---------------------------------------------------------------
| Riders' Ed Handbook |
| A Students' Manual |
| Andras |
| v1, 9809.17 |
| v1.1, 9907.10 |
---------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
FOREWORD
These notes have been collected to present the equitation student a written
summary of the lessons. Consider them the course notes.
( This is intended to be practical information, a summary of the lessons
learned. A typical riding school setting is assumed, with many school
horses of varying abilities. The horses may have desensitized responses
and some bad habits, but are assumed to be pliant, forgiving, and reasonably
compliant even with novice and beginning riders. The descriptions follow
English riding conventions, which predominate in New England. )
EPILOGUE
The ultimate goal is to ride well: elegantly, with good basic form, and with
sensitivity to the horse. Excelling at shows and competitions, though not a
direct objective, should follow as a consequence.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents.
Crash Course
Fundamentals
Basic Controls
Advanced Controls
Discipline
Special Riding
Shows
Appendix
about the horse
tack
horse care
advanced riding techniques
going to shows
training horses (schooling)
Glossary
----------------------------------------------------------------
CRASH COURSE
(Brief walk-through of how to get on, sit, walk, and trot.
Classic "Chapter 0" stuff.)
----------------------------------------------------------------
FUNDAMENTALS
Tacking Up the Horse
currying, brushing, picking hooves
saddle pad, cushion, saddle, girth, stirrups, halter, bridle, reins
Sitting in the Saddle
Hands
Hands over withers of horse, firmly gripping reins. Reins entering
between pinkie and ring finger, thumb flat on top. Wrists facing
out, in-line with arms, arms rotated to tilt top of hands slightly
inward (back of hand parallel to horse's shoulderblades.) Lower
arms and reins should form a straight line from elbow to bit.
Feet
The ball of the foot should be on the stirrup iron, back of heel
lined up under the stacked and balanced hips, back, neck, and head
[Morris]. The heels should be lower than the toes, with the calf
muscles relaxed.
Note: In riding the ankle acts as a shock absorber (analogously to
the fetlock of the horse). The normal walking reflex that tenses the
calf muscle when weight is placed on the leg must be un-learned.
Note: When sitting, the stirrup should bear the weight of the leg
only; the seat, thighs, knees and calves should carry the rest of
the body (deep seat?) [Swift].
Legs
Calves on barrel of horse (at the back edge of the girth, against the
center of gravity), calves calves placed against side, knees close
to but not touching the saddle.
The calves should always be against the side of the horse, both to
hold on in the saddle, as well as to give directions.
Note: do not pinch the knees, this pulls the calves away from
proper contact with the sides of the horse (as well as it being
uncomfortable for the horse).
Full Seat
The basic solid riding position, sitting over the horse's center of
gravity. Weight is supported equally by the seat bones, thighs, knees,
and upper calves. The stirrup should only carry the weight of the
leg, not of the entire body.
?? knees? how knees without pinching ??
Three-Point Seat
?? Similar to full seat, but less weight on seat bones and more borne
on stirrups [Kim].
Basic riding position, with the rider's weight supported by the
seat bones, buttocks, and top three inches of the thighs [Swift].
Two-Point Seat or Half-Seat
Standing in the saddle with only the rider's feet, calves, and knees
bearing weight. The weight is carried over the center of gravity of
the horse. [ It's not clear why this position is called a "seat". ]
?? knees? how knees without pinching ??
Forward Seat
?? Position forward in saddle, weight carried more on stirrups.
Used mainly in jumping [Morris].
?? How is this different from (Kim's) three-point seat?
Controlling the Horse.
A riding horse has been trained to move away from the leg (calves)
and move toward the hand (reins), and is sensitive to a shift in
the rider's weight in the direction of motion. It has also learned
to responds to appropriate voice cues, and don't be surprised if
your school hors walks and trots on spoken request.
Using the Legs
Driving Leg
A squeeze of the upper calves at the back edge of the girth will
urge the horse forward. This is how to ask for walk and trot
(and possibly canter, at least on G. Morris' horses).
Displacing Leg
A push on the side with the (which part ??) calf a hand-span behind the
girth will urge the horse to move its body away from the
pressure. This can be used to bend the horse, walk sideways,
or make it turn its hindquarters. Also used to turn the horse
or to keep it away from fences and bushes.
