Achieve the Correct Timing of Riding Aids

Humans have built an entire language with horses upon the concept that the answer to pressure is to give, so we must tune in and notice when they are giving—or at least trying to. This smooths the communication between horse and rider by providing the horse’s reward—the release of pressure—in sync with his efforts to respond to our cues.

If the timing of the release continues to be precise and in unison (or at least in quick succession) with the effort, then the horse’s responses will happen more and more readily.

The Ultimate Goal of Riding Aids

The most obvious examples of this are while riding. You use leg pressure to ask your horse to move forward, then release it when he walks off. You use rein pressure to ask your horse to slow down or stop, then release it when he reaches the desired speed.

Riders at the top of every discipline make their sport look effortless due to seamless communication, which is all properly timed pressure and release at the micro level. Their timing of riding aids has been so accurate for so long that their horse has become a finely tuned instrument, ready to listen to the smallest suggestion, therefore any adjustments are nearly invisible.

Improving Response

When it comes to speaking the language of pressure and release, there are plenty of opportunities to improve your communication and timing while handling your horse on the ground as you work with him in daily interactions.

Practice noticing how much pressure from the halter and lead rope it takes to get a reaction from your horse, walking forward and then halting. See if you can observe that first moment he rocks forward to give to the pressure, and soften as quickly as you can.

Notice how as your timing improves, so does your horse’s response. The same can be done in the wash rack when asking your horse to step to the side to give you more space. Begin with light pressure, and find the exact moment that your horse leans away from it.

Be Aware of the Pressure Level

Although most riders need to bring more awareness to noting exactly when their horse begins to move forward off the leg or slow down in response to the rein, they are at least aware of the pressure they are applying.

However, there are many other daily scenarios where you may be unaware of the pressure you are applying, therefore asking a question that has no answer and that your horse must learn to ignore. This leads to your horse also ignoring aids that you did intend to give.

For example, many riders sit heavily in the saddle without enough weight in their legs and stirrups, which creates pressure from the seat, especially when that becomes a driving and pumping seat in an unorganized effort to ask the horse to move forward. With all that seat pressure as a distraction, it’s no surprise that the horse becomes dull to leg pressure.

It’s also important to note that use of the voice counts as pressure, too. Just like other aids, vocal cues begin to lose meaning to horses when used without the direct reward of release of pressure. If a cluck is supposed to mean trot, then you should stop clucking when the horse steps into a trot.

Releasing Tension

If pressure and release is the language of horses, then tension (in the horse or rider) is the main obstruction to the use of that language.

Many riders begin applying pressure when all the horse truly needs is some time to think and process.

A horse may start out with his ears pricked, heart rate up, snorting, or flight behavior, but as he comes around to the idea that he’s most likely not in danger, he will start to show some signs that he’s releasing his tension and ready for you to apply some pressure and ask questions again. These signs include licking, chewing, blinking, ear flicking, stretching, and giving a neck or body shake.

This is when you can ask your horse to move closer to whatever was causing his concern. When signs of tension return, take all the pressure off so he can focus on regulating himself again.

Key Takeaway

Of course, there are moments when you will miss the timing of when to give a release, but luckily horses are forgiving creatures. If you improve your timing of riding aids and work to communicate more clearly, your horse will improve as well. Everybody wins!

This article about riding aids appeared in the April 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!