Equitation

Good hands—This means that the hands are supple, sensitive, sympathetic, flexible and adaptable—maintaining a light, constant contact with the horse's mouth—thus giving a maximum control of the horse while he remains calm—with the least possible exertion on the part of the rider.

A GOOD SEAT—This means that the rider is both firm and balanced in the saddle, his legs in a position to signal and control the horse—a combination of balance, security and control. There are four basic seats (in the United States).

Hunting seat—Generally used in hunting, polo, jumping and crosscountry riding, it is characterized by a position balanced over the horse's center of gravity at all gaits (and at speed, balanced on the stirrups). The back is straight, but relaxed, and head up. The thighs are in full contact with the saddle and close to the pommel, the inner portion of the legs in contact with the horse, the knee "covering" the toe, heels down, toes pointed slightly outward, elbows slightly bent and parallel to the side. "Heels down and chin up."

At gaits faster than the walk, the rider bends forward from the hips, the position of the legs remaining unchanged.

This is frequently referred to as the Balanced, or Forward seat.

Saddle horse seat—This seat is characterized by use of longer stirrups. Consequently, there is less bend in the knee and the rider appears to be sitting closer to the cantle. The stirrup irons are under the ball of the feet. The hands are generally held higher above the withers than in the forward or hunting seat, elbows are close to the side and the back is vertical.

Stock or Western seat—This seat is influenced by the heavy stock saddle with the stirrups hung further back than in the flat types of saddle. It is characterized by an almost straight leg and, as with a saddle horse, the hands are held higher above the prominent pommel.

Dressage seat—The rider is balanced vertically. Basically a hunting seat, but the rider never leaves the saddle and thus uses a longer leather for greater control.

Faults—Common faults in all seats are: Slouching in the saddle, legs too far forward ("feet on the dashboard"), stirrups too long, stirrups too short, knees not in contact with the saddle, heels level or up, reins too long and lack of control.

THE AIDS—This refers to the various means by which a rider controls and communicates with the horse: his hands (the reins), his legs, weight (balance) and voice. They are used in conjunction with each other. Artificial aids include the whip, crop and spurs. The martingale, noseband, rigid reins, gag snaffle, etc. are also used to control the horse.

Direct rein refers to the use of the rein in such a way as to exert pressure to the rear in order to displace the horse's weight to the rear; this is also known as the Direct Rein of Opposition.

Indirect rein refers to the use of the rein to exert pressure to the rear toward the opposite side—in front of the withers. The horse turns to the opposite side without advancing.

Leading rein means opening out the rein away from the horse's head to move it to the right or left, by carrying the hand well out to the right or left.

Bearing rein means moving the rein against the horse's neck toward the opposite side without increased pressure to the rear. The right bearing rein is produced when the right rein acts toward the left against the right side of the horse's neck. The left bearing rein would be produced by the left rein acting toward the right against the left side of the horse's neck.

In the turn to the right on the haunches, the left (outside) leg is used more vigorously and further back to keep the haunches in place —along with a right leading and left bearing rein.

In the turn to the right on the forehand, however, the right leg is used more vigorously and further back to move the rear legs around the forelegs. The horse should remain straight from poll to croup.

COLLECTION—A horse is perfectly collected when he is so balanced that he is able to move at any gait in any direction, forward, backward or to the side—at the slightest indication of the rider and without resistance. The degree of collection depends upon the task to be performed and the gaits desired. 

TWO-TRACKING—This refers to a movement in which the horse gains ground to the front and one side simultaneously (obliquely) without turning his neck or body. Instead of moving forward on a straight line on one track, he does so on "two tracks." The horse's head is turned slightly toward the direction of movement and the shoulders slightly lead the hindquarters—the axis of the horse remaining parallel to the original line of movement.

CHANGING DIAGONALS-This refers to the rider, at the posting trot, changing his rhythm by sitting or rising an extra one-half beat so that he sits (and rises) on the opposite diagonal pair of the horse's legs. Such action relieves one "diagonal" of bearing the greater part of the work and exercises the opposite "diagonal," thus, developing good balance in the horse. It also produces a helpful and healthy variety.

THE LEADS—The right lead refers to the action of a horse galloping so that he is balanced toward the right—his right forefoot being the last to leave the ground before the period of suspension. He appears to reach out or "lead" with his right forefoot. Normally, when a horse is turning or moving to the right he is on the right lead.

The left lead is the reverse.
 
UP ON THE BIT—This refers to contact between the bit in the horse's mouth—resting on the bars—and the rider's hands. It is achieved by urging the horse forward (he takes the bit) and feeling a light contact in the rider's hand. Thus, the horse's mouth is relaxed and alert so that he can be controlled by the action of the reins on the bit and the rider's legs.

BEHIND THE BIT—This means that the horse, by bending his neck, opening his mouth or both, deliberately slackens the reins and thereby severs communication between his mouth and the rider's hand. This situation is caused largely by reins being too long and by insufficient or improper use of the legs. Until the bit rests properly in the horse's mouth—until he takes hold of it—the rider has lost control through the use of the reins. A horse behind the bit is usually placed on the bit through vigorous use of the legs and appropriate manipulation of the reins.

