Horse Tips

Simplify your control with three basic leg aids

Understanding the three basic leg aids used to signal a horse will make controlling your horse much easier! All horses, unless they have been spoiled or abused, will react in basically the same way to these three natural leg signals. Three basic legs aids are:

1. Urging leg – used to urge the horse forward
The leg is used slightly behind the girth.
Example: Asking the horse to transition from a walk to a trot.

2. Bending leg – used to bend the horse around a turn
The leg is used at the girth.
Example: Used in cooperation with the urging led to turn the horse. Use of the bending leg will require the horse to carry itself balanced through the turn rather than falling in on his shoulder or evading by just bending his neck.

3. Displacing leg – used to control the hind quarters
The leg is used well behind the girth.
Example: Used often in a turn on the forehand to ask the horse to move his hindquarters.

Four elements of a great position

No matter what style you ride, a good effective position must have these four basic elements in order to function well.

1. Unity of the horse and rider in motion
2. security of the rider in the saddle
3. Non-abuse of the horse by the rider's seat, hands or legs
4. The riders aids used efficiently and effectively

1. Unity of the Horse and Rider in Motion – Ever heard of the old saying “Be one with your horse?” Let's face it. Riding is not a static activity. Being able to move in rhythm and balance with you horse makes your riding experience exciting and fun for both the horse and the rider.
Unity comes from the proper blend of balance, rhythm and relaxation which creates the “one with your horse” experience to which most riders aspire. Being in unison with your horse makes the entire riding experience safer and more fun by allowing for easier, more efficient control and an easier ride for horse and rider.

To achieve unity:
Balance
Rhythm
Relaxation

2. Security in the Saddle – Riding without fear of falling is the best way to have the most fun with your horse! True security in the saddle means finding a way to stay on while not holding on with your hands or legs and still move in unison with your horse.
Many novice riders quickly find that holding the front of the saddle or gripping with their calves will either put them out of balance or cause the horse to run away. Balance, distributing your weight evenly into the stirrups, spring in your legs and proper use of grip in your knees, upper calves and lower thighs are the key ingredients to being secure in the saddle.

To achieve security:
Balance
Weight distribution
Spring
Grip

3. Non abuse of the horse by the rider's seat hands or legs – Horses were not born with riders on their backs, so it is up to us to ride in a way that works with the horse's natural efforts and doesn't cause confusion, conflicting signals or even unintentional pain.
We have all cringed when seeing a novice rider unknowingly yank a horse in the mouth, bounce up and down on the horse's back or kick the horse's sides with every stride. Riding with soft hands, quiet legs, a well balanced seat and clear signals is essential to an effective position and a safer more fun ride. Your horse will respond more willingly and you both will gain much more enjoyment from your ride.

To achieve non-abuse of your horse:
Soft Hands
Quiet Legs
Balanced Seat
Clear Signals

4. Efficient Aids – Communication and cooperation with the horse is a key element in good riding. It starts with position. Placing your hands, legs and seat in the correct position will allow you to use your aids (tools used to communicate with the horse) quickly, easily and effectively. Learning to balance with your horse so you are not using the reins or legs to stay on will prevent you from giving conflicting signals.
Finally, it is very important to learn how to give signals clearly and then continue to give them in a consistent manner. Changing signals on a horse and expecting the horse to understand is simply unfair and will cause your horse to ignore your signals or react unfavorably.
Good aids are the key to communication with your horse and will give you a safer, better ride!

To achieve efficient use of aids:
Legs, hands and seat in correct position
Good balance independent from your hands or legs
Clear, consistent signals

Buttercups and Horses

While buttercups are dangerous to most animals, the plant doesn't taste good to them so most will avoid it when they have plenty of hay or other grass to consume. The immediate reaction to eating a buttercup is oral irritation. Treatment is not usually necessary unless severe problems such as colic or bloody stool is present. If buttercups are a pasture problem, mowing or treatment of the field is an option. Check the information on the chemicals used for eradication to determine when the field will be safe for animals again.

Cleaning Saddle Pads

The cleaning solutions used on a saddle pad will depend on what fabric the pad consists of. All pads regardless of material should first be brushed well to remove hair and sweat. Sheepskin pads should be handwashed with pure soap. Some sheepskin is machine washable. The manufacturer tag will let you know if it's okay to wash the pad in the machine. Fleece pads may be machine washed. Felt pads should also be handwashed with pure soap in cool water and allowed to dry completely. If in any doubt, check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions on the pad.

History of the term "tack"

The word "tackle" is used in many instances to mean equipment or gear. Around 1924, the word was shortened to "tack" in order to clarify equipment only for equestrian use. Tack includes all equestrian gear, such as harnesses, bits and bridles, not just saddles. Since the tack is usually stored in an accessible room, the room came to be called the "tack room".