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