Some people believe that artificial aids in training are bad for horses since they are abusive and cruel.
So what is the difference between the natural aids and artificial aids? By common definition, natural aids are the human body parts such as our hands, feet, voice, and legs.
Artificial aids include such things as spurs, whips, side reins, martingales and the like.
In my opinion there are no Natural Aids.
There is nothing natural about horseback riding.
Horses are designed for eating and being eaten and their natural responses to stimuli prove that.
Along with that, any aid a human uses on a horse can be harmful and traumatic for a horse, whether it be an appendage or an object.
I have seen people wearing pointed boots haul off and kick a horse in the stomach or twist and bite an ear.
However, the 'traditional' natural aids consisting of the legs, feet, breathing, weight, voice, and hands do have a great benefit that they are almost always available.
When these aids are used together with some 'artificial aids' including the bridle, bit, and saddle, they can give consistent and precise communication to the horse.
When you are using the natural aids, everything should coordinate with the seat and its usage.
If you want to give a horse a cue to stop, you shouldn't only use your feet or legs but include the back and seat as well to get the correct response from the horses.
In order for your horse to slow down you should brace your back which in turn drives the horse into the bridle where the hands can tell the horse to slow down.
As you can see, it isn't only the hands that are working rather the whole body.
And it is not just natural aids as you employ the rein and bit as well.
When you turn your horse, you first look in the direction of the turn and utilize your eyes as well as your entire body in the turn.
Once the you turn your head even slightly, your body follows which creates a slight swiveling in the saddle, shifting your weight to the outside seat bone.
The hands and legs of the rider will follow the movement of the seat so if you are riding on the bit, it will also activate the reins as the body turns.
So while natural aids are the most subtle and readily available, they are not truly natural.
Artificial aids such as the whip in training, just like the 'natural' aids can be helpful in teaching your horse when used correctly.
Just keep in mind that you use your entire body in communicating with your horses on and off their back.
Utilizing all these aids will give a precise cue to the horses which are very effective in training horses.
So what is the difference between the natural aids and artificial aids? By common definition, natural aids are the human body parts such as our hands, feet, voice, and legs.
Artificial aids include such things as spurs, whips, side reins, martingales and the like.
In my opinion there are no Natural Aids.
There is nothing natural about horseback riding.
Horses are designed for eating and being eaten and their natural responses to stimuli prove that.
Along with that, any aid a human uses on a horse can be harmful and traumatic for a horse, whether it be an appendage or an object.
I have seen people wearing pointed boots haul off and kick a horse in the stomach or twist and bite an ear.
However, the 'traditional' natural aids consisting of the legs, feet, breathing, weight, voice, and hands do have a great benefit that they are almost always available.
When these aids are used together with some 'artificial aids' including the bridle, bit, and saddle, they can give consistent and precise communication to the horse.
When you are using the natural aids, everything should coordinate with the seat and its usage.
If you want to give a horse a cue to stop, you shouldn't only use your feet or legs but include the back and seat as well to get the correct response from the horses.
In order for your horse to slow down you should brace your back which in turn drives the horse into the bridle where the hands can tell the horse to slow down.
As you can see, it isn't only the hands that are working rather the whole body.
And it is not just natural aids as you employ the rein and bit as well.
When you turn your horse, you first look in the direction of the turn and utilize your eyes as well as your entire body in the turn.
Once the you turn your head even slightly, your body follows which creates a slight swiveling in the saddle, shifting your weight to the outside seat bone.
The hands and legs of the rider will follow the movement of the seat so if you are riding on the bit, it will also activate the reins as the body turns.
So while natural aids are the most subtle and readily available, they are not truly natural.
Artificial aids such as the whip in training, just like the 'natural' aids can be helpful in teaching your horse when used correctly.
Just keep in mind that you use your entire body in communicating with your horses on and off their back.
Utilizing all these aids will give a precise cue to the horses which are very effective in training horses.
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