1. 4.R.02 Using Aids
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2. Using Aids Overview Leg Aids Weight Aids Rein Aids Feel The Half Halt
Aids for Canter
Cantering True Video
Counter Canter Video

3. Leg Aids
These are aids with a predominately forward driving effect. They are a signal to the horse to begin movement or to maintain movement. The rider’s lower leg should be kept in a soft contact with the horse’s body. This will mean that the horse will be able to feel the action of the leg at every stride. The effectiveness of the horse’s reaction to this aid will depend upon the level of responsiveness acquired in the basic training.
Leg aids may be used in the following ways:-
forwards and sideways pushing aid
forward driving aid
regulating or guarding aid
When applying a forward driving aid it is given just behind the girth so that the heel remains underneath the hip of the rider. The leg never remains clamped onto the horse’s side instead by tightening the calf muscles the rider gives the signal to move off forward. It is important to coordinate this aid so that it is given at the same time as the hind foot is lifting off the ground. If the horse does not respond to a short aid then the rider needs to use a stronger aid.
Forwards and sidewards pushing aids ask the horse to step away in a sideways direction with the hind leg on the same side as which leg was applied. The rider’s leg may move further back, approximately 10cm, and should remain with the heel down. Again the leg should never be clamped on and it should be timed to be given just as the hind foot is picking up off the ground.
The rider’s leg position will remain the same as mentioned above for using a regulating or guarding aid. The purpose of a regulating/guarding leg is to minimise the sideways movement or to prevent the evasion of the hind-legs through swinging sideways. It is used in conjunction with a forwards and/or sideways driving leg. This is to ensure that the sideways driving leg has the desired affect. A regulating leg can also be somewhat responsible for maintaining forward movement.

4. Weight Aids A rider’s weight can be used by:-
easing the weight on the seat bones
increasing the weight on one seat bone
increasing the weight on both seat bones
The response the horse will have to these aids will depend upon the suppleness and control of the rider’s seat. Predominately weight aids are forward driving aids but when refined and coordinated can also back up the leg and reins.
To be effective the centre of gravity of both horse and rider must be aligned. A rider who is out of balance will not be able to move with the horse and as a result will disturb the horse’s way of going.
By increasing the weight on both seat bones the rider can increase the activity of the hind legs, when used with the forward driving leg aid it encourages the horse to bring the hind feet further underneath the body which means they will come further towards the centre of gravity and to push off the ground with more energy.
When increasing the weight on one or both seat bones the upper body should remain tall and upright. The back should become stronger and the rider will need to contract and release muscles to allow the rider to keep following movement whilst momentarily exaggerating the tightening of the abdominal and lower back muscles.
When riding exercises where the horse is bent or flexed a rider can give an increased weight aid on one seat bone to back up leg and/or rein aids. This aid is used to signal a turn to bring the horse into balance with the rider. To perform this, the inside leg is drawn back slightly from the hip into the guarding/regulating position, this causes an increase in pressure on the inside seat bone. Avoid pushing down into the stirrup and it can cause the weight to be shifted to the wrong side.
When easing the weight on the seat bone the rider places more weight onto their thighs and stirrups. The seat will remain in the saddle while the upper body may come slightly forward. This will be used to ease the weight on the horse’s back or when riding young horses.

5. Rein Aids Regulating/Guarding Rein Non-yielding Rein Asking Rein
Rein aids should only be given in conjunction with leg and weight aids and can have the following actions:-
non-yielding
yielding
regulating or guarding
asking
sideways or opening rein
Only if the horse is letting the aids through can the rein aids pass from the mouth to the poll, neck and back to finally reach the hindquarters. The rein must be held in a hand which is positioned correctly with a supple wrist so that aids can be given with sensitivity and fine tuning.
Yielding and asking reins are considered together and can be used:-
when halting
when asking for flexion or bend
performing a rein-back
for improving the horse’s contact with the bit
for improving self carriage
in half-halts
in preparation to begin an exercise
An asking rein can entail closing the fingers momentarily or turning the hand slightly inwards depending upon how strong the effect needs to be. The hand shouldn’t remain in a fixed position and shouldn’t become a ‘pulling’ action. If a horse doesn’t respond, the hand should yield then repeat the aid, with every asking aid being followed by a yielding aid.
Yielding the rein involves returning the hand to its basic position or slightly opening the fingers or taking the hand forward a little. A yielding rein can also be performed without using an asking aid. There contact should remain elastic and yielded smoothly without the rein becoming loose. At times yielding from the wrist will not be sufficient and it may be necessary to yield from the elbow or shoulder.
A non-yielding rein is for when the horse comes against the hand or above the contact, giving this aid involves keeping the fingers closed tightly and maintaining the hands position until the horse yields to the bit. But once again, the hand should not come backwards and it should become light again once the horse has yielded. On a horse which lets the aids through, it can be used with lightness and finesse instead of the asking rein.
The use behind a regulating or guarding rein is to support or prevent excessive bend through the neck or to keep the outside shoulder from falling out. It is used to complement the action of the inside rein as the rider will be required to yield the regulating rein just enough to allow the required amount of bend or flexion. As with all other rein uses, hand position should be kept low.
An opening or sideways acting rein is used especially in turns to indicate the direction. It is particularly useful on young horses when teaching lateral movements to indicate direction of travel. This rein can be used to flex and bend the horse at the same time.
Non-yielding Rein
Asking Rein

