Things You'll Need:
- A horse
- bridle and saddle
- riding helmet
- concentration
- imagination
-
Step 1
Aids are the signals used to communicate with the horse. These are precise signals developed over many millennia. They are taught the horse during the early years of training and must be applied the same way by each rider every time.
The LEG aids are essential and are used to propel the horse forward, backwards, sideways and to maintain impulsion or forward movement. To signal forward motion you squeeze the horse's sides gently with your calves just behind the girth and yield or loosen the reins. As soon as the horse complies you stop the signal. You must keep your legs behind the girth at all times.
The second aid is the BIT, which is controlled by the REINS. It is essential that contact with the bit be light and gentle. NEVER ever pull on the reins or clutch them tightly as the horse moves forward. Your hands should always be held on either side of the crest. NEVER cross over the crest with either hand as this causes the horse to break away over the shoulder. To slow or stop the horse apply only light resistance with the reins. Think of the bit as a wall in front, your legs and the reins as walls on either side. -
Step 2
To move forward squeeze the horse's sides and, when he complies, yield with your hands. To ask for movement to either side open the rein on the side you want to move to, rest the other rein against his neck and apply light pressure with the leg on that same side. This closes the wall on the opposite side to the direction you want. Move your head slightly in the required direction which moves your seat, which the horse feels and knows then the direction asked. To stop the horse squeeze his sides, resist with your hands and slide your seat bones slightly forward.
There is much subtlety in riding well, and so it is necessary to develop a good seat and a supple body. Riding is much like ballroom dancing. It requires synchronous movement between the partners for flawless execution. -
Step 3
Artificial aids are available, but none should ever be used by the beginning rider. The intermediate riders can carry a crop, which is a short whip. Other aids are the dressage whip and spurs used by very advanced riders. There are a variety of spurs, which should never, ever be used by the beginning rider and only rarely by the experienced rider. Spurs can easily be misused and cause the horse pain and insensitivity to the leg aids. A rider will not develop a good seat or any strength when relying on spurs.