Note: some books refer to heel pressure against the flank
Using the Reins
Direct Rein
Straight, parallel to neck, equal tension in both sides. A slight
constant tension in the reins ("feeling the mouth") informs the
horse that it is still under command, and should not be eased except
as a reward for a correctly acted-on signal.
Indirect Rein
Unequal tension in reins. Can be created by tightening fingers on
inside hand [Morris], or by relaxing one wrist and tightening the
other, or pulling one hand slightly back and moving the other
slightly forward. Causes the horse to turn.
Opening (Leading) Rein
Pulling the rein out to one side. Used for course corrections such
as pushing horse out into corners of ring (and with horses that
resist an indirect rein. ??)
Neck (Supporting, Bearing) Rein
The reins placed flat against the side of the horse's neck block
movement in that direction (can be used move the horse away from the
contact).
Pulley Rein
This extreme form of the half-halt is an important emergency maneuver
for trail rides and problem horses. It will quickly stop a bolting
horse. Brace one hand against the withers and sharply yank up and
out with the other. This forcefully turns the horse's head, pulls
it off balance, greatly slows it down, and turns it in the direction
of the pull. Try to steer the horse into a fence, bush, or wall to
ensure it will not just take off again.
Release
A slight slackening of the normal tightness in the reins. Offered
as a "reward", or to cause the horse to pick up the pace (in the
latter case, the release is also followed by a leg aid). Normally,
the reins are held with no slack and just tight enough to "feel the
mouth".
Half-Halt
A slight tighten-then-release on the outside rein to signal a
slowdown [Kim]. (This may not match Morris, who may imply a
temporary slight halt with both reins).
Using the Weight
To signal a turn, aim torso toward end-point of turn. The horse
actually feels the small shift in weight onto the inside seat bone
(and/or onto the inside stirrup), and understands this to mean a
turn is requested (Turtle and Calvin are both attentive to seat
bone). Note that stirrup may be more noticeable at the trot and
canter.
To ask the horse to speed up (or transition), a slight lean forward
in combination with the other aids (release reins and squeeze
calves) may be used.
To ask the horse to slow down (or transition), sit up tall and
straight in a full seat in the saddle in combination with tightening
the reins [Kim]. Sitting tall and bracing the back sends the signal
to the horse he should slow down.
The horse should be ahead of or with the rider's center of gravity,
never behind [Morris] (ride "ahead of the motion" or
"with the motion", never "behind the motion").
Using the Voice
A quiet "cluck" can be used as an affective way of urging the horse
forward. [Morris recommends that the horse be taught that a cluck
will soon be followed by the stick unless he obeys]. Note that
using only natural aids (leg, reins) should be attempted first,
which are preferable to using the voice [Hilary].
Using the Stick (Bat, Crop, Whip)
When the other aids are not sufficient, a tap with the crop can
remind the horse that obedience is not optional. The order or aids
are reins/legs/weight, voice, and only then stick. Hit gently, but
hard enough for the horse to notice (on my skin it would leave a
pink line, but it should definitely not raise a welt. The horse's
skin is protected by dense hair, so it won't sting like on humans).
A stick can also be useful to correct specific problem behaviors,
such as pulling to one side (where a tap on the problem side will
cause the horse to move away and straighten out).
For hunter/jumper, carry the crop in the outside hand. For dressage,
have it on the side that requires correction. The crop is held
in the hand along with the reins, pointing down along the shoulder
of the mount. To use the crop, a.) tap on the shoulder for attention
and on the flank for motion [Hilary]; b.) tap behind the saddle on
the barrel [Terry]; c.) tap on the flank [Brandi]. It might be wise
to get local input on this issue :-)
Note: Heavy use of the riding crop is considered poor form and is
frowned upon unless performed by a horse trainer (and even then).
Beating the horse is sadistic and is explicitly banned at shows and
events.
----------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC CONTROLS
(Discusses the introductory controls listed above.)
Leading
Take the reins off the neck, hold them in your hand, and walk in
front of the horse. The horse should follow with no resistance. Do
not wrap the reins around your hand, this is not safe (the horse
could spook, bolt, and drag you with it). Do not let the reins
dangle, the horse might step on them (and break the bridle, spook,
hurt himself and hurt you).
Note: it is not good form to lead a horse with the reins left
draped over its neck.
