"Aids" or "The Equestrian A-B-C When we "tell" our horses what we want them to do, we use "aids".
"Aids" are the vocabulary of a language that was taught to the horse during its training (the horse was conditioned).
Correct schooling of the horse and precise and consistent use of the aids by the rider are important to eliminate misunderstandings and to achieve the same -almost instinctive- response from the horse every time we give them.
A rider is a "better" rider, the clearer he/she can employ the aids, without losing balance whilst mounted on a living, moving creature. (The never ending search for the "independent seat")
The horse is a better schooled horse, the more different aids (or combinations thereof) given by its rider it can understand and the more athletic movements it can execute in self-carriage and without problems.
The process to perfect communication and understanding, as well as the athletic development of the horse can take many years. We, as riders, partners and teachers of the horse should never forget to keep our bodies and minds fit as well, to ensure the clues we give our horses will be understood as aids and not as interference.
We have five fundamental and "NATURAL" ways to communicate with and to tell our partner, the horse, where, how (outline) and how fast we would like him to move. These five fundamental aids or "clues" are often given in a combination with one another and become more "finely-tuned" when training progresses.
("Artificial" in contrast to "natural aids" will be dealt with in another chapter)

I. THE MIND (often forgotten!)
Use:

• Preparation, Planning
  
• Feeling: Understanding for the horse, his fitness, ability, mental and physical condition
• Conscience, Awareness. Assessment of environmental influences

II. VOICE AIDS
Use:

• Tone (soft, praising, calming, short, sharp, reprimanding, encouraging)
• Expression (word commands like "trrrootttt!" or "whoa" or "goood boy" etc.)
• Volume
  
• Other audible aids, like clicking your tongue etc. (Note: The first aids that horses learn are normally voice aids (besides "touch"))
  

III. WEIGHT AIDS (incl.. seat aids)
Use:

• Position, Posture
  
• Balance
  
• Shifting
  
• Inviting
  
• Encouraging, driving
  
• Restricting, slowing
  
• Receptor /analyzing/feeling
  
• Allowing, easing

(Note: We are giving "weight aids" the moment we sit in the saddle. Our position and posture influences the balance of the horse. Our seat-bones transfer our weight aids and represent the "receptors" as well as the "transmitters".

IV. LEG AIDS
Use:

• Position, Precision
  
• Strength and duration of application
  
• Holding
  
• Steering
  
• Encouraging, driving
  
• Lateral yielding
  
• Bending and Straightening
  
• Influence on Hindquarters

(Note: he horse quickly understands leg aids and therefore they never should be over used or used uncontrolled.)

V. REIN AIDS (the most over-used aids!)
Use:

• Feeling (the more the better)
  
• Position (calm and steady)
  
• Contact
  
• Giving
  
• Allowing
  
• Inviting
  
• Reactive
  
• Restrictive
  
• Indicating (direction)
  
• Half Halt (Parades) -part thereof
  
• Influence on forehand