So you are ready to ride but how do you tell the horse what to do?

 

So you are ready to ride but how do you tell the horse what to do?  Horses follow verbal commands and noises, cues from leg pressure, and by the bit that is in their mouth.  You can use word cues to tell the horse what you want him to do such as whoa to tell them to stop.  Leg pressure is used to tell the horse to turn, slow down, or speed up.  Bits provide a manual way to tell the horse what you want done.  There are several types of bits and each horse reacts differently to each bit.  Some horses need a more severe bit and others will listen to a mild bit.  The bits should not cause the horse pain, but should make the horse realize what the rider is asking.  A bit is attached to a bridle.  The bit is inserted into the horse's mouth and the bridle goes over the horse's ears.  Reins are attached to the bit and are used for controlling the horse.  The bit will apply pressure to the horse’s mouth and help him understand what the rider is asking him to do: turn, stop, go, etc.  When the bit is placed in the horse’s mouth, it creates a small smile of the sides of the horse’s mouth.  The bit should not be so far back in the horse’s mouth that the smile is uncomfortable.  If the bit is causing the horse pain, the horse will react in a way that the rider knows there is a problem.  The rider should inspect all of the equipment if the horse is acting out of character.  It may take several bits before you find the one that works best for your horse.  There are different bits for different disciplines of riding as well.  It is important for the rider to research the discipline they plan to ride in before purchasing too much equipment.  As with the saddle, the rider should walk the horse from the ground to make sure the horse will react to the bit.  If the horse does not stop or turn, it may be necessary to try another bit.  The bit is the key to steering the horse, so it is essential to find what works best for your horse.  If the horse is comfortable, they will trust the rider.  The horse and rider are a team so trust is the first step in riding your horse. 

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