6. ‘Feel’
For a rider to be able to refine the use of the aids they must learn to develop ‘feel’ also known as ‘equestrian tact’. Feel is important to apply aids because it will allow the rider to:-
apply the aids at the right moment
apply them in the correct manner
apply them with correct ratios of rein, weight and leg
be applied at the right intensity
The response a horse gives to an aid can be used to determine if it was applied correctly which enables the rider to reflect upon the execution and effectiveness of their aids.
A rider with feel will be able to:-
tell the difference between a horse which is feeling good with high spirits to that of one which is disobedient
determine when to revert to an easier exercise if a horse shows signs of rebellion
distinguish a tired horse from an over faced horse or a horse which has been pushed too hard
immediately feel and react accordingly to a horse which has yielded or resisted
detect faults early on in training and advert them
Some riders will have a natural talent or quality which will make learning to ‘feel’ easier, for example adaptability, quick reactions, already possessing an aptitude for rhythm and movement, sensitivity, agility and the ability to concentrate. ‘Feel’ can be developed through riding educated school-masters, explanations from instructors and practice.

7. The Half-Halt Learning the rein action Engaging hind-legs
A ‘half-halt’ is the simultaneous, combined use of the weight, legs and rein aids and may be used to:-
adjust the strides within a gait/pace
when riding transitions
to gain the horse’s attention
maintain or improve carriage and collection
To perform a half-halt the rider will apply the aids in the following manner:-
placing more weight onto the seat bones by using stronger back muscles whilst
pushing the horse forwards with the leg and
using a measured amount of asking or a non-yielding rein which is
immediately followed by a yielding rein.
The purpose of driving the horse forward should improve the horse’s contact with the bit and help to maintain its desire to move forward which in turn engages the hind-legs further under the body. Reins which become too strong and have a backwards action will restrict the hind-leg engagement.
A half-halt can be perform with one or both reins but for it to be successful in engaging the hind-legs or improving the contact the horse must be ridden forward.
Engaging hind-legs

8. Rein Aids & The Half-Halt

9. Canter Aids Cantering True Counter Canter
As previously discussed, a horse canters in a three-time beat series of strides. Depending upon the sequence of legs the horse is said to be in left or right canter or it can be described as cantering with the left or right leg leading or cantering on the left or right leg. Predominately when riding in the arena the horse canters with the inside leg leading, this is known as cantering true (image a.), if however the outside leg is leading it is then counter-canter (image b.).
Preparation is essential before asking for a transition into canter. This is where the rider will use half-halts to prepare the horse. By performing half-halts the rider will help to bring the horse’s hind-legs forward towards the centre of gravity (which is up under the rider), this increases the weight on the hind-legs, in turn lightening the forehand (front legs) making the canter transition easier.
The aids for a transition into canter are:-
prepare the horse with half halts
place more weight into the inside seat bone (e.g. if asking for left canter you would place more weight in the left seat bone)
use the inside leg at the girth to push the horse forwards whilst
flexing the horse slightly to the inside by using an ‘asking’ inside rein
use the outside rein (in the case of cantering to the left, the outside rein would be the right) to support the shoulder falling out and regulate the amount of flexion
the outside leg comes back behind the girth, about 10cm to keep the hind-legs stepping forwards and not swinging out
as the horse jumps forward into canter yielding slightly with the reins to let the canter through
Cantering True
Counter Canter

10. Cantering True Video

11. Counter Canter Video

12. After the Video Tutorial
View the Power Point Presentation and see if you can discuss each slide
View the Video Tutorial again, if necessary
Read the Workbook
Do the Homework/Extension Lesson
Complete the Online Quizzes
Complete the Practical Assessments
Join Phone Tutorials if available
Listen to Phone Tutorial Recordings

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References
Publication:- Authors:-
The Principles of Riding German National Equestrian Federation
Fundamentals of Riding Charles Harris
Images:-
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basswoodfarm.com/larry.html