Mounting
Place the reins over the head onto the neck of the horse, and pull
them snug in your left hand. Stand on near (left) side of horse,
facing the tail. Place left foot in left stirrup and grab the
withers with the left hand and cantle with the right. Step and pull
self up to stand on stirrup. Swing other leg over back of horse,
place in right stirrup. Position legs along girth, then sink softly
into saddle. If the horse is tall, use mounting a block, or lower
the stirrups and readjust once seated, or ask for a leg up.
To give a leg up, stand on left side of rider, support rider's left
knee with the left hand and left ankle with the right, and arrange a
joint heave/jump up onto the saddle. Once up, rider lifts right leg
over side of horse and positions self in saddle.
Note: When sitting witht the feet in the stirrups, the stirrup iron
is rotated 90 degrees from its resting position. The correct way for
this to look is with the rear edge of the leathers (stirrup strap)
against the saddle, that is, with the front edge of the irons being
rotated away from the neck.
Note: Do not let the feet bump the horse's side while mounting, as
this might be interpreted as a signal to take off. Bracing against
the girth is a good way of ensuring that the foot does not bump the
horse. (Luckily, most school horses are pretty good about ignoring
bumps while being mounted). To brace against girth requires
mounting while facing the horse.
Question: what's so special about the left side, anyway?
Answer: In medieval times jousting swords were carried on the left
hip... THUS... get on the left side and you won't turn your horse
into a shish-kabob... [Hilary]
Dismounting
Pull reins snug (but not too tight), hold them in left hand, rise in
saddle, swing right leg over side of horse, hang on to withers and
cantle, shift weight onto arms (or lie across the saddle), remove
left leg from stirrup, and slide down, hitting the ground with both
feet.
Standing
Horse stands calmly with all four legs squarely planted, not moving.
Rider encourages this by ... ??
Walking
To start walking, release reins, then tighten the upper calves
against the side of the horse. Once the horse starts walking, relax
the squeeze (to tell the horse you're satisfied) and pull reins snug
once more ("feel the mouth"). Allow arms to follow the bobbing of
the horse's head. Keep the legs on (calves against side of) the
horse. ... ?? to indicate that the walk should be maintained. ??
Note: some horses will walk or trot when asked with a "driving seat."
Note: some horses are very sensitive to the seat, and will pick up
a walk or trot from the rider simply leaning forward.
Stopping, Slowing, Half-Halt
To slow or stop, subtly shift your weight farther back in the saddle
(by "bracing the back" and slightly arching the upper back) and put
a slight pressure on the reins (by squeezing the fingers; this
blocks the forward path of the horse). The horse is sensitive to
both the reins and the weight shift. This method is used for the
trot-to-walk and walk-to-stop transitions.
Note: do not arch or tighten the lower back, it must still function
as a flexible link to the back of the horse.
The half-halt is a slight asymmetric pull on just the outside rein,
and is used to slow, but not transition, the horse.
Backing
Brace the reins and drive the horse into them. The horse will move
away from the pressure of the legs, will find the reins blocking the
forward path, and will back up. Sit straight to use weight as an
aid; do *not* lean forward.
Note: while classic Morris calls for maintaining the leg pressure,
some horses (Mikey) seem to respond better if the legs are relaxed
after the initial signaling; ie. they back up more willingly if they
are "bounced off" the reins as opposed to being driven into them.
?? Before backing the horse, wait a few seconds in a stand.
This prevents the horse mistaking a slow/halt signal for "back".
?? After having backed, immediately drive the horse into walk ... ?
Turning
To turn, apply an inside indirect rein, outside supporting leg on
flank, and "bend the horse" around the inside driving leg (apply
inside leg). Look ahead, through the turn, by aiming your torso at
the spot where you wish to go (to shift body weight and signal turn
using weight aid).
Note: try not to pull from the arm. Good form is to give as
subtle signals as possible, preferably invisible to others.
Note: Advanced students should also bend the horse into the turn
by driving the horse with the inside leg and using a displacing
leg on the outside.
Note: a weight shift for the turn can be made more explicit by
standing more on the inside stirrup. At the walk, however,
changing the weight distribution between the two seat bones can be
sufficient.
Push out
Apply outside opening rein, inside active rein, inside leg.
Pull in
Apply outside supporting rein, inside active rein, outside active leg.
Apply all three together, as some horses are more sensitive to one of
the signals, some to the other.