THE MAJOR GAITS-The walk-The rhythm (number of beats in a full cycle) is FOUR. The feet strike the ground in the order—right hind, right fore, left hind, left fore. Alternately, two or three feet are on the ground at the same time. The feet are raised successively and planted in the order in which they are raised. Hoof prints of the walk would look like this:

The trot—The rhythm is TWO and a period of suspension. The feet strike the ground in diagonals—the right hind and the left fore almost simultaneously, the left hind and the right fore simultaneously; as the horse springs from one diagonal pair of legs to the other, all of his feet are off the ground. Hoof prints of the trot would look like this:

The gallop—At the slow gallop or canter, the rhythm is THREE and a period of suspension. The right hind; then the left hind and right fore almost simultaneously; then the left fore followed by a period of suspension when all feet are off the ground. (In this instance then, the horse would be on a left lead.) As the gallop becomes faster, a four beat gait results—because the left hind touches the ground an instant ahead of the right fore. Hoof prints of the gallop (and the canter) would look like this:

OTHER GAITS—The pace—Like the trot, the rhythm is two and a period of suspension. However, the right hind and right fore strike the ground simultaneously then, following a period of suspension, the left hind and left fore simultaneously. As the horse springs from one pair of LATERAL legs to the other, all of his feet are off the ground —as in the trot.

The rack—A fast, four-beat gait in which the lateral legs move almost simultaneously—the hind feet striking the ground slightly before the forefeet; it is ridden faster than the trot. ("Let 'em rack.")

The running walk—A smooth, gliding, overstepping, four-cornered gait which is a cross between a walk and a trot. It is characteristic of the Tennessee walking horse.

The fox trot—An easy gait in which the steps are very short—a kind of jog; the horse's feet act as if he were continually changing from a walk to a trot.

The single foot—An easy gait in which each foot strikes the ground singly and there are alternately one and two feet on the ground; the hind feet move as in a fast walk and the fore feet as in the slow trot.

The amble. A slow, easy version of the pace. Sometimes used for "Single foot" in any easy gait.

The jog or dogtrot. Slower movements of the trot.

The slow gait or stepping pace is a sort of slow, collected rack, characterized by a slight swaying from side to side and animation of the forehand. Four beats.

The lope—A slow, easy, bounding canter on a loose rein. The term is used largely in connection with and is characteristic of the Western horse and rider.

JUMPING—When a horse lands properly after jumping, his feet normally touch the ground in this order—one forefoot then the other; then one hindfoot and the other in the same order as the forefeet (e.g., the left forefoot first, if he is on the right lead, then the right fore followed by the left hind and then the right hind).

FLEXION—This refers to relaxation (softening) of the muscles controlling the jaw and poll of the horse in yielding to the hand (and legs) of the rider. The horse's muzzle should not, however, be drawn back so that his face passes the vertical.
DRESSAGE—This is a system of training movements in which the horse's gaits are shortened and raised by bringing the balance rearward to lighten the forehand—thus giving special agility in a limited space. This is done without sacrificing extension and free movement. The result desired is that the horse will be keen but submissive and balance himself with the weight of the rider without undue strain on any set of joints or muscles. The overall objective is to enable the horse to comply easily and happily with the demands of his rider and to improve the horse's pace and bearing.

LONGEING—This refers to training or exercising a horse by causing him to move in a circle by a trainer at the end of a "longe" line (tape), long rein or rope at the various gaits. In the early stages, a whip with a long lash is used to urge the horse on, indicate speed, direction and change of gait.

A STEEP HILL—When riding down a steep hill, steady the horse's head with the reins but DO NOT hold it up unnecessarily. The horse uses his head as a balance pole. Sit perpendicular to the saddle and DO NOT slouch back.

Likewise, if a horse pecks (stumbles), let him have his head so that he may see what he is doing and regain his balance. Do not "Pick him up with the reins." Again, the horse uses his head and neck as a counter balance.

SWIMMING A HORSE—Remain on the downstream side so as not to be carried against the horse by the current. (You may, however, prefer to swim your horse mounted.)

PULLING LEATHER-This should not be done. It refers to holding on to the saddle to maintain one's balance or seat, especially when a horse gets out of control or acts in a spirited manner.

SLOW TROT—At the slow trot, the rider sits instead of posting (rising to the trot).

TWO SETS OF REINS—When four reins (two sets) are used, the snaffle reins are held on the outside—the curb reins on the inside. 

THE RIDING HALL-Those at the faster gait ride on the outside of the ring—close to the kneeboards. If someone behind you says "track please" give way by moving toward the center of the ring to let him pass between you and the kneeboards.

If you wish to adjust equipment, halt or dismount in the ring, first ride to the center of the ring.

Frequently, someone in authority will command "change hands!" At this command, (a) continue to the end of the ring, (b) turn one-half about and cross diagonally to the opposite corner, then (c) turn one-half about and continue in the opposite direction—thus the riders change from taking the track to the left to taking the track to the right or vice versa, without decreasing the gait or passing or turning in a small circle.

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