Stud Book A book of record published by breed registries for purebred horses, ponies, or jacks. It lists the registered stallions available for breeding.

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