Trotting
Position [Morris]
Slow - slight lean forward
Normal, Fast - moderate lean forward
(no lean - extra strong drive, not used for hunter equitation)
(posting behind the motion - drive trot for speed)
Walk-to-trot transition
Squeeze both calves against the barrel of the horse (in the normal
leg position, a hand-span behind the girth), and momentarily "release"
the reins. Wait for the horse to trot, _then_ start posting [Jenn].
Holding Leg
Legs against barrel are used to hang on to horse and direct it. The
legs should be grabbing the horse and holding the rider's seat to the
saddle. The waist should be flexible, allowing the upper body to
stay still and upright.
Sitting Trot
... at the sitting trot, the hip-pelvis and pelvis-back joints act
as a cantilever to absorb some of the shock. The back is not able
to compensate for the motion of the horse, so it should be kept
straight and firm to permit the horse to adjust to it [Swift].
Posting Trot
... do not post too high; there should not be a visible gap between
the rider and the horse ("see daylight" ?) [Brandi]
Changing diagonal
To change diagonal, sit (or bounce) an extra beat or stand
an extra beat, then resume posting.
Cantering
Trot-to-canter transition
Outside neck rein, passive inside rein, move outside leg back, drive
with inside leg [Morris?].
Canter-to-trot transition
1. collect horse (reins + brace back + hold with legs) (alerts horse)
2. half-halt with hands (asks for trot)
3. "catch" new gait (to start posting on first trot step)
Simple Lead Change
Collect horse into trot, then 3-4 steps later drive into canter on
the opposite lead.
Canter in the Half-Seat
Sitting Canter
----------------
Do's and Don't's
Do ride many horses -- to really know how to ride you need to be able to
ride any horse, not just yours.
Do try the correct aid first even on a lazy or insensitive horse -- this
will instill good habits in you, and might just teach the horse.
Don't kick the horse to ask it to trot or canter -- this teaches bad
habits to the horse and will require un-learning on the part of its rider.
Do remove the aid after the horse has obeyed -- this is how you tell it
that it performed the correct action.
----------------
Notes and Hints
Strong and extended gaits are properly executed in a deep seat, not
forward seat and not half-seat [Morris].
Speed up via weight drive, cf. driving a swing [?].
----------------------------------------------------------------
ADVANCED CONTROLS
(Discusses more advanced and specialized controls.)
Cantering
Flying Lead Change
( apply inside leg, then outside leg bend; horse should respond by
switching lead at the canter [Kim] )
( use reins to turn head to match desired lead, then use the outside
leg to ask for canter. The horse interprets the request to canter
while at canter as a call for a lead change [Hilary] )
Jumping
A proper jump requires that the rider be balanced and comfortable
cantering in the half-seat with hands holding the reins. At the
point of takeoff, lift into a two-point-seat, lean the body to be
over the center of gravity of the horse (ie, to be in line with the
force the horse will exert through its center of gravity when
lifting himself), and release the reins. Allow the horse to lift
you over the barrier. Shift weight back when cresting and absorb
landing on stirrups via long legs and low heels.
Note: it is important for the horse to be free of rein pressure
during the jump (to allow it its natural freedom of motion needed to
balance, jump, and land with a weight on its back) [Morris].
Note: do not shift your weight back prematurely, this would be a
serious flaw in jumping [? Morris].
Note: do not lean forward too early, this would signal the horse
to jump too soon. Do not lean too far forward, this interferes
with takeoff and makes the landing more dangerous for you.
Do's and Don't's
Don't worry about your inexperience dulling the horse's response -- one
session with a good rider will refresh its schooling and restore its
confidence.
----------------------------------------------------------------
DISCIPLINE
(Discusses disciplining methods and lists common behavior problems with
suggested remedies.)
laziness shying bucking bolting rearing balking
================================================================
A P P E N D I X
----------------------------------------------------------------
HORSE
(Overview of the anatomy and body parts of the horse. Can include
information about basic physiology, reproduction, gestation, herd life,
foals, summer/winter coats, molting, etc.)
Horses:
stallion - adult male
mare - adult female
brood mare - older female, used for breeding
foal - baby
colt - young male, under two years old
filly - young female, under two years old
gelding - neutered male
Note: thoroughbreds turn 1 yr old on Jan 1, regardless of their
actual birth-date. This can make a big difference to racing
two-year-olds.
