Nap/nappy: a horse that refuses to proceed in the direction asked. It is obstinate and willful, and will often rear or spin around to avoid going forward. This type of behavior is commonly demonstrated when a horse is asked to leave a group of horses behind, or when it is leaving its stable or yard

Navicular: tiny bone, part of coffin joint; disease of this bone causing lameness

Near Side: the left-hand side of the horse; the near fore is the front left leg

Neck: unit of measurement, about the length of a horse's neck; a quarter of a length

Neck Rein: movement of the rein against the horse's neck cues him to turn. Also called a "brace rein" or "bearing rein"

Neck Yoke: wooden device that holds end of pole up and is attached to hames with chain or strap on a draft harness

Neoprene: a synthetic rubber or closed cell foam

Nick: a cross of two different bloodlines that consistently produces superior offspring

Nicked: the practice of cutting and rejoining the muscles under the tail to produce an exaggeratedly high tail carriage

Nonpro: an amateur or nonprofessional by specific definition from each association such as NRHA, NCHA, and AHSA

Nose: smallest advantage a horse can win by. In England called a short head

Nose Clamp: humane twitch

Novice: in general, an inexperienced horseman; a division for horse (or rider) who has not yet won three first-place ribbons at specified shows

Numnah: a protective pad worn underneath the saddle

Return to Glossary page