Common Breeds:
appaloosa, quarterhorse, thoroughbred, paint, saddle horse, Morgan, Arabian
(not: standardbred, pinto, pony)
Common Colors:
markings
blaze - stripe down nose
half-stocking or sock - color halfway up the cannon, cf. stocking
star - spot on forehead
stocking - color of cannon up to knee or hock, cf. sock
colors
bay - light to dark brown with black points, mane and tail
chestnut - brown with brown mane and tail
palomino - golden with pale mane and tail
pinto - large dark regions on a white base
roan - mixed red and white hairs, sometimes others also mixed in
Parts of a Horse:
head:
nose, nostril, lip, forehead, chin, cheeks, forelock, poll, ears
neck:
crest, mane
forequarters:
withers, shoulder, back
hindquarters:
barrel, sheathe, flank, point of hip, croup, dock, point of rump, tail,
buttock, thigh
hooves:
frog, wall, sole, central and side clefts
legs:
hoof, coronet, fetlock joint, fetlock, pastern, cannon
fore-: knee, forearm, chestnut, elbow, arm
hind-: hock, gaskin, chestnut, stifle, thigh, buttock
Movement:
walk
normal - four-beat gait, 4 miles per hour, right-front, LR, LF, RR order
free, collected - 3 mph
extended - 5-6 mph
trot
normal - two-beat gait, 8 mph, alternating RF+LR, LF+RR order
slow - 6 mph, slow tempo, less lively
collected - 6 mph, normal tempo (shorter steps)
extended - 10 mph
canter
normal - three-beat gait, 10-12 mph, LF, RF, LR+RR pushoff (left lead)
extended - 14 mph
gallop
hand - fast canter,14-16 mph, may be four-beat
racing - 18+ mph, may be four-beat
----------------------------------------------------------------
RIDING EQUIPMENT
(Clothing and accessories for the rider.)
breeches, jodhpurs, chaps, half-chaps, boots, paddock shoes, jacket,
hat, gloves
stick (bat, crop, whip), spurs
----------------------------------------------------------------
TACK
(Description of the basic equestrian equipment, including function,
construction, component parts, and care.)
Bridle: bit, nose band, brow band, crown, cheek strap, throat latch
Reins: snaffle, rings, left and right reins
Saddle: pommel, cantle, seat, skirt, flap, stirrup leathers (strap) and irons,
girth, pad, cushion, breastplate, martingale (standing ~)
Halter:
Lead line:
ADVANCED TACK
(Pelham bit, curb bits, running martingale, longe line, training equipment)
----------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC HORSE CARE
(Description of basic horse care and equipment used.)
Cleaning
coat: curry comb, stiff brush, soft brush, cloth rags
hooves: hoof pick, hoof oil
mane and tail: tail comb
washing: coat, mane, tail
Stabling
weather: heat, cold, rain, humidity, frost, ice, snow, thunder
cross-ties, water and feed buckets, feed, hay, mucking out
Feeding
ADVANCED HORSE CARE
(Common ailments, special conditions)
----------------------------------------------------------------
ADVANCED RIDING
equitation, pleasure, dressage
English vs. western riding
flat riding vs. jumping
----------------------------------------------------------------
SHOWS
Riding for shows
show types, classes,
Trailering
wrapping legs
----------------------------------------------------------------
SCHOOLING
(Horse training)
================================================================
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gil Paust, The Complete Beginner's Guide to Horseback Riding, Doubleday 1977.
George H. Morris, Hunter Seat Equitation Revised Edition, Doubleday 1979.
Sally Swift, Balanced Riding, Trafalgar Square Farm Books 1985.
Susan E. Harris, Horse Gaits, Balance, and Movement, Howell Book House 1993.
================================================================
SUBJECT INDEX and TOPIC OVERVIEW
the horse
motivation of the horse (fear, pleasure, herd instinct)
rider/mount relationship
basic horse anatomy and horse terms:
controlling the horse
sensitive parts of the horse (mouth, head, sides)
aids: snaffle, reins, calves, knees, seat, balance/weight shift, voice, crop
using the legs: driving, displacing
using the reins: direct, indirect, opening/leading, neck, pulley
using the reins single-handed
basic horse care
basic tack terms:
grooming: currying, brushing, picking hooves, combing
grooming for shows: washing, pulling mane, braiding
weather/climate (heat, cold, rain, wind)
warming up and cooling down
tacking up
for lesson
for show
leading horse
mount/dismount
position, orientation; leg up
standing in stirrups, positioning
lowering onto saddle
dismount
stand
position
stirrups, hands, arms, reins
seat, legs, knees, calves
balance
--
walking in place
trotting in place
walk straight
collecting the horse
stand-to-walk transition
balance
position
half-seat
accelerate
slow
stop
--
lengthen and shorten strides
walk sideways
turn (walk on a curve)
signaling a turn (body, reins, leg aids)
small circles
small figure-eights
--
bending the horse
forequarters-only turn
hindquarters-only turn
backing (introduce early, to start learning fine-motor control)
stand-to-reverse transition
direction control
trot
walk-to-trot transition
slowing, trot-to-walk transition
position
seat, legs, knees, calves
in half-seat
sitting
posting
diagonal, reason for diagonal (balance)
changing diagonals
--
stand-to-trot transition
forward/extended
collected
canter
sitting-trot-to-canter transition
canter-to-trot transition
in half-seat
sitting
lead, reason for lead (balance)
simple lead change
--
stand-to-canter transition
walk-to-canter transition
posting-trot-to-canter transition
forward
collected
counter canter
flying lead change
jumping
counting strides
--
gauging strides
choosing takeoff point (close to fence)
================================================================
G L O S S A R Y
----------------------------------------------------------------
aid - means of signaling and communication with horse;
hands (reins), leg, weight, voice/cluck, stick, spurs
bat - stick aid, short stick with folded leater flap at end
bend - a slight bow of the line of the horse when viewed from above,
created by turning the head and arching the body sideways. Good
form calls for the horse to bend in the direction of a turn,
keeping its head, neck, and body aligned with the curve of the turn.
brace reins - tighten the reins slightly
brace the back - bend lower back forward, arch upper back, used in slowing
cavesson -
center of gravity -
Balancing an object is aligning the center of gravity over the support.
center of mass - the point about which the mass of the object is evenly
distributed. A force applied to the center of mass of an object
causes it to move.
cinch - girth [ Western riding term ?? ]
class - an event at a show, do not confuse with lesson; cf. lesson
collected -
collecting the horse - tighten reins slightly, brace back, apply leg
to alert horse to upcoming signal
crop - stick aid, medium stick with looped (???) at end
cue - aid [ Western riding term ]
curl - bend [ Western riding term ?? ]
deep seat - centered, long of leg
displacing leg -
drive - propel horse forward, usually by applying leg (upper calf) pressure.
More so than just by strength, the information is communicated by
the pulsing of the leg telegraphing them on the side of the horse
driving leg -
driving seat - ?? an slightly exaggerated mimicking of the natural
motion of the seat and saddle while the horse is in walking; can
be used to direct the horse to speed or slow its pace to match.
cf. weight drive
elegantly - accomplishing the objective directly with minimal effort and in
an aesthetically pleasing manner [from computer science]
"feel the mouth" - to have just enough tension in the reins to feel a slight
resistance (but not so much as to distract the horse)
flat leg - legs flush against the side of the horse, knees about an inch
from the saddle. The knees should not pinch the horse's barrel,
nor should the back of the calf be making the contact.
forward - applying hindquarters, working the hind legs
girth - wide belt holding the saddle tight on the horse's back
give a leg up - assist mounting by supporting the left knee and shin and
hoisting the rider onto the back of a tall horse
half-halt - momentary signal to stop (tighten reins, brace back, relax) (??)
cf. small squeeze-and-release with outside hand, to slow horse [Kim]
headstall - crown
holding leg -
leading leg - when cantering, the front leg in the air (should be inside leg)
left diagonal - posting when left front leg is moving up [Morris]
leg on horse - calf constantly against side of horse
lesson - one learns to ride by taking these; cf. class
near side - the left side of the horse
off side - the right side of the horse [?? from aft ??]
on the bit -
refusing the bit - ; cf. on the bit
release - a slackening of rein tension (as reward or to increase pace)
reward - a "thank-you" signal offered to the horse by a momentary slackening
of rein tension
riding low - riding with long stirrup straps
right diagonal - posting when right front leg is moving up [Morris]
schooling - training of horses
spook - suddenly take fright; startle, panic
strong leg - XX leg that can support rider's weight and still never wobble from
the horse's side XX
firm contact with the barrel of the horse, squeezing as necessary
both for grabbing and hanging on and for instruction and propulsion
weight drive -
whip - longing aid, long stick with very long cord attached at end
whip, dressage - stick aid, medium long stick with tassled cord at end
wolf teeth - set of teeth in front of the second premolars; once thought
to interfere with the bit but now considered harmless